HR’s Role in Guiding
Organization Design
We’re Michael & Alexis
michael@aug.co alexis@aug.co
We’re Michael & Alexis
michael@aug.co alexis@aug.co
This is where we work
www.aug.co
We specialize in large, complex organizations
Purpose &
Strategy
Structure
Process
Infrastructure
Talent
Incentives
Purpose &
Strategy
Structure
Process
Infrastructure
Talent
Incentives
sense &
adapt
Purpose &
Strategy
Structure
Process
Infrastructure
Talent
Incentives
sense &
adapt
Purpose &
Strategy
Structure
Process
Infrastructure
Talent
Incentives
sense &
adapt
Behavior
Purpose &
Strategy
Structure
Process
Infrastructure
Talent
Incentives
sense &
adapt
Behavior
Output
Purpose &
Strategy
Structure
Process
Infrastructure
Talent
Incentives
sense &
adapt
Behavior
Output
Culture
Purpose & Strategy
REVENUE-DRIVEN
Structure
HIERARCHIES
Process
CLOSED
Infrastructure
ANALOG
Talent
CULTURE FIT
Incentives
COMPENSATION
Purpose & Strategy
REVENUE-DRIVEN →
PURPOSE-DRIVEN
Structure
HIERARCHIES →
NETWORKS
Process
CLOSED →
OPEN
Infrastructure
ANALOG →
DIGITAL
Talent
CULTURE FIT →
CULTURE ADD
Incentives
COMPENSATION →
EMOTIONAL/CULTURAL
You’re an org designer
Stories from the field
Purpose &
Strategy
Structure
Process
Infrastructure
Talent
Incentives
sense &
adapt
“When decisions get to our leaders, it
takes them forever to get back to us.
It’s such a bottleneck.”
CASE STUDY: CPG FIRM
Purpose &
Strategy
Structure
Process
Infrastructure
Talent
Incentives
sense &
adapt
“Why is this process so arduous?
There’s so much back and forth,
and clarifying and coming back.
People are frustrated.”
CASE STUDY: INSURANCE FIRM
How It’s Done
Notice the
tension
1
How It’s Done
Understand the
deeper problem
Notice the
tension
21
How It’s Done
Understand the
deeper problem
3
Design for what is
desirable, viable,
and feasible
Notice the
tension
21
How It’s Done
Understand the
deeper problem
3 4
Design for what is
desirable, viable,
and feasible
Engage with
those you’re
designing for &
become a trusted
advisor
Notice the
tension
21
How It’s Done
Understand the
deeper problem
3 4
Design for what is
desirable, viable,
and feasible
Engage with
those you’re
designing for &
become a trusted
advisor
5
Implement
iteratively
alongside those
who are affected
Notice the
tension
21
What if my power is limited?
What if my power is limited?
See yourself
as an org
designer
What if my power is limited?
See yourself
as an org
designer
Offer insights
from great
resources
What if my power is limited?
See yourself
as an org
designer
Offer insights
from great
resources
Start by
introducing a small
improvement
Idea for
starting small
Instead of “What do you think?”
Ask “Is this safe enough to try, knowing that we can adapt later?”
2016 | www.aug.co
"For what it's worth, I'm just coming back from a
lengthy period of illness – and the messaging, tone,
delivery methodology and sense of urgency is
palpably sharper and fresher than when I stepped
out of the business in March.
That would be my message – as someone who
feels, through 6 months of almost total isolation
from business stimuli and interaction, as close to a
"re-hire" as one could get.”
- Leslie, Fortune 100 client
Questions
michael@aug.co alexis@aug.co

Culture First: Day 2, HR's role in guiding organization design