OrgDev with Distinction

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What is psychological safety? It’s a term we hear often in organizations, but what does it really take to create it? Beyond the buzzwords and platitudes, psychological safety demands a deep, intentional commitment from leaders, HR, and OD practitioners alike. It’s not a tick-box exercise—it’s about designing environments where every individual feels safe and confident to bring their Authentic Self to work, every day.

We're joined by the brilliant Gina Battye. Gina is the Founder and CEO of the Psychological Safety Institute and a global leader in workplace psychological safety. Known for her pioneering work in inclusion, belonging, and culture, Gina has revolutionised how organisations cultivate psychologically safe environments with her innovative methodologies, including the 5 Pillars of Psychological Safety and the Hierarchy of Psychological Safety.
💼 Gina Battye - Founder and CEO, Psychological Safety Institute
/ ginabattye
Visit Psychological Safety Institute here:
https://www.thepsi.global/
Buy Gina's book "The Authentic Organization: How to Create a Psychologically Safe Workplace"
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Authentic-Or...

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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.

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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/danibacon478
https://www.linkedin.com/in/garinrouch

We'd love to hear from you so send us a message!

Our podcast this week is with the fabulous Dr Krister Lowe where we delve into achieving team excellence. Krister has dedicated his career to researching and developing teams across the globe, bringing a wealth of insights and expertise to our discussion.

Join us as we explore the transformative power of the 6 Team Conditions framework, which is built upon the foundation of best-in-class research by renowned social scientists Drs. Ruth Wageman and Richard Hackman, and discover how it can elevate your team's performance to new heights.

💼 About our Guest
Dr Krister Lowe
Chief Innovation Officer - 6 Teams Conditions
https://6teamconditions.com/
/ kristerlowe
Dr. Krister Lowe is the Co-founder and Chief of Innovation at www.6TeamConditions.com a groundbreaking platform focused on optimizing team performance. Renowned as the pioneer of the Team Coaching Zone Podcast at www.TeamCoachingZone.com, Dr. Lowe is also recognized as the Co-Editor of The Practitioner’s Handbook of Team Coaching, a trailblazing resource in the field.
With a background in Organizational Psychology, Dr. Lowe specializes in coaching top-tier and mission-critical teams, offering invaluable insights and strategies for enhanced collaboration and effectiveness. He is deeply committed to training team leaders and coaching practitioners, empowering them to navigate complex organizational landscapes with confidence.

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/danibacon478
https://www.linkedin.com/in/garinrouch

We'd love to hear from you so send us a message!

What makes a workplace truly fair?
How does our own sense of fairness shape our reactions to decisions, interactions, and how we treat others at work?
Fairness isn’t just a feel-good concept—it’s a critical factor in building trust, maintaining engagement, and driving performance. But getting fairness wrong can be costly. When employees perceive unfairness—whether in how decisions are made, how people are treated, or how rewards are distributed—it erodes trust, undermines morale, and fuels disengagement.
So, how can managers, HR and organizations apply fairness in their work to create a culture where everyone thrives?
💼 About our Guest:
Dr. Wilson Wong
Strategist, Futurist, Data Scientist, Wong On Work
/ wilson-wong-07b71a1
Dr. Wilson Wong is a data scientist, futurist, and strategist with over 30 years of experience in applied research, focusing on leadership, culture, futures strategy, and human capital management within organisations. His work spans policy, investment, and academia, supported by expertise in data analytics and insights. He has worked with diverse clients, including the Metropolitan Police, Standard Chartered Bank, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and international bodies such as the UNDP and UNEP, applying futures methodologies to enhance organisational resilience.
A Visiting Professor at Nottingham Business School and Adjunct Professor at Hong Kong Baptist University, Dr. Wong also chairs the International Journal of HRD Practice, Policy & Research. Formerly Head of Insight & Futures at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), he has influenced thought leadership at the European Association of People Management (EAPM) and the World Federation of People Management Associations (WFPMA). A UK human capital metrics expert to ISO and member of the UN Millennium Project global futures experts network, he co-edited Human Capital Management Standards: A Complete Guide and remains passionate about driving strategic, evidence-based change in organisations.

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/danibacon478
https://www.linkedin.com/in/garinrouch

We'd love to hear from you so send us a message!

Welcome to our latest interview with Sarah Walsh, a leading expert in organisation development! In this episode, Sarah shares her refreshingly practical approach to helping organizations thrive. She emphasizes meeting clients where they are, making the complex world of organizational development accessible and understandable for everyone.
Sarah Walsh
/ sarahwalshl
Sarah Walsh is a dynamic Organizatioal Development (OD) Practitioner with a passion for people, culture, and change. Embracing the mantra "variety is the spice of life," Sarah thrives on working across multiple spaces to drive meaningful transformations within organizations.
Sarah's impressive credentials include an MSc in Organizational Behaviour from Birkbeck, University of London, and a CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership. She is also a certified Prosci Change Practitioner, equipped with the skills to manage and implement change effectively.
Currently, Sarah serves as an Organizational Development Consultant at The Academy of Medical Sciences. She has held a number of change roles including the Lead Performance Consultant at Essex County Council. In these roles, she excels in leadership development, change management, and team coaching, helping organizations navigate and make sense of change. She brings strategies to life, ensuring they are not only implemented but also effectively integrated into the organizational culture.
In addition to her roles as an OD Practitioner, Sarah is a dedicated Workplace and Career Coach. She supports individuals through career moves and transitions, offering guidance and strategies for overcoming workplace challenges such as burnout and the complexities of new managerial roles. Sarah's holistic approach ensures that her clients feel supported and empowered to achieve their career goals.

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/danibacon478
https://www.linkedin.com/in/garinrouch

We'd love to hear from you so send us a message!

In this week's interview, we're looking at Organisation Design. How do you do it in way that helps build healthier organisations and ultimately a society that works for all?
We're joined by the excellent Julian Chender, Principal for Operating Model and Organisation Design for the global consulting firm Accenture. Julian was a pleasure to interview and is passionate about creating ways in which people can learn about and advance in the field of OD.
Editors Footnote:
In the podcast we discussed the Zeigarnik effect theory, named after Bluma Zeigarnik. Rather than Olga has mentioned in the video.
💼 About our Guest
Julian Chender MSOD, ACC
Principal, Operating Model & Organization Design
Accenture | Kates Kessler
Connect with Julian or follow his work here:
/ julianchender
Julian Chender is a dedicated consultant at Accenture, driven by a lifelong commitment to fostering a healthier society that benefits everyone. This mission has been a guiding force for Julian since childhood, influenced by a unique upbringing that embraced two rich traditions: the Jewish principle of "tikkun olam," meaning to repair the world, and the Buddhist aspiration of creating "a good human society."
Julian's professional journey led him to specialize in organization design, development, and coaching, where he collaborates with human systems—encompassing individuals, teams, organizations, and communities—to cultivate optimal conditions for success. His extensive consulting career spans a diverse range of environments, from Fortune 10 companies to the smallest nonprofits, and from intergovernmental European organizations to political offices in New York City.
Central to Julian's work is the belief in the profound impact of human connection and the power of shaping behavior for the better. His approach is grounded in creating meaningful change and fostering environments where individuals and organizations can thrive.
Previously Julian held Consultancy and OD roles at Veldhoen and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NAIDS)

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/danibacon478
https://www.linkedin.com/in/garinrouch