28. DIY or DOA? Why Org Change Needs Outside Help

At Work with The Ready

In a year marked by tighter budgets, leaner teams, and growing uncertainty, more organizations than ever are choosing to go it alone. DIY transformation feels safer, cheaper, more in control. But that instinct to do more with less is often the very thing that stalls progress. Because without the right structure, support, and space, most internal change efforts don’t just slow down… they spin out.

This week, Rodney and Sam pull apart the decision to “DIY” major organizational change. They explore why so many teams default to doing it themselves, what makes internal transformation efforts so hard to sustain, and the subtle power dynamics that turn strategic remits into order-taking. Along the way, they dig into what it really takes to get change moving—from alone on the inside or with a partner.

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Mentioned references:

• Ayurvedic eating
• RACI episode: AWWTR Ep. 10
• Bill Anderson episode: Brave New Work 68
• The Ready's Tension and Practice Cards
• The Ready's OS Canvas
• Future of HR model
• Rodney's problem solution fit article

00:00 Intro + Check-In: What is a DIY victory or failure you’ve had recently?

03:51 The Pattern: DIY Transformation tends to be “try, fail, repeat”

05:27 Why people decide to DIY change work

11:40 Orgs are designed to fight change

15:32 The deck is stacked against internal OD/OE/transformation teams

19:43 You don’t know what you don’t know

23:43 Challenges of trying to change your coworkers

27:00 Lack of authority and power kneecap real progress

32:10 Hidden financial and org costs of DIY change

37:44 Idea 1: Contract for a CLEAR remit, REAL customer discovery, and actual solution design

42:35 Idea 2: Don’t start with the whole project, start with a smaller leverage point

44:59 Wrap up: Leave us a review and share the show with your coworkers!

Sound engineering and design by Taylor Marvin of ⁠⁠⁠⁠Coupe Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠.