Unpacking organizations: the practitioner's podcast

Shradha and Rupert are joined by Brandon Curry, CEO of WorkArts and a practitioner who has led org design from the shop floor to the C-suite. Drawing on years of experience in manufacturing, performance improvement, and HR leadership, Brandon shares how real org impact comes from centering the customer, not the spreadsheet.They explore:Why designing around spans and layers often leads to “averageness”How founders—and founder-mindsets—drive better designHow talent insight compounds over timeThe dangers of blindly implementing best practices or benchmarksWhy modeling options and playing with org scenarios is underratedThe trap of designing for people vs. designing for purposeIf you want practical, grounded org design that starts with strategy, centers the customer, and scales with clarity—this is a must-listen.

In this episode, Shradha and Rupert are joined by Janet Sherlock, former Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Ralph Lauren and now founder and CEO of OrgWorks, to explore why clarity, structure, and leadership design are central to organizational performance in today’s complex world.Janet brings fresh insight into the human and business cost of org confusion, backed by her research and executive experience.They discuss:Why executive team structure (ELT/TMT) is often the missing link in org designThe hidden cost of role ambiguity—and why 20% of time is lost to navigating itThe trap of designing around people (yes, we’ve all done it!)Why the AI hype is leading CEOs to rush decisions without a solid foundationAnd how Drucker, structure, and storytelling still matter—perhaps now more than everA must-listen if you care about designing organizations with purpose, clarity, and long-term value.

In this episode, Shradha Prakash and Rupert Morrison sit down with Garth Andrus, author of The Technology Fallacy, and global leader in org and AI transformation at Andersen Consulting, to explore how AI is fundamentally reshaping the way we design and lead organizations.Together, they dive into:🔹 Why AI disrupts more than just workflows—it changes governance, talent, and decision rights🔹 What org leaders are getting wrong about “business as usual” in an AI-driven world🔹 How “minimum viable change” can be a powerful lever for building momentum🔹 What to do when PMOs, change functions, and leadership aren’t evolving fast enough🔹 And the one question every leader should ask: What happens if we don’t change?With practical tools, candid insights, and bold thinking, this episode is a masterclass in how to lead transformation with both clarity and humanity.

Shradha and Rupert are joined by Nathan Lavoie, Global Head of Organizational Change Management and Readiness at Sanofi. Drawing from his experience at Sanofi, CVS Health, Accenture, and Deloitte, Nate unpacks what it really takes to lead sustainable change—from strategy through to execution.The trio explores:How to create a compelling change narrative that cascades with consistencyWhy operating model change is more than boxes and lines—it’s a people journeyThe practical tools behind good change: fishbowls, espresso chats, start/stop/continueWhat it means to center psychological safety and trust in change deliveryAnd why "power skills" are the new must-haves for modern leadersWhether you're rethinking your structure, launching transformation, or just wrestling with organizational inertia, this episode is your blueprint for leading change that actually sticks.

Hosts Shradha Prakash and Rupert Morrison are joined by Chelsea Jennings, a seasoned leader in organizational effectiveness at a major global bank. With a background that spans engineering, consulting, and executive coaching, Chelsea shares her unconventional path into org design and her experience building internal org effectiveness capabilities from the ground up.The conversation covers:How to shift org design from “backroom decisions” to collaborative transformationThe critical role of executive sponsorship and internal partnershipsWhy internal consulting demands curiosity, influence, and systems thinkingWhat makes org design truly sustainable in complex, ever-evolving environmentsThey also touch on Chelsea’s passion project, UnSilenceHer, and what it means to create space for overlooked voices in leadership.

In this episode of Unpacking Organizations, Shradha Prakash and Rupert Morrison sit down with Paul Krasilnick, Global Lead of OD and People Analytics at Baringa, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of organization design. From breaking free of "boxes and lines" to embracing agile thinking, they discuss how leaders can use data, design guardrails, and strategic storytelling to shape more responsive, human-centered organizations. With AI and automation accelerating change, Paul shares how org models must evolve to stay relevant—and why the HR Business Partner of the future might be your next Talent Insight Partner. It’s an honest, optimistic take on transformation, critical thinking, and the importance of freedom within a framework.

What does it take to make organization design work in the real world? In this conversation, hosts Shradha and Rupert are joined by Jodie Goulden and Richard Lucas from Orgdesign Works to discuss what it takes for successful org transformation. They talk about when to say no to rushed structure changes, how to build internal capability, and why wide and deep engagement beats speed every time. This episode is a roadmap for leaders ready to think systemically and act courageously.

Shradha and Rupert sit down with Kent McMillan, Managing Director at Accenture and author of Rethinking Operating Models. Together, they dive into how organizations can evolve in the face of rapid technological change, especially with the rise of AI.Kent shares powerful insights from decades of experience in operating model design—highlighting the importance of systems thinking, adaptive strategy, and core capabilities that drive lasting success.From reimagining learning cultures to staying resilient through disruption, this conversation explores:The role of AI in reshaping the workplaceHow to foster a passion for learning and innovationWhy continuous reinvention is key to staying competitiveBalancing new technology with timeless business principlesWhether you're a leader navigating change or a strategist shaping the future of work, this episode offers actionable ideas and fresh perspective on building organizations that thrive.

Rupert and Shradha sit down with Michael Griffiths, Deloitte US Organization, Workforce & Change Consulting Leader, to examine the shifting dynamics of organizational change, with a particular emphasis on skills-based organizations. They explore the practical challenges of adopting skills-based frameworks, the cultural transformations required for effective performance management, and the critical role of job architecture in today’s workplaces. The discussion also covers the impact of technology, the importance of decision rights, and the evolving nature of job descriptions—highlighting the urgent need for organizations to keep pace with a rapidly changing world.

Rupert and Shradha are joined by Badr Ait Ahmed, a seasoned expert in workforce planning and people analytics. The conversation explores the critical differences between headcount planning and workforce planning, emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary approach that includes finance, HR, and other departments. Badr shares insights on the importance of embedding workforce planning into business processes, the risks of neglecting non-direct workforce planning, and the challenges of quantifying the cost of attrition. He also discusses his journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, highlighting the value of transformation and the necessity of iteration over perfection in the workforce planning process.