At Work with The Ready AUA: Can Internal Transformation Teams Really Drive Change?
Dec 22, 2025
Exploring the dynamics of organizational change, the hosts dive into whether to pursue internal transformation roles or external consulting. They discuss how internal teams can be constrained by company culture, while external consultants can gain diverse experience quickly. Insights reveal that positioning internal design efforts under strategy, rather than HR, can enhance impact. Plus, listeners learn practical tips for applying design principles in their current roles without needing a formal title!
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Internal Teams Get Sanded Into The Company
- Internal org-design teams are often shaped to mirror the existing company and lose disruptive potential.
- Rodney Evans observes that many brilliant internal designers leave because they become kneecapped by company constraints.
Rare Internal 'Shit Stirrer' Example
- Rodney Evans shares that some internal org designers who want to stir things up are rare and often edge cases.
- He and Sam note that most internal teams are hired as cheaper, less threatening versions of external consultants.
Volume Of Reps Accelerates Expertise
- External consultants gain faster competence through volume of reps across contexts.
- Sam Spurlin highlights that learning from many projects makes bringing that experience inside more valuable than the reverse.