Professor and Practitioner: Strategy, Power and Politics, and Curiosity in Org Design with Chris Worley

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.Support the show

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.Support the show

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.Support the show

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.Support the show

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.Support the show

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.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

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.Support the show

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.Support the show

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.Support the show

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.Support the show