Tension isn’t the enemy, it’s the spark. This episode uncovers crux moments in business where some leaders turned risk into lasting impact while others avoided the tough choice and paid the price. How will you face the crux? Derek is at Unconstrained. Full show notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.Derek Hudson által

Reed McColm is back at the mic, pressing Derek Hudson on a pivotal distinction: crux vs. climax. Through the Essential Dynamics lenses of Purpose, Path, and People, they show why the crux, the unseen decision under tension, always matters more than the climax everyone sees. From Rocky to The Lord of the Rings and beyond, they trace this pattern in …

In this solo follow-up to Episode 115, Derek builds on lessons from a backpacking trip through the Canadian Rockies, this time focusing on People and Flow, important considerations in any quest. Derek reflects on group dynamics, decision-making without hierarchy, and how flow becomes visible and tangible on the trail. From wrong turns to resource m…

In this solo episode, Derek shares lessons from a multi-day backpacking trip in the Canadian Rockies and how it connects to the Essential Dynamics framework. From planning and preparation to the realities of the trail, Derek explores what it means to consider your quest —clarifying Purpose X and Purpose Y, understanding the Path and its opposing fo…

In this follow-up to Episode 113, Derek and Dave return to the question: Can technology help leaders step back and see their system? The answer is a big reveal. EDy is a conversational AI designed to help leaders get unstuck and achieve system flow using Essential Dynamics. EDy doesn’t give answers, he helps leaders think clearly, focus their atten…

Derek Hudson and Dave Kane explore how technology is helping—or hindering—leaders in 2025. They map out where leadership attention gets hijacked, what clarity looks like at the operational and meta levels, and where technology still falls short. From financial visibility to systems insight and real-time flow feedback, the conversation traces both r…

Tal Pizzey, CEO of Acuren, returns to explore how system flow can scale—even across 90 divisions and 6,000 employees. From rope access inspections to regional P&L ownership, Tal shares how Acuren empowers division managers with the training, data, incentives, and freedom to lead. Along the way, they discuss acquisition integration, risk reduction, …

Derek talks with Tal Pizzey, CEO of Acuren, a billion-dollar company specializing in nondestructive testing and inspection services. Tal shares insights on Acuren’s impressive growth journey, the critical importance of management excellence, and the purposeful impact their work has on society by preventing failures and catastrophic events. Derek is…

Derek continues his conversation with Ann Hall about the legendary Edmonton Grads women’s basketball team, highlighting coach J. Percy Page’s leadership, Purpose X and Purpose Y, community support, and the keys to achieving system flow. Derek is at Unconstrained. Dr. M. Ann Hall is here. Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.…

In search of great examples of systems flow, Derek welcomes Dr. Ann Hall to explore the extraordinary story of the Edmonton Grads, the most successful basketball team ever! Dr. M. Ann Hall is at mannhall.com. Ann's book is The Grads Are Playing Tonight. More on the Grads at Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and Historica Canada Heritage Minutes. Derek i…

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Jared Bateman. Derek and his daughter Lisha discuss some of the wisdom Jared has shared. Dave and Derek discuss the key learnings of Season Four. Jared Bateman's Website Dave and Derek are at Unconstrained. Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.…

Derek and Dave talk about six distinct functions of leadership that every leader needs to understand. Dave and Derek are at Unconstrained. Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.Derek Hudson által

Dave and Derek discuss how the principles of Essential Dynamics apply to early-stage startups. It's all about the quest: purpose, path, and people. Dave and Derek are at Unconstrained. Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.Derek Hudson által

Derek and Dave discuss the importance of balancing process and outcome measures to achieve system flow. They explore the pitfalls of relying solely on outcome metrics, the role of process adherence in managing and improving systems, and how effective measurement can support rather than hinder flow. Dave and Derek are at Unconstrained. Full show not…

Dave and Derek look at what it takes to get to system flow. It might not be what you think. Derek Hudson and Dave Kane are at Unconstrained. Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.Derek Hudson által

Dave and Derek talk about system flow: What is it and how does it feel when you have it? Derek Hudson and Dave Kane are at Unconstrained. Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.Derek Hudson által

The cost of systems dysfunction is high. Let me count the ways... Derek Hudson and Dave Kane are at Unconstrained. Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.Derek Hudson által

Whether you see it or not, you have a system. If your system isn't working, you have a systems problem, and if you have a systems problem, you need a systems solution. Derek Hudson and Dave Kane are at Unconstrained. Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.Derek Hudson által

Dave and Derek explore ideas around maintaining the momentum. Hint: it's all about the energy flow! Derek Hudson and Dave Kane are at Unconstrained. Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.Derek Hudson által

Dave questions Derek on how to break inertia when there is not a sense of urgency. Derek Hudson and Dave Kane are at Unconstrained. Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.Derek Hudson által

Dave and Derek explore reasons organizations might stay comfortably stuck...but comfortable is more risky than you might think. Derek Hudson and Dave Kane are at Unconstrained. Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.Derek Hudson által

Dave and Derek discuss the pitfalls of targeting "low hanging fruit" when planning strategic improvements. They emphasize that not every improvement is beneficial and that taking the easy route can often be a distraction, or worse! Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki. Derek Hudson and Dave Kane are at Unconstrained.…

Dave and Derek explore why it is hard to effect real change in organizations. Then they talk about how to do it anyway. Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki. Derek Hudson and Dave Kane are at Unconstrained.Derek Hudson által

Dave asks Derek some deep questions about Derek's recent blog post You Better Build a Birdhouse. Derek does not do a great job of answering, but important truths are highlighted nonetheless. "We're looking for truth here. Truth can stand on it's own and it can come from anywhere. So let's get multiple voices in a room and try and understand cause a…

Angela and Derek continue the conversation. "The ability to think systemically is something which we're not taught at school... and yet it is the most important skill for anybody in any kind of leadership position in the world today to have." Visit Intelligent Management for information on Angela Montgomery and her book, The Human Constraint. Full …

Angela Montgomery shares some thoughts with Derek on the origins of her upcoming book The Human Constraint. "We cannot continue to live in a world where we are continuously undermined by the inability to think systemically." Visit Intelligent Management for information on Angela Montgomery. Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki. Derek …

Dave and Derek follow up the last episode on Canada's productivity problem with their productivity prescription. Full show notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki. Dave and Derek are at Unconstrained.Derek Hudson által

Dave and Derek discuss disturbing reports from the Bank of Canada that Canada's economy is facing a productivity emergency. Full show notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki. Dave and Derek at Unconstrained.Derek Hudson által

In Episode 89 we "stomped all over" individual incentive plans. In this episode, Tiz, Dave and Derek talk about the real work of helping employees understand the value creation system and wanting to contribute to it. Full show notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki. Tiz, Dave, and Derek are all at Unconstrained.…

Unconstrained guides Tiz Benvenuto and Dave Kane join Derek to take on individual incentive schemes. Comments include: "lazy", "cop-out", "band-aid", and "quick fix." Plus they don't actually work. Full show notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki. Tiz, Dave, and Derek are all at Unconstrained.Derek Hudson által

Ann, Glen and Derek talk about how to break down silos in an organization. Hint: it's all about the system. Full show notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki. Ann, Glen, and Derek are all at Unconstrained.Derek Hudson által

Ann, Glen, and Derek talk about the fallacy of breaking up organizations into divisions that inevitably act as silos. Full show notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki. Ann, Glen, and Derek are all at Unconstrained.Derek Hudson által

The biggest leverage point in any organization is to optimize the use of management attention. Full show notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki. Ann, Glen, and Derek are all at Unconstrained.Derek Hudson által

Derek welcomes his Unconstrained colleagues Ann and Glen to explore how to improve the economy - one business at a time. Full show notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki. Ann, Glen, and Derek are all at Unconstrained.Derek Hudson által

As a Christmas card to our 2023 listeners, here's a replay of the Essential Dynamics Christmas Special first broadcast on December 21, 2021. Derek, Reed and Bryn discuss how the principles of Essential Dynamics connect with the Christmas story. The idea of the quest resonates so deeply because our mortal journey is the ultimate epic quest, complete…

Derek shares a quick look at Season 4 of the Essential Dynamics Podcast, brought to you by Unconstrained. The new season starts January 9, 2024. Don't miss it! Show notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.Derek Hudson által

Mike Palmer talks about his journey from "I'm done." to "I'm excited to go to work!" Full Show Notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki Mike Palmer is at Valley Landscape Derek is at UnconstrainedDerek Hudson által

Mike talks about why he got into business, how business school helped him learn to solve problems, and about some of the problems he has solved. Full Show Notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki Mike Palmer is at Valley Landscape Derek is at UnconstrainedDerek Hudson által

Chris gives us insight to the future of digital identities, and why he's so excited that this technology is coming soon. Full Show Notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki. Chris is at We Know Training. Derek is at Unconstrained.Derek Hudson által

Chris and Derek discuss key steps that have helped We Know Training get focused. Chris is at We Know Training Derek is at Unconstrained Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics WikiDerek Hudson által

Glen and Derek explore ways to help organizations grow, despite the fact that each has a unique challenge. They talk about value creation systems and how they contribute to resilience, which is critical when facing an uncertain future. Glen and Derek are at Unconstrained. Full shownotes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.…

Glen and Derek explore a dilemma: in their efforts to grow the economy, the public sector provides generalized support to startup companies. As businesses mature they become more differentiated - and therefore harder to support - just when they start to have an impact on the economy. Glen and Derek are at Unconstrained. Full shownotes on the Essent…

Derek and Reed complete the seven steps to scaling your business. Derek is at Unconstrained. Full shownotes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki. This series is proudly produced by the team at Road 55- located in Edmonton, Alberta. For more information, please visit: www.road55.caDerek Hudson által

Derek and Reed talk about several principles for scaling up: how operating businesses can overcome barriers to growth and get to the next level. Derek is at Unconstrained. Full shownotes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki. This series is proudly produced by the team at Road 55- located in Edmonton, Alberta. For more information, please visit: www.road5…

Ann and Derek share thoughts on how to help management focus on building a value creation system. Ann and Derek are at Unconstrained. Full shownotes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki. This series is proudly produced by the team at Road 55- located in Edmonton, Alberta. For more information, please visit: www.road55.ca…

Ann and Derek explore the idea that management attention is a precious resource that we should learn how to manage better. Ann and Derek are at Unconstrained. Full shownotes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki. This series is proudly produced by the team at Road 55- located in Edmonton, Alberta. For more information, please visit: www.road55.ca…

Reed and Derek talk about how a guide can help you get to the next level of thinking. Derek Hudson is at Unconstrained. Full show notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.Derek Hudson által

Reed and Derek talk about how people and organizations get stuck and wonder why we put up with being stuck. Derek Hudson is at Unconstrained. Full show notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.Derek Hudson által

Marvin and Derek talk about how to help students and leaders answer their own questions, and own their quest. Marvin Washington is at marvinwashington.com. Derek Hudson is at Unconstrained. Full show notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.Derek Hudson által

Dr. Marvin Washington shares how having a life plan can help you get clear on your quest and deal with unexpected opportunities. Marvin Washington is at marvinwashington.com. Derek Hudson is at Unconstrained. Full show notes on the Essential Dynamics WikiDerek Hudson által