Building future-ready workforces

In this episode, Allen Dorsey sits down with Anita Sarris to explore what it takes to build organisations where people can do their best work. Drawing on her background in organisational psychology and experience across resources, energy and government, Anita shares her perspective on why long-term workforce planning and a focus on capability matter more than headcount alone. They discuss the often-overlooked role of culture in organisational performance, why structural change rarely shifts behaviour on its own, and how organisation design can signal what's truly valued. They also explore what the rise of AI means for the future of work, and why distinctly human qualities – empathy, creativity and connection – may become even more critical as it reshapes how we work. About A little bit of Nous At Nous, we partner with clients across a huge range of interesting, challenging, exciting and complex issues. Having good conversations is a huge part of what we do. A little bit of Nous is a podcast miniseries that explores big topics, through good conversations. Learn something, up your dinner party game and get to know the back stories of some of the Nousers who work passionately to achieve positive influence – not just for our clients and their businesses, but also for the customers and communities they serve. Your host Allen Dorsey is Nous’ unofficial Chief Connection Officer, who is passionate about bringing the best minds at Nous together to discuss our biggest challenges. Allen is a curious, conversationalist, always ready to share A little bit of Nous… About Anita Anita is an organisational performance and capability expert with more than 15 years’ experience designing organisational structures, systems, processes and culture across a range of industries including resources, energy, and government. Anita is passionate about designing progressive work environments that allow people and organisations to thrive and creating the people engagement necessary to enact change. At Nous she has led influential work supporting clients with their workforce strategy, capability development, leadership, culture, operating model, and change. Her career has spanned both consulting and management roles across Australia, the UK, and Peru. Nous Group is an international management consultancy, and for the past 25 years we’ve helped public, private, and not-for-profit clients deliver better outcomes for their customers, communities, and society. You can explore more of what we do at www.nousgroup.com or follow us on our socials.