Episode 28: The Invisible Medal - Leading with a Higher Purpose with Chris Richie Artwork

UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

Unboxing OD is your guide to making sense of Organizational Development - one thoughtful conversation at a time. Hosted by Kenneth Pearson, seasoned OD practitioner and author of The Flow of Five Tiers, this podcast unpacks the complexity of organizational life with clarity, compassion, and a bit of edge.

Whether you're an early-career OD professional, a leader trying to navigate change, or simply someone who believes workplaces can be more human, you'll find grounded insights and actionable takeaways here. While most episodes are solo deep dives into the fieldwork and philosophy behind OD, we also feature voices from the field, bringing in experts, newcomers, and those who challenge the status quo.

No jargon. No endless theory. Just practical wisdom, lived experience, and a steady focus on making organizations better for the people who keep them alive.

Ready to deepen your OD practice? Connect with Kenneth on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-pearson or visit the Pearson & Pearson LLC website at www.pearsonpearson.llc.

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UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

Episode 28: The Invisible Medal - Leading with a Higher Purpose with Chris Richie

September 05, 2025 • Kenneth Pearson • Season 2 • Episode 8

In this episode of Unboxing OD, Kenneth Pearson sits down with Colonel Chris Ritchie, retired United States Marine Corps officer and Director of Human Resource Development at Auburn University. Across his career, Chris has led organizations from small teams to global commands and now designs leadership and performance development programs that reach thousands of employees.

Their conversation explores the shift from success to significance -- how true leadership lives not in accolades, but in the invisible medals we earn when we connect with others, build trust, and help people discover their own purpose. Together, they reflect on performance development as a human-centered practice, the role of reflection in leadership, and the ways small choices leave lasting traces.

Learn more about Chris’ book The Invisible Medal: Leading with a Higher Purpose at www.invisiblemedal.com

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-richie-usmc/

This is an episode about values, presence, and impact -- reminding us that the legacy we leave isn’t written in titles, but in the lives we touch along the way.

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