Andy and Mon-Chaio explore Marvin Weisbord's Six Box Model, a framework from the 1970s for diagnosing organizational issues. They explain each of the six parts of the model: purpose, structure, relationships, rewards, leadership, and helpful mechanisms, and then illustrate it being used to assess an example software development company. Listeners will learn how to guide investigation into a situation using the model and the advantages they get from it over just winging it.

Transcript - https://thettlpodcast.com/2025/02/18/s3e6-6-box-model/

References

• Organizational Diagnosis: Six Places To Look for Trouble With or Without a Theory - https://leeds-faculty.colorado.edu/Rosse/Courses/4003/Readings/Weisbord.pdf
• Analysing a team situation using BART - https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ccnbKOCrt1mpw8LRgbdJz?si=91df18bddf3b43c8

In this first VacationCast episode of Season 3, with Andy out, Mon-Chaio dives into the complexities of mentorship, particularly within workplace relationships. He explores the differences between peer-to-peer mentoring and manager-direct report mentoring, the potential pitfalls of using the term 'mentorship' for career development or performance feedback, and the impact of these practices on genuine employee growth and leadership development.

References

• Season 1, Episode 13: "The Feedback Fallacy?"
• Season 2, Episode 41: "Improvement Beyond Podcasts - The Art of Deliberate Practice"
• Season 2, Episode 16: "Misleader Majority"

Andy and Mon-Chaio explore the dense yet insightful book 'Action Science' by Chris Argyris. They discuss Argyris's method of developing self-knowledge to break existing norms and achieve actionable knowledge. The conversation covers the core principles and propositions of action science, including the importance of understanding one's reasoning, questioning underlying assumptions, and fostering mutual learning. Tune in to discover how self-awareness can transform not just individuals but entire organizations.

Transcript - https://thettlpodcast.com/2025/02/04/s3e4-action-science/

References

In this episode, Mon-Chaio and Andy delve into the concept of Future Search, a powerful methodology for driving organizational change. They discuss the essence of Future Search, its origins from Marvin Weisbord’s book 'Productive Workplaces Revisited,' and explore why it's crucial to involve the whole system in problem-solving. The episode provides insights into the past, present, and future focus essential in the Future Search method and offers actionable tactics for effective implementation in technical organizations.

References

 In this episode, Andy and Mon Chiao explore differential diagnosis. They clarify what differential diagnosis truly entails and how it can be applied in technical settings, particularly within software teams. The hosts illustrate its importance through real-world scenarios, emphasizing the balance between gathering information and taking corrective action, the consequences of different types of misdiagnoses, and the significance of judgment in the problem-solving process. Listeners will learn the surprising ways in which multiple causes can coexist and the implications for diagnosis and treatment within teams.

References

In this first episode of Season 3, Mon-Chaio and Andy welcome listeners back and dive into the theme of 'The Turnaround'. They analyze reasons why startups fail, discussing both proximate and distal causes. They explore insights from multiple research reports, studies, and personal experiences to paint a comprehensive picture of startup failure scenarios. Topics include common failure reasons like running out of cash, flawed business models, wrong people, false starts, and external factors. Let them know your feedback about which topics you're are most interested in for future episodes!

References:

 In this special end-of-year episode, Andy and Mon-Chaio reflect on the highlights and challenges of 2024, discussing their most memorable podcast episodes. As is tradition on the podcast, the Christmas episode is something different. Mon-Chaio and Andy explain their experiments with fermentation, sharing intriguing recipes and techniques involving shiokoji, hot sauce, and Christmas Kraut. Along the way, they reveal their cooking adventures and hint at exciting plans for the next year.

Transcript: https://thettlpodcast.com/2024/12/24/s2e52-festive-ferments/

References

This is the last episode in a multi-part series that will explore the various stages of scaling a company using a hypothetical startup scenario inspired by ride-sharing services.

In the final installment of 'Scaling Up: From Garage to Global,' Mon-Chaio and Andy dive deep into the complexities of integrating a newly acquired company into a well-established global brand. They discuss the challenges of balancing autonomy with necessary integration, especially when it comes to maintaining core cultural and strategic values. They also explore how to tackle hierarchical changes without disrupting existing processes and morale. Whether it's ensuring safety protocols or managing cross-cutting concerns, this episode offers valuable insights on scalable methods to blend new entities while preserving essential operational integrity. Tune in for a nuanced conversation on managing growth and organizational cohesion.

References

This is the fourth in a multi-part series that will explore the various stages of scaling a company using a hypothetical startup scenario inspired by ride-sharing services.

Mon-Chaio and Andy advance into the next phase of scaling up a hypothetical ride-sharing company, exploring how it might transition to food delivery. They discuss the difference between Explore and Extract phases, emphasizing the need for continuous experimentation. The episode outlines structural changes, such as forming new, separate teams to drive innovation, while leveraging existing platforms. With practical insights for CTOs on managing KPIs and sustaining agile environments, listeners will discover the pitfalls of excessive funding and the importance of maintaining an experimental mindset. Tune in to learn how to balance execution with innovation and prepare for the final part on scaling through acquisitions.

Transcript:  ​https://thettlpodcast.com/2024/12/10/s2e49-scaling-up-from-garage-to-global-part-4-of-5/

 References

This is the third in a multi-part series that will explore the various stages of scaling a company using a hypothetical startup scenario inspired by ride-sharing services.

In this episode, Mon-Chaio and Andy pick up from where they left off in part two, exploring the transition of a company post-Series B funding, now boasting around 100 engineers. The conversation covers the importance of structuring technical teams into key functional groups, facing new challenges such as competitors introducing new features and dealing with regulatory pressures. Our hosts discuss strategies for maintaining effective leadership and organizational structure during rapid growth, while navigating internal and external challenges.

Transcript: https://thettlpodcast.com/2024/12/03/s2e48-scaling-up-from-garage-to-global-part-3-of-5/

References