David Foster, Change Practice Lead at University of Sussex: Navigating Complexity in Organizations.

David J Foster, an experienced change manager, facilitator, and board-level advisor with an Executive MBA from London Business School. He specializes in diagnosing and solving complex organizational problems through a holistic approach called organizational therapy, which focuses on empowering teams to resolve challenges sustainably. David uses tailored workshops extensively as part of his change management toolkit and has significant teaching and facilitation experience. He currently leads Change Practice within Sussex Projects at the University of Sussex, is a Trustee of Signal Film & Media, and runs select projects under Rally Strategic.

In this conversation, David discusses the concept of organizational therapy, its relevance in today's complex business environment, and how it differs from traditional consulting. He emphasizes the importance of understanding messy problems, diagnosing team dynamics, and the interplay between cultural and structural issues within organizations. David also shares insights on the common failures in transformation efforts, the dynamics of organizational culture, and the challenges modern teams face, particularly in the context of AI and virtual work. He reflects on his experiences, the importance of maintaining objectivity, and the future of his work in organizational therapy.

• Organizational therapy focuses on helping organizations understand themselves.
• The approach is more relevant today due to constant changes in the business environment.
• Messy problems require a holistic view rather than a linear solution.
• Diagnosing team dynamics involves building trust and understanding different perspectives.
• Cultural issues and structural problems are intertwined and must be addressed together.
• Failure is a natural part of complex systems and should be embraced as a learning opportunity.
• Organizational culture can vary between teams, promoting diversity of thought.
• Senior leadership buy-in is crucial for cultural change.
• Maintaining objectivity is challenging but essential for effective therapy.
• AI will highlight the value of human contributions in organizations.