Leaders face three huge challenges these days:

1. The need to change is constant;

2. Most big changes like merger integration, new software systems, and reorganizations fail;

3. And leaders don?t have time to learn how to lead change the right way.

That?s a potentially deadly mix of forces. Major projects fail before they ever bring any benefit to their organizations. In this economy, that could put you out of business.

Since two-thirds of all big new initiatives fail, it would seem that leaders would get the hint and start to do things differently.

But who?s got that kind of time? When you are racing full out for as many hours as you can stay on the treadmill, it's hard to reflect on what you might do differently.

Rick Maurer?s Intro to Change without Migraines Podcast is a great start in learning how to do things right. This Podcast has three big things going for it. It?s free, it?s on iTunes and it's only 16 minutes long.

As Rick Maurer said, ?These 16 minutes give leaders and planning groups a framework for talking about change. And that can make a huge difference.? Maurer, author of Beyond the Wall of Resistance (Bard Press) and Why Don?t You Want What I Want? (Bard Press), has seen his Change-Without-Migraines approach shift what people focus on: ?People start to ask, ?How do we make a case that something new is desperately needed? How can we get started on the right foot? How can we get things back on track???

?When people ask the right questions, the answers aren?t hard to find.?

Last month, Maurer unveiled a new Web site, the Change Management Open Source Project where people from around the world (25 countries at last count) can come together to share ideas and ask questions about change. In addition, they have access to Maurer?s e-book, "Introduction to Change without Migraines," videos, a training design on change management, and a series of Podcasts with thought leaders. And all of this is free.

Maurer said, ?Change doesn?t have to be a Marco Polo journey without a map. I have seen leaders learn how to plan and implement major changes effectively. It doesn't have to be a harrowing adventure. The podcast, and the change open source project, are my attempts to get the tools of change into people?s hands.?