At Work with The Ready
Rodney Evans and Sam Spurlin
Rodney Evans and Sam Spurlin have helped teams around the world adopt more modern ways of working and on At Work with The Ready they’re sharing the inside scoop with you, too. Whether you’re struggling with a carousel of ineffective meetings, annual strategy sessions that go nowhere, or decision-making churn that never ceases, they’ve seen it all and are here to help. In each episode, they'll break down common workplace challenges and show you the moves—both big and small—to start making real, lasting change. (Formerly “Brave New Work” with Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans)
Episodes
Mentioned books
8 snips
Apr 7, 2025 • 42min
Depthfinding: Making Sense of This Moment
In this engaging discussion, the hosts tackle the complexities of modern leadership amidst chaos. They highlight the challenge of navigating organizations that are doubling down on control just as adaptability is needed. Light-hearted wildlife anecdotes add a whimsical touch, illustrating human interactions with nature. The conversation also dives into the fragility of civil service in an ideological landscape and critiques the impact of executive orders on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, calling for genuine change in uncertain times.
12 snips
Mar 24, 2025 • 54min
Brave New Work: Making Layoffs More Human [Rebroadcast]
This podcast tackles the heavy issue of layoffs, emphasizing the need for humane treatment of affected employees. The hosts delve into the emotional complexities of layoffs and corporate practices that fuel anxiety. They question why layoffs are a go-to strategy and highlight the insincerity often found in layoff announcements. The conversation advocates for transparency, compassion, and thoughtful workforce management, also critiquing the performative nature of corporate decisions that prioritize profits over people. It's a poignant exploration of a challenging topic.
32 snips
Mar 10, 2025 • 49min
Depthfinding: The Midnight Zone - Experience, Emotions, and Reactions at Work
Dive into the fascinating 'Midnight Zone' of workplace dynamics, where unspoken emotions profoundly shape team performance. Discover how leaders can acknowledge these deeper feelings to foster a supportive culture, avoiding burnout and disengagement. Explore the dangers of leaders seeking comfort at the expense of innovation, and learn about the crucial role of genuine engagement in team interactions. The conversation emphasizes effective communication and the importance of navigating emotional complexities to unlock organizational transformation.
79 snips
Feb 24, 2025 • 49min
Depthfinding: Twilight Zone - Where Work Happens
Explore the fascinating 'Twilight Zone' of workplace dynamics, where emotional landscapes and collaboration take center stage. Learn how personal experiences, like beloved garments, parallel the complexities of teamwork and decision-making. Delve into the challenges of performance metrics that go beyond numbers and the need for constructive postmortems. Discover strategies for fostering effective collaboration and innovation, ensuring that organizational growth stems from a rich understanding of the deeper interactions that drive work.
72 snips
Feb 10, 2025 • 48min
Depthfinding: Sunshine Zone - Artifacts, Org Charts, and Metrics
Delve into the concept of the 'Sunshine Zone,' where surface-level metrics can hinder true progress. Discover the importance of balancing intrinsic motivation with goal-setting practices for authentic engagement. The discussion emphasizes the need for organizations to embrace messiness, experimentation, and cross-functional collaboration. Learn how to foster a culture that values ongoing operations while still setting ambitious goals that inspire innovation. The hosts highlight that real change comes from focusing on deeper dynamics and adaptable strategies.
95 snips
Jan 27, 2025 • 51min
Depthfinding: Sky - Threats and Opportunities
The hosts dive into the concept of Depthfinding, focusing on the 'Sky'—external factors like market shifts and technology that impact organizations. They highlight the dangers of an inward-focused approach, leading to costly blind spots. Creative collaboration is explored as a means to alleviate anxiety and spark innovation. The importance of collective sense-making and understanding external trends is emphasized for effective leadership. Personal anecdotes add depth, illustrating how curiosity and adaptability can drive organizational change.
56 snips
Jan 13, 2025 • 36min
Depthfinding: Solve Your Cross-Functional Problems…Finally!
Explore the challenges of cross-functional collaboration and the innovative Depthfinding framework. Discover the four operational layers—Sky, Sunshine Zone, Twilight Zone, and Midnight Zone—essential for understanding organizational dynamics. Hear personal anecdotes about winter and humorous project check-ins, while gaining actionable insights for leaders unfamiliar with systems thinking. Delve into the emotional intricacies new leaders face and learn how to create a supportive environment that ties strategy to execution.
Dec 23, 2024 • 35min
25. 1M Downloads and Counting: Looking Back on 2024
Reflecting on a wild 2024, the hosts celebrate their 200th milestone and over a million downloads. They share laughable insights on the need for realistic New Year resolutions. The importance of mundane tasks in organizations takes center stage, along with their personal growth journeys. Looking ahead, they express excitement for what’s next, teasing innovative content and engaging with their audience. Join the lighthearted banter as they explore the future of organizational design and aim for even greater listener connections!
Dec 9, 2024 • 39min
The Future of HR: Giving HRBPs the Future-of-Work Makeover They Deserve [Rebroadcast]
Explore the dual experience of HR Business Partners, balancing empathy with overwhelming responsibilities. Discover how they can evolve into HR Business Coaches, focusing on mission-driven teamwork for greater impact. The discussion highlights the shift from service-oriented roles to product-focused strategies, aiming for enhanced efficiency. Reflect on the nostalgia for in-person workspaces post-COVID, while reimagining HR practices to align with business goals. Tune in for insights on resilience and the future of HR leadership.
54 snips
Nov 25, 2024 • 48min
24. Ask Us Anything No. 3
The hosts tackle challenging questions from listeners, diving into the intricacies of non-traditional leadership and project capacity planning. They explore whether great teams can thrive without conventional leadership structures. The discussion includes the biases traditional organizations have towards convergent thinking and how to avoid 'zombie projects' by prioritizing cross-functional initiatives. Additionally, they highlight the importance of psychological safety and diverse perspectives in fostering organizational alignment and innovation.
