Tension isn’t the enemy, it’s the spark. This episode uncovers crux moments in business where some leaders turned risk into lasting impact while others avoided the tough choice and paid the price. How will you face the crux?

Derek is at Unconstrained.

Full show notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.

Reed McColm is back at the mic, pressing Derek Hudson on a pivotal distinction: crux vs. climax. Through the Essential Dynamics lenses of Purpose, Path, and People, they show why the crux, the unseen decision under tension, always matters more than the climax everyone sees.

From Rocky to The Lord of the Rings and beyond, they trace this pattern in stories, leadership, and life, and invite you to find the crux in your own quest.

Derek is at Unconstrained

Full show notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.

In this solo follow-up to Episode 115, Derek builds on lessons from a backpacking trip through the Canadian Rockies, this time focusing on People and Flow, important considerations in any quest.

Derek reflects on group dynamics, decision-making without hierarchy, and how flow becomes visible and tangible on the trail. From wrong turns to resource management, Derek shows how backpacking mirrors the real challenges of leading, collaborating, and staying energized in complex systems.

Derek is with Unconstrained.

Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.

In this solo episode, Derek shares lessons from a multi-day backpacking trip in the Canadian Rockies and how it connects to the Essential Dynamics framework. From planning and preparation to the realities of the trail, Derek explores what it means to consider your quest —clarifying Purpose X and Purpose Y, understanding the Path and its opposing forces of Drivers and Constraints, and embracing the challenges that make achievement meaningful.

This episode reframes adventure as a metaphor for leadership and life, showing why hard things matter and how a well-defined quest can transform both organizations and individuals.

Derek is with Unconstrained.

Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.

In this follow-up to Episode 113, Derek and Dave return to the question: Can technology help leaders step back and see their system? The answer is a big reveal. EDy is a conversational AI designed to help leaders get unstuck and achieve system flow using Essential Dynamics. EDy doesn’t give answers, he helps leaders think clearly, focus their attention, and take meaningful action. He's private, adaptive, and available anytime a leader needs to step back and see their system.

Derek and Daver are at Unconstrained.

Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.

Derek Hudson and Dave Kane explore how technology is helping—or hindering—leaders in 2025. They map out where leadership attention gets hijacked, what clarity looks like at the operational and meta levels, and where technology still falls short. From financial visibility to systems insight and real-time flow feedback, the conversation traces both risk and opportunity, concluding that technology’s greatest potential lies not in automation, but in context-aware guidance and timing.

Derek and Daver are at Unconstrained.

Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.

Tal Pizzey, CEO of Acuren, returns to explore how system flow can scale—even across 90 divisions and 6,000 employees. From rope access inspections to regional P&L ownership, Tal shares how Acuren empowers division managers with the training, data, incentives, and freedom to lead. Along the way, they discuss acquisition integration, risk reduction, and what great governance and guidance look like in practice.

Derek is at Unconstrained.

Tal Pizzey is at Acuren.

Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.

Derek talks with Tal Pizzey, CEO of Acuren, a billion-dollar company specializing in nondestructive testing and inspection services. Tal shares insights on Acuren’s impressive growth journey, the critical importance of management excellence, and the purposeful impact their work has on society by preventing failures and catastrophic events.

Derek is at Unconstrained.

Tal Pizzey is at Acuren.

Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.

Derek continues his conversation with Ann Hall about the legendary Edmonton Grads women’s basketball team, highlighting coach J. Percy Page’s leadership, Purpose X and Purpose Y, community support, and the keys to achieving system flow.

Derek is at Unconstrained.

Dr. M. Ann Hall is here.

Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.

In search of great examples of systems flow, Derek welcomes Dr. Ann Hall to explore the extraordinary story of the Edmonton Grads, the most successful basketball team ever!

Dr. M. Ann Hall is at mannhall.com. Ann's book is The Grads Are Playing Tonight. More on the Grads at Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and Historica Canada Heritage Minutes.

Derek is at Unconstrained.

Show notes are on the Unconstrained Wiki.