Episode 183: Douglas O’Loughlin on Future-Ready Organizational Development (OD)

Send us Fan MailBest known for his work in organizational development (OD) spanning over three decades, Dr. Douglas O’Loughlin won over our listeners when he first came on this podcast four years ago. The episode was among our top listened episodes of all time! And today, the OD OG, the guru of OD is back to share from his treasure trove of insights and knowledge, and his belief that organizations and communities can be life-giving spaces for each and all.Originally from the US, Douglas has been living in Singapore since 1993, where he is the Principal of The Dao of Thriving, as well as being an Associate Consultant with Civil Service College, and has done projects in more than 20 countries. Douglas has co-founded several OD Networks, written numerous articles and blogs, spoken at global conferences, is a TEDx speaker, and has also written the books ‘ANDlightenment: Polarity Thinking from Self to Society’ and ‘Facilitating Transformation’.Hit play for the lowdown! [3:35s] What has changed in OD since 2022[12:00s] OD in the age of AI[20:45s] Common OD challenges today [32:13s] His work on Polarity Thinking [40:25s] OD in the near future [45:00s] Top tips for OD practitionersRWL: Read: ‘OD for the Accidental Practitioner’ by Larry Kokkelenbeeg and Regan Miller; Douglas’ books ‘ANDlightenment: Polarity Thinking from Self to Society’ and ‘Facilitating TransformationConnect with Douglas on LinkedIn Connect with Vinay on X and LinkedIn What did you think about this episode? What would you like to hear more about? Or simply, write in and say hello! [email protected] to us on your favorite platforms – Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Tune In Alexa, Amazon Music, Stitcher, Jio Saavn and more.  This podcast is sponsored by C2C-OD, your Organizational Development consulting partner ‘Bringing People and Strategy Together’. Follow @c2cod on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook 

Send us Fan MailFrom AI’s explosive rise to climate disruption and escalating geopolitical strain, history is hitting a tipping point today. Amidst all this, Alain Bejjani offers a striking counterpoint: however fast and complex the world feels today, it is the slowest and simplest it will ever be again.In his soon to be released book ‘Next: Leading Through the New Realities’, Bejjani invites leaders to take a clear-eyed view of how to live and lead through major transformation and turbulence. Alain is the former CEO of the major retail group, Majid Al Futtaim, responsible for one of the world’s largest shopping complexes, ‘Mall of the Emirates’ in Dubai, and during his tenure, he led Majid Al Futtaim 50,000 employees across 17 countries, producing $9.5 billion in revenue. He is a globally recognized business leader, investor, and strategist with more than two decades of experience driving cross-border growth across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. Applying the invaluable lessons he has learned from growing up in war-torn Beirut to decades leading through major change, Alain explores how leaders can navigate the storms to come – and those presently – in the book. Hit play for the lowdown! [4:21s] Alain’s origins story  [11:07s] Leading a multi-billion-dollar company: Insights, Learning, Challenges[32:50s] Genesis of ‘Next: Leading Through The New Realities’ [36:10s] Top leadership traits to lead in new and fast-changing realitiesRWL: Alain’s book ‘Next: Leading Through The New Realities’  - link to order to be updated shortly as soon as the book is released. Connect with Alain on LinkedIn and InstagramConnect with Vinay on X and LinkedIn What did you think about this episode? What would you like to hear more about? Or simply, write in and say hello! [email protected] to us on your favorite platforms – Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Tune In Alexa, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn + Alexa, Stitcher, Jio Saavn and more.  This podcast is sponsored by C2C-OD, your Organizational Development consulting partner ‘Bringing People and Strategy Together’. Follow @c2cod on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook 

Send us Fan MailIn this Shiny Happy People special, we bring you a deeply insightful conversation mapping the fast-growing landscape of GCCs in the Philippines – with Natalie ‘Nats’ Lim-Ang. A Board Trustee with the Global Capability Center Council (GC3) in the Philippines since 2019, Nats brings in a unique perspective as a pioneer of the Manila Shared Services Center who has closely witnessed, and been a part of, the growth of GCCs in the Philippines. [4:27s] Her journey into the shared services industry [06:53s] Growth and evolution of GCCs in the Philippines [15:44s] Geographical growth spread of GCCs across the Philippines [18:32s] GCC talent in the Philippines: Opportunities and challenges[26:55s] Top three challenges for GCCs in the Philippines today[30:05s] Growth of global leadership roles in GCCs in the Philippines [35:17s] Role of the Global Capability Center Council (GC3)  [42:21s] Future outlook for GCCs in The PhilippinesFind more about GC3 at www.giccphilippines.com  Connect with Nats on LinkedInConnect with Vinay on X and LinkedIn What did you think about this episode? What would you like to hear more about? Or simply, write in and say hello! [email protected] to us on your favorite platforms – Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Tune In Alexa, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn + Alexa, Stitcher, Jio Saavn and more.  This podcast is sponsored by C2C-OD, your Organizational Development consulting partner ‘Bringing People and Strategy Together’. Follow @c2cod on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook 

Send us Fan Mail“Prepare for a disaster, and you'll never experience one.” Between setting the world record for 28 hours of nonstop CPR, building emergency shelters with LEGO blocks, and evacuating 240 cats in 90 minutes, Patrick Hardy aka Disaster Patrick’s mission is to push the edge of what’s possible in preparing for disaster. Not your typical disaster expert, keynote speaker and author of the book ‘Design Any Disaster’ , Patrick brings in real, actionable insights from the forefront of the world’s toughest disaster challenges. Patrick’s 20 years of hands-on experience and crisis-related certifications have translated into universal techniques of personal leadership which make it possible for people from any background regardless of life situation or even disability to become elite disaster responders. His lessons keep people safe, focused, and ready to face any crisis head-on. Hit play for his lowdown on how you can go disaster-free in life if you prepare for it right! [03:08s] Patrick’s genesis story [06:30s] Disaster management by corporates versus by communities versus by individuals[17:51s] On his book ‘Design Any Disaster’ and preparing for a disaster[29:34s] Readiness of disaster management organizations today[40:32s] Wishlist for disaster management: “Prepare for a disaster, and you'll never experience one.”RWL: Read Patrick’s book ‘Design Any Disaster’  Find out more about Patrick’s work at www.disasterpatrick.comConnect with Patrick on LinkedInConnect with Vinay on X and LinkedIn What did you think about this episode? What would you like to hear more about? Or simply, write in and say hello! [email protected] to us on your favorite platforms – Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Tune In Alexa, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn + Alexa, Stitcher, Jio Saavn and more.  This podcast is sponsored by C2C-OD, your Organizational Development consulting partner ‘Bringing People and Strategy Together’. Follow @c2cod on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook 

Send us Fan MailWe are in the ‘Intelligence Age’ and the ‘humans versus AI’ debates are everywhere. So, we thought we’d bring in an AI futurist and a leading voice in AI, digital transformation, and how AI will shape business, education and society. Meet Steve Brown, entrepreneur and former Google DeepMind and Intel executive who has helped brands like Bank of America, Lenovo, Nespresso, Cameco, and Intuit prepare for what he calls The Intelligence Age. Drawing upon his decades of experience in artificial intelligence and high tech to help leaders build winning AI strategies that fuel innovation, boost performance, and drive growth, Steve succinctly explains the radical global transformation with AI, in his book: ’The AI Ultimatum: Preparing for a World of Intelligent Machines and Radical Transformation’Hit play for Steve’s take on the AI ultimatum and key takeaways from his book. [2:46s] Genesis of Steve as an AI futurist[10:09s] On ‘The AI Ultimatum: Preparing for a World of Intelligent Machines and Radical Transformation’[22:08s] On AI innovation, ethical AI, regulations [36:16s] Top 3 future trends in AIRWL: Steve’s book ’The AI Ultimatum: Preparing for a World of Intelligent Machines and Radical Transformation’Connect with Steve on LinkedInConnect with Vinay on X and LinkedIn What did you think about this episode? What would you like to hear more about? Or simply, write in and say hello! [email protected] to us on your favorite platforms – Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Tune In Alexa, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn + Alexa, Stitcher, Jio Saavn and more.  This podcast is sponsored by C2C-OD, your Organizational Development consulting partner ‘Bringing People and Strategy Together’. Follow @c2cod on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook 

Send us Fan MailHave you heard of part-time C-Suite leaders? Meet Sara Daw, our guest this episode, who is a leading voice on the future of executive work and a pioneer of the fractional leadership movement. She heads The CFO Centre & The Liberti Group, the world’s largest network of fractional leaders, where skilled C-Suite leaders work for businesses in a freelance role from a few hours a month to several days a week, instead of being a full-time hire.Sara shares deep insights on why senior executives are moving to portfolio careers, and why more companies are hiring CFOs, CMOs, and other senior leaders for just a few days to several weeks instead of full-time. Sara is an award-winning global leader in fractional C-Suite talent and author of ‘Strategy and Leadership as Service’, the first research on applying the access economy to C-suite leadership, built on her research at Oxford University. She was named to the Independent’s E2E Female 100 Track in 2024 and 2025, recognising the UK’s fastest-growing female-led businesses.[3:41s] Sara’s origin story - from Chemistry to Finance to Fractional Leadership[6:56s] Tipping point for fractional leadership [15:22s] The fractional edge over a fulltime role[28:35s] Fractional leadership in bigger organizations[31:23s] On access economy and ‘Strategy and Leadership as Service’RWL: Must-read Sara’s book ‘Strategy and Leadership as Service’Connect with Sara on LinkedInConnect with Vinay on X and LinkedIn What did you think about this episode? What would you like to hear more about? Or simply, write in and say hello! [email protected] to us on your favorite platforms – Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Tune In Alexa, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn + Alexa, Stitcher, Jio Saavn and more.  This podcast is sponsored by C2C-OD, your Organizational Development consulting partner ‘Bringing People and Strategy Together’. Follow @c2cod on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook 

Send us Fan MailHappy New Year to you and we are back with a cracker of an episode to kickstart 2026 with – featuring the OG, the guru of virtual facilitation, Cindy Huggett, CPTD. As a leading industry expert and 20+ year pioneer of virtual training, Cindy brings in vast experience partnering with global organizations on learning strategy and technology solutions. She has authored six acclaimed books, including ‘Virtual Training Tools and Templates: An Action Guide to Live Online Learning 2nd edition’, ‘Designing Virtual Learning for Application and Impact’, and ‘The Facilitator’s Guide to Immersive, Blended and Hybrid Learning’. Cindy partners with organizations to create training programs with lasting learning impact. She helps upskill trainers and designers, maximizes learning design, and facilitates actionable training and hybrid learning. A sought-after speaker, Cindy has taught thousands of people how to facilitate and present through cutting-edge workshops and presentations on topics related to leadership, learning, and technology. Based in Raleigh, NC, Cindy serves clients globally. [4:20s] Cindy’s origin story [9:35s] Evolution of virtual training from the 90s to today [16:04s] Evolution of the virtual learner expectations  [29:04s] Tech of virtual facilitation right today [30:44s] Key essentials skills for virtual trainers today [37:34s] On hybrid, blended formats of facilitation: Successes and pitfalls  [48:13s] On the future of virtual learning [52:12s] RWL: Must-read Cindy’s books: ‘Virtual Training Tools and Templates’, ‘Designing Virtual Learning for Application and Impact’, and ‘The Facilitator’s Guide to Immersive, Blended and Hybrid Learning’.Connect with Cindy on LinkedInConnect with Vinay on X and LinkedIn What did you think about this episode? What would you like to hear more about? Or simply, write in and say hello! [email protected] to us on your favorite platforms – Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Tune In Alexa, Stitcher, Jio Saavn and more.  This podcast is sponsored by C2C-OD, your Organizational Development consulting partner ‘Bringing People and Strategy Together’. Follow @c2cod on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook 

Send us Fan MailIt’s a year-end SHP tradition – where we bring you our top picks of the year. This time, we invite our guest hosts, Jyothi Dass and Shaleel Nalakath to choose their top episode picks from 2025. You can listen to the full episodes of their top picks, by clicking on each episode title below. As we wrap up another wonderful year of podcasting, here is a big shout-out to all our listeners and our guests from across the world for being with us, for tuning in each episode. We look forward to bringing you more exciting episodes with a new guest line-up next year. Do write in and tell us what YOU liked from this year and what you would like to hear about, at [email protected]. We will see you back in January of 2026! Wish you all a fabulous New Year! Jyothi’s top picksEp 152: Mirjami Sipponen-Damonte on Facilitating High Impact Strategy & Leadership DevelopmentEp. 161: Silvia Damiano of About My Brain on NeuroleadershipEp. 165: Nik Kinley on Rewriting Your Leadership Code and the Power Trap of LeadershipShaleel’s top picksEpisode 167: Oscar Trimboli – How to listenEp 154: Rangineh Azimzadeh Tehrani on Peace and Conflict Resolution through Facilitation Episode 160: Michelle Zhang, Facilitating Leadership Transformation through InclusionEpisode 162: Dr Cecilia Herbert, Workplace Behavioural Science and Organizational PsychologySubscribe to us on your favorite platforms – Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Tune In Alexa, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn + Alexa, Stitcher, Jio Saavn and more.This podcast is sponsored by C2C-OD, your Organizational Development consulting partner ‘Bringing People and Strategy Together’. Follow @c2cod on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook. 

Send us Fan MailWith so much talk around it, it was about time we dedicated a whole episode to AI – and boy, have we got a power-packed one for you! Meet Rick DeLisi who is leading AI adoption in an industry that almost everyone one of us has had a direct experience with – customer service. Rick is Lead Research Analyst at Glia, co-author of the bestselling business book The Effortless Experience and a multi-time contributor to the Harvard Business Review with more than 20 years of experience in the customer experience industry. This conversation underscores Rick’s data-backed approach to understanding the gap between what leaders expect from AI and what actually happens in customer experience. Many organizations are wrestling with how to make AI a genuine advantage without falling into costly traps, and Rick’s grounded research has spurred meaningful conversations at several leading companies. Hit play to get the lowdown! [4:29s] Evolution of customer service [10:13s] Growth of automation in customer service[19:02s] AI in customer service[28:27s] Organizations who are doing it well: ‘AI for all’[39:24s] Future drivers for AI adoption the ‘right way’ [47:14s] Future of the customer service industry [51:06s] RWL: Read Rick’s book ‘The Effortless Experience’  Visit Glia at https://www.glia.com/ for more resources to help you elevate your customer service with the right adoption of AI.Connect with Rick on LinkedInConnect with Vinay on X and LinkedIn What did you think about this episode? What would you like to hear more about? Or simply, write in and say hello! [email protected] to us on your favorite platforms – Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Tune In Alexa, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn + Alexa, Stitcher, Jio Saavn and more.  This podcast is sponsored by C2C-OD, your Organizational Development consulting partner ‘Bringing People and Strategy Together’. Follow @c2cod on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook 

Send us Fan MailManaging through fear and intimidation has long been a hallmark of high-pressure industries like tech, finance, and private equity. But now, the gloves are off. Domineering, manipulative leaders are not only more brazen in those fields, but they’re also spreading into workplaces everywhere, even public service. Employees need a toolkit to protect themselves, maintain agency, and thrive, and that’s exactly what our guest today and Silicon Valley veteran Kate Lowry delivers in her new book, ‘Unbreakable: How to Thrive Under Fear-Based Leaders’ (released October 28, 2025).Kate is a CEO coach, venture capitalist, and author based in Silicon Valley. An expert in fear-based leaders, Kate developed her methodology growing up in a personal hierarchical family, then refined her approach navigating high-pressure roles in the elite worlds of start-ups, private equity, management consulting, and big tech at McKinsey, Meta, and Insight Partners. She helps audiences understand why these leaders are so predictable, how to gauge emotional maturity, and how to respond strategically instead of shutting down. But most of all, she stands by the fact that you are not powerless. Hit play to find out how.  [3:32s] Kate’s origins story [10:04s] What prevents people from speaking up – operating under fear  [16:53s] ‘AI + Human Teams Are the Future of Work’[20:43s] The rise of fear-based leadership in the age of AI[23:45s] Catalyst for Kate’s book ‘Unbreakable: How to Thrive Under Fear-Based Leaders’  [30:30s] Kate’s top tips for thriving under fear-based leadership RWL: Read Kate’s book ‘Unbreakable: How to Thrive Under Fear-Based Leaders’ Connect with Kate on Instagram and LinkedInConnect with Vinay on X and LinkedIn What did you think about this episode? What would you like to hear more about? Or simply, write in and say hello! [email protected] to us on your favorite platforms – Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Tune In Alexa, Stitcher, Jio Saavn and more.  This podcast is sponsored by C2C-OD, your Organizational Development consulting partner ‘Bringing People and Strategy Together’. Follow @c2cod on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook