Explore every episode of the podcast Org Design Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Future-Proofing Organizations: Joemmy Ramirez & Mary Selden on Internal Organizational Design Team Success | 12 Sep 2024 | 00:27:02 | |
Unlocking the Future of Organizational Design: In this episode from the Org Design Festival, experts Joemmy Ramirez and Mary Selden, join Podcast hosts Tim Brewer and Amy Springer, explore the art and science of developing effective organizational design functions within large organizations. They discuss unconventional career paths and innovative approaches to modern organizational challenges, along with the crucial elements for reshaping and future-proofing organizational structures. Joemmy and Mary provide invaluable advice for leaders, highlighting the importance of adaptability, strategic foresight, and the evolving role of technology in organizational design. | |||
| Building Resilient Organizations: Steve Garcia on Navigating Effectiveness in Today’s Rapidly Changing World | 29 Aug 2024 | 00:24:02 | |
In this podcast, Tim Brewer, Amy Springer, and Steve Garcia explore the evolving landscape of organizational design. Steve, who began consulting in 2005, emphasizes that org design encompasses more than just structure, including processes, culture, and informal networks. Steve highlights how rapid technological changes, particularly AI, are making traditional leadership approaches obsolete. His company, Contemporary Leadership Advisors (CLA), assists leaders in navigating these changes, often when they feel overwhelmed by ineffective traditional practices. The discussion touches on AI's impact on productivity and organizational connections. Steve advises leaders to start with a listening phase to understand challenges broadly before implementing solutions. He advocates for agile, iterative approaches to strategy and execution, moving away from rigid planning cycles. The conversation concludes with insights on the necessity of continuous organizational adjustments to remain competitive in today's fast-paced business environment. | |||
| Unleashing the Power of Org Design: Insights from Kattie Capozza on Patterns, Connectivity, and Strategic Decision-Making | 11 Oct 2023 | 00:28:04 | |
In this podcast episode, Kattie Capozza discusses her approach to org design based on her lived experience. She emphasizes the importance of understanding cause and effect, identifying patterns, and connecting different aspects of an organization. Starting with the operating model and considering factors such as workflow, structure, talent, and business cycles can lead to more thoughtful and strategic org design decisions. Capozza also highlights the need for patience, involving employees in the design process, and providing them with choices and transparency to minimize resistance to change. | |||
| Why Kumbaya and trust falls won't work and what's needed to avoid toxic cultures ft. Glenn Bergsma (Evolve Leadership) | 18 Sep 2023 | 00:28:25 | |
In this conversation, Glenn Bergsma, an organizational and leadership development consultant from Evolve Leadership, shares his insights into organizational design. Bergsma notes that his consulting engagements often involve organizational design, which is one of the many areas of expertise that his firm specializes in. Bergsma emphasizes the importance of deep listening when identifying organizational issues. According to him, leaders need to play the video, or think ahead to future growth and scalability, to identify potential problems and areas for improvement. This approach requires leaders to be proactive and forward-thinking, which is essential in today's fast-paced and constantly changing business environment. Another key point that Bergsma stresses is the need for organizations to develop a culture of change. He believes that companies should not rely on external consulting firms to redesign their structures, as change is happening too fast and organizations need to respond quickly. Instead, he suggests that leaders develop org design skills in-house to respond quickly to change. Bergsma also highlights the importance of clarity in roles and responsibilities to avoid toxic cultures. He emphasizes the need for deep listening and understanding the underlying issues within an organization to identify areas for improvement. Leaders must be flexible, adaptable, and forward-thinking to ensure that their organizations remain effective and successful in the long term. Overall, Bergsma's insights highlight the importance of deep listening, foresight, and adaptability in organizational design. By fostering a culture of change and developing org design skills internally, leaders can ensure that their organizations remain agile and responsive to change, which is critical in today's rapidly changing business environment. | |||
| Healthy Org Design Culture ft. Don McKenzie (Tribe Ventures) | 28 Aug 2023 | 00:37:39 | |
Tim Brewer (Functionly) chats with Don McKenzie (Tribe Ventures) about his experience growing organizations across Australia and the US. Then how he still prioritises org design conversations with the teams he speaks to as a venture-based investor and advisor for growing organizations. | |||
| Growing (Startup) Pains and why this 100+ head CEO still interviews new hires. ft Dr. Marcus Tan (HealthEngine) | 12 Mar 2020 | 00:28:54 | |
Join us are we chat with Dr. Marcus Tan, co-founder & CEO of HealthEngine: A venture backed darling of the Australian startup scene, now with over 100+ team that started in his lounge room. Settle in for an inspiring episode as Tim & Damian explore HealthEngine's story as Marcus shares some of the lessons (and scars) he's gained along the way. Find out more about what Marcus and his team are up to at: https://healthengine.com.au/ • Twitter: @drmarcustan • LinkedIn: drmarcustan | |||
| Digital Transformation, Dunbar limits and Designing effective teams ft Giles Anderton (ex-Guardian) | 12 Mar 2020 | 00:23:37 | |
ex-Head of Digital Transformation at the Guardian, and Principal Consultant at Cantor & Ball, Giles Anderton knows what it takes to ‘break it before you make it’. In this podcast Tim & Damian explore Giles’ story, the effect of Dunbar’s no. on organisations and how he design teams at produce results. Listen in as they gain valuable insights on their quest to make work, work better. | |||
| Building a Unicorn Culture ft. Clayton Moulynox 🦄 (ex-Auth0, ex-Microsoft) | 01 Mar 2020 | 00:30:45 | |
Unicorn Auth0's former Head of Culture & Head of Customer Success, and on deck with Microsoft during their cloud transition, Clayton Moulynox has a wealth of experience and expertise manage the pain of designing work and teams in fast growing companies. In this podcast Tim & Damian explore Clayton's story, how he approaches conflict, structures he's found useful, hiring sprees, and along the way gain valuable insights on their quest to make work, work better. | |||
| Impact-Driven Businesses and the power of Org Design with Kiersten Rippeteau | 15 Aug 2024 | 00:20:10 | |
Kiersten Rippeteau discusses her journey into organizational design, starting from internal consulting in healthcare to external consulting in the construction industry. She emphasizes the importance of understanding organizational systems and human behaviors. Rippeteau highlights the need for clear strategy, values, and effective communication within organizations. She also touches on the impact of AI in consulting and construction, stressing the importance of maintaining a human lens. Rippeteau's firm, New Commodity, focuses on practical, impact-driven business models to improve organizational effectiveness and positive societal impact. | |||
| Designing product orgs of the future with Gary Cohen of Practical Agility | 01 Aug 2024 | 00:21:17 | |
Gary Cohen, owner of Practical Agility, discusses his journey from software development to organizational design, emphasizing the importance of aligning incentives, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and focusing on customer outcomes. He highlights the need for continuous product discovery and learning to improve efficiency and effectiveness in product teams. Cohen also addresses the increasing demand for rapid organizational changes and the potential impact of AI on product development. He advises leaders to create group goals, provide autonomy to product teams, and maintain strong customer relationships to drive better outcomes. | |||
| Professor and Practitioner: Strategy, Power and Politics, and Curiosity in Org Design with Chris Worley | 18 Jul 2024 | 00:30:36 | |
In this Org Design Podcast episode from the Organizational Design Festival 2024, Chris Worley shares his fascinating journey in organizational design. We explore the common signs of org design issues, the importance of strategy in effective org design, and the challenges of power and politics in implementation. Chris emphasizes the significance of curiosity, trust-building, and the role of leaders in fostering psychological safety during organizational change. Tune in for insightful stories, practical advice, and a deep dive into the art and science of creating well-structured, adaptive organizations. | |||
| Insights on Org Design from Shubha Narayanan on AI, Collaboration, and the UNSPEND Model | 11 Jul 2024 | 00:21:51 | |
In the latest episode of the Org Design Podcast, hosts Tim Brewer and Amy Springer welcome Shubha Narayanan, a partner at OrgSmith, to discuss all things organization design and workforce transformation. Shubha shares her insights on the evolving role of org design, emphasizing the importance of solving problems through people and processes rather than mere structures. She delves into her journey from working at KPMG to leading OrgSmith, highlighting the importance of aligning organizational structures with business strategies. The conversation also touches on the impact of AI on org design, the need for horizontal organizations, and the crucial role of leaders in fostering collaboration and innovation. Shubha's UNSPEND model for org design is explained, providing listeners with a comprehensive approach to tackling organizational challenges. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in creating agile, efficient, and scalable organizations. | |||
| Unlocking Org Success: from Paul Tolchinsky, a founding father of modern org design | 04 Jul 2024 | 00:17:30 | |
Paul Tolchinsky discusses his journey into organizational design, emphasizing the importance of human interaction and systemic thinking over traditional hierarchical structures. He highlights the need for leaders to embrace resistance, engage with employees at all levels, and create adaptive, responsive systems. Tolchinsky advocates for leaders to ask good questions, listen, and integrate diverse perspectives to foster a more inclusive and effective organizational environment. He also mentions his new venture, Change Accelerators, aimed at leveraging experienced professionals to drive meaningful change. | |||
| Leading with Empathy: CEO Drew Sechrist on key org design decisions and navigating a down-size | 24 Jun 2024 | 00:37:39 | |
Drew Sechrist, CEO of Connect the Dots, discusses the challenges of organizational design and the importance of empathy in leadership. He shares his experience of having to lay off 20% of his company, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and support for affected team members. Sechrist also highlights the benefits of having a geographically diverse team, with operations in both the United States and Serbia, and how the company has adapted to remote work. | |||
| Role, goal and decision clarity, and why you should never design around a person with Ron Schwartz | 10 Apr 2024 | 00:33:42 | |
In the podcast interview, Ron Schwartz discusses the importance of organizational design, emphasizing the need to identify roles, goals, and decision rights. He advises against designing an organization around individuals, instead suggesting to design around what is needed to execute strategy and plans. Schwartz also highlights the importance of open conversations in the organization, particularly when dealing with changes. He suggests that leaders should have the ability to deliberately design a conversation, considering the outcome and impact they want to have on the other person. | |||
| Growing a company from 6 to 120+ and getting thrown into Org Design with CEO Tom Douglas | 11 Dec 2023 | 00:26:53 | |
Discover the secrets to creating adaptable organizations and accelerating business growth with Tom Douglas, the CEO of JMARK. In this engaging podcast episode, Tom shares his valuable insights on the importance of org design, clear responsibilities, and aligning with customer and employee needs. Learn from his experiences and gain practical tips for building a successful business in today's dynamic landscape. Listen now and unlock the potential of effective org design! #Podcast #OrgDesign #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipLessons | |||
| Moving Beyond Budget Cuts: Aligning Org Design with Strategy with Cynthia Escamilla | 26 Sep 2024 | 00:16:51 | |
In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, Cynthia Escamilla, an experienced organizational design consultant, shares insights on effective org design practices. She emphasizes the importance of looking at the bigger picture when addressing organizational issues, rather than just changing roles or people. Cynthia advises leaders to focus on strategic goals and align organizational structure accordingly. She discusses common pitfalls in org design, such as mislabeling budget cuts as reorganization. Cynthia also highlights the iterative nature of org design, suggesting that leaders should plan for continuous adaptation. She explains her consulting approach, which includes diagnostics, co-creation of future designs, and implementation support. The conversation touches on the impact of AI and technology on workforce roles, emphasizing the need for organizations to consider how jobs may be augmented by new technologies in the future. | |||
| Scaling with Intention: How to Address Growing Pains in Your Organization with Alix Prassas | 10 Oct 2024 | 00:26:53 | |
In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, host Tim Brewer interviews Alix Prassis, an organizational design expert and founder of Culture Elevation Consulting. Alix shares her unique journey into org design, from growing up in a family business to her diverse experiences in HR, learning and engagement, and DEI roles. She discusses the importance of proactive organizational design, addressing growing pains in scaling companies, and the common symptoms of structural issues in organizations. Alix emphasizes the need for leaders to look beyond quick fixes and consider broader systemic solutions, highlighting the value of strategic workforce planning and designing with culture in mind. The conversation also touches on Alix's role as an adjunct professor and her approach to helping leaders navigate organizational challenges. | |||
| Clarity is at the Heart of Org Structure: Mastering Clarity Breaks with Lisa Cooper | 07 Nov 2024 | 00:23:19 | |
In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, Lisa Cooper, an experienced organizational design consultant, shares valuable insights on building effective organizational structures. Key takeaways include:
Lisa emphasizes the significance of putting the business and its mission first when designing organizational structures. She advises against creating roles for specific individuals, instead focusing on what the business needs to succeed. Lisa also highlights the importance of considering long-term goals, encouraging leaders to envision their organization 5-10 years in the future. A key theme throughout the discussion is the power of clarity. Lisa borrows from Brené Brown's quote, "Clear is kind," to illustrate how clarity in strategy, structure, and roles can lead to amazing outcomes. She recommends that leaders take regular "clarity breaks" to disconnect from daily operations and think strategically about their organization and team. The episode provides practical advice for leaders involved in organizational design, emphasizing the balance between strategic thinking and day-to-day operations. Lisa's insights offer valuable guidance for creating resilient, future-focused organizational structures. Listen to the full episode to gain deeper insights into effective organizational design and leadership strategies. | |||
| Aligning Teams and Decoding Resistance: Brandon Curry's Guide to Leadership | 24 Oct 2024 | 00:17:16 | |
In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, Brandon Curry shares insights on organizational design and leadership. Key points include:
Brandon emphasizes the importance of clear communication, understanding current states, and involving team members in the design process. He also highlights the value of specific tools and methodologies in approaching organizational challenges. | |||
| Why Leaders Need to Embrace Chaos (and Love It) with Carlos Valdes-Dapena | 21 Nov 2024 | 00:28:30 | |
In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, we sit down with Carlos Valdes-Dapena, a seasoned expert in organizational design and development. Carlos shares his insights on the evolving nature of organizational structures, the importance of adaptability in leadership, and the human aspects of organizational change. Carlos discusses the shift from traditional hierarchical structures to more responsive and adaptive organizational models. He emphasizes the need for leaders to let go of outdated control paradigms and embrace a more flexible approach to management. The conversation touches on the challenges of change, both for organizations and individuals, and the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. Key points from the episode:
This episode offers valuable insights for leaders, managers, and anyone interested in improving organizational effectiveness and navigating the complexities of modern business environments. | |||
| Humanizing Leadership: How Modern Organizations Can Build Trust and Drive Growth with Vinisha Rathod | 05 Dec 2024 | 00:25:28 | |
In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, Vinisha Rathod, founder of P3 Studios (People, Partnerships, Purpose), shares her expertise on organizational scaling and leadership development. She introduces her framework of "Five Hindrances to Scaling" which includes focus, family, financials, feedback receptiveness, and funnel efficiency. Vinisha emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between people and positions, particularly as organizations grow and evolve. A key highlight is her discussion on creating healthy organizational cultures, drawing parallels between high-performing sports teams and effective workplace dynamics. She addresses crucial topics such as leadership transition, the challenges of title inflation, and the importance of having difficult conversations about organizational structure. Vinisha shares valuable insights from her experience working with companies across Australia and the Middle East. The conversation also explores innovative approaches to organizational design, referencing examples from "Reinventing Organizations" and discussing practical methods for improving workplace communication and decision-making. Vinisha offers fascinating perspectives on humanizing the workplace, including the impact of bringing children and pets into office spaces, and how COVID-19 has transformed our view of leadership. | |||
| Beyond the Day-to-Day: Transforming Technical Experts into Strategic Leaders with Jodie Goulden | 19 Dec 2024 | 00:21:27 | |
In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, organizational design expert Jodie Goulden shares valuable insights on leadership transitions and organizational effectiveness. She discusses the concept, shared by Beth Gunderson at the 2024 ODF conference, the challenges leaders face when moving from operational roles ("the dance floor") to strategic positions ("the balcony"), particularly in rapidly growing organizations. Key highlights include:
Jodie emphasizes the power of collaborative problem-solving and shares how leaders can create space for different perspectives when addressing organizational challenges. She provides practical advice for leaders who may feel uncomfortable stepping away from day-to-day operations to take a more strategic view. Whether you're a new leader adjusting to a larger scope of responsibility or an experienced executive looking to improve organizational effectiveness, this episode offers valuable insights into modern leadership challenges and organizational design principles. | |||
| Leading change with curiosity, clarity and human-centricity with Elizabeth Venter and Ross Libby | 02 Jan 2025 | 00:25:52 | |
In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, we're joined by Elizabeth Venter and Ross Libby to explore the human side of organizational change. Our guests share invaluable insights on how to implement structural changes while keeping people at the heart of the transformation process. Key discussion points include:
Elizabeth emphasizes that successful organizational change requires supporting each team individually through their transformation journey, while Ross shares the powerful perspective that "the future punishes certainty but rewards clarity." Together, they provide practical advice for leaders navigating organizational change, whether they're org design experts or just beginning their journey. This conversation offers essential insights for anyone interested in creating more effective, human-centered organizations that can adapt and thrive in today's rapidly changing business environment. | |||
| Cultivating Love-Driven Success in Business with David Henzel | 16 Jan 2025 | 00:17:52 | |
In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, the hosts chat with David Henzel, the founder of Love Not Fear and an accomplished entrepreneur with a diverse portfolio of businesses. | |||
| Bringing Soul Back to Work: Designing for Dignity, Creativity, and Connection with Jardena London | 13 Feb 2025 | 00:18:37 | |
In this conversation, Jardena London—an Agile practitioner and author—discusses the concept of creating “soulful” organizations. Drawing on her background in software development, Jardena noticed that the real challenges weren’t purely technical; instead, they stemmed from how people and teams work together. She highlights three core conditions for soulfulness in any organization:
Jardena contrasts these elements with environments that “crush the soul,” where strict processes, ego-driven leadership, or lack of trust discourage creativity and honest dialogue. She believes leaders have a key role in setting conditions: by becoming more self-aware, staying curious (especially in high-stakes situations), and listening actively, they can reduce friction and remove obstacles for their teams. From an organization design perspective, Jardena advocates looking at formal structures, processes, and policies—like budgeting or performance reviews—and asking how they might be unintentionally stifling dignity, creativity, or connection. Then, leaders should revisit the original purpose of these processes and rebuild them in ways that restore or enhance soulfulness. Ultimately, Jardena’s message is that while efficiency and outcomes matter, they are achieved more sustainably when leaders and teams operate with humanity at the forefront—creating organizations where people’s energy and creativity can flourish. | |||
| Empathy Meets Strategy: How Leaders Transform Organizations with Pallavi Srivistava | 30 Jan 2025 | 00:25:55 | |
In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, host Amy Springer engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Pallavi Srivastava, an associate partner at The OrgSmith. They explore the often misunderstood concept of organizational design, emphasizing its importance beyond mere restructuring and cost-cutting measures. Pallavi shares insights on the need for leaders to adopt an agile and entrepreneurial mindset in today's rapidly changing business environment, particularly in light of recent global disruptions like COVID-19. | |||