ICT Podcast

On today's show, I have Dr Rebecca L. Self. Rebecca is the co-founder and CEO of APOGEO Group, which specialises in accelerating the transformation of global organizations through leadership development and learning.

Her research and work focus on building and maintaining cultures where people thrive, and the roles leaders as well as learning play. Today we are talking about a few challenges, particularly around innovation and transformation.

In this episode, we discuss:

1. Typical legacy enterprise challenges you are seeing these days.
2. How do you pinpoint whether it is a technology or people/cultural problem?
3. How can leaders find out issues or root causes behind abysmal employee engagements?
4. In your work, how do you progress from diagnosis to the next step?
5. Hit and miss efforts - is that an execution problem or diagnosis problem?
6. Why many companies and leaders are not prepared to take risks or major steps in transformation?
7. How do you recommend leaders paint futuristic scenarios? 
8. "Trying to change engine while flying..." - What would you say to leaders to convince taking larger change projects?
9. What is that one tipping point when leaders go from "maybe or may not be"  to "yes?"
10. Do leaders need to be innovators to promote innovation in the organization?  

Rebecca L. Self has created transformational learning and media content for global audiences for over 20 years, first as a writer and producer for print and television, then as a Professor in US and European Universities, as Director of Content Development at the industry-leading digital learning firm Gronstedt Group, and as a strategic leadership advisor to multinational firms through Thunderbird School of Global Management and team coaching, rated by Bersin and Associates as one of the top 3 executive coaching firms in the world.
 
Before founding APOGEO Group, Rebecca co-designed and delivered Thunderbird School of Global Management’s largest leadership development program in the Middle East, and worked with leaders at every level of organizations in over 40 countries.
 
Rebecca spent over 15 years teaching in Universities in the United States and Europe on topics related to culture, communication, and leadership and has been named one of the top 10 Graduate Instructors at the University of Colorado and the Most Inspiring Professor at Franklin University Switzerland.
 
Her work has been featured or published in business journals, academic presses, and consumer publications, including CERN’s IdeaSquare Journal of Experimental Innovation. She delivers keynote addresses to leadership forums and women’s professional networks around the world, including being an Invited speaker at TEDx London Business School.

Today on the podcast, I have someone who is often called the first leadership guru for the digital generation. Emmanuel Gobillot.

He divides his time between researching and writing, speaking and consulting globally on leadership, collaboration and innovation. As an author of 6 bestsellers and three ebooks, Emmanuel is one of the foremost thinkers on new leadership and organisation models.

And today, we are talking about the role of leadership in innovation and change.

In this episode, we are talking about:

• What do you mean by "There must be a better way, and together we can find it?"
• What is the common theme in organisational culture that goes wrong often?
• How does formalisation hinder or restrict the progress in an organisation?
• How can leaders choose when to go formal way or otherwise?
• Go alone, or go together? Go far or go faster?
• Isn't then collaboration means we go slower?
• Quality-Cost-Delivery, is it possible to achieve all three?
• How to rock the boat when changing?
• How are things different post-Covid?

Described as 'the first leadership guru for the digital generation' and 'the freshest voice in leadership today, Emmanuel divides his time between researching and writing, speaking and consulting globally on leadership, collaboration and innovation.

He is the author of 6 UK and US bestsellers and three ebooks, establishing him as one of the foremost thinkers on new leadership and organisation models.

Before starting his firm, Emmanuel was Director of FMCG Consulting and Leadership Services at HayGroup. A French National, Emmanuel moved to the UK in 1985. He holds an International Baccalaureate, a Master of Arts with Honours and a Diploma in Management Science.

ABOUT
ICT Podcast is all about innovation, communication, and technology – a few key areas that are super important in today's world. If you want to know what it takes to be a better innovator, better communicator, and leverage technology to make this world a better place, please subscribe. Every week, I bring new perspectives, ideas, tips, and techniques so that you can improve all these aspects of your life. 

WEB: https://www.anandtamboli.com
YOUTUBE: https://www.anandtamboli.com/youtube
LINKEDIN: https://www.anandtamboli.com/linkedin
BOOKS: https://www.anandtamboli.com/amazon

On today's show, I have Dr David Cropley. David is the Professor of Engineering Innovation at the University of South Australia and he specialises in helping people and organisations become better, more effective, problem solvers.

Dr Cropley’s research interests range across creativity in education, the assessment of creativity and innovation in organisations, the role of creativity and innovation in terrorism and crime, and the nexus of creative problem-solving and engineering.

We are talking about four lenses through which  David sees innovation and the most important question - how can you become more innovative?

In this episode, we are talking about:

• What does innovation mean to you? Your definition/mental model of innovation?
• Various criteria for a product, service, or business model to be innovative?
• The four lenses and more details about them.
• Details on the process, place, and personal aspect. I reckon people easily understand the product lens.
• How do I do it - as a business leader, small business owner, and individual working professional?
• Any easy and quick-to-follow tips you would like to recommend.

David Cropley is a Professor of Engineering Innovation at the University of South Australia. He specialises in helping people and organisations become better, more effective, problem solvers.

Dr Cropley has taught a variety of courses on engineering, including digital electronics, linear electronics, systems engineering, and engineering design. He teaches creativity and innovation across programs, from gifted education to management. Dr Cropley’s research interests range across creativity in education, the assessment of creativity and innovation in organisations, the role of creativity and innovation in terrorism and crime, and the nexus of creative problem-solving and engineering.

Dr Cropley is the author/co-author of nine books including Creativity and Crime: A Psychological Analysis (Cambridge University Press, 2013); Creativity in Engineering: Novel Solutions to Complex Problems (Academic Press, 2015); The Psychology of Innovation in Organizations (Cambridge University Press, 2015), and Femina Problematis Solvendis – Problem-Solving Woman: A History of the Creativity of Women (Springer, 2020).

Now a recognised expert in creative problem solving and innovation, Dr David Cropley was a scientific consultant and on-screen expert for the Australian ABC TV Documentaries Redesign My Brain (2013), Life at 9 (2014) and Redesign My Brain, Series 2 (2015). For more than 20 years, he has helped schools and organisations in Australia, the US, and Europe develop more effective, creative problem solvers.

ABOUT
ICT Podcast is all about innovation, communication, and technology – a few key areas that are super important in today's world. If you want to know what it takes to be a better innovator, better communicator, and leverage technology to make this world a better place, please subscribe. Every week, I bring new perspectives, ideas, tips, and techniques so that you can improve all these aspects of your life. 

WEB: https://www.anandtamboli.com
YOUTUBE: https://www.anandtamboli.com/youtube
LINKEDIN: https://www.anandtamboli.com/linkedin
BOOKS: https://www.anandtamboli.com/amazon

Today I have an award-winning scientist, futurist, and a thought leader, John Boudreau. John has produced over 200 publications, including more than 10 books. His research has been featured in HBR, Wall Street Journal, Fortune, and Business Week.

Recently, John and his colleague Ravin, who also has been on this podcast earlier, published a book titled, "Work Without Jobs." So today I am delving into the ideas proposed in the book and what could it mean to you.

In this episode, we are talking about:

• Deconstruction and reconstruction of work and jobs.
• How does that enable fluid and agile work?
• Does it apply to all industries? Why?
• Main obstacles and advice to adapt work without jobs model.
• The gig economy creates more insecurity for employees, how to work through that?
• Implications of new work operating system on culture.
• Leadership skills and competencies that are required to implement it.

Dr John Boudreau is recognized worldwide as one of the leading evidence-based visionaries on the future of work and organization. He is known for his breakthrough research on the bridge between work, superior human capital, leadership and sustainable competitive advantage. His large-scale research studies and focused field research address the future of work and the global HR profession, work automation, HR measurement and analytics, decision-based HR, executive mobility, HR information systems, and organizational staffing and development.

Dr Boudreau has produced over 200 publications, including more than 10 books. His research has been featured in Harvard Business Review, the Wall Street Journal, Fortune, and Business Week.

Dr Boudreau is Professor Emeritus of Management and Organization and a Senior Research Scientist with the Center for Effective Organizations, at the Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California.

ABOUT
ICT Podcast is all about innovation, communication, and technology – a few key areas that are super important in today's world. If you want to know what it takes to be a better innovator, better communicator, and leverage technology to make this world a better place, please subscribe. Every week, I bring new perspectives, ideas, tips, and techniques so that you can improve all these aspects of your life. 

WEB: https://www.anandtamboli.com
YOUTUBE: https://www.anandtamboli.com/youtube
LINKEDIN: https://www.anandtamboli.com/linkedin
BOOKS: https://www.anandtamboli.com/amazon

Welcome to the ICT podcast. This is the second episode of season three. Today I am talking to a psychologist. Not in the way you might be guessing. But with someone who has a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology, Liane Davey.

A New York Times Bestselling author of three books, Liane is also known as the water cooler psychologist. And we are talking about team dynamics, leadership in current times, hybrid work environments, and so on.

In this episode, we are talking about:

• Role of an organizational psychologist
• What does team dynamic mean?
• How has team dynamics evolved over the past decade?
• Issues with written communication in today's world.
• How can you handle written communication more effectively?
• Hybrid has complicated the whole situation, why?
• The one linchpin holding team dynamics together.
• Why a phone call is still the best option?
• What's the alternative for having water-cooler conversations?
• Practical advice for the new team managers.

Liane Davey is a New York Times Bestselling author of three books, including The Good Fight: Use Productive Conflict to Get Your Team and Your Organization Back on Track and You First: Inspire Your Team to Grow Up, Get Along, and Get Stuff Done.

Known as the Water Cooler Psychologist, she is a regular contributor to the Harvard Business Review and frequently called on by media outlets for her experience in leadership, team effectiveness, and productivity.

As the co-founder of 3COze Inc., she advises companies such as Amazon, TD Bank, Walmart, UNICEF, 3M, and SONY.

Liane has a PhD in Organizational Psychology.

ABOUT
ICT Podcast is all about innovation, communication, and technology – a few key areas that are super important in today's world. If you want to know what it takes to be a better innovator, better communicator, and leverage technology to make this world a better place, please subscribe. Every week, I bring new perspectives, ideas, tips, and techniques so that you can improve all these aspects of your life. 

WEB: https://www.anandtamboli.com
YOUTUBE: https://www.anandtamboli.com/youtube
LINKEDIN: https://www.anandtamboli.com/linkedin
BOOKS: https://www.anandtamboli.com/amazon

Welcome to the ICT podcast. This is the first episode of season three. In this episode, I have the Chairman and CEO of a well-known brand WD-40 Company, Garry Ridge.

Garry is also an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego where he teaches the principles and practices of the corporate culture. In fact, in my conversation with him, I am delving into this further.

In this episode, we are talking about:

• What does empathy mean to you? How do you practice it?
• What is the role of ego concerning empathy?
• What are some of the basic elements of distinctive culture at WD40?
• The obstacles faced when forming this tribe.
• Psychological safety is one of the main things that companies are now trying to achieve. What are your views on psychological safety at work?
• How do you foster such an environment?
• What are some of the major learning moments in your career?
• What would you advise your 20 yrs old self to do differently or do more?

Garry O. Ridge is Chairman and CEO of WD-40 Company. He joined WD-40 Company in 1987 and held various leadership positions in the company before being appointed CEO in 1997. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego where he teaches the principles and practices of corporate culture in the Master of Science in Executive Leadership program.

Garry is passionate about the learning and empowering organizational culture he has helped establish at the WD-40 Company. In 2009, he co-authored a book with Ken Blanchard outlining his effective leadership techniques, titled “Helping People Win at Work: A Business Philosophy  Called ‘Don’t Mark My Paper, Help Me Get an A.’ ”

A native of Australia, Mr Ridge holds a certificate in Modern Retailing and wholesale distribution and a Master of Science in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego.

ABOUT
ICT Podcast is all about innovation, communication, and technology – a few key areas that are super important in today's world. If you want to know what it takes to be a better innovator, better communicator, and leverage technology to make this world a better place, please subscribe. Every week, I bring new perspectives, ideas, tips, and techniques so that you can improve all these aspects of your life. 

WEB: https://www.anandtamboli.com
YOUTUBE: https://www.anandtamboli.com/youtube
LINKEDIN: https://www.anandtamboli.com/linkedin
BOOKS: https://www.anandtamboli.com/amazon

One of the cliches in the business is, "Listen to your customers." So, of course, anyone and everyone will advise you about it. But exactly how to do that is still a mystery for many.

Now I completely understand that listening to customers is essential, but how much should you listen? When should you listen? And when you shouldn't? And most importantly, don't we already listen enough?

In this episode, we are talking about:

• Do you think companies listen enough to their customers?
• Do customers want more technology? Why?
• Don't you feel more tech also means customers could be misled or confused?
• What is the voice of a customer, in your opinion?
• How have things changed in the past two years?
• Isn't it true that customer doesn't know what they need? They can't articulate the solution themselves.
• How do you transform your brand into a customer-centric brand? What would be the first step?
• How can companies incorporate into their strategy?
• How can teams execute that at ground level?

Frans Reichardt is a global speaker with over 35 years of experience in customer marketing and customer experience. He is also known as The Customer Listener. In recent years, Frans studied the power of feedback and the importance of listening to the voice of the customer. In his keynote speeches, he inspires and motivates professionals all over the world to listen to the voice of the customer in order to innovate, deliver frictionless customer experiences and work towards long-term sustainable customer relationships.

In his keynotes, Frans shows the major shifts in customer behavior and customer loyalty and how brands and professionals can adapt to transform themselves into listening brands. In his eBook Listen Your Way To Customer SuCXess Frans shares 25 inspiring stories with tips and ideas for sustainable customer and employee happiness.

ABOUT
ICT Podcast is all about innovation, communication, and technology – a few key areas that are super important in today's world. If you want to know what it takes to be a better innovator, better communicator, and leverage technology to make this world a better place, please subscribe. Every week, I bring new perspectives, ideas, tips, and techniques so that you can improve all these aspects of your life. 

WEB: https://www.anandtamboli.com
LINKEDIN: https://www.anandtamboli.com/linkedin
YOUTUBE: https://www.anandtamboli.com/youtube
BOOKS: https://www.anandtamboli.com/amazon

Each time you make a decision, especially in a group setting, you are likely to be in a negotiation situation. Sometimes it is quite obvious; at other times, it is not.

But one thing is clear that effective communication is directly proportional to effective negotiation. Better communication often translates into better negotiation. In today's episode, we will try and understand more about negotiation and get a few tips to get better at it.

In this episode, we are talking about:

• What differentiates negotiation from other types of communication?
• How do you recognize when your conversation has become negotiation?
• Negotiation is win-win. What's the dark/invisible side of it?
• What is reactive devaluation? Why is it important?
• What is tactical empathy? How does it matter?
• More on "Why your offer is better than anything they could have in their pocket?"
• Three important things that one can do today to get better at negotiations?
• Limiting or damaging beliefs that stifle negotiation.
• How much being authentic and vulnerable can help or not help in negotiation?

Dr. Savvas Trichas is a powerful keynote speaker who combines cutting-edge research with instruction creating motivational moments with practical value. He is a 3-times TEDx speaker (Las Vegas/USA, Lausanne/Switzerland, Athens/Greece). He has collaborated with several prestigious universities and organizations such as Stanford University, the University of Durham, the Ministry of Education and Culture, The Million Dollar Round Table, and the Association of Cyprus Banks.

He is also associated with the FBI National Academy Associates Cyprus Police, where he serves as a guest lecturer on management, communication, and deception detection.

In addition, Savvas Trichas is a Ph.D. holder in Human Resources Management and Marketing reviews manuscripts for international high-impact scientific journals related to leadership and organizational behavior, such as The Leadership Quarterly. His research interests focus on a specific nonverbal area, facial expressions, with his scientific publications ranking globally #1 and #2 in Google Scholar under the terms "leadership" and "facial expression." To be able to do so, he had to study the human face in depth. Consequently, he became an officially certified coder in the facial action coding system (FACS). FACS is a highly valid, widely used tool that combines anatomy with photo or video analysis observation to define exact facial muscle movement and intensity (Ekman, Friesen, & Hager, 2002; Trichas, 2015).

Finally, when he's not on stage, Savvas is on TV analyzing important concepts of his expertise such as body language, leadership, lie detection, and psychology of communication.

ABOUT
ICT Podcast is all about innovation, communication, and technology – a few key areas that are super important in today's world. If you want to know what it takes to be a better innovator, better communicator, and leverage technology to make this world a better place, please subscribe. Every week, I bring new perspectives, ideas, tips, and techniques so that you can improve all these aspects of your life. 

WEB: https://www.anandtamboli.com
LINKEDIN: https://www.anandtamboli.com/linkedin
YOUTUBE: https://www.anandtamboli.com/youtube
BOOKS: https://www.anandtamboli.com/amazon

It sounds like a play of words that we are human beings and not human doings. And yet, most people are focused on doing things rather than being.

The answer isn't that simple, as I have heard both sides of the argument. Some say that they focus on doing to be something or someone. At the same time, others say that they focus on being someone to do something.

So, in today's episode, Ben and I are talking about the power of being and his new book.

In this episode, we are talking about:

• Why did you write "The Power of Being?"
• What about the notion of 'doing something which leads to being something?'
• What challenges do we face when talking in terms of being versus doing?
• On adaptability.
• What is the meaning of connection to you?
• How is it different than social media connection?
• About the upcoming book "Love Work." Who is this book for?

Ben Renshaw is one of the foremost leadership thinkers. Speaker, coach, and author, Ben's innovative worth leading organizations, senior executives, and entrepreneurs have brought him international acclaim. Formerly a classical violinist, Ben now plays a different tune getting the best out of people. He writes about leading and being successful in today's volatile world and is the author of ten popular books, including Being, Purpose, LEAD, and SuperCoaching.

Ben's leadership development programs include 'Leading with Purpose,'' Leading Change,' and' Leading Sustainable Growth.' As an executive coach and leadership consultant, Ben has worked with clients like Allen & Overy, Aman Resorts, Barclays, Britvic, BT, Ghirardelli, Heathrow, Heinz, Henley Business School, Imperial Business School, InterContinental Hotels Group, KPMG, London Underground, Mandarin Oriental, M&S, P&G, Sainsbury's, Shiseido, Sky, UBS, Unilever, Virgin Media, and Warner Bros.

Check out his upcoming book "Love Work."

ABOUT
ICT Podcast is all about innovation, communication, and technology – a few key areas that are super important in today's world. If you want to know what it takes to be a better innovator, better communicator, and leverage technology to make this world a better place, please subscribe. Every week, I bring new perspectives, ideas, tips, and techniques so that you can improve all these aspects of your life. 

WEB: https://www.anandtamboli.com
LINKEDIN: https://www.anandtamboli.com/linkedin
YOUTUBE: https://www.anandtamboli.com/youtube
BOOKS: https://www.anandtamboli.com/amazon

They say that anyone can answer a question but it takes smarts to ask the right question. And while it is true, questions and answers cannot be seen in siloes. They are always connected for obvious reasons. But more importantly, it is not just a question that needs smarts, but also an answer that needs intelligence.
 
While a long-winded response is not a preferred answer, a concisely given incorrect answer is equally useless. So, what is Answer Intelligence (AQ), and how to develop it? I am talking with Brian Glibkowski in this episode to discuss more on it.

In this episode, we are talking about:

• What is more important - asking the right question or answering appropriately?
• What makes or breaks an answer?
• Importance of recognizing what is being asked.
• How can one understand context?
• How to handle situations when you don't have a context?
• Origin of AQ (Answer Intelligence) framework.
• The six high AQ practices.
• Problems with overdoing only one aspect and how to avoid them?
• How AQ applies in a group setting?
• How does it help listeners?
• More resources to learn about AQ and practice.

Dr. Brian Glibkowski is passionate about the role of questions and answers in business and society. Brian is an internationally recognized scholar. He is a recipient of the Emerald Citation of Excellence Award. His academic article was selected as one of the top 50 globally from 15,000 management articles in 300 peer-reviewed publications worldwide. His research on the six WH-questions (what, why when, where, who, how) as the Association of Human Resource Development recognized a common framework for communication and decision-making as one of ten articles that will shape the 21st century. He is a pioneer of a new science of answers called Answer Intelligence (AQ)™.  He is the author of the book Answer Intelligence: Raise Your AQ (2021). Through AQ certification and associated assessments and tools, AQ is used by certified partners in the USA, UK, UAE, India, and Australia to benefit forward-thinking organizations worldwide.

Dr. Glibkowski is a Professor and CEO of Semplar Science, the company established to commercialize his research. Learn more at www.RaiseYourAQ.com.

ABOUT
ICT Podcast is all about innovation, communication, and technology – a few key areas that are super important in today's world. If you want to know what it takes to be a better innovator, better communicator, and leverage technology to make this world a better place, please subscribe. Every week, I bring new perspectives, ideas, tips, and techniques so that you can improve all these aspects of your life. 

WEB: https://www.anandtamboli.com
LINKEDIN: https://www.anandtamboli.com/linkedin
YOUTUBE: https://www.anandtamboli.com/youtube
BOOKS: https://www.anandtamboli.com/amazon