Open Minded

In these new bonus, quickfire episodes, the Groov workplace science team explore themes from previous guests of Open Minded. In this first Science Speed Dating episode, Groov neuroscientist Dr Carolyn Pritchett dives more into Growth Mindset which came up in the popular recent interview with Gilbert Enoka.

In this 15 minute bitesize episode, Dr Carolyn & Sir John Kirwan explore:

• What is a growth mindset
• That you can have a fixed mindset about certain things in your life, and a growth mindset about other things
• The power of 'yet' vs 'can't'
• How to look out for a growth or fixed mindset in those around you
• Some of the latest research on growth mindset

Hope you enjoy this new format in between our lineup of guests! Got a question for Dr Carolyn and JK for a future episode? Send an email to [email protected]

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In this episode of Open Minded with Sir John Kirwan, we're treated to an in-depth conversation with Gilbert Enoka, the legendary mental skills coach known for his transformative work during his 23 year tenure with the All Blacks. The discussion delved into Enoka's personal and professional journey, providing deep insights into leadership, mental resilience, and the power of a nurturing environment.

What you'll learn:

• From Orphanage to Leadership: Gilbert Enoka's early life in an orphanage shaped his understanding of adversity and resilience. Reflecting on these experiences, Enoka, "I was just holding on really... I had that sense of abandonment that you get when you go through that experience, that loss of connection." These foundational experiences instilled in him a tenacity that would become pivotal in his coaching philosophy.
• Building a Legacy in Sports Psychology: Enoka's long tenure with the All Blacks transformed their mental resilience strategies. "We don’t just play the game; we think it through. It’s about building a sustainable environment where mental resilience is key," Enoka explained. His approach has influenced various teams globally, demonstrating the universal relevance of his strategies.
• The Essence of Effective Leadership: On leadership, Enoka believes in empowering others: "Great leadership's all about two rules. First, it's not about you. And secondly, it's only about you. This paradox encapsulates the servant leadership model we’ve integrated into the All Blacks." His philosophy underscores the importance of humility and accountability in leadership roles.
• Cultivating Team Culture: Enoka stresses the critical role of a nurturing team culture in achieving lasting success. "A positive culture enhances performance. It’s about ensuring each member feels they belong and contribute meaningfully to the team’s objectives," he noted. His initiatives have helped create a supportive and unified environment, pivotal in the All Blacks' enduring success.
• Mental Preparation for Peak Performance: Enoka’s mental conditioning programs are designed to prepare athletes for high-pressure environments. He shared, "Players who are mentally prepared will perform better on the day. Our job is to equip them with tools to handle pressure, not just in rugby but in life." His comprehensive approach has proven effective on the world stage.
• Reflections on Personal Growth: Enoka's journey is a testament to the impact of personal history on professional methods. Reflecting on his career, "I'd be so much less without what I went through. Those challenges shaped me into the coach I am today." His narrative emphasizes the transformative power of past experiences in shaping future successes.

"What we've instituted goes beyond rugby; it's about life skills that help individuals thrive in any high-pressure environment." His legacy in the All Blacks and his broader influence on sports psychology underscore his significant contributions to sports and beyond.

Take a listen today!

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In this episode of Open Minded, Sir John Kirwan (JK) sits down with Kirsten Patterson, the CEO of the Institute of Directors New Zealand, to explore the dynamic world of governance and leadership. Together, they delve into the nuances of effective board management and strategic leadership that can steer organizations towards success in 2024 and beyond.

What you'll learn:

• The right CEO for the right season: Discover why selecting the right CEO—tailored to the specific season or phase of your business—is crucial for navigating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Kirsten shares insights on aligning leadership styles with organisational needs to foster growth and resilience.
• Board Focuses for 2024: Unpack the five critical areas boards should concentrate on in 2024, including climate leadership, future-ready succession planning, harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, enhancing productivity, and embodying a value-adding board. These focuses are essential for boards aiming to lead with foresight and responsibility.
• Cultural Dynamics: Learn about the importance of "the tone at the top, the mood in the middle, and the buzz at the bottom." This holistic approach to organizational culture ensures that leadership values and strategies resonate through all levels, fostering a unified and motivated workforce.
• Trust, But Verify: Kirsten emphasizes the mantra "trust, but verify" as a foundational principle for boards. This approach balances faith in management's abilities with the necessity for accountability and diligence, ensuring that trust is built on transparent and verifiable actions and outcomes.
• The Performance Care Approach: Sir JK and Kirsten advocate for Performance Care as the cornerstone of New Zealand business culture. This approach integrates well-being and high performance, proposing that caring for the mental, physical, and emotional health of employees is not just ethical but also a strategic advantage.

Tune in to this episode of Open Minded to gain valuable insights from Sir JK and Kirsten Patterson on leading with integrity, foresight, and compassion. Whether you're a current or aspiring director or leader, this conversation will be sure to inspire!

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Sir John Kirwan is back! After a two year hiatus, Sir John Kirwan is back with the Open Minded podcast. Kicking off season two he interviews not one, not two, but three Doctors! He gets their expert insights on "performance care" - how organizations can support employee peak performance through a culture of care.

With guest neuroscientist Dr. Carolyn Pritchett, organizational psychologist Dr. Laura Hamill, and behavioural scientist Dr. Fiona Crichton, Kirwan explores:

• Why "performance care" is critical - care enables sustained high performance, unlike fleeting wellness initiatives.
• The science behind workplace breaks - how regular short breaks boost focus and creativity.
• Practical ways leaders can role model work-life balance and ditch the "hero" mentality.
• Building a culture centered around common values and psychological safety.
• The tangible impacts increased employee engagement and performance care can have on innovation and profits.

If you're looking to enable your team to consistently perform at their best, this knowledge-packed episode is required listening! Tune in for practical, science-backed advice from the doctors with Sir John's signature humour and curiosity.

For more info on Groov visit www.groovnow.com

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In this special bonus episode, Open Minded crosses over with the Change Happens podcast. Host and EY Oceania Deputy CEO Jenelle McMaster joins JK for a wide ranging double interview.

TRIGGER WARNING: This podcast episode deals with issues of suicide and suicidal ruminations. Listener discretion is advised.

Why is change scary? It’s a big question. JK and Jenelle kick the episode off unpacking the uncertainty change produces, and talk about strategies to reduce and better manage this uncertainty.

Next up they dig into leadership, and push back on the outdated notion that you need to leave your real self at the door when you go to work. They discuss the importance of being real as a leader, and the end of the individual ‘hero’ leader and rise of collaborative leadership.

Later, things get a little more personal. JK speaks about his ‘sharks’, those nagging elements of our personalities that can push us to ‘swim fast’ and achieve great things, but can end up swallowing us. And Jenelle talks about her experiences with imposter syndrome, and techniques she’s used to retrain her brain to reframe negative self talk.

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Mel Upton is the CEO of Positive Group APAC, a mental wellbeing company focussed on leadership training and group learning. She’s also a veteran of the legal industry and has led wellbeing programs throughout her 25 year legal career.

Mel joins JK from a hotel room in Auckland on her first international trip since the start of the pandemic, another sign we are slowly finding our way back to some kind of normal.

JK and Mel kick off the pod talking about Mel’s background in the legal industry, and her experience in setting up wellbeing programs as a leader in law firms. She gives us some insight into how to have difficult conversations, and how to be comfortable when you’re having an off day. 

Mel also shares a first hand experience of dealing with a team member going through significant mental ill-health. She reminds us that hard conversations are hard, and that it’s important to prepare and be mindful when approaching a hard conversation to steer it toward a positive outcome.

Later, Mel gives some insight into the work she’s doing now with Positive Group, and how they communicate the sometimes complex scientific concepts behind mental wellbeing in a way that resonates with business leaders and stimulates change in their clients' businesses.

Read and Listen:

Moving Upstream: The case for a more proactive approach to mental health in the workplace - Dr Brian Marien of Positive Group

A Podcast of One’s Own - podcast by Julia Gillard

The Measure of a Man - A Spiritual Autobiography - Sidney Poitier

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Robbie Hicks and Lachland Bradford are the hosts of the Funny Business podcast and co-founders of the Wellbeing Network. 

After JKs recent appearance on Funny Business, the boys join us on Open Minded to provide an intimate look at the foundation of their business, and how they have embedded wellbeing into the core of their company.

Rob and Lach share insight into how the strength of their friendship was instrumental in creating Funny Business and the Wellbeing Network, how their individual strengths make each other better, and how the support they provide each other has helped the business grow.

The guys speak about playing different roles on a sports team relates to building successful teams in business, by aligning people’s roles with their strengths and organising around shared core values

Later, Rob and Lach give us some insight into their back stories. How they both overcame setbacks and changes in life direction, and how they reframed success for themselves through the lens of personal wellbeing.

Read and Listen:

Funny Business podcast - with Rob and Lach

The School of Life network

Killer Thinking - by Tim Duggan

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Nikki Hart is a NZ registered nutritionist and weight management expert. Nikki became well known as “The Evil Diet Witch” when she hosted the TV series ‘Eat Yourself Whole’ and ‘The Fat Chance’.

In this episode, Nikki talks to JK about the connection between good nutritional practices and better mental wellbeing. They discuss the results of the recent ‘Smiles Trial’ study showing the correlation between eating more fruit and lower incidence of depression and other mental wellbeing issues.

Further, Nikki examines a new study by Elaine Rush showing that carotenoids, the pigments which give fruit and vegetables colour, have a greater effect on health outcomes than previously thought, and that a majority of New Zealanders aren’t getting enough of them.

As part of our Groov wellbeing campaign on Winter Wellbeing, Nikki shares tips and tricks for getting enough protection from our nutritional choices in winter, and how to eat well efficiently using seasonal vegetables.

JK and Nikki also discuss “Blue Zones”, countries or regions whose traditional diets provide high balanced nutrition resulting in low incidence of obesity and a host of other related health issues. They talk about what makes up a “Blue Zone” diet and how we can build this kind of culture in New Zealand.

Read and Listen:

The New Serving Guidelines Min of Health

The Smiles Trial study 

Carotenoid studies referenced: 1 and 2

Further information on Blue Zones

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In this episode, Jase Te Patu talks to JK about growing up between worlds in New Zealand, and finding his way to mental wellbeing through rediscovering the wisdom contained in the traditional wellbeing practices of Māori and other indigenous cultures.

Jase gives JK the down low on the work M3 Mindfulness are doing in schools across the country, sharing stories of the work they’ve done with Māori youth to rediscover their heritage and rebuild their mana. 

Through M3 Mindfulness, Jase is also highly active in the business community as a keynote speaker and board member. He provides his perspective on the current business landscape in New Zealand, and the work still to do in fully embracing diversity in the workplace.

We’ve recently featured some practices from Jase’s new bi-lingual mindfulness platform Hā in the Groov app. He gives us some background on the development of the practices, and how he’s taken inspiration from traditional practices of hā (breathe), tikanga (customs), and karakia (prayer) to create mindfulness practices that are accessible to all New Zealanders.

Read and Listen:

Matariki: The Star of the Year - by Rangi Matamua

Two Worlds - by Anne Salmon

Everyday Māori - podcast by Hēmi Kelly and Āpera Woodfine

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JK is joined this week by Tazmayn Goode, a South African expat, who founded the 360 Academy and Wellness Hub to bring wellness programs to leaders and employees in businesses around Australia.

She’s also in the process of launching Empowered, a program building pathways into the workforce for disadvantaged communities, from indigenous youth and refugees to women who have suffered domestic abuse, and people who are aging out of the workforce.

Taz gives us her perspective on the Australian business landscape, how companies can benefit from embracing diversity, and the opportunities that companies can unlock by employing people from a wide range of skill sets and backgrounds.

Then Taz puts JK in the hot seat, taking him through some exercises to uncover his own biases. We highly encourage you to try these exercises for yourself, you might be surprised at what you discover. 

Read and Listen:

On Combat, The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace - by Dave Grossman

Unlocking Us - podcast by Brené Brown

The Tim Ferris Show Feat. Susan Cain - podcast episode

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