If you’re looking for a leadership perspective that is not only relatable but also grounded in the reality of our current times, my guest Dr Karuna Ramanathan has some vital insights for you.
An ex naval warship captain, formerly the Senior Principal Change Consultant in Singapore Government and, prior to that, Deputy Head of the Center for Leadership Development in the Singapore Armed Forces, Karuna is the author of Navigating the Seas of Change, a concise guide to leadership and change management with a maritime metaphor. Karuna compares the unpredictability of change to the sea, emphasising the crucial role of leadership in navigating these tumultuous waters.
Karuna shares his experiences of driving large-scale organisational change, the challenges of positional power, the tension between having a transformative vision and taking incremental steps and the importance of managing different risk appetites. Karuna also reflects on his time in the military and how hierarchy and accountability have a huge impact on team dynamics, pushing through change and, ultimately, getting results.
The power of perspective: How expanding our view can transform leadership
Why you should listen: Distortion, disruption and overuse of leadership power
Leadership is influence, not power
We explore the role of leadership in creating a positive work environment
Fix the system, not the individual
Harbour versus storm: leadership principles in action
Leading change? Be a sensemaker first and foremost
Take action
Tap into the wisdom of teams - take a few minute to discuss what’s working and not working
Tip of the week comes from People Stuff and the chapter is about the practice of perspective and sense making - master feelings and thoughts in order to master wisdom.
About Dr Karuna Ramanathan
Dr Karuna Ramanathan is an organisational transformation consultant-coach with more than two decades of experience and established track record in strategic organisational development, leadership development, and tacit knowledge creation. He is the author of Navigating the Sea of Change: Practitioner Tips for Successful Organisational Transformation and founder of Singapore-based KR Konsulting.
Key moments
Planet Human: Carbon Labelling of Food at Hilton Hotels (00:00:29) The implementation of carbon labelling on menus at Hilton hotels and the impact on guests' food choices
Planet Zoë: Family, friends, connection and celebration in Canada!
Interview with Karuna Ramanathan (00:03:42)
Meet Karuna Ramanathan, a former naval warship captain and leadership trainer, and an expert on large-scale organisational change and its practical implementation.
The importance of personal insights (00:10:21) Taking time for personal reflection and converting observations into personal insights for learning and growth.
The challenges of large-scale organisational change (00:11:24) The importance of treating people with dignity and respect during the transformation process.
Different contextual states for change (00:17:45) Exploring hierarchical organisations like the military, government organisations, and corporate organisations, highlighting the differences in risk appetite and approaches to change.
The challenges of positional power (00:20:16) The problems that arise when senior executives overuse their positional power and the need for them to be more flexible and relatable.
Fixing systemic issues in leadership (00:20:58) Instead of focusing on fixing mental health, organisations should address the systemic issues in leadership that contribute to employees' dissatisfaction and well-being.
Identifying influence points in organisations (00:25:04) How change consultants approach this task.
Navigating the seas of change (00:30:42) Lessons learned from leadership in the navy and the challenges of leading in extreme and unpredictable environments.
Conceiving the alternative vision state (00:32:30) Exploring the process of imagining a transformational end point in organisations and the methodology behind it.
The messy nature of adaptive leadership (00:37:51) Highlights the non-linear and uncertain nature of adaptive leadership and the challenges it poses for individuals and organisations.
The shift in attitudes towards remote meetings (00:42:59) Exploring the shift in attitudes towards remote meetings and the use of technology like Zoom, highlighting the impact of the pandemic on changing perspectives.
Sense Making and Expanding Perspective (00:52:09) Expanding our sense of time and complexity to make sense of the bigger picture and draw interactions within organisations.
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About your host, Canberra leadership expert Zoë Routh:
Zoë Routh is a leadership futurist, podcaster, and multiple award-winning author. She works with leaders and teams to navigate future horizons.
She has worked with individuals and teams internationally and in Australia since 1987. From wild Canadian rivers to the Australian Outback, and the Boardroom jungles, Zoë is an adventurist! She facilitates strategy and culture sessions with audacious teams.
Zoë's fourth leadership book, People Stuff - Beyond Personality Problems: An advanced handbook for leadership, won the Book of the Year at the Australian Business Book Awards in 2020. Her fifth book is a near future science fiction dystopian novel, The Olympus Project.
Zoë is the producer of the Zoë Routh Leadership Podcast, dedicated to asking “What if…?” and sharing Big Ideas on the Future of Leadership.
Zoë is an outdoor adventurist and enjoys telemark skiing, has run six marathons, is a one-time belly-dancer, has survived cancer, and loves hiking in the high country. She is married to a gorgeous Aussie and is a self-confessed dark chocolate addict.