Episode 3: Who Is Responsible for Your Growth?
- Dr. Kenny
- 12 minutes ago
- 3 min read
In this episode of Lead the Shift Conversations, I sit down with Chale Dodge, a Business Analysis Practice Lead and passionate advocate for professional communities, to explore the experiences that have shaped his approach to career growth, leadership, and service.
Chale's journey into business analysis wasn't one he originally planned. An unexpected opportunity opened the door to a career that would eventually see him move from Business Analyst to Senior BA, Lead and Practice Lead, while also building communities, mentoring others and finding new ways to help professionals grow.
Our conversation explores what it means to take ownership of your growth, why leadership is less about position and more about service, and why we shouldn't always wait for someone else to show us the way. We also talk about navigating career uncertainty, making your value visible, learning through reflection, building meaningful professional networks, and how AI is changing the way we work.
At the heart of the conversation is a simple reminder:
you don't have to navigate your journey alone.
🎥Watch on YouTube.
🎧 Listen on Spotify
In this episode you'll discover:
Why your career doesn't always have to follow the path you planned
Why leadership is about service, not simply position or authority
How to take greater ownership of your professional growth
Why doing good work and communicating your value matters
How reflection can turn experience into meaningful growth
Why a "no" may sometimes mean "not yet"
How AI is changing work without removing the need for human judgement and problem-solving
Why communities, mentoring and professional networks can make a difference to your journey
Continue the Conversation
Some lessons stay with you long after the conversation ends. I've pulled together eight reflections from this episode on growth, leadership, career ownership, technology and the importance of community.
About the Guest
Chale Dodge leads Business Analyst Services, specialising in strengthening enterprise-wide business analysis capability. A Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) and IIBA member, he holds a Master of IT Leadership from Deakin University and is a certified PROSCI Change Practitioner and PRINCE2 Practitioner, bringing together experience across strategy, delivery, leadership and change.
Throughout his career, Chale has progressed from Business Analyst to Senior BA, Lead and Practice Lead, while developing a strong commitment to helping others grow. He has established mentoring programs and certification study groups and supported professional communities across New South Wales, creating opportunities for Business Analysts to connect, learn and share knowledge.
Chale co-authored The Evolving Analyst with global peers and is also the author of Business Analyst Services: Practice Leadership Volume One. His work explores how BA practices can create greater value at scale and how AI can be practically applied to business analysis, while keeping human judgement, problem-solving and understanding of work at the centre.
At the heart of his work is a simple philosophy that also came through strongly in our conversation: Leadership is not about being the smartest person in the room or telling others what to do; it is about service, supporting others and helping people move forward.
Connect with Chale Dodge
Book: Business Analyst Services: Practice Leadership Volume One (available on Amazon and Booktopia)
Reflect: Where in your career have you been waiting for someone else to show you the way?
Decide: What part of your professional growth do you need to take greater ownership of?
Act: Take one step this week. Learn something new, reach out to someone, join a community, share what you know, or offer your skills where you see a gap.
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