What comes to mind when you hear “organizational design”? If it’s just charts and reporting lines, think again. In this episode of What’s Possible, host Ilene Schaffer sits down with Susannah Robinson. As an HR leader, consultant, professor, and author of Beyond the Boxes and Lines, Susannah explores how thoughtful organizational design can make or break a company’s success.

Susannah shares why design goes far beyond the boxes on a page, encompassing job design, structure, and employee practices. She explains why alignment is the secret ingredient for thriving organizations, using real-world examples like Disney to show how every role contributes to the bigger picture.

Listeners will learn:

• How to spot organizational design issues before they derail performance
• Why leaders — not just HR — must take ownership of design
• Practical steps to align roles, incentives, and practices with business goals
• How to build organizations where employees feel valued and connected

Whether you’re a CEO, HR leader, or manager looking to strengthen your team, this episode will give you actionable insights to rethink your organization’s design and unlock new possibilities for growth and well-being.

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This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.