Do you have an experience you can relate where you've been able/unable to implement change or performance improvement interventions due to recalcitrant company culture? How did you get around or work within the culture to achieve some success?

I've faced the old "we've always done it this way" as well as "who are you to say what we should be doing" when acting as an instructional designer (aka an HPT in the closet) in my company. I don't have the authority to suggest change outside of the Learning and Development Department, nor the relationships with senior managers to convince them to implement a performance intervention. I've had some success with persuasive arguments together with very tiny performance improvements.

Yes, absolutely, this happens each time we introduce disruptive technology and innovative approaches: an role-play instead of a traditional instructor-led course, a mobile Performance Support Tool instead of e-learning in the LMS. We attempt to overcome most objections through communications (1 minute leadership video), or testimonials from participants who completed the pilot sessions.