DECODING AQ - Adaptability For The Future Of Work With Ross Thornley

Sarah Ratekin is Business owner and Chief Happiness Officer  at Happiness Is Courage Inc. An Employee Experience Champion. She is in her happy place when making the complex simple. Especially in Belonging, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity - driving Workplace Transformation and a sort after Keynote Speaker and Author.

Sarah is truly passionate about employee experience across all levels of an organization. She loves building sustainably nurturing environments where people feel valued, respected, and trusted to do and be their best.

The author of "Silver Threads: Living a Life of Gratitude" and the companion Silver Threads positivity and gratitude journal.

As a researcher, she loves data and as a realist, Sarah knows that data almost never tells the complete story - we need the fuller context to make truly good decisions.

We also cannot make our best decisions when we are steeped in stress. We owe it to our colleagues, our customers, and our communities to navigate these challenges in meaningful ways. If we start with the employee experience, we create a strong foundation for well-being and growth.

Ross and Sarah talk about functioning, the economy, common themes at work, being miserable in the workplace, stress, positive impact on organisations, mental health, exploration, the science of happiness, meaningful change, stigmas, ingrained beliefs,  employee satisfaction, meaningful impact, positive relationships, emotional investment, shared misery and trauma bonding. The pair also discuss resilience, good intentions, depending on others, burnout, survival, losing clients, leading by example, buying in, wellbeing, decision making, frank conversations, intentional disruption, organisational inflammation, de-stress, short term goals, holidays, optimising without burnout, changing company culture, employee engagement, trust and curiosity.

Timecodes:

• 00:21 Sarah's bio
• 02:06 Going from the navy to helping people find organisational happiness
• 05:56 Having a chief happiness officer
• 10:12 Friction points and shifting perceptions
• 15:20 People getting too comfortable being unhappy
• 19:28 Gratitude in stressful situations
• 27:01 Crisis and steps to bring awareness to happiness in organisations
• 32:15 Approaches to re-engineering the perception of work
• 36:55 Moments of pause and reflection
• 40:10 The ideal person in an organisation to integrate a Chief Happiness Officer
• 48:11 The last time Sarah did something for the first time

Connect with Sarah:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Books
• Twitter

Connect with Ross:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Moonshot Innovation 

Currently, Ton-Quinlivan is the CEO of Futuro Health, whose nonprofit mission is to improve the health and wealth of communities by growing the largest network of credentialed allied healthcare workers in the nation. 

In 2013, she was named a White House Champion of Change under the Obama administration in recognition of her notable career in industry, education, and service as a community leader.

Ross and Van talk about government, workforce, money challenges, data, management, creativity, strategies, leadership, dealing with criticism, communities, staying the course, intentionality, staying grounded, unlocking opportunities, unique abilities, caring, goals, perseverance, grit, diversity, pitching, community colleges. The pair also discuss thinking outside the box, flow, productivity, reimagining, adaptability, workforce development, teams, developing talent, competition, commitment,  breaking cycles, growing the workforce, changing traditional pipelines, companies coming together,  Start-up Health, combining music with exercise, fear of failure, commitment and expectations.

Timecodes:

• 00:19 Welcome and Van's background 
• 02:15 Challenges managing money in the largest education system in the nation
• 05:54 Workforce development and priorities
• 12:01 Knowing and deciding when to stay or shift 
• 16:28 Focusing on care and Futuro
• 25:56 Steps to a functioning diverse pipeline and keeping it relevant
• 34:24 Mind shifts and paradigm shifts with education
• 38:28 The team at 'Start-up Health'
• 42:14 Taking risks
• 43:16The last time Van did something for the fist time

Connect with Van:

• LinkedIn
• Website
• Book

Connect with Ross:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Moonshot Innovation 

John Sanei is not only revolutionising the way we approach the future, but he is also equipping us with the courage and determination needed to bring about lasting change.

Globally renowned keynote speaker, futures strategist, 5-time bestselling author, Singularity University and Duke CE faculty member, Associate Partner at the Copenhagen Institute for Future Studies, Chief of Tomorrow Board Member, and podcaster at The Expansive –

Book - Who do we become - self evolution

With a unique blend of neuroscience, psychology, quantum science, business strategy, and futurism, John delivers talks, writes books, conducts masterclasses, and serves on boards to guide future-minded leaders who are willing to embrace uncertainty, overcome doubt, and rise to the challenge with courage, clarity, and determination.

Ross and John talk about priorities, change, seeing things differently, teaching, self reflection, meditation retreats, emotional blockages, accessing your genius, achievements, curiosity, dealing with trauma, Elizabeth Gilbert, stress, holding light inside yourself, scaring audiences, the psychology of change, evolving, following systems, uniqueness, making our brains mailable, Einstein, significant jumps in human intelligence, brain states, psychedelics, imagination, education, catastrophising, deadlines, alpha and beta brainwaves, addictions to panic, adaptability, arrogance, bad states, mindset, hyper awareness, energy, mental flexibility, mood, our bodies, deep futures, neuroscience, the future, biases, technology scams, physical 100, responsibility, curiosity, excitement, leaving nobody behind, valuing questions, imagination, slums, education and profound happiness.

Timecodes:

• 00:35 John's bio
• 02:08 John's spark from transition and mindset to making a greater impact
• 05:01 Practical changes during the transition
• 09:07 Hardware and software upgrades we need as humanity
• 17:04 Following systems
• 22:01 Embracing AI while under pressure from it
• 28:08 Research John is doing right now
• 33:53 Explosions of creativity and living books
• 36:52 Digital dictatorships and blockchain democracies
• 42:14 Hope
• 44:06 The last time John did something for the first time

Connect with John:
LinkedIn
Website
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
[email protected]

Connect with Ross:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Moonshot Innovation 

Peter is an experienced HR executive. Defining the Future of Organizations. As a People Operations and change management Expert, Peter is a sought after international keynote speaker.
He has spent 25 years at the FBI. 4 years as Head of Talent Acquisition - Managing the national recruitment and hiring strategy for the FBI's special agent, intelligence analyst and professional staff employees.

Created new comms/leadership strategies facilitating high performance and accountability in a remote and dispersed workforce.

Peter also was awarded the Human Capital Outstanding Leader of the Year 2021
Issued by Office of the Director of National Intelligence in recognition of leadership that transformed the FBI's hiring strategy, increased diversity, and brought more talented employees into the FBI.

Ross and Peter talk about FBI recruitment, challenges, diversity, driving change, linguistics, FBI vetting, transforming the Bureau, field work, HR, hiring, change, helping people, amazing work, purpose driven organisations, investing in people, adapting, evolving, structural barriers, making mistakes and improving organisations.
The pair also discuss rewards, work changes, retaining employees, human interaction, emotional intelligence, experimentation, learning, growing, discomfort, expectations, imagination, help, role models, coaching, evolving, anxiety, shifting stress, no judgment, embracing learning and emotions.

Timecodes:

• 00:24 Peter's bio
• 01:51 The process behind winning the 'Outstanding Leader Award'
• 05:53 Peter's journey through the FBI
• 12:03 Diversity drivers transitioning to a national approach 
• 19:57 Brand new hiring compared vs mobility within the organisation
• 25:33 Embracing learning and change during high stakes
• 30:17 How far can we take risks  
• 35:21 Modernising and new AI technology merging with talent
• 42:25 Things people can do to find new skills inside them
• 47:40 Tips for leading teams through change 
• 50:44 The last time Peter did something for the first time
• 52:07 Final Thoughts

Connect with Peter:

• LinkedIn

Connect with Ross:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Moonshot Innovation 

Patricia Bender is President of Bayley & Bender.

Starting her career in fashion and marketing, Pat then spent a decade at IBM as a high performing sales and regional manage.

In her first year with IBM, she achieved Rookie of the Year by selling 140% of quota and went on to claim top performance awards for the next ten years - a rare accomplishment.

For four consecutive years, Pat was in the top 2% in performance at IBM and was honored with four Golden Circle Awards. Her final year at IBM, Pat earned the distinguished award as the Top Sales Representative in the country.

Over the last 30 years Pat has crafted and honed her unique ability in helping organizations around the world increase their growth, profitability and productivity by helping them hire, develop and retain top performing sales and leadership talent.

Like many of us, we are shaped by our parents, and Pat is no different with the hard work ethic and some core family values instilled from an early age.

Ross and Patricia talk about IBM, parents influence, timekeeping, music, sales, packed agendas, goals, travel, being driven, becoming number 1, loving what you do, sales, re-engineering, drive, seminars, surgery, partners, support, re-developing work, priorities, sacrifice, new approaches, critical moments, new capabilities, asking for help, frustrations, awareness is power and blinds spots. The pair also discuss behavioural styles, power to win, adaptability, motivations, values, trust, change, attitude, leadership excellence, mental toughness, achieving goals, fear, adaptability, strengths, weaknesses, overcoming obstacles, continually learning, giving back and resilience. Then finish on persistence, motivations, mental toughness, resilience, Miro, new technology, reflections, grief and collaborating.

Timecodes:

• 00:35 Patricia's background
• 01:57 Typing and speed writing 
• 02:48 Values from childhood  
• 08:00 Patricia's Shift to running her own business
• 12:30 Best aspects of motivational speaking
• 14:15 What Patricia learnt from starting her own business
• 27:40 Organisations dealing with Accelerated change 
• 30:15 Help Seeing different perspectives
• 39:11 Steps to training others and what they should be learning
• 47:32 The last time Patricia did something for the first time
• 51:49 Final thoughts and Patricia's late husband Bob

Connect with Patricia:

• Website
• (Online Academy )
• LinkedIn
• Email - [email protected]

Connect with Ross:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Moonshot Innovation 

Steve is a best selling author and one of the foremost thought leaders in the world of people and talent.  Retained by leaders, investors, organisations and governments around the world who seek to create a better future of work.

Steve is author of 'Workquake' - Embracing the aftershocks of covid 19 to create a better model of working.

Steve sits on the board of many fast growth HRtech and talent companies.

And back in 2009 he was Linkedin's first CHRO, where he led the company's hyper growth from 400 to 4000 employees in 3.5 years!

"My passion and expertise are in these core areas: the future of work, turning culture into a competitive advantage, attracting world-class talent, and the future of leadership."

Ross and Steve talk about doing things better together, challenges, asking questions, learning, building things, managing clashes, working from scratch, low budgets, failures, competitors, recognising new landscapes, outdated methods and expecting change. The pair also discuss fast learning, truths, big leaps, reimagination, adapting, Tesla, the future of work, innovation,  problem solving, diversity, knowing your staff, optimising talent, fear of the unknown, rewards, bravery, hybrids, new experiences and seeing things with new eyes.

Timecodes:

• 00:48 Steve's bio
• 01:37 Staying motivated
• 04:40 Joining LinkedIn during it's infancy
• 09:39 Principles to help evaluate making decisions
• 17:13 Approaches to initial engagement
• 23:55 Overcoming dysfunctional pushback
• 30:07 New challenges with unpredictability and change
• 33:32 Why leaders are struggling to adapt
• 38:41 The last time Steve did something for the first time

Connect with Steve:

• LinkedIn
• Website
• Book - Workquake
• TikTok

Connect with Ross:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Moonshot Innovation 

• 00:35 Tugba's background
• 01:36 Shifting from account management to coaching and leadership
• 07:56 Steps during Tugba's executive coaching transformation
• 13:46 Origins and adaptions of 'Lead and vision'
• 23:02 Organisations dealing with unforeseen big shifts
• 32:35 Evolving and designing life
• 41:54 Dealing with point of burnout 
• 48:21 The last time Tugba did something for the first time

• LinkedIn
• Website
• Instagram

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Moonshot Innovation 

Donna is CEO, Founder at "No Ceiling, Just Sky™ Institute. She is a Global Speaker, TED Fellows Coach, Author & Organizational Accelerator.

Starting her career as a Coach to Long Term Care Patients & Families of Terminally Ill Cancer Kids in the 80's and 90's.

Donna is the creator of the Shadow Coaching methodology and has taught it around the world.

Ross and Donna talk about rare conditions, experimental surgery, dealing with patients, paralysis, coaching, studying, fear, hidden potential, what is possible - not impossible, sacrifice, medical science, adaptability, tough moments, hidden potential, hidden talents, emotions, games,  support, imagination, reframing and improv. The pair also discuss psychology, reflection, different perspectives, future selves, reacting to responding, the exchange, society, change,  profound ideas, changing the world, how people think, helping people shine, connecting with audiences, laughter, visualising, be yourself, unique contributions and AI. 

Timecodes:

• 00:31 Donna's introduction
• 01:09 Donna's son's surgeon impacting her career
• 07:11 Donna's early mindset towards experimental surgery
• 11:41 The timescale of the surgery
• 16:16 Shadow Coaching methodology
• 27:28 Self observation
• 34:20 How the TED environment shaped Donna
• 39:14 How Donna has evolved
• 46:11 Advice for approaching things that haven't worked and preparation
• 50:18 The last time Donna did something for the first time

Connect with Donna:

• LinkedIn
• Website
• Twitter

Connect with Ross:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Moonshot Innovation 

Emily is the Founder & CEO of Emily Harman Coaching and Consulting. Podcast host, and the U.S. Government Account Director for Positive Intelligence.

Her career started with 34 years in the Navy, including 10 years in Naval Air Systems command, as Director at the office of small business programs.

She helps employees build mental fitness so they can fulfil their true potential for happiness and contribution to mission success.

Ross and Emily talk about The Navy, service, putting yourself first, responsibility, coaching, saboteurs, living life, regrets, reflection, mentoring, positive intelligence, podcasting, helping people, mental health, sales, influencing, self confidence, money, feelings, energy flow, playing to strengths and stress. The pair also discuss survival, peak performance, wellbeing, thriving, creativity, loving life, feeling heavy, quitting, imagination, having fun, hyper achievement, perfectionism, connections, energy leadership, energy levels, human nature, motivation, self love and compassion for yourself.

Timecodes:

• 00:31 Emily's background
• 01:28 Emily's transformation from the Navy to what she wanted to do
• 08:38 Becoming a coach and mentor
• 15:26 Changing perspective and enjoying things
• 24:13 Dealing with change and self awareness
• 30:26 Emily's future self
• 39:30 Thoughts on negativity
• 43:50 Organisations facing realities and looking at feelings
• 49:02 The last time Emily did something for the first time

Connect with Emily:

• LinkedIn
• Website
• Podcast

Connect with Ross:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Moonshot Innovation 

Zach is a coach, facilitator, and a sort after Keynote Speaker.

He is an award-winning leadership and talent development expert.  With 15 years of experience in start-ups, Fortune 500, and global private companies there are few leadership challenges he hasn’t faced.

Holding senior roles across well known brands like; Bloomberg, and Bloomingdales.

Having lived in Singapore, spent a decade in New York, and from his humble roots of Salt Lake City, Zach brings a global approach with a localized sensibility.  He’s helped re-org entire business units, developed enterprise-wide leadership curriculum, rolled out global diversity initiatives, coached executives, and built multiple development programs.

Ross and Zach talk about Asia, experiences, support, diversity, biases, commonalities,  relationships, facilitating conversation, communicating effectively, environments, appreciating different behaviours, society, pulling things out of people, speaking up, asking questions with confidence and curiosity. The pair also discuss figuring things out, confidence, discovery, therapy, AI, beliefs, paradox's, levelling up, results, portfolio coaches, choosing information, good news letters, innovation, reverting back, learning, comfort zones, curiosity, adaptability, mentoring, control, starting, reaching out and perseverance.   

Timecodes:

• 00:37 Zachary's background
• 01:42 Moving to Singapore
• 03:57 Surprises from a new post in a new environment
• 07:20 Balancing sensibilities 
• 09:54 Adapting viewpoints
• 14:19 Being outspoken shaping Zach's career
• 17:46 Helping leaders
• 21:34 A future where everyone has a coach
• 27:23 Blended learning
• 31:50 Things we can do today
• 42:18 Shifting roles
• 48:59 The last time Zach did something for the first time  

Connect with Zach:

• LinkedIn
• Website
• Email - Zachary@xyz
• [email protected]
• Instagram

Connect with Ross:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Moonshot Innovation