Org Design Podcast

Send us a textIn 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:The importance of designing structures for the business rather than for specific individualsThe need to consider future goals when creating organizational structuresThe value of clarity in leadership and organizational designThe benefit of taking "clarity breaks" to think strategically about the businessLisa 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.Support the show

Send us a textIn this episode of the Org Design Podcast, Brandon Curry shares insights on organizational design and leadership. Key points include:The importance of understanding roles and their interrelations in an organizationRecognizing resistance as a sign of engagement and progress in organizational changeThe value of specific questions and conversations in gauging organizational healthAnalogies between organizational dynamics and music or sports teamsRecommendations for resources on organizational design, including works by Kates Kesler and the Center for Effective OrganizationsThe significance of participative design and including more of the organization in the processThe application of continuous improvement methodologies like Lean and Kaizen in organizational designBrandon 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.Support the show

Send us a textIn 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.Support the show

Send us a textIn 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.Support the show

Send us a textUnlocking 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.Support the show

Send us a textIn 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.Support the show

Send us a textKiersten 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.Support the show

Send us a textGary 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.Support the show

Send us a textIn 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.00:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome00:00:36 - Chris Worley's Background and Journey00:03:33 - Importance of Organizational Design00:04:56 - Challenges in Implementing Change00:06:42 - Incremental vs. Radical Change00:10:23 - The Future of Continuous Transformation00:13:15 - Psychological Safety in Change00:14:32 - Overcoming Resistance to Change00:19:46 - The Need for Strategic Agility00:22:45 - Building an Agile Organization00:24:53 - The Role of AI in Organizational Design00:27:48 - Future Scenarios and Prompt Engineering00:30:02 - Closing Remarks and Contact InformationSupport the show

Send us a textIn 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.Support the show

Send us a textPaul 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.Support the show

Send us a textDrew 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.Support the show

Send us a textIn 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.Support the show

Send us a textDiscover 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 #LeadershipLessonsSupport the show

Send us a textIn 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.Support the show

Send us a textIn 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.Support the show

Send us a textTim 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. Don covers the PAEI principles and making sure you have a "christmas tree" style org. Then most importantly, the need to create a positive and healthy org design culture that results in the team being excited about org design projects and not fearful.Support the show

Send us a textJoin 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 🎧THE WORK DESIGN PODCAST Recorded at Spacecubed Perth, Western Australia • Hosts: Tim Brewer & Damian Bramanis • Producer: Dave Hack • Theme Music: John Okely • Voice over: Danielle Brewer • Executive Producer: Frank Llama • Brought to you by www.functionly.com • The Work Design Podcast is dedicated to all things Org Design, Team design and job design. Join us as we together making work, work better by subscribing to the podcast, sharing it on LinkedIn. For more on global Work Design trends head to www.functionly.com and sign up for our free monthly Work Design publication.Support the show

Send us a textex-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.     Find out more about what Giles is up to now: http://cantorandball.com/  • Twitter: @gilesa74 • LinkedIn: gilesanderton 🎧THE WORK DESIGN PODCAST Recorded at Spacecubed Perth, Western Australia • Hosts: Tim Brewer & Damian Bramanis • Producer: Dave Hack • Theme Music: John Okely • Voice over: Danielle Brewer • Executive Producer: Frank Llama • Brought to you by www.functionly.com • The Work Design Podcast is dedicated to all things Org Design, Team design and job design. Join us as we together making work, work better by subscribing to the podcast, sharing it on LinkedIn. For more on global Work Design trends head to www.functionly.com and sign up for our free monthly Work Design publication.Support the show

Send us a textUnicorn 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.   Find out more about what Clayton is up to now: https://www.moulynox.com/ • Twitter: @claytonhm • LinkedIn: claytonmoulynox🎧THE WORK DESIGN PODCASTRecorded at Spacecubed Perth, Western Australia • Hosts: Tim Brewer & Damian Bramanis • Producer: Dave Hack • Theme Music: John Okely • Voice over: Danielle Brewer • Executive Producer: Frank Llama • Brought to you by www.functionly.com • The Work Design Podcast is dedicated to all things Org Design, Team design and job design. Join us as we together making work, work better by subscribing to the podcast, sharing it on LinkedIn. For more on global Work Design trends head to www.functionly.com and sign up for our free monthly Work Design publication.Support the show