In this episode, David V. Hodes returns to unpack what it means to create a “just work” environment – where psychological safety, purpose, and systems thinking are not just ideals but necessary conditions for meaningful and productive work.
Drawing on insights from his book “More Than Just Work: Innovations in Productivity to Inspire Your People and Uplift Performance”, David explores the foundational principles behind his “Just Work Manifesto” and how systems thinking offers a better lens for leading human-centered organizations. He contrasts non-living (mechanistic) systems with living (adaptive) systems like human organizations, and warns against the widespread use of reductive thinking in settings that require empathy and emergent understanding as well as integration.
We discuss:
- What a “Just Work” environment is
- The concept of work as “turning intention into reality”
- What it means to be well managed — and why every person has the right to it
- The difference between showing up to work vs. working to arrive — a shift toward purpose-driven, integrated contribution
- Why psychological safety is essential for learning and performance
- Two types of anxiety in learning: survival anxiety vs. learning anxiety (based on Edgar Schein)
- How leaders can reduce learning anxiety and foster a culture of growth and experimentation
- How to lead without relying on authority
David’s reflections draw on influences like Eliyahu Goldratt, Edgar Schein, Peter Senge, and Elliott Jaques — blending deep human insight with practical organizational development and operations thinking.
Key Takeaways
- “Everyone has the right to be well managed.” – The foundation of just work.
- Systems thinking = integration – Reductive approaches fail in human systems.
- Living systems adapt – Human organizations need flexible, emergent thinking.
- Create learning conditions – Safe environments encourage exploration, mistakes, and mastery.
- Leadership ≠ Authority – True leadership inspires voluntary engagement toward shared goals.
Mentioned Concepts & Resources
- Book: “More Than Just Work: Innovations in Productivity to Inspire Your People and Uplift Performance” by David V. Hodes
- Book: “Drift into Failure: From Hunting Broken Components to Understanding Complex Systems” by Sidney Dekker (thank you to Graham Holden for the book recommendation)
- Book: “The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization” by Peter Senge
- The “Just Work” Manifesto”
- Edgar Schein’s model of learning anxiety vs. survival anxiety
- Orchestra metaphor — Optimize the system (the whole, not the individual parts)
- “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” – ethics in management
- Fail often to succeed sooner – Safe-to-fail is the new smart
Take the “Just Work” Quiz
Reflect on your own situation and your own workplace by taking the “Just Work Quiz” offered by David V. Hodes.
Connect with David
David is open to thoughtful dialogue about systems thinking, organizational transformation, and creating more human-centered workplaces.
