Avoiding Chaos in Org Design – Strategy Before Structure with Shannon Horne

n this episode of the Org Design Podcast, recorded live at the Org Design Festival, hosts Tim Brewer and Amy Springer sit down with Shannon Horne, HR leader and transformation specialist, to explore the realities of organizational design inside a global company of 11,000 employees. Shannon shares her journey into org design, the challenges of turning strategy into structure, and why confusion, turnover, and missed ROI often come when org design is treated as an afterthought. She offers practical insights on creating healthier org design cultures—where employees feel secure, leaders are transparent, and talent is repurposed rather than lost. For leaders wondering if they have an org design problem on their hands, Shannon also gives her “friend-to-friend” advice: start with discovery before restructuring, and ask whether the issue is really structure—or something deeper. This episode is packed with real-world transformation lessons and practical tips for executives, HR professionals, and organizational designers who want to avoid chaos and build resilient, people-centered organizations. Shannon Horne https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonhorne/ Functionly https://www.linkedin.com/company/functionly https://www.functionly.com/ Org Design Podcast https://www.linkedin.com/company/orgdesignpodcast https://www.functionly.com/org-design-podcast Organization Design Forum https://organizationdesignforum.org/