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

Org Design Podcast

In this insightful 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.