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Freedom Within Constraints: Julian Chender on Strategy, Capabilities and Navigating Organisational Reality
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In this episode of Strategy Meets Reality, Mike Jones is joined by Julian Chender—organisational design expert, strategy advisor, and founder of 11A Collaborative—to explore how to make strategy work in the messy reality of organisational life.
Julian draws on years of experience helping purpose-driven organisations redesign themselves to stay viable. They unpack the challenges of structure, capabilities, and leadership transitions—revealing how real constraints can actually sharpen strategic execution when handled with clarity and care.
From trust and convergence to feedback loops and freedom within constraints, this is a practical conversation for leaders navigating change, collaboration, and complexity.
🔍 In this episode:
- What organisational design really means—and why it’s strategic
- Adapting capabilities when strategy shifts
- Freedom within constraints: the paradox of effective delivery
- Building trust, feedback, and convergence into your operating model
- How organisational structure shapes—and enables—impact
🎧 Keywords: Strategy, Organisational Design, Operating Models, Structure, Capabilities, Leadership, Execution, Collaboration, Purpose-Driven, Julian Chender
📘 Learn more about Julian’s work: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianchender
🌐 11A Collaborative: https://www.linkedin.com/company/11a-collaborative/
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🔗 Full episodes, show notes, and resources: https://www.lbiconsulting.com/strategymeetsreality-podcast
📺 Watch on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@StrategyMeetsReality
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Buzzsprout
💬 Connect with host Mike Jones → https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-h-jones/
Chapters
1. Introduction to Julian Chender (00:00:00)
2. The Role of Strategy in the Social Sector (00:01:25)
3. Navigating Uncertainty and Scenario Planning (00:03:59)
4. The Interplay of Strategy and Organisational Design (00:07:48)
5. Adapting Capabilities for Impact (00:11:23)
6. The Shift from Specialists to Generalists (00:15:31)
7. Building Trust and Leadership in Strategy Execution (00:19:22)
8. Navigating Leadership Transitions (00:26:40)
9. The Importance of Convergence in Perspectives (00:29:36)
10. Establishing a Common Intent (00:33:31)
11. Feedback Loops and Communication (00:37:58)
12. Freedom Within Constraints (00:41:06)
13. Making the Best of Limited Choices (00:43:50)
14. Evolving Mental Models in Organisations (00:45:41)
15. Outro (00:49:54)
33 episodes
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