Depthfinding: Making Sense of This Moment
Rodney Evans and Sam Spurlin explore how organizations can keep moving forward in a world where turmoil isn’t just a phase—it’s the new normal.
At Work with The Ready · Rodney Evans and Sam Spurlin
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Show Notes
In this miniseries, we’re exploring Depthfinding—an easy-to-grasp framework designed to help leaders and teams solve their gnarliest cross-functional challenges.
This week, Rodney and Sam zoom out. Because here’s the truth: the experience the last few months in the U.S.? It’s not an exception. It’s the environment we’re working in now.
From top-down compliance crackdowns to the resurrection of five-layer approval chains, we’re watching organizations double down on control just as the world demands more adaptability. Many teams feel stuck waiting for the storm to pass—without realizing that this is the weather now.
In this episode, we unpack what’s going on, what it means to lead when volatility is the default, and how to stop standing still and get moving.
Download the Depthfinding guide to get the template and examples of how to use it.
Want to learn more about Depthfinding? Head here: theready.com/depthfinding
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Mentioned references:
- Mongolian-Manchurian grassland
- "USAID cuts"
- "former federal employees as foreign intelligence targets"
- "diversity in teams leads to higher performing teams"
- "permacrisis article"
- Overton window
- Critical Uncertainties (a Liberating Structure)
00:00 Intro + Check-In: What’s a notable wildlife encounter you’ve had?
05:03 Understanding the moment we’re in
07:01 Efficiency in principle vs execution
11:31 Broad cuts that don’t acknowledge complexity
14:57 Midnight Zone churn
19:29 Big sky mandates that are a distraction from real work
28:18 Navigating the changing sky within your organization
34:11 Compounding crises are likely, plan for uncertainty
38:34 Parting thoughts
39:33 Wrap up: leave us a review and send us your questions!
This episode's theme music is Yaggadang by BG & Coyote Radio.
Sound engineering and design by Taylor Marvin of Coupe Studios.