Strategy First, People Always: Balancing Tough Decisions and Empathy in Org Design with Nicole Gee

In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, hosts Tim Brewer and Amy Springer welcome Abby Allen, an organizational development practitioner with over 20 years of experience. Abby shares her insights on the evolving nature of organizational design, emphasizing the importance of understanding both people and systems in order to foster effective collaboration within organizations. The discussion covers the impact of artificial intelligence on organizational structures, the challenges of leading large organizations, and the necessity of having a systems-oriented approach to solve complex problems. Abby highlights the significance of asking the right questions to uncover underlying issues within organizations, rather than merely focusing on surface-level solutions. She encourages leaders to embrace collaboration, not just as a function, but as a culture within their teams. Throughout the conversation, Abby shares practical advice for those looking to build organizational design capabilities within their companies, stressing the need for an open-minded and generative approach to leadership. Tune in to gain valuable insights on navigating the challenges of organizational design in today's fast-paced environment and learn how to create healthier, more adaptable organizations.

In this insightful episode of the Org Design Podcast, Amy Springer and Rory Mustan from Functionly are joined by Nicole Gee from Geenius Consulting to explore the nuanced journey of organizational design. Nicole candidly shares her early struggles in org design, emphasizing the pivotal role of confidence and clarity. She highlights that successful organizational change requires leaders to deeply understand the strategic 'why' behind decisions and thoughtfully manage the emotional impacts on their teams. Listeners will gain valuable insights on: How Nicole overcame initial setbacks by embracing continuous learning and feedback. The critical balance between strategy and empathy, ensuring that people are always central to org design. Practical steps for leaders to confidently and transparently guide their teams through complex changes. The importance of clearly articulating challenges, required capabilities, and roles early in the process. Why active listening and informal conversations can be powerful tools for leaders anticipating organizational shifts. This episode emphasizes that effective org design goes beyond structural changes—it's about building confidence, clarity, and genuine engagement throughout the process. Connect with Nicole Gee on LinkedIn or at geeniusconsulting.co.uk.

Join us on the Org Design Podcast as we dive into a captivating conversation with Ramona Elena Curciu, Head of Coherence, live from the EODF conference in Milan. In this episode, we explore the essence of org design, the journey from personal challenges to professional triumphs, and the importance of approaching organizational change with humility and respect. Ramona shares her unique insights on balancing the heart and tools in org design, emphasizing the need to honor the past while fostering growth. As hosts, we delve into the mindset required for effective org design, drawing parallels with design research principles. Tune in to discover how compassion and curiosity can transform organizational landscapes. If you're curious about org design or seeking inspiration, this episode is a must-listen. Connect with Ramona on LinkedIn and share your thoughts with us.

In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, hosts Tim Brewer and Amy Springer welcome Amri B. Johnson from Inclusion Wins. Amri shares his journey into organizational design, revealing how his background as an epidemiologist shaped his understanding of leadership and management. He discusses the importance of creating organizational structures that foster emergent strategies, emphasizing that "structure creates behavior." Amri highlights the common pitfalls organizations face when trying to implement diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, noting that many fail to align their strategies with their stated goals. He argues for a shift in perspective: DEI should not be seen as a separate initiative but as integral to the organization's fabric. Listeners will gain insights into the significance of including team members in the decision-making process and the need for leaders to develop robust listening skills to build adaptive organizations. This conversation aims to equip leaders with the tools to create inclusive environments that allow all individuals to thrive, ultimately driving better organizational outcomes. Tune in to learn how to design organizations that are not only effective but also resilient and inclusive, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued.

In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, Tim Brewer and Amy Springer sit down with Dallin Whitfield, a volunteer at the Org Design Festival and an expert in organizational design. Dallin shares his unconventional journey from aspiring lawyer to becoming an organization design consultant, highlighting the importance of understanding systems and people in the workplace. They discuss the evolving nature of organizational design, emphasizing the need for adaptability in response to external pressures like technological advancements and market changes. Dallin explains how Align Org, his current consultancy, focuses on collaboration and leveraging existing organizational knowledge to drive effective design processes. Listeners will gain insights into the methodologies used in organizational design, including the "Mastering the Cube" framework, which Dallin uses to guide organizations through strategic alignment and structural changes. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by organizations in today’s fast-paced environment and the importance of continuous design governance. Join us for an engaging discussion on how to navigate the complexities of organization design and build better workplaces.

Join us on the Org Design Podcast as we dive into the fascinating journey of Beth Gunderson in our episode, From Science to Strategy: Effective Org Design with Beth Gunderson. Beth, a key figure at the University of Southern California's Center for Effective Organizations, shares her unique path from material science to becoming an influential org design consultant. We explore her insights on the STAR framework, the importance of aligning org design with strategy, and the evolving role of operating models. Beth also discusses how leaders can effectively communicate change and foster collaboration across various organizational levels. With her extensive experience, Beth offers valuable advice for leaders and designers alike. Tune in as Amy, Damian, and I uncover the intricacies of effective org design and how it can transform organizations.

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: Dignity – Ensuring people are treated with respect, rather than being forced to earn basic self-worth through work. Creativity – Making space for genuine problem-solving and innovation, as opposed to purely transactional or process-driven work that drains energy. Human Connection – Fostering collaboration and openness instead of merely relying on rigid handoffs and “automated” communication. 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.

Send us a textIn 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.The discussion covers the critical role of leaders in aligning organizational structures with dynamic strategies and the necessity for constant communication about these strategies. Pallavi highlights the significance of fostering a culture of innovation and psychological safety, enabling organizations to adapt quickly to change. She provides real-world examples of companies that successfully pivoted during the pandemic, demonstrating the qualities that empower resilient and agile organizations.Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on the evolving landscape of job design in the context of AI and digital transformation, and the essential leadership skills required to navigate these changes. Pallavi underscores the need for empathy in leadership while also advocating for the courage to make tough decisions as organizations adapt to new challenges.Join us for this enlightening episode as we uncover the complexities of organizational design and the pivotal role of leadership in fostering a responsive and resilient business environment.Support the show

Send us a textIn 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. David shares his journey from being a recovering introvert to a successful leader, emphasizing the transformative power of making decisions out of love rather than fear. He discusses the importance of creating a company culture where employees feel empowered and motivated, leading to increased productivity and satisfaction.David dives into practical strategies for fostering alignment, trust, and motivation within teams, including innovative approaches to organizational design that break down silos and promote collaboration. He introduces exercises such as the lifeline and 3-2-1 to help team members connect on a deeper level, enhancing communication and cooperation.Listeners will gain insight into David's experience with various companies, including Upcoach and TaskDrive, and learn how his philosophy of "Love Not Fear" can be applied to cultivate a thriving organizational culture. This episode is packed with valuable lessons for leaders seeking to create meaningful and impactful work environments.Support the show

Send us a textIn 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:The importance of involving team members in organizational change rather than imposing decisions from aboveWhy continuous communication is crucial throughout the entire change processHow seeking clarity rather than certainty leads to better organizational outcomesThe value of experimentation and learning through pilot programsElizabeth 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.Support the show