How Collaboration Builds Momentum Across Health Systems with Ian Hutchison

In this episode of the Delivery by Design Podcast, Alastair Mitchell-Baker speaks with Ian Hutchison, a Non-Executive Director at Community Dental Services CIC, and former Chief Executive Officer of East Coast Community Healthcare CIC, about operating models, organisational design, leadership , trust, and turning strategy into effective frontline delivery.Ian explains why an operating model should provide a practical way of translating an organisation’s purpose and strategy into how people, processes, systems, data, structure, culture, and behaviours work together. He reflects on his time leading East Coast Community Healthcare, the importance of building relationships and momentum across organisational boundaries, and why senior leaders need to create the conditions for others to succeed rather than becoming consumed by running day-to-day operations.Key Takeaways:Why an operating model should connect strategy and purpose with people, processes, systems, data, culture, and organisational design.How a target operating model differs from strategy and a transformation plan.Why operating models can become barriers to delivery when organisations lose control of critical capabilities.How changing external circumstances should influence operating model and leadership decisions.How too many organisational layers can slow decision-making and disconnect strategy from frontline delivery.Why leadership at every level is fundamental to consistently high-performing organisations.Why leaders should focus outward rather than spending all their time running day-to-day operations.How leaders can maintain their own energy while continuing to provide direction and momentum during periods of change. Noteworthy Quotes:“In simple terms, it’s a way of working that helps you deliver your core purpose.” – Ian Hutchison“Nine times out of ten, it comes down to effective leadership.” – Ian Hutchison“Your job isn’t to tell them and hold them to account. It’s to enable and create the conditions for them to be successful.” – Ian Hutchison“Good organisations are generally good organisations because they’re well led.” – Ian Hutchison“Leadership is just so important and leaders cast such long shadows.” – Ian Hutchison“Your job as leader isn’t to run the organisation.” – Ian Hutchison“Your job as a leader is to keep it on the road or the rail.” – Ian Hutchison Key Timestamps00:00 - Why leaders should not spend their time running the organisation01:06 - Introduction to Ian Hutchison and his leadership journey01:52 - What does an operating model really mean?04:50 - When operating models help or hinder delivery09:35 - Adapting operating models when the external environment changes16:23 - Finding the right balance of organisational layers20:05 - What consistently high-performing organisations get right23:27 - Context, trust, and high-performing teams28:32 - Why trust takes time to build and seconds to lose35:04 - Leadership lessons from East Coast Community Healthcare36:09 - Building relationships, collaboration, and momentum43:30 - Why leaders cast such a long shadow45:57 - Closing reflectionsDisclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.Follow Our Guest, Ian Hutchison:Ian Hutchison LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-hutchison-a101a210/ Community Dental Services CIC Website: Community Dental Services CICCommunity Dental Services CIC LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communitydentalservices-cic/ Connect with the Host, Alastair Mitchell-Baker:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastair-mitchell-baker-a01babb/ Follow our Colleagues from Tricordant: Andrew Liles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-liles-282b1792/ Yasmin Wills: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasmin-wills-b72535146/ Nick Richmond: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickgmrichmond/ Helen Blanchard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenblanchard21/ More from Tricordant:Website: https://www.tricordant.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo2WP_UCnm-tszOIc87O36QLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tricordant-ltd/Email: office@tricordant.com Follow the Podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/delivery-by-design/id1884004753Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1FZ3DP0DcivWcXv8bJH3Hw?si=64f2414b3fbd44cc