Shows
Essential Dynamics with Derek HudsonConsider Your Companions – Lessons on People and Flow from the TrailIn 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 management, Derek shows how backpacking mirrors the real challenges of leading, collaborating, and staying energized in complex systems.Derek is with Unconstrained.Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.2025-07-2922 minEssential Dynamics with Derek HudsonConsider Your Quest - A Report From the FieldIn 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 forces of Drivers and Constraints, and embracing the challenges that make achievement meaningful.This episode reframes adventure as a metaphor for leadership and life, showing why hard things matter and how a well-defined quest can transform both organizations and individuals....2025-07-2224 min
Essential Dynamics with Derek HudsonHere's EDy!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 attention, and take meaningful action. He's private, adaptive, and available anytime a leader needs to step back and see their system.Derek and Daver are at Unconstrained.Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.2025-06-2433 minEssential Dynamics with Derek HudsonWhat Leaders Need from TechnologyDerek 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 risk and opportunity, concluding that technology’s greatest potential lies not in automation, but in context-aware guidance and timing.Derek and Daver are at Unconstrained.Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.2025-06-1030 minEssential Dynamics with Derek HudsonTal Pizzey - Engineering System FlowDerek 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 at Unconstrained.Tal Pizzey is at Acuren.Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.2025-05-0626 minEssential Dynamics with Derek HudsonAnn Hall - System Flow with the GradsDerek 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.2025-04-1528 minEssential Dynamics with Derek HudsonAnn Hall - The Grads are Playing TonightIn 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 is at Unconstrained.Show notes are on the Unconstrained Wiki.2025-04-0128 min
Essential Dynamics with Derek HudsonSeason Four Recap - Dedicated to the Memory of Jared BatemanThis 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 WebsiteDave and Derek are at Unconstrained.Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.2024-12-1936 minEssential Dynamics with Derek HudsonThe Six Functions of LeadershipDerek 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.2024-12-0333 minEssential Dynamics with Derek HudsonEntrepreneurs, Consider Your Quest!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.2024-11-1929 minEssential Dynamics with Derek HudsonProcess vs. OutcomeDerek 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 notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.2024-11-0527 minEssential Dynamics with Derek HudsonAchieving System FlowDave 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.2024-10-2226 minEssential Dynamics with Derek HudsonWhat is System Flow?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.2024-10-0824 minEssential Dynamics with Derek HudsonThe Consequences of Systems DysfunctionThe 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.2024-09-2425 minEssential Dynamics with Derek HudsonIf You Have a Systems ProblemWhether 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.2024-09-1027 minEssential Dynamics with Derek HudsonEnergy FlowDave 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.2024-08-2730 minEssential Dynamics with Derek HudsonGetting off the Comfortably Stuck CouchDave 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.2024-08-1325 minEssential Dynamics with Derek HudsonComfortably StuckDave 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.2024-07-2325 minEssential Dynamics with Derek HudsonLow Hanging Fruit (Business Traditions That Have to Stop Now Part 5)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.2024-07-0926 minEssential Dynamics with Derek HudsonBack to the BirdhouseDave 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.2024-06-2525 minEssential Dynamics with Derek HudsonYou Better Build a BirdhouseDave 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 and effect."Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.Derek Hudson and Dave Kane are at Unconstrained.2024-06-1125 minEssential Dynamics with Derek HudsonAngela Montgomery - The Most Important SkillAngela 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 show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.Derek is at Unconstrained.2024-05-2125 minEssential Dynamics with Derek HudsonAngela Montgomery - The Human ConstraintAngela 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 is at Unconstrained.2024-05-0726 minEssential Dynamics with Derek HudsonCanada's Productivity PrescriptionDave 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.2024-04-2325 minEssential Dynamics with Derek HudsonCanada's Productivity EmergencyDave 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.2024-04-0920 min