--- title: "#186: From SCARE to CARES: Transforming IT Culture" description: A Framework for Building Inclusive Digital Change Leadership with City of Seattle IT image: https://techtables.com/hubfs/pod%203.jpeg --- [Skip to content](https://techtables.com/podcast/186-from-scare-to-cares-transforming-it-culture-2024-seattle-city-hall-live-podcast-tour#main-content) [All posts](https://techtables.com/podcast/all) December 31, 2024 # #186: From SCARE to CARES: Transforming IT Culture ![Picture of Joe Toste](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/d79e02d2f67ca9987e895bb88cf1c034)   Joe Toste  ·  2 minute read [mailto:email@email.com](mailto:email@email.com)       **Listen now: [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@techtables) x [Apple](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-public-sector-show-by-techtables/id1661752549) x [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/0bFQBsDwKJkdNk2qENkhNL?si=387c7ae946694939)** ---   ### 📬 **The TechTables Newsletter** TechTables connects public sector technology leaders — CIOs, CISOs, and CTOs — through darn good conversations and peer-driven community. 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Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership! ### **Featuring:** - **[Saby Waraich](https://www.linkedin.com/in/waraich/)**, CIO/CISO, Clackamas Community College - **[Ed Odom](https://www.linkedin.com/in/eodom1/)**, Race and Social Justice Lead, City of Seattle IT - **[Melanie Vogt](https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-v-83a5aa4a/)**, Human Resources, City of Seattle IT - **[Curtis Nimmons](https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtis-n-a65791b/)**, HR Director, City of Seattle IT ### **What You’ll Learn:** - How the SCARE to CARES framework addresses digital transformations, noting that 84% fail, with 52% due to communication issues - Practical strategies for managing Seattle IT's transition to 3-day office mandates, including listening sessions, drop-in hours, and employee assistance programs - How military-style "mission over self" leadership principles can foster employee buy-in while maintaining empathy - Why shifting from negative mindsets (with 80-85% of daily 70,000 thoughts being negative) is crucial for effective leadership - The importance of developing "power skills" (formerly called "soft skills") in the workplace ### **Timestamps** ([02:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj-8zVwSP1A&list=PLih39KSQanL5kx_gnfhu-jL3pkzZqqzpX&index=18&t=120s)) Guest Introductions ([02:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj-8zVwSP1A&list=PLih39KSQanL5kx_gnfhu-jL3pkzZqqzpX&index=18&t=178s)) SCARE to CARES Framework ([05:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj-8zVwSP1A&list=PLih39KSQanL5kx_gnfhu-jL3pkzZqqzpX&index=18&t=348s)) Protected Classes in Tech Policy ([06:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj-8zVwSP1A&list=PLih39KSQanL5kx_gnfhu-jL3pkzZqqzpX&index=18&t=417s)) Managing Return-to-Office Transition ([09:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj-8zVwSP1A&list=PLih39KSQanL5kx_gnfhu-jL3pkzZqqzpX&index=18&t=540s)) Military Leadership Principles ([20:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj-8zVwSP1A&list=PLih39KSQanL5kx_gnfhu-jL3pkzZqqzpX&index=18&t=1244s)) Purple Cow Leadership Concept ([24:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj-8zVwSP1A&list=PLih39KSQanL5kx_gnfhu-jL3pkzZqqzpX&index=18&t=1498s)) Balancing Unity with Equity ([31:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj-8zVwSP1A&list=PLih39KSQanL5kx_gnfhu-jL3pkzZqqzpX&index=18&t=1882s)) IQ, EQ, and PQ in Leadership ### **Whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:**  **1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: **Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates. Join now: [https://www.techtables.com/](https://www.techtables.com/) **2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: **The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event. 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Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates. #### **CONNECT** **🤝** [**Connect on LinkedIn**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/) 🐦 [**Connect on Twitter**](https://twitter.com/thejoetoste) 🏛️ [**Follow on LinkedIn Company**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/) 📽️ [**Subscribe on YouTube**](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC2mIayW4HQXROjf1GzVCuw)   #### **SAY THANKS** 💜 **[Leave a review on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1661752549?mt=2&ls=1)** 🟢 **[Leave a rating on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/0bFQBsDwKJkdNk2qENkhNL)** Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://techtables.com/podcast/186-from-scare-to-cares-transforming-it-culture-2024-seattle-city-hall-live-podcast-tour) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://techtables.com/podcast/186-from-scare-to-cares-transforming-it-culture-2024-seattle-city-hall-live-podcast-tour) [twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://techtables.com/podcast/186-from-scare-to-cares-transforming-it-culture-2024-seattle-city-hall-live-podcast-tour) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://techtables.com/podcast/186-from-scare-to-cares-transforming-it-culture-2024-seattle-city-hall-live-podcast-tour) ## Recommended Next Episodes [![](https://techtables.com/hubfs/pod%201.jpeg)](https://techtables.com/podcast/184-seattles-human-centric-approach-to-digital-services-2024-seattle-city-hall-live-podcast-tour) [2024 Seattle City Hall Live Podcast Tour](https://techtables.com/podcast/tag/2024-seattle-city-hall-live-podcast-tour) #### [#184: Seattle's Human-Centric Approach to Digital Services](https://techtables.com/podcast/184-seattles-human-centric-approach-to-digital-services-2024-seattle-city-hall-live-podcast-tour) [![](https://techtables.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-06-21%20at%209.13.58%20PM.png)](https://techtables.com/podcast/188-trailblazing-leaders-govtech-women-breaking-the-status-quo-2024-seattle-bellevue-live-podcast-tour) [2024 Seattle + Bellevue Live Podcast Tour](https://techtables.com/podcast/tag/2024-seattle-bellevue-live-podcast-tour) #### [#188: Trailblazing Leaders: GovTech Women Breaking the Status Quo](https://techtables.com/podcast/188-trailblazing-leaders-govtech-women-breaking-the-status-quo-2024-seattle-bellevue-live-podcast-tour) [![](https://techtables.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-06-19%20at%201.47.56%20PM.png)](https://techtables.com/podcast/192-from-forms-to-freedom-building-digital-services-that-citizens-actually-want) [2024 Seattle + Bellevue Live Podcast Tour](https://techtables.com/podcast/tag/2024-seattle-bellevue-live-podcast-tour) #### [#192: From Forms to Freedom: Building Digital Services That Citizens Actually Want](https://techtables.com/podcast/192-from-forms-to-freedom-building-digital-services-that-citizens-actually-want) [![TechTables Black & Red Logo 2023-1](https://techtables.com/hubfs/TechTables%20Black%20%26%20Red%20Logo%202023-1.svg "TechTables Black & Red Logo 2023-1")](https://www.techtables.com/) ### The #1 Video Podcast for Senior Public Sector Leaders   Join 250K+ Public Sector Leaders—from State and Local Government to Higher Education—including CIOs, CISOs, City Managers, and Executive Directors—by subscribing to exclusive podcasts, live events, and invites to private meetups and more! 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