New Book — Now Available
The Anatomy
of a Change
Leader
How to Think, Act, and Lead Change in a Disruptive World
You are already leading change. This book is about doing it with deeper clarity, stronger conviction, and lasting impact. Built around the Change Leadership DNA framework, this is the definitive guide for practising change leaders navigating complexity.
"Leading change is one of the most demanding things a human being can do. You already know this. And you have chosen to do it anyway."
About the Book
A book for change leaders, by a change leader
The Anatomy of a Change Leader is not a book for people who want to manage change from the sidelines. It is written for those who are in it — the practitioners, professionals, executives, and organizational leaders who carry the weight of change and choose to show up for it anyway.
Drawing on more than two decades of experience working with organizations across financial services, government, and professional services, Yvonne Ruke Akpoveta examines what separates effective change leaders from those who simply occupy the role. The answer, she argues, is not just skill or experience. It is in the DNA.
Grounded in her proprietary Change Leadership DNA framework, this book explores the thinking patterns, behaviours, and professional identity that define how the most effective change leaders operate — and provides a practical, reflective guide for deepening your own.
ISBN: 978-0-9939023-7-6
The Framework
The Change Leadership DNA Framework
At the core of The Anatomy of a Change Leader is a proprietary framework that maps the defining strands of effective change leadership. DNA stands for Discover, Navigate, and Apply — a lens for understanding how you think, act, and lead as a change leader, and where you have room to grow.
Developing deep self-awareness and insight into your own mindset, beliefs, and mental models as a change leader.
Building the capability to move through complexity, uncertainty, and resistance with clarity and conviction.
Translating insight and capability into deliberate action — leading change with intention, humanity, and impact.
Who This Book Is For
Written for those already doing the work
About the Author
Yvonne Ruke Akpoveta
MBA, C.Dir.
Yvonne Ruke Akpoveta is a change leadership strategist and speaker with over 20 years of experience working with organizations and leaders across financial services, the Ontario Public Service, and global professional services — including RBC, TD, Loblaw, and JPMorgan Chase.
She is the founder of The Change Leadership Conference, a global community dedicated to advancing change leadership capability, and the host of the Change Leadership Conversations podcast. Her work sits at the intersection of change leadership, organizational transformation, and the human dimensions of leading through disruption.
The Anatomy of a Change Leader is her fourth book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about the book
What is The Anatomy of a Change Leader about?
This book explores what it truly takes to lead change in a disruptive world. Built around the Change Leadership DNA framework, it examines the mindset, behaviours, and professional identity that define effective change leadership. It engages the whole change leader — head, heart, hand, and soul — and offers a reflective, practical guide for deepening your own practice.
Who is this book written for?
This book is written for practising change leaders — the professionals, practitioners, and executives who are already in the work of organizational transformation. It assumes you have experience. It asks you to go deeper.
What is the Change Leadership DNA framework?
The Change Leadership DNA framework is a proprietary framework developed by Yvonne Ruke Akpoveta. DNA stands for Discover, Navigate, and Apply. It maps the defining strands of effective change leadership — how you develop self-awareness, how you navigate complexity, and how you apply your capability with intention and impact. It is the structural backbone of the book.
What is the difference between change leadership and change management?
Change management tends to focus on processes, plans, and tools for implementing change. Change leadership is about the human capacity to inspire, guide, and sustain transformation — the vision, conviction, and relational intelligence required to bring people through disruption. This book is firmly in the territory of change leadership.
Where can I buy the book?
The book is available worldwide on Amazon. You can order your copy at amazon.ca or through your local Amazon store.
Get the Book
Ready to go deeper into your change leadership?
Available now on Amazon. Paperback and digital editions.
Buy on Amazon.ca Amazon.com Amazon.co.ukWant to go deeper than the book?
The Change Leadership Accelerator
Built on the same DNA framework as the book, the Change Leadership Accelerator is for change leaders who want to do the deeper work — in community, with structure, and with intention.
Explore the Accelerator