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In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, host Tim Brewer interviews Alix Prassis, an organizational design expert and founder of Culture Elevation Consulting. Alix shares her unique journey into org design, from growing up in a family business to her diverse experiences in HR, learning and engagement, and DEI roles. She discusses the importance of proactive organizational design, addressing growing pains in scaling companies, and the common symptoms of structural issues in organizations. Alix emphasizes the need for leaders to look beyond quick fixes and consider broader systemic solutions, highlighting the value of strategic workforce planning and designing with culture in mind. The conversation also touches on Alix's role as an adjunct professor and her approach to helping leaders navigate organizational challenges.

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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.

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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.

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In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, organizational design expert Jodie Goulden shares valuable insights on leadership transitions and organizational effectiveness. She discusses the concept, shared by Beth Gunderson at the 2024 ODF conference, the challenges leaders face when moving from operational roles ("the dance floor") to strategic positions ("the balcony"), particularly in rapidly growing organizations.

Key highlights include:

• The importance of balancing strategic oversight with operational understanding
• Practical techniques for facilitating organizational diagnosis without external consultants
• Strategies for helping technically proficient leaders adapt to broader management roles
• Methods for addressing organizational overwhelm and creating sustainable systems

Jodie emphasizes the power of collaborative problem-solving and shares how leaders can create space for different perspectives when addressing organizational challenges. She provides practical advice for leaders who may feel uncomfortable stepping away from day-to-day operations to take a more strategic view.

Whether you're a new leader adjusting to a larger scope of responsibility or an experienced executive looking to improve organizational effectiveness, this episode offers valuable insights into modern leadership challenges and organizational design principles.

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Discover the secrets to creating adaptable organizations and accelerating business growth with Tom Douglas, the CEO of JMARK. In this engaging podcast episode, Tom shares his valuable insights on the importance of org design, clear responsibilities, and aligning with customer and employee needs. Learn from his experiences and gain practical tips for building a successful business in today's dynamic landscape.

Listen now and unlock the potential of effective org design! #Podcast #OrgDesign #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipLessons

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In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, Brandon Curry shares insights on organizational design and leadership. Key points include:

• The importance of understanding roles and their interrelations in an organization
• Recognizing resistance as a sign of engagement and progress in organizational change
• The value of specific questions and conversations in gauging organizational health
• Analogies between organizational dynamics and music or sports teams
• Recommendations for resources on organizational design, including works by Kates Kesler and the Center for Effective Organizations
• The significance of participative design and including more of the organization in the process
• The application of continuous improvement methodologies like Lean and Kaizen in organizational design

Brandon emphasizes the importance of clear communication, understanding current states, and involving team members in the design process. He also highlights the value of specific tools and methodologies in approaching organizational challenges.

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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.

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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.

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