The Lateral Dialogues

In this episode of The Lateral Dialogues, we explore how physical workplaces shape organizational life far beyond layout and design. We host Dr. Rob Fitzpatrick, researcher and organizational consultant, and we dive together into how space reveals culture, influences behavior, and evokes powerful emotional responses. From the idea of the workplace as a “sense of home” to the often-overlooked shado...

Ever sat in a functional team meeting thinking, “Why do we keep talking like this?” What if those awkward conversations and recurring patterns weren’t just quirks—but clues? Clues to the strategic tensions, the complexity of business partnering, and the invisible forces shaping how team members show up. In this podcast, Petros Oratis and Warden Hoffman—seasoned insiders, researchers, and consultan...

"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 l...

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 throu...

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 highl...

Why are human dynamics of mergers and acquisitions so challenging? In this episode Warden Hoffman outlines his observations, findings and ways of working when it comes to organizations and teams that merge. Warden developed this curiosity early in his career and after being exposed to M&A in many of his roles he found himself consulting to numerous organizations and teams post-merger.  We expl...

A major shift in how we look at teams is to not only look at individuals and how they create a group but to see the group as one entity, the team as a whole. Do teams have a secret life of their own? This different perspective on teams as being one entity, creates a novel perspective on group dynamics and offers the opportunity to work with teams differently. In this episode, we explore the tensio...

How can we connect with our creativity when we are challenged? Creativity is more than artistic expression. It starts from conceiving a new thought, allowing it to emerge, socializing it and converting it into action. Often times what emerges through creativity goes against the current stream, which is exactly what's needed to get us out of unknown challenging situations. So how do we enable this...

How does it feel knowing that you might be the next leader in line? How does being destined to lead impact your identity? How do you build credibility and enable your authenticity? Will you always be compared to the previous generation? Can succession in family businesses be meritocratic? And is the right way for the next leader to emerge amongst siblings or peers? In this episode, we explore the...

Throughout human history we have been developing and deploying technological solutions in the service of organizational and human needs. But after technology gets introduced, we may quickly find ourselves operating in the service of the needs of technology more than our own. Our tendency to idealize its possibilities and benefits, may quickly make us give up authority to technology to lead us, and...

Change management has been very present in management practices with lots of well-known methodologies, primarily originating from project management environments. But do they always yield the desired benefits? What about the non-linear aspects of organizational change? Whether that’s an adjustment to a new environment, letting go of well-known and liked ways of working or facing loss and uncertain...

The intensity of polarization in everyday life or in organizations can make us feel toxic, even though we want to take a stand for our values, interests and beliefs. In this episode, our guest Martin Ringer, helps us understand and explore this topic: How does polarization form? Why do we need to belong to opinion blocks and when does it turn toxic? How do we experience it in everyday life and soc...

Some consider the climate crisis, the most urgent issue for the earth’s future and ourselves on it. Yet, why is it so hard to engage with it, systemically and as individuals? Why is it so hard to inspire action for those working on the climate crisis? What does it take to work in sustainability within large corporations? And how do each of us, Earth’s inhabitants, get emotionally impacted by the c...

How can we engage in social dialogue on geopolitical or social conflict, such as the war in Gaza or Ukraine? How can we have a meaningful dialogue beyond polarization or political correctness? Why are we psychologically mobilized to fight, even when we are not directly linked to these conflicts and why are we impacted in our ability to think, talk, and act? We are joined by Bijan Khajehpour &...

Dr Veronica Azua got motivated to research self-doubt, after noticing a very common paradox in senior leaders: despite having led successful lives and careers, they would still experience heightened self-doubt and self-criticism. In this Lateral Dialogue, Veronica shares some of the key moments, when we are prone to experience such feelings. How being surrounded by high-achievers or part of "elite...

Why do we create hierarchies in groups, even when we intend to be flat? Why are we so preoccupied with ranking, and yet we operate with absolute equality? This episode explores how we are unconsciously impacted by hierarchy, how to recognize the dynamics of hidden hierarchy, and what its unintended effects on teams and leadership are.  The Lateral Dialogues are hosted by Warden Hoffman and Petros...

1. Illuminating the hidden aspects of organizational culture: How can we uncover its unconscious aspects? What happens when we expose uncomfortable truths of how we function? Why often culture doesn’t shift even when we explicitly cascade how we should behave differently? Dr. Karen Gray joins Warden Hoffman and Petros Oratis in this Lateral Dialogue to explore these questions.