Episodes

  • Depthfinding: Making Sense of This Moment

    Depthfinding: Making Sense of This Moment
    Apr 7 2025
    In this miniseries, we’re exploring Depthfinding—an easy-to-grasp framework designed to help leaders and teams solve their gnarliest cross-functional challenges. This week, Rodney and Sam zoom out. Because here’s the truth: the experience the last few months in the U.S.? It’s not an exception. It’s the environment we’re working in now. From top-down compliance crackdowns to the resurrection of five-layer approval chains, we’re watching organizations double down on control just as the world demands more adaptability. Many teams feel stuck waiting for the storm to pass—without realizing that this is the weather now. In this episode, we unpack what’s going on, what it means to lead when volatility is the default, and how to stop standing still and get moving. Download the Depthfinding guide to get the template and examples of how to use it. Want to learn more about Depthfinding? Head here: theready.com/depthfinding -------------------------------- Want future of work insights and experiments you can try delivered to your inbox? Sign up here. Follow us on your favorite platforms for more org design nerdery: LinkedIn Instagram -------------------------------- Mentioned references: Mongolian-Manchurian grassland "USAID cuts" "former federal employees as foreign intelligence targets" "diversity in teams leads to higher performing teams" "permacrisis article" Overton window Critical Uncertainties (a Liberating Structure) 00:00 Intro + Check-In: What’s a notable wildlife encounter you’ve had? 05:03 Understanding the moment we’re in 07:01 Efficiency in principle vs execution 11:31 Broad cuts that don’t acknowledge complexity 14:57 Midnight Zone churn 19:29 Big sky mandates that are a distraction from real work 28:18 Navigating the changing sky within your organization 34:11 Compounding crises are likely, plan for uncertainty 38:34 Parting thoughts 39:33 Wrap up: leave us a review and send us your questions! This episode's theme music is Yaggadang by BG & Coyote Radio. Sound engineering and design by Taylor Marvin of Coupe Studios.
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    42 mins
  • Brave New Work: Making Layoffs More Human [Rebroadcast]

    Brave New Work: Making Layoffs More Human [Rebroadcast]
    Mar 24 2025
    Rebroadcast note: With everything happening in the world right now, we're taking a quick break from our miniseries to reshare this episode about layoffs. Because sometimes large layoffs are necessary, but they shouldn't be the norm and those being let go should still be treated like humans, rather than a line on a spreadsheet. If you listened the first time around, share this episode with someone in your network who might need it (especially if they're a government employee 😬). We'll be back in two weeks with a brand new episode. -------------------------------- We won’t mince words: Layoffs suck. They heap very real stress and chaos onto very real people’s lives. And as we’ve seen reported lately, big waves of layoffs are hitting several companies—and thousands of people—hard right now. This pile of not-good news sparked some questions for us, like: Why are layoffs a go-to cost-cutting lever? What pre-layoff org design decisions put employers and employees in this gnarly position? And why does every CEO letter announcing mass layoffs sound like it was written by the same robot? In today’s episode, Aaron and Rodney, who’ve been on both sides of the layoff aisle, spend time with these queries and dig into: The all-around messiness of the traditional layoff process Why companies default to short-term thinking when the boom times boom Dehumanizing layoff practices we should shelve for good Creating clear containers and agreements for handling layoffs How we could design a layoff moment that’s truly people-positive -------------------------------- Want future of work insights and experiments you can try delivered to your inbox? Sign up here. Follow us on your favorite platforms for more org design nerdery: LinkedIn Instagram -------------------------------- Mentioned references: "RIFs" ConvertKit episode: BNW Ep. 36 with Nathan Barry "life stress inventories": Holmes and Rahe stress scale Office Space, 1999 movie Up in the Air, 2009 movie
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    54 mins
  • Depthfinding: The Midnight Zone - Experience, Emotions, and Reactions at Work

    Depthfinding: The Midnight Zone - Experience, Emotions, and Reactions at Work
    Mar 10 2025
    In this miniseries, we’re exploring Depthfinding—an easy-to-grasp framework designed to help leaders and teams solve their gnarliest cross-functional challenges. This week, Rodney and Sam dive into the Midnight Zone—the deepest layer of organizational life, where the lived experiences, emotions, and unspoken reactions of individuals shape everything that happens above. While many organizations focus on surface-level solutions, ignoring the human realities of work leads to burnout, disengagement, and resistance to change. Leaders who acknowledge and engage with the Midnight Zone create organizations where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to contribute fully. Understanding the emotional undercurrents of work isn’t just about empathy—it’s about unlocking real, lasting transformation. Download the Depthfinding guide to get the template and examples of how to use it. Want to learn more about Depthfinding? Head here: theready.com/depthfinding -------------------------------- Want future of work insights and experiments you can try delivered to your inbox? Sign up here. Follow us on your favorite platforms for more org design nerdery: LinkedIn Instagram -------------------------------- Mentioned references: First depthfinding episode Conscious Leadership Group ACT Matrix Iceberg model "workers deriving identify from their job" "knowledge work is at peak inefficiency" - Jared Spataro from Microsoft at Charter's "Leading with AI" summit in Jan 2025. See his statements about 60% of a knowledge worker's time being spent on overhead Gareth's episode: BNW Ep. 5 with Dr. Gareth Holman This episode's theme music is Yaggadang by BG & Coyote Radio. Sound engineering and design by Taylor Marvin of Coupe Studios.
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    49 mins
  • Depthfinding: Twilight Zone - Where Work Happens

    Depthfinding: Twilight Zone - Where Work Happens
    Feb 24 2025
    In this miniseries, we’re exploring Depthfinding—an easy-to-grasp framework designed to help leaders and teams solve their gnarliest cross-functional challenges. This week, Rodney and Sam step into the Twilight Zone—the often-overlooked but deeply influential space where teams navigate the “how” of work—the “how” of collaborating, meeting, deciding, and experimenting. Many organizations put all or most of their focus on visible outputs and assets, but the rubber meets the road in the Twilight Zone. It’s the organizational depth where strategy actually gets executed—which means it’s worthy of more than a passing glance. When an important initiative stalls out, when teams side-eye change, when a leadership team’s decisions never translate into clear and meaningful action, it’s time to investigate the Twilight Zone. Leaders who want real progress—not just compliance—must foster cross-functional collaboration and create space for meaningful iteration. Because strategy isn’t about what’s declared. It’s about what actually happens. Download the Depthfinding guide to get the template and examples of how to use it. Want to learn more about Depthfinding? Head here: theready.com/depthfinding -------------------------------- Want future of work insights and experiments you can try delivered to your inbox? Sign up here. Follow us on your favorite platforms for more org design nerdery: LinkedIn Instagram -------------------------------- Mentioned references: Twilight Zone, tv show layers of the ocean sea anemone The Mom Test, book by Rob Fitzpatrick Liberating Structures: BNW Ep. 49 with Keith McCandless "IDM" (Integrated Decision Making): BNW Ep. 43 This episode's theme music is Yaggadang by BG & Coyote Radio. Sound engineering and design by Taylor Marvin of Coupe Studios.
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    49 mins
  • Depthfinding: Sunshine Zone - Artifacts, Org Charts, and Metrics

    Depthfinding: Sunshine Zone - Artifacts, Org Charts, and Metrics
    Feb 10 2025
    In this miniseries, we’re exploring Depthfinding—an easy-to-grasp framework designed to help leaders and teams solve their gnarliest cross-functional challenges. This week, Rodney and Sam dive into the Sunshine Zone—the highly visible work of organizations, from strategy decks and OKRs to mission statements and financial targets. While these elements are easy to track and refine, spending too much time in the Sunshine Zone often leads to performative goal setting, misaligned priorities, and a disconnect from the deeper work that actually drives change. Leaders who want real progress—not just a well-polished plan—need to balance the visible with the essential. Cultivating adaptability, feedback loops, and space for creative, cross-functional work is the key to moving beyond surface-level success. Download the Depthfinding guide to get the template and examples of how to use it. Want to learn more about Depthfinding? Head here: theready.com/depthfinding -------------------------------- Want future of work insights and experiments you can try delivered to your inbox? Sign up here. Follow us on your favorite platforms for more org design nerdery: LinkedIn Instagram -------------------------------- Mentioned references: EBITDA ACT Matrix "womperjawed" "90% of executives failing to reach strategic goals" operating rhythm: BNW Ep. 118 Deming quote "Bach suite" SMART goals This episode's theme music is Yaggadang by BG & Coyote Radio. Sound engineering and design by Taylor Marvin of Coupe Studios.
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    48 mins
  • Depthfinding: Sky - Threats and Opportunities

    Depthfinding: Sky - Threats and Opportunities
    Jan 27 2025
    In this miniseries, we’re exploring Depthfinding—an easy-to-grasp framework designed to help leaders and teams solve their gnarliest cross-functional challenges. This week, Rodney and Sam look at the Sky—the external forces like market shifts, technological disruptions, and political changes that shape your organization. While most companies are comfortable staying heads-down in the day-to-day, failing to look outward creates costly blind spots that lead to org debt, misaligned strategy, and even existential risk. Cultivating a regular practice of looking up and outward is the key to successfully meeting this moment—and all the ones to come. Download the Depthfinding guide to get the template and examples of how to use it. Want to learn more about Depthfinding? Head here: theready.com/depthfinding -------------------------------- Want future of work insights and experiments you can try delivered to your inbox? Sign up here. Follow us on your favorite platforms for more org design nerdery: LinkedIn Instagram -------------------------------- Mentioned references: lido deck Deep River potato chips the giant Snickers "building the bridge to the next thing" - dual transformation Kodak's digital revolution moment the Information age "op rhythm": BNW Ep. 118 "Liberating Structures": BNW Ep. 49 with Keith McCandless Critical Uncertainties red team "essential intent": BNW Ep. 90 with Greg McKeown This episode's theme music is Yaggadang by BG & Coyote Radio. Sound engineering and design by Taylor Marvin of Coupe Studios.
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    51 mins
  • Depthfinding: Solve Your Cross-Functional Problems…Finally!

    Depthfinding: Solve Your Cross-Functional Problems…Finally!
    Jan 13 2025
    Over the last decade at The Ready, we’ve seen firsthand that the most significant organizational challenges are nearly all cross-functional. But most company structures? Very much not cross-functional. Adding more project managers, looking to external partners for one-and-done silver bullets, or assembling yet another task force just isn’t cutting it as the world changes faster than most organizations can keep up. Enter Depthfinding—an easy-to-grasp framework designed to help leaders and teams solve their gnarliest cross-functional challenges. In our new Depthfinding miniseries, Rodney and Sam will help you see your organization in a new way whether you’re individual contributor or a C-Suite executive. Ready? Let’s dive in. Download the Depthfinding guide to get the template and example Rodney mentioned in this episode. Want to learn more about Depthfinding? Head here: theready.com/depthfinding -------------------------------- Want future of work insights and experiments you can try delivered to your inbox? Sign up here. Follow us on your favorite platforms for more org design nerdery: LinkedIn Instagram -------------------------------- Mentioned references: The Ready's OS Canvas strategy pancakes: AWWTR Ep. 2 even/overs: BNW Ep. 44 essential intent: BNW Ep. 90 with Greg McKeown check-in round This episode's theme music is Yaggadang by BG & Coyote Radio. Sound engineering and design by Taylor Marvin of Coupe Studios.
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    36 mins
  • 25. 1M Downloads and Counting: Looking Back on 2024

    25. 1M Downloads and Counting: Looking Back on 2024
    Dec 23 2024
    2024 felt like a bit of a rollercoaster—and while we’re ready to close the book on this year, we wouldn’t be first-class org designers if we passed up the chance to hold a retrospective. Add in the fact that this is Rodney’s 200th episode and BNW + AWWTR have crossed the one million download milestone, and a little celebration feels like the right thing. In today’s episode, Rodney and Sam reflect on the show’s 2024 season—including the episodes they loved, the episodes they want a do-over on, and what they hope for the show in 2025. We want to know what you think! Take our 2024 Listener Survey. -------------------------------- Want future of work insights and experiments you can try delivered to your inbox? Sign up here. Follow us on your favorite platforms for more org design nerdery: LinkedIn Instagram -------------------------------- Mentioned references: The Future of HR Miniseries The Ready's OS Canvas RACI episode: AWWTR Ep. 10 Leaders as org designers episode: AWWTR Ep. 13 "McGillicuddy" All the small things episode: AWWTR Ep. 19 "video about the woman who doesn't use a calendar" Jason Fox episode: AWWTR Ep. 17 with Jason Fox Dual Transformation, book from 2017
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    35 mins