OrgDev with Distinction

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In our latest OrgDev podcast episode, we explore the profound systemic approach to wellbeing advocated by Michael Matania, CEO of Mycelium. Unlike conventional initiatives that often pay lip service to wellbeing, Mycelium focuses on fostering sustainable performance through comprehensive, culturally embedded strategies. 

Michael’s journey is particularly compelling—having overcome PTSD, addiction, and psychosis, he brings a deeply personal and transformative perspective to his work. Michael’s experiences and insights challenge traditional resilience and leadership paradigms, advocating for a holistic view that integrates individual strengths with supportive systemic frameworks

Michael Matania, CEO, Mycelium
  / michael-matania-65559061 

You can follow Michael's work, contact him, book a course or sign him as a keynote speaker here:: https://myceliumgroup.co/

Michael Matania is the visionary founder and CEO of Mycelium, a pioneering organization at the forefront of transforming wellbeing in the workplace. Mycelium is renowned for its innovative approaches to tackling burnout, building resilience, and reshaping workplace culture, working with esteemed clients such as Google, Sky, and the BBC.

With a passion for mental wellbeing and a commitment to innovation, Michael continues to lead Mycelium in setting new standards for organisational health and employee wellbeing.

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!

This week's OrgDev Podcast features Dr. Eerika Hedman-Phillips, an accomplished Organisational Development and leadership development professional with over 15 years of experience in leadership development, coaching, change management, and research. 

As the talent management lead for an international sports media company, Eerika brings a wealth of knowledge in fostering inclusive leadership and collaborative practices. Her expertise in human relationships and interaction, coupled with her dedication to creating fulfilling employee experiences, makes her insights invaluable for leaders and HR professionals. Join us as we explore her innovative approaches to organisational dynamics and the Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM) theory, which helps navigate and enhance complex workplace interactions.

Dr. Eerika Hedman-Phillips
  / eerikahedman 

Dr. Eerika Hedman-Phillips is an accomplished Organizational Development (OD) and leadership development professional with over 15 years of experience in leadership development, coaching, change management, and research. Dr. Hedman-Phillips's core expertise lies in human relationships and interaction, fostering inclusive leadership and collaborative practices. She is dedicated to creating a fulfilling employee experience and helping individuals thrive within their organizations.

Thriving in environments where human-centric approaches are prioritized, Dr. Hedman-Phillips excels in settings where employees have the autonomy to perform at their best, embrace their unique selves, and continuously innovate, challenge norms, and be creative. With a pragmatic approach grounded in an academic background, she applies systemic thinking to her work.

Dr. Eerika holds a PhD in leadership and organization development and is a published author. Her research focused on executive-level leadership development, enhancing working relationships, and improving teamwork within senior leadership teams through team interventions and individual coaching. She recently contributed a chapter titled “Co-creating Cosmopolitan Organizations” to the book "A Cosmopolitan Sensibility: Compelling Stories from a Communication Perspective."

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 episode of the Org Dev podcast,  our guest is Adam Kahane, a Director at Reos Partners and author of 5 books including Collaborating with the Enemy and Facilitating Breakthrough.  Adam shared insights from his extensive experience in fostering collaboration across diverse groups, the essence of transformative facilitation and the importance of the role of facilitators in removing obstacles to enable effective communication and collaboration, rather than directing or manipulating outcomes. 

Drawing from his work in over fifty countries and involvement in significant peacebuilding efforts this was another great conversation to be a part of and we hope you enjoy listening to this week's episode.

Adam Kahane
  / adam-kahane 
Twitter:   / adamkahane 

You can follow Adam here and subscribe to his newsletter:
www.adamkahane.com

Adam Kahane is a Director at Reos Partners, a global social enterprise dedicated to fostering collaboration among businesses, governments, and civil society organizations to tackle complex challenges. As a prominent architect, organizer, and facilitator of collaborative processes, Adam has extensive experience working with a diverse range of stakeholders—including executives, politicians, military leaders, civil servants, trade unionists, cabinet ministers, community activists, clergy, and artists—in over fifty countries worldwide. His work spans critical areas such as education, health, energy, food, environment, security, development, governance, and peace.

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 episode of the OrgDev podcast we explore the fascinating world of organisational dynamics with Jeff Boudro, the Executive Director of Power & Systems, Inc.  In this interview, Jeff reveals the secrets to transforming companies by effectively working with tops, middles, and bottoms. Learn how to enhance leadership, build resilient cultures, and unlock your team's full potential with insights from the company founded by the legendary Barry Oshry

Jeff Boudro
  / jeff-boudro-4440a66 
Power + Systems Website:
https://www.powerandsystems.com/
Book an event with Power + Systems here:
https://www.powerandsystems.com/works...
Barry Oshry's Books:
https://store.powerandsystems.com/
Jeff Boudro is the Executive Director of Power & Systems, Inc. A graduate of the renowned Power Lab and Master Certified in all Power & Systems workshops, Jeff has a proven track record of partnering with a diverse range of organizations to leverage Power & Systems workshops, fostering leadership at all levels, building strong organizational cultures, and accelerating key initiatives.

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!

Why is it so common to see relationships in organisations where there is a parent/child dynamic? Why does this occur, and what can we do about it? To answer these questions we invited James Longwell from Google onto our podcast.  James shared some fabulous insights about Transactional Analysis, his work with Google and his career with other big brand names.   Another fabulous OrgDev conversation which we are sure you will enjoy.

💼 About our Guest
James Longwell
  / james-longwell-0108207 

James Longwell is an accomplished Organization Development leader and coach, bringing extensive experience across a wide range of sectors, including automotive, logistics, consumer packaged goods, media, and digital/internet. Throughout his career, he has worked in various regions, including the UK/Europe, Asia, and Australasia, which has provided him with a rich and diverse professional background.

You can contact James about his Transactional Analysis courses or supervision here:
[email protected]

You can listen to the Transactional Analysis Podcast to understand more about TA here:
https://tapodcast.com/

During the conversation James references Functional Fluency. Here is the link to explore this further:
https://functionalfluency.com/about/f...

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 the latest episode of the OrgDev Podcast, we were joined by the excellent Mike Jones, founder and director of LBI Consulting. In this brilliant conversation, Mike brings a unique combination of experiences from military leadership and elite sports teams to organisational psychology and systems thinking. Mike unpacks what we so often get wrong about military-style command and control and the critical role of system design in organisational operations.    

Mike's journey is remarkable: he enlisted in the army at 16 without any qualifications, taught himself psychology and organizational studies, and became an instructor at Sandhurst. Determined to further his education, he wrote to every University in the UK to find one willing to allow him to formalise his learning.

💼 About our Guest

Mike Jones
  / mike-h-jones 

LBI Consulting:
https://lbiconsulting.com/

Mike Jones is the founder and director of LBI Consulting, a firm that integrates organisational psychology, systems thinking, and extensive leadership experience to help organisations navigate complexity. LBI Consulting focuses on developing and aligning strategy, organisational design, and culture based on research and practical solutions.

As a leader, organisational psychologist, and systems thinker, Mike navigates the complexities of contemporary organisations by developing foresight, strategy, and alignment.

Mike's leadership journey includes extensive service in the British Army, where he led troops in challenging environments. His leadership skills earned him a position as an instructor at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, a globally renowned institution for leadership training, where he helped shape future military leaders.

Combining his military experience with his research as an organisational psychologist and cross-industry expertise, Mike has developed a distinctive approach to strategy, leadership, and culture development. He focuses on creating environments where individuals, teams, and organisations can thrive amidst complexity.

Mike's approach involves understanding each client's unique challenges and developing tailored strategies for success. He offers an external perspective on strategic challenges and provides practical, actionable solutions.

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 the latest episode of the OrgDev Podcast, we were joined by Dr. Jonathan Westover all the way from Utah, USA who shared invaluable insights on how to cultivate a healthy and dynamic workplace. As a seasoned expert with a background that bridges academia and real-world practice, Jonathan brings a practical approach to making workplaces better and our conversation focuses on practical strategies leaders and HR professionals can use to improve company culture and employee engagement.

Dr. Westover emphasises the importance of ethical leadership and provides accessible advice on how to make complex academic research useful for everyday business challenges. Whether you're leading a small team or managing a large organisation, this episode offers essential tips and inspiring stories to help you create a more effective and fulfilling work environment

 Jonathan's Podcast:
   / @innovativehumancapital   

Dr. Jonathan Westover is a 4X #1 best-selling author, award-winning podcaster, and the top-ranked global thought leader in HR, Innovation, Leadership, Culture, and Future of Work (Thinkers360). Ranked #21 in Organizational Culture and #19 in Management globally by Global Gurus, he is also featured on LeadersHum's Power List of the Top 200 Voices in Leadership.

Founder and CEO of Human Capital Innovations, Dr. Westover hosts and produces shows on the HCI Podcast Network and serves as Chief Academic and Learning Officer of the HCI Academy. He is Chair and Professor of Organizational Leadership and Change at UVU's Woodbury School of Business and holds multiple leadership roles, including Academic Director of the Center for Social Impact.

An experienced OD/HR/Leadership consultant, Dr. Westover has transformed organizations worldwide. He is a CIPD Academic Fellow, HEA Senior Fellow, and Visiting Academic at Oxford's Harris Manchester College. His accolades include being a Fulbright Scholar, POSCO Fellow, and a Visiting Scholar at the Wilson Center. His work is widely published and cited in top media outlets like Forbes, The Economist, and The Wall Street Journal. 

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!

Welcome to our latest interview with Sarah Walsh, a leading expert in organisation development! In this episode, Sarah shares her refreshingly practical approach to helping organizations thrive. She emphasizes meeting clients where they are, making the complex world of organizational development accessible and understandable for everyone.

Sarah Walsh
  / sarahwalshl 

Sarah Walsh is a dynamic Organizatioal Development (OD) Practitioner with a passion for people, culture, and change. Embracing the mantra "variety is the spice of life," Sarah thrives on working across multiple spaces to drive meaningful transformations within organizations.

Sarah's impressive credentials include an MSc in Organizational Behaviour from Birkbeck, University of London, and a CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership. She is also a certified Prosci Change Practitioner, equipped with the skills to manage and implement change effectively.

Currently, Sarah serves as an Organizational Development Consultant at The Academy of Medical Sciences. She has held a number of change roles including the Lead Performance Consultant at Essex County Council. In these roles, she excels in leadership development, change management, and team coaching, helping organizations navigate and make sense of change. She brings strategies to life, ensuring they are not only implemented but also effectively integrated into the organizational culture.

In addition to her roles as an OD Practitioner, Sarah is a dedicated Workplace and Career Coach. She supports individuals through career moves and transitions, offering guidance and strategies for overcoming workplace challenges such as burnout and the complexities of new managerial roles. Sarah's holistic approach ensures that her clients feel supported and empowered to achieve their career goals.

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!

Our podcast this week is with the fabulous Dr Krister Lowe where we delve into achieving team excellence. Krister has dedicated his career to researching and developing teams across the globe, bringing a wealth of insights and expertise to our discussion. 

Join us as we explore the transformative power of the 6 Team Conditions framework, which is built upon the foundation of best-in-class research by renowned social scientists Drs. Ruth Wageman and Richard Hackman, and discover how it can elevate your team's performance to new heights.

💼 About our Guest
Dr Krister Lowe
Chief Innovation Officer - 6 Teams Conditions
https://6teamconditions.com/
 / kristerlowe 

Dr. Krister Lowe is the Co-founder and Chief of Innovation at www.6TeamConditions.com a groundbreaking platform focused on optimizing team performance. Renowned as the pioneer of the Team Coaching Zone Podcast at www.TeamCoachingZone.com, Dr. Lowe is also recognized as the Co-Editor of The Practitioner’s Handbook of Team Coaching, a trailblazing resource in the field.

With a background in Organizational Psychology, Dr. Lowe specializes in coaching top-tier and mission-critical teams, offering invaluable insights and strategies for enhanced collaboration and effectiveness. He is deeply committed to training team leaders and coaching practitioners, empowering them to navigate complex organizational landscapes with confidence.

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 do we take an evidence-based approach to organizational dynamics and leadership. Join us as we sit down with David Wilkinson, Editor-in-Chief of the Oxford Review, to explore the myths that pervade organisational life. From misconceptions about diversity, equality, and inclusion to the intricacies of leadership styles and decision-making processes, David offers a wealth of knowledge and insights. This engaging conversation is filled with thought-provoking discussions and practical takeaways that underscore the significance of evidence-based practices in driving organizational success. Tune in for a stimulating exploration of leadership and organizational effectiveness in today's ever-evolving landscape.

Dr. David Wilkinson
Editor in Chief, Oxford Review
  / oxfordreview 

David Wilkinson serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Oxford Review, recognized globally as an authority on navigating ambiguity and fostering emotional resilience. With an extensive background in academia, David imparts his expertise at prestigious institutions such as the University of Oxford, Cardiff University, and Oxford Brookes University School of Business. His consultancy and executive coaching services have left a mark on diverse organizations including Schroders and Royal Mail, while his impact extends to governmental entities worldwide, including the UK, US, and Saudi Arabia.

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