Shradha and Rupert are joined by Nathan Lavoie, Global Head of Organizational Change Management and Readiness at Sanofi. Drawing from his experience at Sanofi, CVS Health, Accenture, and Deloitte, Nate unpacks what it really takes to lead sustainable change—from strategy through to execution.

The trio explores:

• How to create a compelling change narrative that cascades with consistency
• Why operating model change is more than boxes and lines—it’s a people journey
• The practical tools behind good change: fishbowls, espresso chats, start/stop/continue
• What it means to center psychological safety and trust in change delivery
• And why "power skills" are the new must-haves for modern leaders

Whether you're rethinking your structure, launching transformation, or just wrestling with organizational inertia, this episode is your blueprint for leading change that actually sticks.

Hosts Shradha Prakash and Rupert Morrison are joined by Chelsea Jennings, a seasoned leader in organizational effectiveness at a major global bank. With a background that spans engineering, consulting, and executive coaching, Chelsea shares her unconventional path into org design and her experience building internal org effectiveness capabilities from the ground up.

The conversation covers:

• How to shift org design from “backroom decisions” to collaborative transformation
• The critical role of executive sponsorship and internal partnerships
• Why internal consulting demands curiosity, influence, and systems thinking
• What makes org design truly sustainable in complex, ever-evolving environments
• They also touch on Chelsea’s passion project, UnSilenceHer, and what it means to create space for overlooked voices in leadership.

In this episode of Unpacking Organizations, Shradha Prakash and Rupert Morrison sit down with Paul Krasilnick, Global Lead of OD and People Analytics at Baringa, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of organization design. From breaking free of "boxes and lines" to embracing agile thinking, they discuss how leaders can use data, design guardrails, and strategic storytelling to shape more responsive, human-centered organizations. With AI and automation accelerating change, Paul shares how org models must evolve to stay relevant—and why the HR Business Partner of the future might be your next Talent Insight Partner. It’s an honest, optimistic take on transformation, critical thinking, and the importance of freedom within a framework.

What does it take to make organization design work in the real world? In this conversation, hosts Shradha and Rupert are joined by Jodie Goulden and Richard Lucas from Orgdesign Works to discuss what it takes for successful org transformation. They talk about when to say no to rushed structure changes, how to build internal capability, and why wide and deep engagement beats speed every time. This episode is a roadmap for leaders ready to think systemically and act courageously.

Shradha and Rupert sit down with Kent McMillan, Managing Director at Accenture and author of Rethinking Operating Models. Together, they dive into how organizations can evolve in the face of rapid technological change, especially with the rise of AI.

Kent shares powerful insights from decades of experience in operating model design—highlighting the importance of systems thinking, adaptive strategy, and core capabilities that drive lasting success.

From reimagining learning cultures to staying resilient through disruption, this conversation explores:

• The role of AI in reshaping the workplace
• How to foster a passion for learning and innovation
• Why continuous reinvention is key to staying competitive
• Balancing new technology with timeless business principles

Whether you're a leader navigating change or a strategist shaping the future of work, this episode offers actionable ideas and fresh perspective on building organizations that thrive.

Rupert and Shradha sit down with Michael Griffiths, Deloitte US Organization, Workforce & Change Consulting Leader, to examine the shifting dynamics of organizational change, with a particular emphasis on skills-based organizations. They explore the practical challenges of adopting skills-based frameworks, the cultural transformations required for effective performance management, and the critical role of job architecture in today’s workplaces. The discussion also covers the impact of technology, the importance of decision rights, and the evolving nature of job descriptions—highlighting the urgent need for organizations to keep pace with a rapidly changing world.

Rupert and Shradha are joined by Badr Ait Ahmed, a seasoned expert in workforce planning and people analytics. The conversation explores the critical differences between headcount planning and workforce planning, emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary approach that includes finance, HR, and other departments. Badr shares insights on the importance of embedding workforce planning into business processes, the risks of neglecting non-direct workforce planning, and the challenges of quantifying the cost of attrition. He also discusses his journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, highlighting the value of transformation and the necessity of iteration over perfection in the workforce planning process.

Cole Napper, VP at Lightcast, joins Rupert and Shradha to explore the intricacies of workforce planning and analytics. They discuss the importance of integrating internal and external data, the impact of demographic changes on talent availability, and the evolving landscape of AI skills. Cole shares insights on how to influence organizational mindsets with data, the significance of aligning workforce strategies with business objectives, and lessons learned from successful and unsuccessful location strategies. The conversation also highlights the value of effective data visualization tools, particularly box plots, in workforce planning.

Lightcast’s Workforce Risk Index - https://lightcast.io/resources/research/workforce-risk-outlook

Shradha and Rupert delve into Mark McAleer’s journey into organizational design, unpacking the intricacies of change management. The discussion highlights the critical role of addressing the human aspects of organizational change, the significance of engaging stakeholders effectively, and the obstacles encountered in driving successful transformation. Mark offers valuable perspectives on the importance of adopting a holistic approach to organizational design and explores how tools like organizational network analysis can improve outcomes. The episode wraps up with actionable advice on steering clear of common pitfalls in change management.

Hosts Rupert and Shradha are joined by Sam Spurlin, a consultant at The Ready, to explore the evolving landscape of organizational design and the future of work. They discuss the importance of understanding work as a continuous process, the need for modern organizational operating systems, and the significance of embracing complexity over oversimplification. The conversation delves into practical strategies for transforming meetings, identifying organizational tensions, and fostering a culture of experimentation and iteration. Sam shares insights on tools and traps in organizational change, emphasizing the potential for small, impactful changes to create significant ripple effects within organizations.