Serious. Social. Play. WTF?!?

On this episode, KG and Paul welcomed Chris Maxwell and Marcus Crow, the duo behind the consulting firm 10,000 Hours and the digital product company Pod & Hive to discuss their unique approach to leadership development, built on a conversation that began 18 years ago.

Their methodology centres on what they call "serious social play" - using simulated sandbox environments for teams to practice navigating complexity. These are not typical team-building exercises.

The goal of these games is to shift the focus from the individuals ('nodes') to the 'links' between them. Most development targets individuals, leaving the crucial work of building effective group dynamics to chance. Marcus and Chris' work explores what happens in those links; how teams handle ambiguity, compete, or collaborate when faced with a novel problem, as they find themselves in a 'complex state'. By shortening the feedback loop between action and outcome, these simulations make the team's invisible dynamics visible and discussable.

This conversation highlights a simple but powerful idea: if you want teams to perform at their best, you have to give them space and time to practice, and to take that practice seriously. By embracing a high 'practice to play' ratio, teams build muscle to improve collaboration and help them navigate inevitable uncertainty of day-to-day organisational life.

Of course, this is only one in many topics of this free-wheeling conversation. What helped make it so fluid and effortless, apart from the amazing generosity of the guests, was an equally amazing wine! Our friends at Annandale Cellars provided a 2023 Gounyan Wines, Murrumbateman Syrah, a delicious, fruity red that will make every conversation an enjoyable one!

Sláinte friends!

Useful resources from this episode:

1. 10,000 Hours
2. PodandHive
3. Shivoo

We're keen to hear what you thought of this conversation. Please let us know through either of the options below.

Please reach out on askus@leadershipdecanted.com or visit us at www.leadershipdecanted.com

Disagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss (or perhaps other books or podcasts that might set us straight!)? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!

Whatever tickles your fancy, we'd love to hear from you!!

The word 'transformation' is thrown around in all sorts of contexts and in all manner of attempts to sell change. The outcomes are never given, despite best laid plans, and it often falls down not because of process nor technology. The stumbling block is usually us. And it's not about the oversimplified trope of being resistant to change. On many occasions we actually want to see the change succeed - especially if it will make our lives easier. But good intentions are rarely enough.

What is often ignored in both small and large change initiatives is that success rests on the skilful way we can navigate the change process itself. Sitting in the discomfort of uncertainty; working through potentially polarising differences with our colleagues; voicing our concerns and our ideas, despite perceived risks, so that we can all generate the best possible solutions. All of these are skilful practices no one ever really teaches us, but without which we simply spin our wheels.

KG and Paul spent time in the Podcave with Jamie Gerlach, CEO of 4C Transformative Learning and 4C Organisations. Jamie and his team spend their days working with both educators and organisations, exploring the deep processes and skills required to deeply engage with change, and to bring about real transformation.

As they kick back with an amazing chilled white wine from Sicily, they take their time to really think about what it takes to build this sort of transformational muscle - occasionally distracted by the outstanding quality of the drop - a 2023 Cantine Petrosino Lucido Catarratto. No, seriously, you've got to get yourself some of this wine. It is amazing. Thanks to our friends at Annandale Cellars!

Sláinte friends!

We're keen to hear what you thought of this conversation. Please let us know through either of the options below.

Please reach out on askus@leadershipdecanted.com or visit us at www.leadershipdecanted.com

Disagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss (or perhaps other books or podcasts that might set us straight!)? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!

Whatever tickles your fancy, we'd love to hear from you!!

After a welcome break over Easter (sorry we forgot to mention it!), KG and Paul get back to the podcave for an amazing conversation with Dr. Rachael Jacobs - artist, academic, activist.

You may have heard the oft repeated phrase, "Bring your whole self to work." What does that even mean? Rachael chats to our hosts about her own deep cultural reconnection through the discovery of dance, as well as how her many paths in life provide a clue to what that looks like for her.

As an artist, Rachael seeks to make spaces for the marginalised and more vulnerable. Unsurprisingly that deep set of values drive her academic practice as well as her engagement with public life through politics. And while these might seem to be incompatible practices, she is constantly striving to show up as an integrated individual, drawing from all quarters of her life to engage in the world around her.

There are clear parallels here with how we might want to embody our own leadership practices, but we'll leave it to you to pull on those threads!

This engaging and compelling conversation was well accompanied by a lip-smacking red wine from Western Australia. On this occasion, our generous friends at Annadale Cellars provided a 2022 singlefile Great Southern Cabernet Merlot blend. It is a deep, fruit driven wine with plenty under the hood. With pronounced, yet soft tannins, it has delicious dark berry flavours and a silky mouthfeel.

Sláinte friends!

Some resource from this episode:

1. Sydney Bollywood

We're keen to hear what you thought of this conversation. Please let us know through either of the options below.

Please reach out on askus@leadershipdecanted.com or visit us at www.leadershipdecanted.com

Disagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss (or perhaps other books or podcasts that might set us straight!)? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!

Whatever tickles your fancy, we'd love to hear from you!!