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In this jam-packed episode of the OrgDev Podcast, we welcome the brilliant and boundlessly productive Dr. William (Bill) Brendel - award-winning OD educator, researcher, consultant, and founder of OpensourceOD.com. If you’ve ever wondered "What kind of OD practitioner am I?" or "How do I actually get into this field?" then this episode is for you.

Bill shares insights from over 25 years of global OD consulting and cutting-edge research, including his work developing the MOST (Mastering Organizational and Societal Transformation) assessment - the first psychometrically validated OD competency model. Based on thousands of job descriptions, this tool helps emerging and seasoned practitioners align their strengths and interests with real-world career paths, providing clarity in a field often marked by ambiguity.

We unpack the challenges of entering and navigating OD careers, from the blurry boundaries of OD roles to the messy reality of job descriptions that rarely reflect the true nature of the work. Bill discusses how Opensource OD is helping bridge the gap between academia and practice, offering a "dojo" for practitioners to build technical skills and reflective wisdom through immersive, real-world case studies contributed by legends like Ed Schein and Peter Block.

Other highlights include:

• Why OD is best understood as evolving practice rooted in a three-part test: social + technical + influence
• How social presencing theater and design thinking are being used in traditional settings
• The ethical dilemmas OD professionals face, and how reflective practice and “use of self” help navigate them
• How to thrive in a world of “permanent whitewater” with mindfulness and intentional learning

This episode is a goldmine for anyone shaping or shifting their OD path. Dive in and discover your next step.

Wish you had a handy recap of the episode? So did we.

That’s why each week in our Next Step to Better newsletter, we’re sharing From Pod to Practice – a 2-page visual summary of each episode designed to help you take the learning from the podcast and into your work.

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About Us

We’re Dani and Garin – Organisation Development (OD) practitioners who help leaders and people professionals tackle the messiness of organisational life. We focus on building leadership capability, strengthening team effectiveness, and designing practical, systemic development programmes that help you deliver on your team and organisational goals. We also offer coaching to support individual growth and change.

Find out more at www.distinction.live

We'd love to connect with you on Linked In:
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What if your organisation didn’t need a traditional hierarchy to thrive?
Are endless meetings, layers of approval, and rigid structures holding your team back? Could self-management be the key to unlocking greater agility, innovation, and trust?

These are questions we've been wanting to explore for a long time on the OrgDev Podcast.

In this episode, we’re joined by self-management expert Paul Jansen, who shares what it really takes to make self-management work – not just as a concept, but as a practical, sustainable way of operating. From decision-making without hierarchy to building accountability in a distributed system, Paul brings both clarity and experience to one of the most misunderstood ideas in organisation design.

Whether you're curious, cautious, or already experimenting with self-management, this one’s full of insight.

Wish you had a handy recap of the episode? So did we.

That’s why each week in our Next Step to Better newsletter, we’re sharing From Pod to Practice – a 2-page visual summary of each episode designed to help you take the learning from the podcast and into your work.

You’ll get:
■ Key insights from the episode
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Sign up now to get From Pod to Practice delivered to your inbox each week: https://distinction.live/keep-in-touch/

About Us

We’re Dani and Garin – Organisation Development (OD) practitioners who help leaders and people professionals tackle the messiness of organisational life. We focus on building leadership capability, strengthening team effectiveness, and designing practical, systemic development programmes that help you deliver on your team and organisational goals. We also offer coaching to support individual growth and change.

Find out more at www.distinction.live

We'd love to connect with you on Linked In:
linkedin.com/in/danibacon478
https://www.linkedin.com/in/garinrouch

We'd love to hear from you so send us a message!

What does good OD practice actually look like in action? How do you build your confidence in this field? What does it take to lead change effectively? If you’ve ever asked yourself these questions, this episode with Regan Miller for you. Starting a career in OD isn’t like stepping into a traditional profession. There’s no set path, no clear-cut job description that tells you what to do.

Regan Miller is a seasoned organisation design and development consultant working with public sector organisations around the world. Her career spans both public and private sectors, with early experience in training and development roles before moving into HR leadership and consulting positions within the U.S. federal government.  She is also co-author of 2 excellent books - The Accidental OD Practitioner and The Intentional OD Practitioner.

Wish you had a handy recap of the episode? So did we.

That’s why each week in our Next Step to Better newsletter, we’re sharing From Pod to Practice – a 2-page visual summary of each episode designed to help you take the learning from the podcast and into your work.

You’ll get:
■ Key insights from the episode
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Sign up now to get From Pod to Practice delivered to your inbox each week: https://distinction.live/keep-in-touch/

About Us

We’re Dani and Garin – Organisation Development (OD) practitioners who help leaders and people professionals tackle the messiness of organisational life. We focus on building leadership capability, strengthening team effectiveness, and designing practical, systemic development programmes that help you deliver on your team and organisational goals. We also offer coaching to support individual growth and change.

Find out more at www.distinction.live

We'd love to connect with you on Linked In:
linkedin.com/in/danibacon478
https://www.linkedin.com/in/garinrouch

We'd love to hear from you so send us a message!

Bias isn’t just an ethical issue – it’s a business issue. In this episode, we explore how recognising and addressing bias can transform both your organisation’s bottom line and the daily experiences of your people.

Our guest, Chris Garrison, brings deep expertise in workplace culture, behavioural science, and inclusion. She shares practical insights on how organisations can move beyond good intentions to create fairer, more inclusive workplaces where everyone thrives.

Bias costs businesses billions in lost productivity and turnover each year – but its impact runs deeper. From hiring and promotions to everyday team interactions, unchecked bias lowers morale, reduces engagement, and stifles innovation. So, how can organisations tackle it effectively?

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that goes beyond the basics of unconscious bias training to explore real strategies that drive meaningful change.

Wish you had a handy recap of the episode? So did we.

That’s why each week in our Next Step to Better newsletter, we’re sharing From Pod to Practice – a 2-page visual summary of each episode designed to help you take the learning from the podcast and into your work.

You’ll get:
■ Key insights from the episode
■ A reflection prompt
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Sign up now to get From Pod to Practice delivered to your inbox each week: https://distinction.live/keep-in-touch/

About Us

We’re Dani and Garin – Organisation Development (OD) practitioners who help leaders and people professionals tackle the messiness of organisational life. We focus on building leadership capability, strengthening team effectiveness, and designing practical, systemic development programmes that help you deliver on your team and organisational goals. We also offer coaching to support individual growth and change.

Find out more at www.distinction.live

We'd love to connect with you on Linked In:
linkedin.com/in/danibacon478
https://www.linkedin.com/in/garinrouch

We'd love to hear from you so send us a message!

Why do organisations keep struggling with structure and workflow—despite endless change efforts? We redesign teams, introduce new processes, and roll out new tech, yet work still feels slow, frustrating, and full of roadblocks. Silos, unclear roles, and misaligned systems drain energy and waste time.

In this episode, we’re joined by Xin Yao, a Domain-Driven Design (DDD) practitioner, sociotechnical architect, and former enterprise architect. She helps organisations bridge the gap between people, teams, and technology—designing systems that actually work. If you’ve ever wondered why change efforts fall flat and what to do instead, this conversation is for you.

Wish you had a handy recap of the episode? So did we.

That’s why each week in our Next Step to Better newsletter, we’re sharing From Pod to Practice – a 2-page visual summary of each episode designed to help you take the learning from the podcast and into your work.

You’ll get:
■ Key insights from the episode
■ A reflection prompt
■ A suggested action

Sign up now to get From Pod to Practice delivered to your inbox each week: https://distinction.live/keep-in-touch/

About Us

We’re Dani and Garin – Organisation Development (OD) practitioners who help leaders and people professionals tackle the messiness of organisational life. We focus on building leadership capability, strengthening team effectiveness, and designing practical, systemic development programmes that help you deliver on your team and organisational goals. We also offer coaching to support individual growth and change.

Find out more at www.distinction.live

We'd love to connect with you on Linked In:
linkedin.com/in/danibacon478
https://www.linkedin.com/in/garinrouch

We'd love to hear from you so send us a message!

Hybrid work was supposed to be the future - but is it really here to stay? While many people thrive in flexible work arrangements, major companies like Amazon, Boots, and JP Morgan are reversing course and ordering their teams back to the office full-time. So, what’s next for hybrid working? 

In this episode of the OrgDev Podcast, we explore the biggest challenges organisations face in making hybrid work truly effective. How can we design workplaces, teams, and strategies that embrace flexibility? And what role do HR, OD professionals, and managers play in ensuring hybrid work actually works? Joining us is Gary Cookson, a leading expert in workplace performance, HR, and organisational development. With years of experience in helping businesses navigate the future of work, Gary shares insights on what it takes to make hybrid work sustainable, productive, and people-centered

Wish you had a handy recap of the episode? So did we.

That’s why each week in our Next Step to Better newsletter, we’re sharing From Pod to Practice – a 2-page visual summary of each episode designed to help you take the learning from the podcast and into your work.

You’ll get:
■ Key insights from the episode
■ A reflection prompt
■ A suggested action

Sign up now to get From Pod to Practice delivered to your inbox each week: https://distinction.live/keep-in-touch/

About Us

We’re Dani and Garin – Organisation Development (OD) practitioners who help leaders and people professionals tackle the messiness of organisational life. We focus on building leadership capability, strengthening team effectiveness, and designing practical, systemic development programmes that help you deliver on your team and organisational goals. We also offer coaching to support individual growth and change.

Find out more at www.distinction.live

We'd love to connect with you on Linked In:
linkedin.com/in/danibacon478
https://www.linkedin.com/in/garinrouch

We'd love to hear from you so send us a message!

Leadership is a constant learning journey, and one of the most powerful ways to grow is by being part of a network that both supports and challenges you.

This week on the OrgDev Podcast, we speak with Mark Emdin, board member of ODN Europe and Experienced Organisation Change & Development consultant, about the role professional networks play in shaping how we lead, think, and navigate change.

If you’ve ever found yourself solving tough challenges in isolation then this is definitely worth a watch. 

Wish you had a handy recap of the episode? So did we.

That’s why each week in our Next Step to Better newsletter, we’re sharing From Pod to Practice – a 2-page visual summary of each episode designed to help you take the learning from the podcast and into your work.

You’ll get:
■ Key insights from the episode
■ A reflection prompt
■ A suggested action

Sign up now to get From Pod to Practice delivered to your inbox each week: https://distinction.live/keep-in-touch/

About Us

We’re Dani and Garin – Organisation Development (OD) practitioners who help leaders and people professionals tackle the messiness of organisational life. We focus on building leadership capability, strengthening team effectiveness, and designing practical, systemic development programmes that help you deliver on your team and organisational goals. We also offer coaching to support individual growth and change.

Find out more at www.distinction.live

We'd love to connect with you on Linked In:
linkedin.com/in/danibacon478
https://www.linkedin.com/in/garinrouch

We'd love to hear from you so send us a message!

How much of what happens in teams is shaped by forces we can’t see?
In this bonus episode, we sit down with Dr. Eliat Aram, CEO of the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations, to explore the hidden dynamics that influence leadership, teamwork, and organisational performance. Dr. Aram unpacks the role of the unconscious in shaping team interactions, introduce the BART model (Boundary, Authority, Role, Task) as a framework for understanding team dynamics, and shed light on what might be happening beneath the surface in group settings.

For over 75 years, the Tavistock Institute has been at the forefront of research and practice in systems thinking, group dynamics, and organisational development. In this conversation, Dr. Aram helps leaders and teams build self-awareness, decode organisational challenges, and apply practical strategies to navigate complexity more effectively.

Wish you had a handy recap of the episode? So did we.

That’s why each week in our Next Step to Better newsletter, we’re sharing From Pod to Practice – a 2-page visual summary of each episode designed to help you take the learning from the podcast and into your work.

You’ll get:
■ Key insights from the episode
■ A reflection prompt
■ A suggested action

Sign up now to get From Pod to Practice delivered to your inbox each week: https://distinction.live/keep-in-touch/

About Us

We’re Dani and Garin – Organisation Development (OD) practitioners who help leaders and people professionals tackle the messiness of organisational life. We focus on building leadership capability, strengthening team effectiveness, and designing practical, systemic development programmes that help you deliver on your team and organisational goals. We also offer coaching to support individual growth and change.

Find out more at www.distinction.live

We'd love to connect with you on Linked In:
linkedin.com/in/danibacon478
https://www.linkedin.com/in/garinrouch

We'd love to hear from you so send us a message!

In this week’s OrgDev podcast, we explore what Organisation Development can learn from Learning & Development with David Hayden. 

From Formula 1 pit stops to the importance of storytelling, David shares how L&D insights can drive organisational success. We discuss the role of mental models, the power of learning cultures, and how OD practitioners can apply evidence-based approaches to learning and change. If you're looking for fresh ways to connect L&D and OD for greater impact, this is a great episode to watch.

Wish you had a handy recap of the episode? So did we.

That’s why each week in our Next Step to Better newsletter, we’re sharing From Pod to Practice – a 2-page visual summary of each episode designed to help you take the learning from the podcast and into your work.

You’ll get:
■ Key insights from the episode
■ A reflection prompt
■ A suggested action

Sign up now to get From Pod to Practice delivered to your inbox each week: https://distinction.live/keep-in-touch/

About Us

We’re Dani and Garin – Organisation Development (OD) practitioners who help leaders and people professionals tackle the messiness of organisational life. We focus on building leadership capability, strengthening team effectiveness, and designing practical, systemic development programmes that help you deliver on your team and organisational goals. We also offer coaching to support individual growth and change.

Find out more at www.distinction.live

We'd love to connect with you on Linked In:
linkedin.com/in/danibacon478
https://www.linkedin.com/in/garinrouch

We'd love to hear from you so send us a message!

What is job architecture? How can it support transformation? How do you help a company grow fast without losing what makes it special? What’s the secret to navigating big changes like merging teams or restructuring? 

💼 Jules Siegel- Hawley, Founder & Principal Consultant
Andes

Andes website:
https://www.andesadvisory.co/

Follow Jules on LinkedIn:
  / jules-siegel-hawley-msw-shrm-scp-52210274 

Follow Andes on LinkedIn:
  / andes-advisory-co 

Jules Siegel-Hawley is the Founder of Andes, a consultancy specialising in scalable, agile people infrastructure for high-growth startups and enterprises undergoing transformation. With deep expertise in organisation design, people strategy, and change leadership, she helps companies navigate complex transitions and rapid scaling while maintaining operational efficiency and a strong company culture.

At Andes, Jules partners with companies at critical inflection points—whether they are scaling rapidly, integrating post-acquisition, or restructuring teams. Taking an embedded approach, she and her team go beyond advising, offering fractional leadership and hands-on support to ensure people operations align with business strategy.

Wish you had a handy recap of the episode? So did we.

That’s why each week in our Next Step to Better newsletter, we’re sharing From Pod to Practice – a 2-page visual summary of each episode designed to help you take the learning from the podcast and into your work.

You’ll get:
■ Key insights from the episode
■ A reflection prompt
■ A suggested action

Sign up now to get From Pod to Practice delivered to your inbox each week: https://distinction.live/keep-in-touch/

About Us

We’re Dani and Garin – Organisation Development (OD) practitioners who help leaders and people professionals tackle the messiness of organisational life. We focus on building leadership capability, strengthening team effectiveness, and designing practical, systemic development programmes that help you deliver on your team and organisational goals. We also offer coaching to support individual growth and change.

Find out more at www.distinction.live

We'd love to connect with you on Linked In:
linkedin.com/in/danibacon478
https://www.linkedin.com/in/garinrouch