Podcast Recommendation
Understanding Why Systems Fail in Just Over an Hour
The Book I Wish Every Policymaker Would Read
I highly recommend listening to this episode of The Ezra Klein Show, featuring a conversation with Jennifer Pahlka, author of "Recoding America: Why Government Is Failing in the Digital Age and How We Can Do Better".
The episode kicks off with a powerful quote from the book. It serves as a perfect reminder to resist jumping to conclusions and instead take the time to delve deeper into the underlying issues: “When systems or organizations don’t work as you think they should, it is generally not because the people in them are stupid or evil. It is because they are operating according to structures and incentives that aren’t obvious from the outside.”
Enjoy!
Guest expert spotlight
Beyond PDF Manuals: How Tool Onboarding Builds Organizational Change Muscles
Forword: At the departure project, we’re are all about empowering organizations to navigate the complexities of digital transformation with confidence. One of the key challenges we’ve observed is the gap between technological innovation and the human capacity to adapt – a critical factor that often derails even the most promising innovative projects.
That’s why we’re thrilled to feature this expert article. It dives into the common pitfalls of traditional tool adoption approaches and offers actionable strategies for turning each new software rollout into a sustainable growth opportunity.
Year in review
A lighthearted year in review: 12 questions
I put together some questions for myself to reflect on this year—a fun, thoughtful, and lighthearted way to look back at the past 12 months while setting the tone for the year ahead.
Digital transformation
Bite-sized transformation: Evolving organizations one step at a time
The word "transformation" has lost its spark. It appears again and again on executive slide decks and in political speeches, leaving many feeling frustrated. With the world facing multiple crises, grand promises of transformation often fall flat. They seem too big to swallow.
Dinner talk
What makes a good work life?
I’m writing this after coming home from a dinner with friends, and strangely, no one was complaining about their job. No venting, no horror stories about impossible bosses or soul-crushing deadlines. As I sat there, I wondered: Has our rebellious attitude toward work mellowed out? Have we all just been molded into quiet acceptance?