Podcast for Economic and Community Developers



A few weeks ago, I spent some time with Dennis Fraise of Develop This!, a podcast for economic and community developers.

In this first podcast, I start by providing some background on the development of the Agile Strategy Lab at Purdue.

The Lab is the place at Purdue where people learn the skills to address complex challenges through collaboration. Collaboration is more than just a word. We’ve learned that collaboration is a complex process that requires a portfolio of ten skills that leaders can learn and practice. As they master these skills, they improve their productivity.

Next I briefly explore the history of strategic planning and why it is inadequate to today’s challenges. Designed for hierarchical organizations, strategic planning protocols do not work well when we are in situations where no one can ell anyone else what to do. Execution falls apart.

We developed Strategic Doing to address the challenges of doing complex work within open, loosely connected networks. The podcast gives you a background of how Strategic Doing emerged.

I explain how Oklahoma City, rural communities across Kentucky, and the Charleston Digital Corridor in Charleston, SC each played pivotal roles in the development of this new approach to strategy for open networks.

In addition to giving you background on Strategic Doing, I explain how to integrate this new discipline into strategic planning and to develop strategic action plans.

Finally, we explore the issue of culture in communities and how to build the trusted networks you need to move an economy forward.

To learn more about Strategic Doing training, check out a training session near you. Visit the web site of the Strategic Doing Institute here.

 “I’ve been investigating how organizations’ working environments influence a group’s ability to achieve their goals for two decades. In my consulting and research I’ve seen organizations where employees can excel and contribute at their very highest levels – and others in which fear rules the workplace. This book provides insight into the practices and behaviors that help build high-performing groups. Readable and practical guidance for every organization and team.”

Amy C. Edmondson, Harvard Business School; Author, The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth



In this second podcast, we explore the background to our new book, Strategic Doing: Ten Skills for Agile Leadership. Strategy emerges from conversations. Designing and guiding these conversations requires ten skills spread across a cognitively diverse team.

You can learn more about the book, a #1 New Release in 6 Amazon categories, here.

“Don’t even bother reading all those other books on leadership and strategy. I know because I’ve written a number of them. Strategic Doing is THE source to understand how leadership and strategy are changing in this age of speed and complexity. What makes this book more important are the ten practical skills that you and your colleagues can learn to become masterful at leading in a disruptive age.”

Jay Conger, Chaired Professor of Leadership Studies at Claremont McKenna College and author of The High Potentials Advantage