BWA Podcast Show: The Execution Challenge: Decisions, Governance and Organisational Debt with Rebecca Lythgo

Organisational friction exists in every organisation. It is the drag that emerges when the organisation’s strategy, decisions, governance, operating model, systems, ways of working and capacity no longer align well enough to enable execution.

It appears in private enterprise, government, not-for-profits and social-purpose organisations. Leaders experience it as repeated delays, unclear decisions, competing priorities, duplicated effort, approval bottlenecks, initiative overload, inconsistent accountability, and capable people who cannot gain traction.

From an Executive Leadership Team perspective, organisational friction is rarely a single operational issue. It is often the visible consequence of accumulated organisational debt: decisions deferred, roles left unclear, processes added but not retired, governance layers that outlive their purpose, or transformation initiatives layered over legacy ways of working.

In this episode of the Business Women Australia Podcast, BWA Director Lyn Hawkins speaks with Rebecca Lythgo, a leader in enterprise performance, about how CEOs, ELTs and boards can recognise the hidden constraints quietly affecting organisational performance.

Drawing on her experience across strategy, commercial performance, operating models, governance and organisational capability, Rebecca brings an executive lens to the everyday challenges that consume leadership attention. She explores why the issue presenting itself is not always the root problem; how leaders can distinguish isolated operational issues from systemic friction; and how to reduce unnecessary drag without stripping away the healthy tension, challenge and governance that strong organisations need.

The conversation examines the relationship between strategy, decision-making, culture, systems, technology, governance and human capability. It is essential listening for CEOs, board directors and senior leaders seeking greater clarity, stronger alignment, better execution and shared ownership across their organisations.

Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/live/2NYNGE_sUEg?si=7ckI2NUsyPUjAmDi

About Rebecca Lythgo

Rebecca Lythgo is an enterprise performance executive who helps organisations perform better by identifying the constraints that others often overlook. With more than 20 years of leadership experience across Australia and Asia, she partners with CEOs, executive teams and boards to diagnose the underlying issues preventing strategy from translating into sustainable commercial results.

Rather than treating visible symptoms, Rebecca uncovers the organisational, commercial and operating model constraints that limit performance. She then works alongside leadership teams to realign strategy, decision-making, governance and execution, enabling organisations to perform as an integrated enterprise and achieve sustainable growth.

Her career spans financial services, private capital, and advisory, leading complex transformations across strategy, operations, technology, and commercial performance. Known for diagnosing before prescribing, Rebecca combines strategic thinking with executive accountability to deliver measurable commercial outcomes and build lasting organisational capability.

Rebecca also advises not-for-profit organisations and supports female founders, applying the same enterprise performance principles to help purpose-led organisations strengthen governance, build capability, and create greater long-term impact. Through her writing and speaking, she challenges conventional thinking about organisational performance, helping leaders understand why businesses stall and what it takes to reconnect ambition with execution.

About Lyn Hawkins

Lyn Hawkins is the National Director of Business Women Australia and Principal of Hawkins Marketing. With decades of experience advising organisations from startups to enterprises, Lyn is a highly sought-after strategist, facilitator, and executive coach. Her expertise spans business growth strategy, leadership development, cultural change, marketing and business development.

Passionate about creating opportunities for women, Lyn leads Business Women Australia’s national community, fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and peer-to-peer support. She is dedicated to helping women elevate their careers, businesses, and influence.

About Business Women Australia

Business Women Australia (BWA) is a vibrant national collective of women from all sectors, industries, and professions. With a fast-growing group of more than 20,000 followers, BWA provides access to:

BWA’s vision is to elevate women with knowledge, influence, and connection, helping members achieve their full potential both professionally and personally.

👉 Join today and be part of a national movement of women making an impact.

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