SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, December 2025 – In many organisations today, people are working harder than ever, yet something about the way their work unfolds feels out of sync. Leaders try to move projects forward while navigating unclear priorities. Teams absorb change after change without knowing which direction truly matters. Even skilled employees describe feeling unusually tired and unsure why their efforts are not producing the clarity they expect.
This quiet tension is what Organisational Intelligence Group Pty Ltd (OIG) has been studying closely, and it is the focus of new insights released by senior strategist Cassandra Gordon. Her work draws attention to the growing disconnect between how hierarchical organisations operate and what they ask their people to deliver each day.
Gordon has observed these patterns through years of advisory work in change, culture and transformation. She explains that many systems still operate as if the pace of work has remained stable, even though expectations have accelerated. Leaders are asked to think strategically while managing full calendars, increased market competition and the implications of evolving AI. Employees are encouraged to collaborate even when workloads leave little space for thoughtful communication. When these realities collide, people begin to feel overwhelmed without understanding the source of the strain.
“When systems are not aligned with the realities of how people work, even the most capable individuals will struggle. Strong culture is not a luxury, it is a requirement for people to function well and make decisions that support the organisation’s goals,” said Cassandra Gordon, senior strategist at Organisational Intelligence Group Pty Ltd.
The picture that emerges is not one of failure, but of systems that have not kept pace with the reality of their people and customer’s humanity. Some roles now carry responsibilities that were added gradually, without any recalibration. In other cases, communication breaks down as teams attempt to move quickly, resulting in confusion about what deserves attention. Decision-making can also become congested, creating delays that ripple through the organisation.
These issues rarely begin dramatically. They develop slowly, often unnoticed, until people reach a point where they feel stretched beyond what the structure can support. Many employees assume they need better personal strategies or stronger resilience. Gordon’s work shows that the issue is often systemic rather than individual.
OIG is using these insights to help organisations review how their work patterns and culture have changed. That process may involve clarifying expectations, adjusting workflows, or supporting leaders who carry too many competing demands. In some organisations, the challenge lies in updating systems that were originally designed for a slower, more predictable environment. In others, the problem is the accumulation of small cultural changes that eventually affect team satisfaction and performance.
The aim is to restore conditions that allow people to work steadily and with focus rather than under constant strain. When roles are clear, and systems reflect real work, both performance and well-being improve. Leaders think more clearly. Teams regain confidence. The organisation as a whole becomes more positioned to meet its goals without exhausting its people.
About Cassandra Gordon
Cassandra Gordon is a strategist, advisor, and facilitator based in Australia with more than 15 years of experience supporting leaders, teams, and organisations as they navigate complexity, burnout, and systemic workplace strain. Born in Perth, Western Australia, she brings an evidence-based approach shaped by both academic training and lived professional experience.
Gordon holds a Bachelor of Science from Edith Cowan University and a Master of Public Health from the University of Queensland, with additional qualifications in Governance and Risk Management from the Governance Institute of Australia. She has also completed advanced studies in People Analytics at Wharton and Workplace Analytics and AI at MIT.
Her work includes mentoring children, university students, emerging leaders, and senior executives. Gordon is actively involved in children’s charities and community initiatives, reflecting her long-standing commitment to leadership that supports both human well-being and organisational sustainability.
About Organisational Intelligence Group Pty Ltd
Organisational Intelligence Group Pty Ltd partners with leaders and organisations seeking to improve performance, reduce burnout, and strengthen workplace systems. The firm specialises in identifying structural misalignment, decision bottlenecks, and cultural pressures that affect how people function at work.
Through advisory services, leadership programs, and evidence-informed frameworks, Organisational Intelligence Group helps organisations create clarity, improve decision-making, and build sustainable ways of working that support both people and outcomes
Website: https://www.cassandragordon.com
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