OrgDev with Distinction

We'd love to hear from you so send us a message!The latest OrgDev podcast with the excellent Mark Stringer was a joy to record. Mark is a dedicated academic with a passion for exploring the evolving nature of work. He leads the People, Work, and Organisational Psychology (PWOP) subject group at Birkbeck Business School. In this episode we cover: The key mindsets for leading organisational change Why self-awareness is crucial in complex systems Practical tools and frameworks for facilitating transformation How resilience plays a pivotal role in managing change Real-world insights from Mark's career and research💼 About our GuestMark Stringer MSc FRSA AFHEA CBP Chartered MCIPD Subject Group Lead - People, Work and Organizational Psychology (PWOP), Senior LecturerConnect with Mark here:  / mark-stringer-msc-frsa-afhea-cbp-chartered...  Birkbeck Business School, University of Londonhttps://www.bbk.ac.uk/school/business...Mark Stringer is a dedicated academic with a passion for exploring the evolving nature of work and its significance in society. With a career spanning public and private sectors, Mark has held operational and HRM/HRD roles in industries including banking, retail, and the arts, before transitioning into academia. His research focuses on psychoanalytic practice and theory, as well as the role of language and semiotics in understanding work and organizations. He is deeply committed to inter-disciplinary, emancipatory, and pluralistic research, using psychoanalytic, structural, and poststructuralist discursive approaches to challenge conventional perspectives on work and organizational life.Wish you had a handy recap of the episode? So did we. That’s why each week in our Next Step to Better newsletter, we’re sharing From Pod to Practice – a 2-page visual summary of each episode designed to help you take the learning from the podcast and into your work. You’ll get: ■ Key insights from the episode ■ A reflection prompt ■ A suggested action Sign up now to get From Pod to Practice delivered to your inbox each week: https://distinction.live/keep-in-touch/ About Us We’re Dani and Garin – Organisation Development (OD) practitioners who help leaders and people professionals tackle the messiness of organisational life. We focus on building leadership capability, strengthening team effectiveness, and designing practical, systemic development programmes that help you deliver on your team and organisational goals. We also offer coaching to support individual growth and change. Find out more at www.distinction.live We'd love to connect with you on Linked In:linkedin.com/in/danibacon478https://www.linkedin.com/in/garinrouch

We'd love to hear from you so send us a message!Who are the real drivers of value in your organisation? Often, it’s just a few key teams—software engineers, R&D scientists, portfolio managers—who shoulder the lion’s share of impact and growth. These elite teams are the cornerstone of organizational success, but how can leaders ensure they’re fully supported and operating at their highest potential?In this episode, we dive into what it takes to optimize these high-stakes teams, exploring how to provide the right environment, resources, and leadership to help them thrive under immense pressure.Joining us is Meir Adler, Managing Partner at Adler Advisory and a seasoned expert in HR, Organizational Development, and Transformation. Meir shares invaluable insights from his extensive experience driving high-impact outcomes across industries, helping leaders unlock the full potential of their most critical teams.💼 About our GuestMeir AdlerManaging Partner, Adler AdvisoryConnect with Meir here:  / meiradler  With over 15 years of experience leading multi-disciplinary teams in HR, Organizational Development, and Transformation, Meir Adler brings deep expertise across operating model and organization design, agile practices, talent management, change leadership, team effectiveness, and leadership development.As the former Head of Organizational Development for International at Novartis, Meir led a team in a 27,000-strong organization spanning ~100 geographies, contributing to 55% of Novartis’s revenue. Prior to this, he worked across diverse industries, including retail, technology, banking, gaming, and pharmaceuticals, driving high-impact organizational transformations.Now Managing Partner at Adler Advisory, Meir has delivered over 40 large-scale projects, from acute interventions to enterprise-wide transformations, utilizing innovative methods like zero-based design and agile models. He is passionate about creating value through talent and organizational development and thrives in navigating complex, high-stakes transformations that redefine ways of working, technology, and organizational structures.Wish you had a handy recap of the episode? So did we. That’s why each week in our Next Step to Better newsletter, we’re sharing From Pod to Practice – a 2-page visual summary of each episode designed to help you take the learning from the podcast and into your work. You’ll get: ■ Key insights from the episode ■ A reflection prompt ■ A suggested action Sign up now to get From Pod to Practice delivered to your inbox each week: https://distinction.live/keep-in-touch/ About Us We’re Dani and Garin – Organisation Development (OD) practitioners who help leaders and people professionals tackle the messiness of organisational life. We focus on building leadership capability, strengthening team effectiveness, and designing practical, systemic development programmes that help you deliver on your team and organisational goals. We also offer coaching to support individual growth and change. Find out more at www.distinction.live We'd love to connect with you on Linked In:linkedin.com/in/danibacon478https://www.linkedin.com/in/garinrouch

We'd love to hear from you so send us a message! In this episode, we dive into the hidden dynamics of power, voice, and silence that shape everything from who gets recognition to who remains in the shadows.Join us as we speak with the insightful Dr. Mark Cole—author, practitioner, and researcher—who challenges us to rethink these critical dynamics and offers fresh perspectives on creating more equitable and effective workplaces. Don't miss this eye-opening conversation!Connect with Mark here: www.markcole.orgConnect with Mark on LinkedIn   / mark-cole-18a2633  The Great Unheard at Work: Understanding Voice and Silence in Organisationshttps://www.routledge.com/The-Great-U...Leadership Unravelled https://www.routledge.com/Leadership-...Radical Organisation Development https://www.routledge.com/Radical-Org...Wish you had a handy recap of the episode? So did we. That’s why each week in our Next Step to Better newsletter, we’re sharing From Pod to Practice – a 2-page visual summary of each episode designed to help you take the learning from the podcast and into your work. You’ll get: ■ Key insights from the episode ■ A reflection prompt ■ A suggested action Sign up now to get From Pod to Practice delivered to your inbox each week: https://distinction.live/keep-in-touch/ About Us We’re Dani and Garin – Organisation Development (OD) practitioners who help leaders and people professionals tackle the messiness of organisational life. We focus on building leadership capability, strengthening team effectiveness, and designing practical, systemic development programmes that help you deliver on your team and organisational goals. We also offer coaching to support individual growth and change. Find out more at www.distinction.live We'd love to connect with you on Linked In:linkedin.com/in/danibacon478https://www.linkedin.com/in/garinrouch

We'd love to hear from you so send us a message!What does it take to elevate leadership to truly impact not just a leader’s own performance but also that of their team, stakeholders, and entire organization? In this episode, we talk with Dr. Arlene Egan, CEO of Roffey Park, a global center of excellence in leadership and organization development.For over 75 years, Roffey Park has been at the forefront of equipping leaders with the skills to navigate complex organizational challenges. Dr. Egan shares powerful insights into transforming leadership behaviours and mindsets, including how to foster critical thinking, build resilience, and drive meaningful change that resonates across an organization.👉How to challenge and expand the way leaders think, behave, and act👉Practical strategies for aligning leader performance with organizational impact👉Key techniques for enhancing team dynamics and stakeholder relationships👉Roffey Park’s latest approaches to developing resilient, high-impact leaders💼 About our GuestDr. Arlene Egan, CEO, Roffey Park Institute Connect with Arlene here:  / drarleneegan  Visit the Roffey Park websitehttps://www.roffeypark.com/Dr. Arlene Egan, Chief Executive of Roffey Park, brings over 25 years of expertise in leadership and management development across sectors like executive education, higher education, sports, and local government. With a PhD in Psychology from University College Dublin, Arlene’s research on enhancing critical thinking gives her a unique perspective on the link between focused thinking and high performance.Wish you had a handy recap of the episode? So did we. That’s why each week in our Next Step to Better newsletter, we’re sharing From Pod to Practice – a 2-page visual summary of each episode designed to help you take the learning from the podcast and into your work. You’ll get: ■ Key insights from the episode ■ A reflection prompt ■ A suggested action Sign up now to get From Pod to Practice delivered to your inbox each week: https://distinction.live/keep-in-touch/ About Us We’re Dani and Garin – Organisation Development (OD) practitioners who help leaders and people professionals tackle the messiness of organisational life. We focus on building leadership capability, strengthening team effectiveness, and designing practical, systemic development programmes that help you deliver on your team and organisational goals. We also offer coaching to support individual growth and change. Find out more at www.distinction.live We'd love to connect with you on Linked In:linkedin.com/in/danibacon478https://www.linkedin.com/in/garinrouch

We'd love to hear from you so send us a message!What small, precise changes can organisations make to the way they're designed and the ways in which they working to achieve unparalleled results? However it can feel overwhelming knowing where to start and the different options available to them? Today we're off to New York to meet Dr. Erika Jacobi. Dr. Erika is a scholar and practitioner who has dedicated her career to adaptive organisation design guiding organisations through this maze and helping them achieve their goals💼 About our GuestDr. Erika JacobiExecutive Director, LC GLOBAL®Website: https://www.lc-global.com/Connect with Erika here:  / erika-jacobi-ph-d-b5261611  Follow LC GLOBAL® on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lc-g...Dr. Erika Jacobi is the Executive Director of LC GLOBAL® and a leading specialist in adaptive organization design, with over 15 years of experience across the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East. She develops scalable systems and dynamic solutions for Fortune 500 companies and growth-driven SMEs, applying principles from behavioral science and change psychology to foster agility, collaboration, and strategic growth.Wish you had a handy recap of the episode? So did we. That’s why each week in our Next Step to Better newsletter, we’re sharing From Pod to Practice – a 2-page visual summary of each episode designed to help you take the learning from the podcast and into your work. You’ll get: ■ Key insights from the episode ■ A reflection prompt ■ A suggested action Sign up now to get From Pod to Practice delivered to your inbox each week: https://distinction.live/keep-in-touch/ About Us We’re Dani and Garin – Organisation Development (OD) practitioners who help leaders and people professionals tackle the messiness of organisational life. We focus on building leadership capability, strengthening team effectiveness, and designing practical, systemic development programmes that help you deliver on your team and organisational goals. We also offer coaching to support individual growth and change. Find out more at www.distinction.live We'd love to connect with you on Linked In:linkedin.com/in/danibacon478https://www.linkedin.com/in/garinrouch

We'd love to hear from you so send us a message!In this episode, we explore African OD, how to create change and how to develop the next generation of leaders with Dr. Justine Chinoperekweyi. Justine is a pioneering scholar-practitioner, author, and leadership and governance trainer, joining us from Harare, Zimbabwe. Dr. Justine has led groundbreaking work in defining African OD, a critical contribution to a field that has historically been rooted in Western thinking.Dr. Justine explores what happens when Kurt Lewin's theories on change meet the African philosophy of Ubuntu. He explains how amplifying African indigenous knowledge and wisdom enhances Organisation Development practices globally, offering a more holistic, whole-system approach to change and transformation.We also discuss the fundamental values of OD and how they should guide the way we work, as well as Dr. Justine’s experience in supporting leaders, work groups, and organizations to embrace system-wide change across Asia, the Middle East and Africa. His pioneering work challenges traditional Western-centric perspectives and introduces a fresh lens on the future of OD.💼 About our GuestDr. Justine Chinoperekweyi, Ph.D., RODC, COLDCCEO & President Centre for Organization Leadership & Development (COLD)Connect with Justine here:  / justine-chinoperekweyi-ph-d-rodc-coldc-10b...  Follow Centre for Organization Leadership & Development here:   / centre-for-organization-leadership-develop...  Wish you had a handy recap of the episode? So did we. That’s why each week in our Next Step to Better newsletter, we’re sharing From Pod to Practice – a 2-page visual summary of each episode designed to help you take the learning from the podcast and into your work. You’ll get: ■ Key insights from the episode ■ A reflection prompt ■ A suggested action Sign up now to get From Pod to Practice delivered to your inbox each week: https://distinction.live/keep-in-touch/ About Us We’re Dani and Garin – Organisation Development (OD) practitioners who help leaders and people professionals tackle the messiness of organisational life. We focus on building leadership capability, strengthening team effectiveness, and designing practical, systemic development programmes that help you deliver on your team and organisational goals. We also offer coaching to support individual growth and change. Find out more at www.distinction.live We'd love to connect with you on Linked In:linkedin.com/in/danibacon478https://www.linkedin.com/in/garinrouch

We'd love to hear from you so send us a message!In this episode of the Org Dev Podcast, we're joined by Gbonju Akintola,  Senior Organization Development Business Partner at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), an organisation best known for its two zoos  - London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo -   but also a science-driven conservation charity, creating a future where wildlife can thrive . Gbonju shares her journey, from transitioning into OD from L&D roles and shares what it is like to work in truly global organisation - from Thames Estuary to West Africa. Nepal, Indian ocean  and Mauritius where she supports diverse teams, from zookeepers to international policy teams.Listeners will gain insights into how Gbonju applies OD principles, such as systems thinking and cultural change, in an organisation that combines the complexities of scientific research, policy, and conservation. She discusses the challenges and successes of embedding leadership development and fostering a "one ZSL" culture across global teams. The episode dives into the importance of humanizing organisations, balancing tradition with innovation, and finding creative solutions in resource-limited environments.Tune in to learn how Gbonju's experiences highlight the power of building relationships, understanding organizational culture, and driving meaningful change through OD.💡 Stay Connected:Looking for a consistent source of leadership & OD tips? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter by clicking the link below and receive valuable leadership tips directly in your inbox:https://distinction.live/keep-in-touch💼 About our GuestGbonju Akintolahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/gbonjuakintola/Wish you had a handy recap of the episode? So did we. That’s why each week in our Next Step to Better newsletter, we’re sharing From Pod to Practice – a 2-page visual summary of each episode designed to help you take the learning from the podcast and into your work. You’ll get: ■ Key insights from the episode ■ A reflection prompt ■ A suggested action Sign up now to get From Pod to Practice delivered to your inbox each week: https://distinction.live/keep-in-touch/ About Us We’re Dani and Garin – Organisation Development (OD) practitioners who help leaders and people professionals tackle the messiness of organisational life. We focus on building leadership capability, strengthening team effectiveness, and designing practical, systemic development programmes that help you deliver on your team and organisational goals. We also offer coaching to support individual growth and change. Find out more at www.distinction.live We'd love to connect with you on Linked In:linkedin.com/in/danibacon478https://www.linkedin.com/in/garinrouch

We'd love to hear from you so send us a message!How does leadership, followership, authority, structures emerge in groups? Where do leaders, change agents, group and system practitioners, go to get the very best development on how to deepen their capacity to survive - and thrive in difficult systems. Where do they go to hone the craft of acting in the face of uncertainty, directly from their own experience. They go to the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations! Since 1947, the Tavi has been one of the worlds pioneering organisations exploring how group dynamics and relations form.  We've invited Rachel Kelly, principal  from the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations to share her insights and experiences💼 About our GuestRachel KellyPrincipal, Organisation Development & Change & Group Relations Consultant, Alexander Technique practitionerConnect with Rachel here:  / rachel-kelly-71b7278  Rachel Kelly is a Principal at the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations, where she specializes in Organisation Development, Change, and Group Relations Consultancy. With a deep commitment to fostering dialogue around innovative theories and methodologies, Rachel's work focuses on enhancing organisational and cultural life. She promotes life-long learning, professional development, and embodies these principles through her consultancy and practice.In addition to her role at the Tavistock Institute, Rachel is an experienced Alexander Technique practitioner, helping individuals rediscover their psycho-physical balance through conscious awareness. She has led the Leicester conference's Yoga Event and continues to teach yoga at the Institute, integrating ancient wisdom into her practice.Wish you had a handy recap of the episode? So did we. That’s why each week in our Next Step to Better newsletter, we’re sharing From Pod to Practice – a 2-page visual summary of each episode designed to help you take the learning from the podcast and into your work. You’ll get: ■ Key insights from the episode ■ A reflection prompt ■ A suggested action Sign up now to get From Pod to Practice delivered to your inbox each week: https://distinction.live/keep-in-touch/ About Us We’re Dani and Garin – Organisation Development (OD) practitioners who help leaders and people professionals tackle the messiness of organisational life. We focus on building leadership capability, strengthening team effectiveness, and designing practical, systemic development programmes that help you deliver on your team and organisational goals. We also offer coaching to support individual growth and change. Find out more at www.distinction.live We'd love to connect with you on Linked In:linkedin.com/in/danibacon478https://www.linkedin.com/in/garinrouch

We'd love to hear from you so send us a message!How do you help an organisation reimagine new ways of working in order to achieve aggressive strategic goals? How do you create greater  accountability in organisations? That is a difficult task in itself but even more challenging in an with over 350,000 employees. We're joined from Seattle by Roger Kastner, Organisation Design Strategy Lead at Starbucks and also Host of the "What Do you know to be true" podcast. It's a fascinating conversation as Roger shares his experiences, insights and stories from 25 years as a leading edge Organisation Development consultant💼 About our GuestRoger KastnerConnect with Roger here:   / roger-kastner  Follow the "What Do You Know To Be True" podcast here: https://whatdoyouknowtobetrue.com/Subscribe to the podcast here:   / @wdyktbt   Roger Kastner is the Organization Development / Organization Design Strategy Lead at Starbucks, where he collaborates with leaders and teams to create innovative, high-performing work environments that support business success and employee well-being. With over 25 years of experience, Roger is known for his research-based approach that blends systems thinking, human-centered design, and co-creation to deliver impactful solutions in areas like strategy activation, leadership development, team effectiveness, and culture transformation.In addition to his role at Starbucks, Roger is a skilled leadership coach, working with clients to help them overcome obstacles and reach their full potential. He is also the host of the What Do You Know to Be True? podcast, where he engages with everyday people who possess extraordinary talent and make meaningful contributions to the world.Wish you had a handy recap of the episode? So did we. That’s why each week in our Next Step to Better newsletter, we’re sharing From Pod to Practice – a 2-page visual summary of each episode designed to help you take the learning from the podcast and into your work. You’ll get: ■ Key insights from the episode ■ A reflection prompt ■ A suggested action Sign up now to get From Pod to Practice delivered to your inbox each week: https://distinction.live/keep-in-touch/ About Us We’re Dani and Garin – Organisation Development (OD) practitioners who help leaders and people professionals tackle the messiness of organisational life. We focus on building leadership capability, strengthening team effectiveness, and designing practical, systemic development programmes that help you deliver on your team and organisational goals. We also offer coaching to support individual growth and change. Find out more at www.distinction.live We'd love to connect with you on Linked In:linkedin.com/in/danibacon478https://www.linkedin.com/in/garinrouch

We'd love to hear from you so send us a message!How do you build an exceptional leadership team? How do you create enough psychological safety for teams to perform at their best? We tackled this and many other important questions in our fascinating conversation with practitioner Martijn Sjoorda, from System2💼 About our GuestMartijn Sjoorda, Founder, System2https://system2group.com/Connect with Martijn here:   / martijnsjoorda  Email Martijn here: martijn@system2.nlMartijn Sjoorda is the founder and driving force behind System2, a pioneering consultancy that partners with progressive organizations to develop their leadership teams and deliver real transformation. With over two decades of experience, Martijn has built a reputation for helping executive committees and leadership groups tackle complex challenges through a unique approach that combines strategy and psychology.Martijn's expertise is rooted in creating environments where psychological safety, productive failure, and productive conflict drive high performance. His philosophy rejects one-size-fits-all solutions, opting instead for highly tailored interventions that respect the specific context of each organization. He is known for facilitating difficult conversations, recognizing that addressing issues head-on is the only way to overcome the common frustrations of leadership teams: insufficient speed, lack of value delivery, and resistance to true transformation.Martijn extensive experience and training allows to deeply understand the interplay of system, team, and personal dynamics, he identifies the smallest, most effective changes that yield the largest results.Wish you had a handy recap of the episode? So did we. That’s why each week in our Next Step to Better newsletter, we’re sharing From Pod to Practice – a 2-page visual summary of each episode designed to help you take the learning from the podcast and into your work. You’ll get: ■ Key insights from the episode ■ A reflection prompt ■ A suggested action Sign up now to get From Pod to Practice delivered to your inbox each week: https://distinction.live/keep-in-touch/ About Us We’re Dani and Garin – Organisation Development (OD) practitioners who help leaders and people professionals tackle the messiness of organisational life. We focus on building leadership capability, strengthening team effectiveness, and designing practical, systemic development programmes that help you deliver on your team and organisational goals. We also offer coaching to support individual growth and change. Find out more at www.distinction.live We'd love to connect with you on Linked In:linkedin.com/in/danibacon478https://www.linkedin.com/in/garinrouch