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

In this conversation, David discusses the concept of organisational therapy, its relevance in today’s complex business environment, and how it differs from traditional consulting. He emphasises the importance of understanding messy problems, diagnosing team dynamics, and the interplay between cultural and structural issues within organisations. David also shares insights on the common failures in transformation efforts, the dynamics of organisational 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 organisational therapy.

• Organisational therapy focuses on helping organisations 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.
• Organisational 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 organisations.