Become a Certified Emotional Culture Deck Change Practitioner!

When organisations face big change, the default response is usually strategic.

Plans. Timelines. Communications frameworks.

What about the people side?

Leading the people side of change can be complex and challenging. People transition through change differently, and at different speeds. At the heart of any change is how people 'feel' about the change. The Emotional Culture Deck Change Practitioner course bridges that gap.

This course is essential for change leaders and managers looking to focus on navigating the emotional side of change within their organisations. The Emotional Change Strategy Course equips participants with the tools and knowledge to better lead and land change with empathy, compassion, and emotional intelligence. The course is designed to be highly interactive and hands-on, allowing leaders to practice and apply what they learn in a tactile learning environment.

Why This Course Works

It’s effective – You walk away ready to apply what you’ve learned
It’s practical – The tools are simple, flexible, and human
It’s human – Emotion isn’t the soft part. It’s the strategy
It’s empowering – You’ll move from insight to confident action

You’ll learn how to:

Lead yourself through change — with clarity, reflection, and purpose
Support others through 1:1 conversations, rituals, and emotional clarity
Co-create emotional culture in your teams during times of uncertainty
Design change rituals that make momentum stick

You can expect:

Active learning through interactive activities and group discussions.
Learn how to use and embed our ready-made Emotional Culture Deck (ECD) Change Tools
Recognise emotional drivers: Understand personal and team responses to change
Shape emotional change strategies: Collaboratively design emotion-centred strategies that foster resilience and engagement during transitions.
Rituals: Understanding the power of rituals in managing change.
Post-course Follow Up Group Coaching Call

Who Should Attend?

This Course is carefully designed not only for in-house change leaders but also for external change agents who are passionate about driving meaningful progress. It is ideal for:

Change Managers: Who are looking for innovative ways to lead transformation initiatives with empathy and insight.
Organisation Development Managers: Who aim to shape adaptable, resilient organisational cultures.
HR Professionals: Who support and guide employees through the human aspects of organisational changes.
Coaches and Consultants: Who help organisations navigate through change with bespoke solutions.
Project Leaders: Who oversee transitions and want to ensure they are carried out with emotional intelligence.
Team Leads and Supervisors: Who manage day-to-day team dynamics and want to lead with a deeper understanding of emotional drivers and responses.
Strategic Planners: Involved in crafting the long-term direction of their organisations and understanding the emotional implications of change.

Whether you're guiding a team internally or advising organisations externally, the Emotional Change Strategy Course will equip you with the ECD tools and skills to facilitate change with empathy and humanity.

ECD in play

What is Included in the Course?

Enrol and participate in the ECD Emotional Change Strategy Course and unlock a wealth of resources (valued over NZD$600) as well as become a Certified ECD Emotional Culture Deck Change Strategy Practitioner:

ECD Emotional Change Strategy Toolkit - Valued at $330 NZD: Get this toolkit, filled with a selection of physical and downloadable change resources designed for immediate impact.
Your Own Emotional Culture Deck - Valued at $165 NZD: Receive your personal ECD, an essential tool for applying course principles in real-world settings, adding even more value to your toolkit.
Exclusive 60-Minute Group Coaching Call: Enhance your course experience with a group coaching call, scheduled eight - nine weeks post-course. Hosted via zoom, this session provides an opportunity to solidify your learning, address any questions, and ensure you're applying your new skills effectively. Whether you attend live or watch the replay later, this call is a key step in your continued development.
ECD Emotional Change Strategy Certificate of Practice: A formal acknowledgement of your dedication to enhancing your Emotional Culture Deck skills.
90-Day All Access Pass to our Online Elephant Rider Community – Valued at $175 NZD: By enrolling and completing this course, you gain 90 days of access to online ECD resources, expertise, and continued support, all designed to flip the traditional approach to change and leadership.
Continued Learning Discount: Enjoy a 50% discount on your future purchases of The Emotional Culture Deck via Master Certified Consultant Denise Hartley-Wilkins

Why This Matters:

These offerings are designed to ensure participants leave the course not only with new knowledge but also with the tools, recognition, and support needed to apply their learning effectively. From digital credentials that boost professional profiles to practical toolkits that facilitate on-the-job application, participants are fully equipped to apply what they learn within their teams and organisations.

Your ECD Change Strategy Toolkit

You get access to a Change Strategy Toolkit (physical and digital) of practical, actionable tools that you will learn to apply during the course, ensuring you can implement what you've learned immediately and effectively within your teams or consulting practices.
Here's what's included, a comprehensive resources valued at $330 NZD:

These resources are not just theoretical; they're practical, actionable tools that you will learn to apply during the course, ensuring you can implement what you've learned immediately and effectively within your teams or consulting practices.

ECD Personal Change Conversation Guide: Facilitate meaningful conversations around personal change, empowering you and your team to navigate transitions with greater awareness and alignment.
ECD Know Yourself Through Change Handbook: A reflective tool that guides you in understanding your own responses to change, fostering personal growth and resilience.
ECD Change Leadership Canvas & Workshop Plan: Strategise and execute change leadership with a structured approach, enhancing your ability to lead effectively during transitional times.
ECD Exploring Team Change Canvas & Workshop Plan: Collaboratively explore and address team dynamics during change, fostering a supportive and adaptive team environment.
ECD Change Rituals Canvas: Introduce and establish meaningful rituals that support and acknowledge change processes, reinforcing a culture of continuous adaptation and cohesion.
Bonus: ECD Transitions Handbook: Dive deeper into managing transitions with this additional resource, offering further strategies and insights to complement your change toolkit.

What is the Emotional Culture Deck?

The Emotional Culture Deck is the fastest growing game in the world for better workplace culture. It is currently used by over 400,000 people in over 55+countries. It is a uniquely powerful way to create human conversations about what really matters in the workplace. It nudges vulnerability, builds empathy, creates connections and fosters trust within teams.

Click here to learn more about The ECD and watch the origin story video of the founder of riders&elephants sharing the story behind the game.

Who Uses The Emotional Culture Deck?

The ECD is trusted by some of the world’s largest and most successful organisations, including Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, educational institutions, and government agencies. From tech giants to healthcare providers, leaders across various industries

Air New Zealand Leaders

About the facilitator, Denise Hartley-Wilkins

Denise has been dedicated to championing better workplaces and working lives for the last 25 years.

A recognised expert in people and culture, Denise is an experienced executive coach and a skilled educator. Working globally at executive and board levels, she has helped to set the benchmark for excellence in leadership and people development.

As one of only four Master-Level Certified Emotional Culture Deck (ECD) Consultants and a mentor in the ECD community, Denise is among the most experienced ECD practitioners worldwide. Her expertise spans leadership development, team building, workplace culture, change leadership, conflict management, and employee experience.

She is a PCC coach with the International Coaching Federation and a qualified Team Coach practitioner with the Global Team Coaching Institute.

Denise is a Distinguished Fellow, a former National President of Human Resources Institute of New Zealand and a Chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (UK). You can find out more from her LinkedIn profile.

Certified ECD Leadership Development Practitioners

Will refreshments be provided during the workshop?

Water is available through the day.
Coffee, tea and snacks will be available during morning tea break. You will need to bring or buy your own lunch (a café is on site).

ECD Change Toolkit

Contact the host of ECD Emotional Change Strategy Course - 2 July 2026