Humans at Work with Michael Glazer

We've all been there: put on the spot during a meeting and found ourselves tongue-tied. In this episode, we tackle the challenge of spontaneous communication head-on. I'm joined by Matt Abrahams, who is a Lecturer at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business and the host of the "Think Fast, Talk Smart," which draws in millions of listeners per episode. His TEDx Talk has captivated a global audience, and his latest book is titled, "Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot."

Today, Matt shares his insights into preparing for those unscripted moments, managing speaking anxiety, and mastering the mindset shifts critical for effective communication. We'll cover practical strategies for nailing Q&A sessions and confidently handling challenging conversations.

If you enjoy the show, please rate it on Spotify or iTunes. Your ratings help more people like you discover the podcast!

Episode Highlights

· How preparation paradoxically improves your ability to speak spontaneously

· Making your message resonate and be memorable

· Creating a personalized anxiety management plan to reduce speaking anxiety

· A critical mindset shift that improves communication quality and effectiveness

· Reframing errors as learning opportunities to improve communication skills

· How improving our listening skills can make spontaneous speaking more effective

· Mastering Q&A sessions by engaging with people who are opposed to your ideas

· Methods for handling difficult questions in tricky scenarios

Matt's view on the greatest unmet wellbeing need at work today

"I think we saw with the pandemic, just how raw some people can be. It exposed that and put a light on it. And it's important that we respect it and that we connect with it. As a teacher, I see it in my students, I see it my colleagues. So, I believe all of us have to take a step back and remind ourselves that first and foremost, we're humans, we have challenges and issues, both in inside ourselves and in the relationships we have. And I think we need to spend more time respecting that in offering to help those who are struggling."

What "working with humans" means to Matt

"To me, it is a reminder that communication is relational and about connection, not about transactions. We work with others, others who have their own existence, their own ideas, their own belief, and we need to remember that it's all about the relationship and the connection that we have and I think that is very powerful and very important."

Resources

Follow: Matt on LinkedIn

Visit: Matt's website

Read: Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot

For more episodes that give you fresh perspectives and actionable ideas for making working with other humans better for everyone, visit our website at https://en.peoplefocusconsulting.com/resources/podcast/

©Michael Glazer

Have you hit a creative roadblock at work? You're not alone. In this episode, we explore how creativity becomes the cornerstone for innovation, helping businesses to thrive amidst rapidly changing trends and disruptions. It's not about wild ideas. It's about building an environment where creativity thrives at every desk.

This episode features Adam Kingl, an expert in reshaping how we think about leadership and strategy in the business world. Adam has influenced the minds of business leaders at prestigious institutions such as London Business School, Hult International Business School, and Imperial College Business School. He also regularly contributes as a writer and expert interviewee to The Financial Times, Sunday Times, Forbes, Fortune, The Guardian and Fast Company.

Drawing on and his latest book "Sparking Success", we explore strategies that can help leaders remove the creativity blockers and spark a cultural shift towards continuous innovation. From rethinking entrenched company practices to empowering teams to think differently, Adam offers a roadmap for people who want to lead with creativity at the forefront.

If you enjoy the show, please rate it on Spotify or iTunes. Your ratings help more people like you discover the podcast!

Episode Highlights

· Leadership's pivotal role in igniting organizational creativity.

· Challenging dated assumptions that hinder management innovation.

· The linguistic insight into "to manage" and its cultural impact on creativity.

· Identifying organizational habits that dampen innovation.

· Striking a balance between productivity and creative growth.

· Tactics for leaders to build creativity-focused workspaces.

· Debunking the myth that creativity is limited to certain sectors.

· Concrete steps for managers to inspire team creativity.

· Lessons from creative companies and industries applicable across all sectors.

· Examining barriers to creativity in conventional settings.

· Adopting 'micro habits' for team-wide innovative thinking.

Adam's view on the greatest unmet wellbeing need at work today

"Every organization is struggling with hybrid work right now, right? When do you bring people into the office, or when do you work from home? And I think part of what I've discovered is the answer is: if you're going to ask people to come into the office, give them a reason, provide a creative focus. "I want everyone in the office on Wednesday because we're going to meet with our senior-most clients talking about their biggest pain points." If you just say, "Come in because it's everyone in the office Wednesday," like Taco Tuesday, it's arbitrary, and everyone's just going to probably sit at their desk with headphones in, tapping away at their keyboard; they may as well be at home."

What "working with humans" means to Adam

"Working with humans is about encouraging them to find and express those qualities that make them human: curiosity, adaptability, inspiration, innovation. Surely, any organization that encourages an abundance of those qualities in their people is one that I want to work for or invest in."

Resources

Follow: Adam on LinkedIn and X

Visit: Adam's website

Read: Sparking Success: Why Every Leader Needs to Develop a Creative Mindset

For more episodes that give you fresh perspectives and actionable ideas for making working with other humans better for everyone, visit our website at https://en.peoplefocusconsulting.com/resources/podcast/

©Michael Glazer

Looking to improve the quality of your career conversations at work? This episode dives into practical topics like the role of managers in employee development, common challenges like fear of feedback, and actionable insights to overcome challenges that often come up.

My guest, Antoinette Oglethorpe, brings a wealth of experience to the conversation, having worked with organizations such as Accenture, the World Health Organization, and the NHS. She's also the author of the book "Confident Career Conversations," which serves as a comprehensive guide for enhancing employee development through meaningful dialogue.

You'll walk away with practical advice and strategies for making career conversations a valuable part of your organization's culture.

If you enjoy the show, please rate it on Spotify or iTunes. Your ratings help more people like you discover the podcast!

Episode Highlights

• How focusing on "employability" and "enjoyability" improves the quality of the career conversation.
• How managers can initiate and guide career conversations.
• Addressing the common challenges managers face, such as lack of time or fear of giving feedback.
• Ways HR can support managers and employees in having meaningful conversations.
• Strategies for incorporating career conversations into performance reviews and employee onboarding.
• Strategies to tackle the fear of feedback from both managers and employees.
• How to navigate sensitive topics like job security and career transitions.
• Simple techniques to implement immediately for improving communication.
• How career conversations contribute to employee wellbeing and organizational health.

Antoinette's view on the greatest unmet wellbeing need at work today

"This new world of hybrid working is now becoming the way forward. As you say, I think that during COVID we took great steps to connect with people even though we were working remotely. I think that focus has gone away now. And yet hybrid working seems as though it's here to stay. So, I think that's potentially a risky area where there's a lack of connection, a lack of visibility of employees, and a lack of conversation about what's going on for them as individuals. And I think that's something we all need to think about."

What "working with humans" means to Antoinette

"It's about navigating the human side of business. Business and organizations rely on people, and that involves communication, relationships, and collaboration. It's often complicated, but it's important to recognize that these aren't just human resources or human capital, as they have been called, or a parcel of human assets. They are humans. So, actually connecting to that human element of those individuals is crucial."

Resources

Follow: Antoinette on LinkedIn

Visit: Antoinette's company website

Read: Confident Career Conversations: Empower your employees for career growth and retention

©Michael Glazer

Why do toxic behaviors persist in workplaces despite efforts for a healthier work culture? Find out how to discern healthy behaviors from toxic ones and learn what you can do to cope successfully with toxic relationships and environments.

Anna Eliatamby is a clinical psychologist and workplace well-being expert who has played a pivotal role in developing mental health, responsible leadership and well-being strategies for global organizations, including the UN, International Red Cross and Red Crescent, and PwC. She is the Director of HealthyLeadership CIC, a collective that encourages individuals and organizations to foster decency and make positive changes. Anna is also the author of the Decency Journey Series, a collection of compact and practical pocketbooks designed to help individuals flourish in their careers and workplaces.

Originally aired as episode 96.

If you enjoy the show, please rate it on Spotify or iTunes. Your ratings help more people like you discover the podcast!

Episode Highlights

2:56 Why do people engage in toxic behavior?

6:22 The combination of toxic behavior and positive intent

9:37 Impacts of toxic behavior

12:32 Toxic behaviors can cause inadvertent self-sabotage

14:44 The difference between holding someone accountable and blaming

17:31 The mindset behind toxic behaviors

19:55 Assessing our own toxic tendencies

26:08 Critical skills and expectations for confronting toxic behaviors

30:14 More techniques for coping with toxic behaviors

33:10 The importance of self-care when coping with toxic behavior

34:28 Practical considerations, and pitfalls, for deciding on a coping strategy

39:14 Key ingredient for outgrowing our own toxic attendances

Anna's view on the greatest unmet wellbeing need at work today

"I think the greatest unmet need is that we must address the negative the toxicity at the same time as we're adding to the positive and teaching people about things like compassion, both are necessary."

What "working with humans" means to Anna

"It's a lovely phrase, and I think it is just that to remember that we are human beings, we all are. And that should be the center from which we work. So if we're human we work with compassion, with respect, with decency -- with ourselves and with other people."

Resources

Follow: Anna on LinkedIn

Visit: Healthy Leadership CIC

Read: the Decency Journey series of books

©Michael Glazer

©Michael Glazer

Ever questioned if your office vibes feel a bit too 'cultish'? Or maybe you think burnout is just an individual failing? Petra Velzeboer, a psychotherapist, CEO, and author of "Begin With You," who was born into a notorious cult, brings clarity to the gray areas of workplace dynamics, exploring the fine line between a demanding job and a toxic work culture.

This episode examines both organizational and individual sources of workplace toxicity. It includes discussions on hard-hitting topics such as the role of leadership in employee burnout, the importance of setting explicit boundaries in hybrid work environments, and the need for open dialogues about mental health to prevent larger issues down the line. This episode is not just a discussion but a call to action, offering practical steps for individual and organizational change.

Episode Highlights

• The uncanny similarities between cult dynamics and toxic workplace cultures.
• The role of leadership in either preventing or fueling employee burnout.
• Exploring the complexities of "burnout" beyond just workload, including its ties to personal history and societal norms.
• Unpacking the psychological toll of conforming to toxic workplace cultures, and how to break free.
• Why focusing solely on mental health symptoms is a missed opportunity, and what conversations we should be having instead.
• The nuanced approach to setting boundaries in a world increasingly blending work and home.
• What it really means to be "fully present" for your colleagues, and why it's more critical than ever.
• Tips for fostering mental well-being in hybrid and remote work environments, and why it's not just an HR issue.
• How a leader's openness about personal struggles can pave the way for a more supportive work environment.
• The hidden pitfalls of following society's blueprint for success, and what you could consider doing differently.

For more episodes that give you fresh perspectives and actionable ideas for making working with other humans better for everyone, visit our website at https://en.peoplefocusconsulting.com/resources/podcast/

©Michael Glazer

With employee disengagement at alarming levels despite significant investments in training leaders in coaching skills, there's a pressing need to reevaluate and get practical about making coaching truly effective for people in managerial roles. This episode zeroes in on how to address this gap, introducing insights and tools for leaders to genuinely engage and empower their teams.

Dominic Ashley-Timms, CEO of Notion, has firsthand experience across 37 countries, providing a fresh and nuanced perspective on leadership, culture, and organizational transformation. Having co-authored "The Answer Is a Question", Dominic brings an innovative approach to everyday coaching, rooted in the STAR® model he co-created.

Episode Highlights

• The vital role of questions and their effectiveness.
• Crafting questions that stimulate constructive thought processes.
• Advanced questioning techniques for seasoned managers.
• External cues (also called triggers) and their role in influencing behavioral shifts.
• Molding triggers to fit seamlessly into a manager's coaching approach.
• Pinpointing moments ripe for coaching interventions.
• Addressing the knowledge gap in framing effective questions.
• The strategy behind intentional questioning.
• Exploring question facets: their classification, delivery, and timing.
• Varied question styles for clarity, comparison, and an outward focus.
• Emphasizing the need for pause, reflection, and then ask the right question.

For more episodes that give you fresh perspectives and actionable ideas for making working with other humans better for everyone, visit our website at https://en.peoplefocusconsulting.com/resources/podcast/

©Michael Glazer

This special episode offers a reflective journey through eight of the most popular conversations from the first 100 episodes of Humans At Work. Starting with Zana Goic Petricevic's profound insights on workplace well-being, and ending with Judd Hoekstra's riveting story about handling pressure, this collection covers themes essential to professional and personal growth. You'll hear a fascinating take from Jessica Grossmeier about the state work workplace wellbeing, Geoff McDonald's influential perspective on mental health, Berta Aldridge's practical strategies against bullying, Bob Lefkowitz's unconventional views on success, Ruth Gotian's insights on mentorship, and Dorie Clark's advice on aligning daily life with long-term purpose. These conversations have resonated with listeners and shaped my thinking. I believe they'll engage, challenge, and inspire you as well.

Timestamps

[1:48] Zana Goic Petricevic on Workplace Well-being and Unmet Needs

[4:40] Jessica Grossmeier on The Disconnect in Employee Well-being

[7:55] Geoff McDonald on Overcoming the Stigma of Mental Ill Health

[10:08] Berta Aldridge on Strategies for Handling Bullies at Work

[14:40] Bob Lefkowitz on a Key to Professional Success

[18:38] Ruth Gotian on Mentorship and Achieving Success

[24:25] Dorie Clark on Creating Whitespace and Playing the Long Game

[30:32] Judd Hoekstra on Handling High-Pressure Situations

In a world where readiness for unexpected challenges is crucial, how can leaders foster resilience, inclusivity, and creativity within their teams? This episode explores the importance of putting people first, embracing diversity in the creative sector, and leveraging collaboration during difficult times. You'll also discover insights on finding growth opportunities amid disaster, managing mental health as a leader, and practical lessons on being resilient and flexible in tumultuous times.

James Burstall is CEO of Argonon, one of the UK's top international independent production groups. The group is headquartered in London with hubs in New York, Los Angeles, Oklahoma, Liverpool and Glasgow. The group produces shows ranging from The Masked Singer through to iconic current affairs program Dispatches, critically-acclaimed BBC One series Attenborough and the Mammoth Graveyard to much-loved BBC drama Worzel Gummidge.

His book The Flexible Method – Prepare to Prosper In The Next Global Crisis offers a practical guide to preparing for a crisis, with unique insights from leaders across the board – including media, health, hospitality, travel and non-profit.

James has worked as an executive producer and producer-director for broadcasters all over the world. Prior to his television career, he was a journalist, working as a writer and editor in Paris, London and New York for Vanity Fair, Condé Nast Traveler, HG, Vogue, The Daily Mail and The Evening Standard.

If you enjoy the show, please rate it on Spotify or iTunes. Your ratings help more people like you discover the podcast!

Episode Highlights

• How James' background as a journalist shaped his values and decision-making as a leader.
• Making tough decisions that aligned with personal principles even when they conflicted with his organization's.
• Promoting diversity not just internally but also in how Argonon's business is run.
• Why promoting diversity matters to James
• Making the decision to prioritize the health and morale of employees over commercial interests.
• How managers can insulate employees from common stressors in the creative sector
• How Argonon orchestrated the transition of a global workforce from in-office to remote in 48 hours.
• How creating "cobra teams" helped Argonon navigate the early days of the pandemic
• Embodying kindness as a CEO
• Striking a balance between being vulnerable and oversharing with employees
• Tapping into personal support networks during times of crisis
• How the pandemic has shaped and transformed James' leadership style

James' view on the greatest unmet wellbeing need at work today

"Mental health is probably the biggest concern. I think that stress and mental well being is now more acute than ever. And I'm pleased that for example, Prince Harry has talked about mental health among young men. I think that's a really healthy move in the right direction. Because the truth is that it's completely normal and human sometimes not to feel great, or even to get depressed. It happens to us. It's not nice, but it does happen. There are many tools available, and we made those tools available to all our people.

We need to make sure that we are listening to our people, that people have a proper recourse, whether it's through HR or through their managers to speak about what they're really feeling. And if they're struggling, we want people to tell us about it, because then we can do something about it together."

What "working with humans" means to James

"I loved it when you approached me to have this conversation. Because working with humans is exactly what we do. And that's who we are as an organization.

We are all about people. We're all about talent. Argonon wouldn't exist without our people. We don't have loads of machinery…What we have is amazingly creative individuals. And it's when those individuals come together, they create magic. And we create amazing programs, whether it's drama with documentary or reality or entertainment. We've won more than 125 international awards. We entertain millions of people all over the world.

And how has that happened? It was because of people coming together in a very supportive, inclusive environment. And when you do that, they create incredible work."

©Michael Glazer

What's the importance of purpose for our work performance and its impact on well-being? This episode addresses this question and highlights the role purpose plays in cultivating intrinsic motivation, and the need for purpose to be aligned with everyday life. We also explore the role of purpose in organizational success, the gap between leaders and employees in feeling a sense of purpose, and the challenges of implementing a comprehensive approach to workplace well-being. Along the way, we address burnout as a phenomenon related to working conditions and cover the need for organizations to prioritize tasks and support their employees.

Jessica Grossmeier, PhD, MPH is an award-winning researcher and the author of Reimagining Workplace Well-being: Fostering a Culture of Purpose, Connection, and Transcendence. She is a leading voice in workplace well-being and was recently recognized as one of the most influential women leaders in health promotion. Dr. Grossmeier has published more than 80 articles in peer-reviewed and industry professional journals and presented at more than 100 industry events and webinars.

If you enjoy the show, please rate it on Spotify or iTunes. Your ratings help more people like you discover the podcast!

Episode Highlights

• The personal payoff for having a strong sense of purpose
• The neuroscience of purpose and the benefits of reflecting on values and purpose
• How reconnecting with values and purpose can transform work experiences.
• The significance of integrating purpose into various aspects of the workplace, such as onboarding and performance reviews, for organizational success.
• Understanding burnout as a phenomenon related to working conditions and the need for recovery and support from organizations.
• The changing expectations of employees and the importance of social connection in the workplace.
• The need to approach work with dignity, respect, and compassion, embracing complexity and imperfection.

Jessica's view on the greatest unmet wellbeing need at work today

"Social connection, because people still feel like how we treat one another at work isn't necessarily the top priority. It's like, 'results of a top priority. Get there any way you can.' The unmet need is, is actually building social connection into the workplace.

And many organizations have said, 'Okay, I get it.' Now, the pandemic taught us that when you don't have social connection, it's a big problem. And so some organizations are saying, well just get people back into the office, it's naturally going to change.'

Well, actually, it won't, because what research shows us is that you have to attend to more than just giving people the opportunity to come together, you have to intentionally foster deeper conversations about things that matter to people and to help people to connect in a human way, not just around the everyday tasks of their work."

What "working with humans" means to Jessica

"When I think about what it means to be human, I think about complexity, adaptiveness resilience, imperfection.

Working with humans is about embracing complexity and imperfection with a default mindset that appreciates the whole person—the light, the dark, the positive, the negative, the inspiring, and the distressing—knowing we're all interconnected. And under different circumstances, we will reveal either the best or worse of ourselves.

And so with this understanding, I think working with humans is about approaching our work with a spirit of dignity and respect and compassion that's offered to everybody, especially those we dislike, misunderstand or disagree with."

Resources

Follow: Jessica on LinkedIn

Visit: Jessica's website

Read: Reimagining Workplace Well-being: Fostering a Culture of Purpose, Connection, and Transcendence

Are you curious about how power dynamics can shape a more inclusive and welcoming environment at work? This episode navigates the complex relationship between power, inclusiveness, and creating a sense of belonging.

Jason Patent is a consultant and educator as well as the author of Humanly Possible: A New Model of Leadership for a More Inclusive World. Jason has lived and worked extensively in China, and his past roles include Director of the Robertson Center for Intercultural Leadership at UC Berkeley's International House, American Co-Director of the Hopkins–Nanjing Center for Chinese and American Studies, and Director of the Stanford Program in Beijing.

If you enjoy the show, please rate it on Spotify. Your ratings help more people like you discover the podcast!

Episode Highlights

1:44 The relationship between power and inclusiveness

6:15 Examples of how we can be blind to our own power

7:24 Navigating interpersonal power dynamics in China

10:33 The intersection of cultural dimensions and power

18:42 The "but test" to gain insights about our own biases

21:19 How good intentions can backfire when we're unaware of our biases

24:01 Explanation of the concept of bridging

29:37 Strategies for bridging across high and low context cultures

39:29 The practice of bridging by "taking one extra beat"

42:56 How to receive feedback from somebody who has less power

48:34 Tim Clark's four stages of psychological safety

Jason's view on the greatest unmet wellbeing need at work today

"It is, to the extent that somebody has power, including societal privilege, right, identity based societal privilege, acknowledging that and using it to create more inclusive spaces and more psychologically safe space...because by not doing that we are damaging others."

What "working with humans" means to Jason

"If I had to put it in one word...I would say 'care'.

Working with humans is treating other human beings with care...I feel that every human life is precious. Human dignity is precious. And we need to take care of one another. And if I have the opportunity, and the privilege and the honor of working with another human, I have the duty to care."

Resources

Follow: Jason on LinkedIn

Visit: Jason's website

Read: Humanly Possible: A New Model of Leadership for a More Inclusive World

©Michael Glazer