From Artificial Harmony to ”First Who, Then What” with Ian Frith & Laila Hobbs

In this episode of The Leaderful Podcast, we welcome Ian, a leader, entrepreneur, and founder of Forge Works Advisory. Ian shares the deeply personal and professional journey that led him to leave the company he was leading, sparked by the work of The Ally Co. to uncover deeper organizational truths.

Ian describes how the initial engagement with The Ally Co. was intended to solve for communication and power dynamics within the team. However, the work quickly revealed a more fundamental problem: an artificial alignment and misalignment in the company's direction and people's roles. This revelation forced Ian to confront the brutal facts and make a difficult, but necessary, decision for the good of the organization.

 

Drawing on his philosophy that success hinges on getting the "human bit right" , Ian unpacks the difference between a team that is merely surviving versus one that is truly thriving. He passionately argues against the term "soft skills," noting that they are, in fact, the hardest skills to master and are the fundamental ingredients for business success. This conviction is the driving force behind his new venture, Forge Works Advisory, which helps founders and owners build enduring strength and high-performing human systems.

 

You'll hear a mature perspective on how difficult outcomes—like moving on from a company you love—can often be the right outcomes. This conversation is a must-listen for any founder, CEO, or leader who feels their company isn't "clicking," even with a clear strategy and vision.

 

🔍 Also covered in this episode:

• The signs of organizational dysfunction like pre-meetings, water cooler chat, and venting.

   

• The difference between a "playbook" consulting approach and a more consultative, human-centric engagement.

   

• How to create a "safe space" for team members to share without fear of retribution.

   

• The crucial importance of hiring for fit over being 100% technical acumen.

   

• Why Ian calls for a new term to replace "soft skills".

   

• How Forge Works Advisory helps companies define their needs before making huge investments in full-time roles like a COO.