The Unfolding Thought Podcast asks a provocative question: Why do we—and the groups we form—think and act the way we do? Although we may feel we understand ourselves and others, much of what drives our thoughts, choices, and behaviors remains hidden or overlooked. Through candid discussions and multi-disciplinary explorations, we reveal those unseen forces—biases, contexts, and patterns—and show how they influence individual and collective dynamics.
If you’re a leader or an intellectually curious mind looking for deep, high-value conversations, join us. We’ll challenge common assumptions, illuminate new perspectives, and spark meaningful change—helping you navigate relationships with greater clarity, innovate with confidence, and connect more authentically with those around you.
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The Unfolding Thought Podcast asks a provocative question: Why do we—and the groups we form—think and act the way we do? Although we may feel we understand ourselves and others, much of what drives our thoughts, choices, and behaviors remains hidden or overlooked. Through candid discussions and multi-disciplinary explorations, we reveal those unseen forces—biases, contexts, and patterns—and show how they influence individual and collective dynamics.
If you’re a leader or an intellectually curious mind looking for deep, high-value conversations, join us. We’ll challenge common assumptions, illuminate new perspectives, and spark meaningful change—helping you navigate relationships with greater clarity, innovate with confidence, and connect more authentically with those around you.
Lance Mortlock: The Outside In, Inside Out of Business
The Unfolding Thought Podcast
44 minutes
1 week ago
Lance Mortlock: The Outside In, Inside Out of Business
In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum talks with Dr. Lance Mortlock—Managing Partner for Industrials & Energy at EY Canada, adjunct professor, and author of Outside In, Inside Out and Disaster Proof. Together they explore how leaders can create clarity and resilience in a world defined by uncertainty, disruption, and accelerating change.
Lance shares what decades of advising executives have taught him about why most strategies fail—not because they're wrong, but because they're poorly executed—and how his "diamond framework" helps organizations balance external insight with internal capability. The conversation ranges from the evolution of AI and scenario planning to why balance, adaptability, and courage define the best leaders and companies.
Topics Covered
* How Lance's work as a strategist and adjunct professor shaped his writing
* The continuing impact of AI on organizational design and decision-making
* Why humans remain essential for understanding—beyond data and knowledge
* The "Outside-In / Inside-Out" diamond framework for strategy and execution
* The role of balance: vertical (external vs. internal) and horizontal (strategy vs. execution)
* Why 90% of strategies fail and what great companies do differently
* How resilience and adaptability separate good organizations from great ones
* Lessons from Hari Budha Magar's Everest climb on leadership and perseverance
Resources Mentioned
* Visit Lance Mortlock's website: https://www.lancemortlock.com [https://www.lancemortlock.com/]
* Follow Lance on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-lance-mortlock-01b36b22/
* Lance's first book Disaster Proof: https://amzn.to/4qDroV0
* Lance's most recent book Outside In, Inside Out: https://amzn.to/47rsXOm
* James Barrat's Our Final Invention: https://amzn.to/43UqMk0
* Nick Bostrom's Superintelligence: https://amzn.to/4osxsOA
* Max Tegmark's Life 3.0: https://amzn.to/3WIThNJ
* Double amputee Hari Magar: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hari_Budha_Magar
For more episodes: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/]
Questions or guest ideas: eric@inboundandagile.com
The Unfolding Thought Podcast
The Unfolding Thought Podcast asks a provocative question: Why do we—and the groups we form—think and act the way we do? Although we may feel we understand ourselves and others, much of what drives our thoughts, choices, and behaviors remains hidden or overlooked. Through candid discussions and multi-disciplinary explorations, we reveal those unseen forces—biases, contexts, and patterns—and show how they influence individual and collective dynamics.
If you’re a leader or an intellectually curious mind looking for deep, high-value conversations, join us. We’ll challenge common assumptions, illuminate new perspectives, and spark meaningful change—helping you navigate relationships with greater clarity, innovate with confidence, and connect more authentically with those around you.
