Beyond the Day-to-Day: Transforming Technical Experts into Strategic Leaders with Jodie Goulden

Org Design Podcast

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In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, organizational design expert Jodie Goulden shares valuable insights on leadership transitions and organizational effectiveness. She discusses the concept, shared by Beth Gunderson at the 2024 ODF conference, the challenges leaders face when moving from operational roles ("the dance floor") to strategic positions ("the balcony"), particularly in rapidly growing organizations.

Key highlights include:

• The importance of balancing strategic oversight with operational understanding
• Practical techniques for facilitating organizational diagnosis without external consultants
• Strategies for helping technically proficient leaders adapt to broader management roles
• Methods for addressing organizational overwhelm and creating sustainable systems

Jodie emphasizes the power of collaborative problem-solving and shares how leaders can create space for different perspectives when addressing organizational challenges. She provides practical advice for leaders who may feel uncomfortable stepping away from day-to-day operations to take a more strategic view.

Whether you're a new leader adjusting to a larger scope of responsibility or an experienced executive looking to improve organizational effectiveness, this episode offers valuable insights into modern leadership challenges and organizational design principles.

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