"What just happened? Was this a coincidence or a sign from somewhere?" What happens to us, when experiencing something that prompt such questions in us? How do we process so-called mystical or uncanny experiences, which logic can't help navigating? And if organizations thrive on navigating challenges and dilemmas through logic and facts, could suspending fact-based thinking result into effective leadership?

Dr Noel McQuaid fascinated by these aspects of life, researched how senior leaders navigate experiences that their logic couldn't explain. He found that suspending logical thinking and not dismissing too early such experiences could actually result into effective and courageous decision-making, which otherwise wouldn't be possible or at as accessible. He shares his fascinating insights and ideas on a topic that we may rarely think of or make space for.

Dr Noel McQuaid bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-noel-mcquaid-180749112/

The Lateral Space: https://www.thelateralspace.com/

What does it take to collaborating in today's organizational complexity? There are two major shifts, which are the two sides of the same coin: 1. our interdependencies are heightened more than ever, and 2. we are expected to operate with autonomy, to be self-steering.

This mean that to be an effective leader today you need to actively manage your ability to operate autonomously AND to thrive through the interdependencies with other leaders. Easier said than done!

In this podcast episode Warden Hoffman and Petros Oratis explore the tension that most leaders and teams experience in this paradigm:

• Autonomy vs. Interdependency: we uncover the intriguing paradox of balancing your personal drive with the power of teamwork
• Psychological Dimensions: we explore the psychological orientation towards dependency and autonomy, by delving into how our early experiences shape our views on working independently and collaboratively
• Avoidance Routines: we bring language that helps spotting the sneaky team habits that can sabotage interdependent efforts and learn how to tackle them
• Practical Steps: we demystify some principles of collaboration in ways that allow us to set clear collaborative tasks, having open conversations about the cost of collaboration, and manage the conflicts between individual and collective ambitions

The Lateral Dialgoues podcast: The Lateral Dialogues | a podcast by The Lateral Space

The Lateral Space website: The Lateral Space

Warden Hoffman bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/warden-hoffman-72b5801/

Petros Oratis bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petrosoratis/

How does it feel to work in highly pressurized organizations, on the "always-on" mode?

How do performance-driven organizations deal with uncertainty, lack of progress, and not-knowing?

How do ambitious people deal with their performance in these organizations?

What are the dynamics developed between individuals and leaders?

In this episode we explore some of the implications of working in highly pressurized, performance-driven organizations, by learning from the dynamics of management consulting firms.

Whilst a performance-focused culture is an imperative for the success and survival of an organization, if certain conditions aren't in place it can have adverse effects in results, organizational health, adaptability and individual wellbeing.

To understand all these deeper, we hosted Dr Peter Shepherd, who researched management consulting firms through anthropology, and unraveled for us a fascinating description of all that happens within these cultures. In this dialogue we explored some reasons behind certain dynamics and what are some conditions that allow a performance culture to be sustainable and thriving, rather than detrimental for an organization and its individuals.

Dr Peter Shepherd bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-peter-shepherd-fcipd-898955/

The Lateral Space website: https://www.thelateralspace.com/