We’ve covered feedback before on the show, because learning how to give and receive it is a key part of team growth and success. But establishing an entire system that lets different flavors of feedback flourish? That’s a different can of worms. So, how do we cultivate feedback-related agreements and norms in a self-managing culture? In this episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans have some solid ideas—and some spicy questions: Why creating a feedback-rich culture is hard—and why not having one is harder Why experiences in and around feedback can feel so perilous and panicky How to build containers in which intense, even critical feedback can happen safely The three different types of feedback we most often run into at work How power dynamics and personal preference play a part in this game Our book is available now at bravenewwork.comWe want to hear from you. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@theready.comLooking for some help with your own transformation? Visit theready.com

We’ve all been there: trying to suss out what a colleague’s crossed arms meant during a presentation; reading between the lines on a passive-aggressive message; or struggling to interpret a perplexing emoji reaction (what do pineapples have to do with the budget?). We're all just doing our best at understanding our coworkers with little to no real information. That’s where a “User Manual to Me” can come in handy. These personalized handbooks can provide a helpful framework for others to better understand our behaviors, quirks, needs, desires, and working styles—if we commit to getting real when writing our own.In this episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans dive into how teams can make and use these manuals in a meaningful way, including: Why it’s better to be “real” versus “aspirational” when filling one out How you can dig deeper when you keep getting “polite” answers Why user manuals are living documents that should be revisited over time What we can learn about ourselves by making one Additional “User Manual to Me” Inspiration: Adam Bryant - New York Times Brad Feld - Blog Our book is available now at bravenewwork.comWe want to hear from you. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@theready.comLooking for some help with your own transformation? Visit theready.com----------------00:00 Check-in: What's the warning sign on the back of your box?03:55 What is a user manual to me?08:54 Benefits of making a user manual11:07 Why people don't answer some questions honestly13:13 Aspirational vs real agreements20:12 Aaron & Rodney's manuals22:03 Q1 - What do people misunderstand about you?23:33 Q2 - How can people earn an extra gold star with you?27:01 Varsity Q1 - What pulls you below the line?29:34 Varsity Q2 - What are you worried about?34:00 Facilitating user manuals with your own team

Sometimes, Rodney and Aaron stop by other people’s podcasts to nerd out on the hits we know and love: new ways of working, self-management, breaking down the binary between chaos and bureaucracy, the future of work—the list goes on and on. So today, we’re actually bringing one of those awesome conversations right to your ears.Rodney recently joined Jonathan Westover on his show, Human Capital Innovations, for an epic chat about adaptive organizational design and a whole lot more. We hope you enjoy the exchange and we’ll return with a fresh episode of Brave New Work next Monday.To tune into more episodes of Jonathan’s show, head to his website or search "Human Capital Innovations" wherever you get your podcasts.----------This episode originally aired on September 26th, 2022 on the Human Capital Innovations (HCI) Podcast with Dr. Jonathan H. Westover.In this HCI Podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Rodney Evans about adaptive organization design and the future of work.Rodney Evans is a pioneer in adaptive organization design and the future of work. With 20 years of experience in all things transformation, she has researched, developed, and taught new ways of working in dozens of complex environments including Airbnb, Cooper Hewitt Museum, Macy’s, Intuit, and Johnson & Johnson. The Ready is a self-managed change agency that helps you discover a better way of working. Rodney works with companies around the world to modernize traditional practices and bust bureaucracy.About the Human Capital Innovations (HCI) Podcast:Maximize your personal and #OrganizationalPotential with the Human Capital Innovations (HCI) Podcast! We're your source for personal, professional, and #OrganizationalGrowth and development. We share our own original #Research, explore #IndustryTrends, and interview executives and thought leaders from across the globe. Join us for practitioner-oriented content around all things #Leadership, #HR, #TalentManagement, #OrganizationalDevelopment, and #ChangeManagement.

"Brave New Work" concludes its Future of HR series with org design nerds Rodney Evans and Sam Spurlin reflecting on their journey, surprises, and shifting opinions. The hosts share funny check-in rounds, childhood TV show memories, and discuss the impact and reception of the podcast. They emphasize the importance of fundamentals in HR work and express enthusiasm for future research and frameworks. The episode ends with playful banter, favorite gladiators, inside jokes, and a reminder to take their job seriously.

Aaron Dignan, co-founder of a consulting firm that transforms organizations, and Rodney Evans, an innovative workplace strategist, tackle the pitfalls of annual performance reviews. They argue that these outdated practices fail to benefit both managers and employees. Instead, they advocate for a shift towards tailored feedback systems that prioritize personal growth and team outcomes over rigid metrics. The duo explores how open communication and subjective feedback can empower employees, fostering a healthier and more productive work culture.