Inside Org Design: What Leaders Get Wrong and How to Fix It: Iwan de Leeuw, Global Organisation Design Leader, ABB

16/12/2025 45 min Temporada 5 Episodio 4
Inside Org Design: What Leaders Get Wrong and How to Fix It: Iwan de Leeuw, Global Organisation Design Leader, ABB

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Episode Synopsis

Iwan de Leeuw is the Global Organisation Design Leader at ABB, where he leads enterprise-wide strategies to optimise structures, capabilities, and performance. With over 2 decades of international HR experience, he has held senior roles across GE, Techcombank, and Toll Group, specialising in organisation design, talent development, and large-scale transformation. He began his career in executive search in Japan before joining GE in the U.S., later moving to Singapore where he led HR functions across ASEAN. His experience spans financial services, manufacturing, and logistics. Iwan holds a Master’s in Japanese and Management from Leiden University. This conversation delves into the true essence of organizational design, debunking the misconception that it's merely about structure. Iwan shares insights from his diverse career journey, which spans the military, recruitment in Japan, and various HR roles across different countries. Iwan discuss the intricacies of HR transformation projects, the importance of iterative processes, and the ongoing need for adaptability in organizational design. Through real-world examples from ABB, the conversation highlights the significance of understanding current systems, involving stakeholders, and ensuring continuous feedback in achieving effective organizational change. Chapters00:00 Introduction01:16 Welcome to the HR Impact Show01:39 Guest Introduction: Iwan de Leeuw02:02 Iwan's Unconventional Career Path09:13 The Concept of Portfolio Career10:24 Specialization vs. Generalization in HR12:03 Design Thinking in HR14:00 The Importance of Organizational Design15:17 Challenges in Organizational Design25:19 Big Bang vs. Iterative Approach32:41 Ensuring Sustainable Change36:26 The Ideal Workplace of the Future39:56 Rapid Fire Questions44:49 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsResources[Free] Get this episode key insights here: https://blog.engagerocket.co/the-hr-impact-showConnect with Iwan de Leeuw : linkedin.com/in/iwan-de-leeuwConnect with Dorothy Yiu: linkedin.com/in/dorothy-yiuYoutube: youtube.com/@TheHRImpactShowLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-hr-impact-showThank you for tuning into The HR Impact Show. Don't forget to hit Subscribe! If you enjoy the show, please leave us a 5-Star Review and share with your friends.Are you hungry for more? Join our HR Impact Community for monthly insights from global HR leaders and event invites: https://www.engagerocket.co/hrimpactAbout The HR Impact ShowJoin top global people leaders for honest conversations about how to build and transform high-performing cultures.Hear from CHROs and HR experts from global and world-renowned organisations as they share their top people analytics tips, leadership journeys, lessons and challenges while navigating the complexities of transformation and the multi-generational and diverse cultures in Asia.Hosted by Dorothy Yiu, EngageRocket's CEO & Co-founder and Fung Tai, EngageRocket's VP of Customer Success.

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