Strategy First, People Always: Balancing Tough Decisions and Empathy in Org Design with Nicole Gee

In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, Amy Springer and Rory Mustan from Functionly are joined by Nicole Gee from Geenius Consulting to explore the nuanced journey of organizational design.

Nicole candidly shares her early struggles in org design, emphasizing the pivotal role of confidence and clarity. She highlights that successful organizational change requires leaders to deeply understand the strategic 'why' behind decisions and thoughtfully manage the emotional impacts on their teams.

Listeners will gain valuable insights on:
How Nicole overcame initial setbacks by embracing continuous learning and feedback.
The critical balance between strategy and empathy, ensuring that people are always central to org design.
Practical steps for leaders to confidently and transparently guide their teams through complex changes.
The importance of clearly articulating challenges, required capabilities, and roles early in the process.
Why active listening and informal conversations can be powerful tools for leaders anticipating organizational shifts.

This episode emphasizes that effective org design goes beyond structural changes—it's about building confidence, clarity, and genuine engagement throughout the process.

Connect with Nicole Gee on LinkedIn or at geeniusconsulting.co.uk.

00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:25 Nicole Gee's Journey into Org Design
00:02:46 Challenges in First Org Design Project
00:04:14 Building Confidence for Future Projects
00:05:51 Importance of Stakeholder Relationships
00:06:44 Managing Emotional Impact in Org Design
00:08:49 People vs. Strategy: Which Comes First?
00:10:44 Balancing Organizational Needs and People Impact
00:12:01 Examples of Strategy Clarity in Org Design
00:13:15 Steps Following Strategic Change
00:15:41 Importance of Openness in Change Management
00:16:33 Building Confidence in Leadership
00:19:05 Understanding Current Challenges
00:21:38 The Role of Target Operating Models
00:23:30 Essential Skills for Leaders in Org Design