In this episode of the People and Tech podcast, hosts Dave Ballantyne and Duena Blomstrom engage with Dr. Cherry Vu and Rob England from Teal Unicorns who are shaping organisations in Asia and Vietnam, to discuss the importance of treating employees as humans rather than resources. They explore the concepts of HumanDebt AKA cultural debt, the shift from shareholder value to employee value, and the role of younger generations in driving change within organizations. The conversation emphasizes the need for psychological safety, transparency, and continuous learning in fostering a positive organizational culture. The guests share insights on overcoming fear and resistance to change, the journey of self-transformation in leadership, and the cultural nuances in implementing these changes across different regions. Ultimately, they express optimism for the future of work and the potential for organizations to thrive by embracing these human-centric principles and focusing on reducing their Human Debt.

takeaways

• Organizations often view people as resources, leading to exploitation.
• Caring for employee happiness can drive better organizational outcomes.
• The shift from shareholder value to employee value is crucial.
• Younger generations demand better treatment and work conditions.
• Psychological safety is essential for effective teamwork and innovation.
• Transparency in organizations fosters trust and engagement.
• Fear of losing control hinders leaders from empowering employees.
• Self-transformation in leadership can lead to better organizational culture.
• Continuous learning is vital for long-term success.
• Cultural differences exist, but fundamental human needs are universal.

Sound Bites

• "What got you here won't get you there!"
• "If we treat people like humans they will thrive."
• "We don't treat people as resources."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Importance of Treating People as Humans

03:08
The Shift in Values: Moving from Profit to People

06:32
The Changing Expectations of the Younger Generation

09:26
Adapting to the Accelerating Rate of Change

14:20
Overcoming Fear: Embracing a Human-Centered Approach

25:21
Embracing Change: Overcoming the Fear of Losing Control

27:06
Transparency: The Key to Success in Organizations

28:00
Becoming a Learning Organization: The Path to Continuous Improvement

31:16
Cultural Differences in Embracing Change

39:22
Opportunities for Change in Times of Turbulence

Learn more at www.peoplenottech.com

Summary

In this conversation, Duena Blomstrom and Karen Ferris discuss the need for a new leadership mindset and the challenges of transforming workplace culture. They emphasize the importance of leaders being open to unlearning old ways and embracing new approaches. They also highlight the disconnect between what employers think new talent wants and what talent actually wants. The conversation touches on the need for personal responsibility and courage in driving change, as well as the potential for pushback from the new generation entering the workforce. Overall, they stress the importance of human connection, vulnerability, and continuous learning in creating a better workplace.

Takeaways

• Leaders need to be open to unlearning old ways and embracing new approaches.
• There is a disconnect between what employers think new talent wants and what talent actually wants.
• Personal responsibility and courage are needed to drive change in the workplace.
• The new generation entering the workforce may push back against outdated leadership practices.
• Human connection, vulnerability, and continuous learning are key to creating a better workplace.

Titles

• Unlearning and Embracing New Leadership Mindsets
• Bridging the Gap Between Employer and Talent Expectations

Sound Bites

• "It's got to be that wake up call to say, yeah, what I knew yesterday is not going to enable me to lead today."
• "Keep asking why. Why am I doing this? Because I did it yesterday? No. Why am I doing this? What value is it adding? What purpose does it deliver?"
• "Start small. Pick one thing as a trait."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Background

00:58
Karen's New Book: Be Remarkable

02:11
The Need for a New Leadership Mindset

06:07
Embracing Change and Unlearning

13:42
The Importance of Questioning and Purpose

18:51
Starting Small: Making Incremental Changes

22:48
Personal Responsibility and Vulnerability in Leadership

31:18
The Impact of the New Generation on Workplace Culture

Summary

Dr. Kevin Jones discusses the importance of focusing on people in organizations and the need for continuous learning and growth in the face of accelerated change. He emphasizes the value of curiosity, empathy, communication, and kindness in the workplace. Dr. Jones also shares his advice for organizations that want to create a positive and healthy work environment, highlighting the importance of honesty, authenticity, and rupture and repair in human relationships. He encourages leaders to mentor and support others and emphasizes the impact that individuals can have within their sphere of influence.

Takeaways

• The focus in organizations should be on people and their well-being.
• Continuous learning and growth are essential in the face of accelerated change.
• Fundamentals such as empathy, communication, kindness, and curiosity are crucial for creating a positive work environment.
• Individuals can make a difference within their sphere of influence by being authentic, supportive, and caring.
• Rupture and repair are important for maintaining healthy human relationships in the workplace.
• Mentorship and support from leaders can have a significant impact on individuals' growth and development.

Titles

• Navigating Accelerated Change in the Digital Age
• The Importance of Continuous Learning and Growth

Sound Bites

• "The emphasis in all of our work must be people."
• "If each one of you walked away and focused on making things better in your workspace with your people, we don't solve the world's problems, but we surely create a space of improvement through your individual work."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and the Importance of People in Organizations

02:19
Navigating Accelerated Change in the Digital Age

06:12
The Need for Human Work and Fundamental Skills

09:45
Addressing Human Debt in Organizations

14:04
Creating a Positive Work Environment and Overcoming Human Debt

27:24
The Role of Regulators in Promoting Ethical Governance

32:26
The Importance of Mentorship and Supporting Others

Summary

In this episode, Duena, Dave and Jason Knight discuss the topics of human debt and tech debt in technology, as well as the divide between technology and product. They also explore the role of podcasts in the current media landscape and the democratization of knowledge. The conversation touches on the benefits and challenges of podcasting, the diversity of thought within technical communities, and the potential fragmentation of audiences. They also discuss the importance of deep conversations and the need to challenge and engage with different perspectives. The conversation explores the fragmentation and division within the technology sphere, particularly between product managers and developers. It discusses the importance of collaboration and communication between these roles and the need to break down barriers and work together. The concept of Agile is mentioned, highlighting the need for companies to embrace Agile principles and foster a culture of collaboration and openness. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by product managers in terms of ownership and the lack of tangible outputs compared to developers. The conversation revolves around the topic of agile and Scrum. The speakers discuss how Scrum is often misunderstood and misused, with many organizations making their own changes to the framework. They question whether Jeff Sutherland, the creator of Scrum, feels any responsibility for how it is being implemented. They also emphasize the importance of understanding the principles behind Scrum and agile, rather than just following the processes and rituals. The conversation concludes with a call for technical and product leadership to advocate for these principles and show the business benefits of adopting an agile mindset.

Takeaways

• Human Debt and Tech Debt are important related concepts in technology that need to be addressed and managed by all organisations.
• The divide between technology and product can create challenges and tensions within organizations.
• Podcasts have become a popular medium for sharing knowledge and engaging in deep conversations.
• The democratization of podcasts allows for diverse voices and perspectives to be heard.
• Technical communities can be narrow and deep, but there is value in seeking out diverse perspectives and engaging in cross-disciplinary conversations. Collaboration and communication between product managers and developers is crucial for success in the technology sphere.
• Companies should embrace Agile principles and foster a culture of collaboration and openness.
• Product managers face challenges in terms of ownership and the lack of tangible outputs compared to developers.
• Communities of practice can be beneficial for sharing knowledge and advancing the craft of product management.
• Breaking down barriers and working together is essential for creating successful products. Scrum is often misunderstood and misused, with organizations making their own changes to the framework.
• There is a need to understand the principles behind Scrum and agile, rather than just following the processes and rituals.
• Technical and product leadership should advocate for these principles and demonstrate the business benefits of adopting an agile mindset.
• Agile and an agile way of thinking are essential for navigating the ever-changing nature of the modern world.
• It is important to empathize with leaders who may not immediately grasp the concepts of agile and find ways to communicate the benefits effectively.

Titles

• The Divide Between Technology and Product
• Exploring Human Debt and Tech Debt in Technology Embracing Agile: Fostering a Culture of Collaboration
• Breaking Down Barriers: Working Together for Successful Products The Misunderstanding and Misuse of Scrum
• Emphasizing Principles over Processes in Agile

Sound Bites

• "Podcasts could be democratized into being the new intellectual debare arena in social media"
• "There's a craft to software development. And no matter what some of the more skeptical developers might say, there's a craft to product management as well."
• "There are good ways and bad ways to do things. There's not a right way and a wrong way, but there's kind of more statistically probably successful ways to do certain things and other things."
• "They start then complain about... scrum theatre"
• "Are we just going to sit there and accept the fact that the vast majority of people out there that say that they're doing scrum or say that they're being agile aren't doing any of those things?"
• "I don't really care about scrum in itself, just show me that you're doing it with all your heart"

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Glitch Apology

02:30
Podcasts as a Platform for Intellectual Debate

04:12
The Democratization of Podcasting

08:22
Fragmentation of Technical Communities

09:18
Navigating Diverse Opinions and Communities

14:55
The Fragmentation of the Technology Sphere

21:47
Collaboration and Communication in Product Development

24:37
The Challenges of Implementing Agile

27:44
The Need for Education and Understanding

31:33
Introduction and anticipation of Jeff Sutherland's perspective

34:40
The importance of understanding and embracing Scrum principles

37:38
The responsibility of leadership in advocating for agile principles

40:27
The need for empathy and effective communication in agile environments

45:28
Conclusion and invitation for further discussion

46:23
Outro.mp3

Summary
In this conversation, Aaron Phethean shares his experiences in dealing with data debt and the challenges of communication in the technology industry. He discusses the importance of understanding the size of the problem and the need for clear and effective communication. Aaron also reflects on his journey as a technologist and a people leader, emphasizing the importance of investing in emotional intelligence and learning from experiences. The conversation highlights the need for humanizing technology and the role of AI in improving communication.

Keywords
data debt, communication, technology, leadership, emotional intelligence, AI

Takeaways
Understanding the size of the problem is crucial in addressing data debt and other challenges in the technology industry.
Clear and effective communication is essential in navigating complex technological issues.
Investing in emotional intelligence and learning from experiences can help in becoming a successful technologist and people leader.
Humanizing technology and leveraging AI to optimize communication can lead to better outcomes.
Continual learning and self-reflection are important for personal and professional growth in the technology industry.

Titles
The Journey from Technologist to People Leader
Humanizing Technology and Leveraging AI for Better Communication
Sound Bites
"The memories of that time, they are still vivid."
"Data Debt (tm?) is the aggregation of disparate bits of data from different sources with no plan, part of Tech Debt and caused by Human Debt"

Chapters
00:00
Introduction and Funny Story
06:39
The Journey Since Leaving a Technology Giant
26:20
The Changing Role of Technologists
31:42
Becoming a People Leader
36:21
Investing in Emotional Intelligence

Summary

In this conversation, the hosts discuss the changing landscape of work and identity in the face of technological advancements and societal challenges. They explore the concept of work doubling as identity and the impact of remote work on human connection. They also touch on the power dynamics between corporations and governments, the need for rethinking work and valuing other aspects of life, and the uncertain future of jobs in the age of AI. The hosts express their own experiences of trauma and the ongoing process of healing. They invite listeners to share their thoughts on work and identity.

Summary

The conversation covers various topics related to the tech industry, personal challenges, and the need for a psychological safety community. The hosts catch up and discuss the current state of the industry, including issues with online presence and SEO. They also share their experiences with career changes and challenges in the industry. The conversation concludes with a discussion on creating a network of podcasts and the future of the tech industry. This conversation explores the challenges faced by women in the tech industry and the importance of psychological safety in creating inclusive and innovative teams. The speakers discuss the impact of mediocrity in organizations and the need for ego-less leadership. They also highlight the journey to psychological safety and the lack of measurement in this area. Additionally, they touch on the connection between psychological safety and innovation, as well as the cultural differences in fostering psychological safety. This part of the conversation focuses on the importance of neurodiversity in the workplace and the need for psychological safety and health at work. It also discusses the disconnect in diversity and inclusion initiatives and the impact of the mental health crisis on work. The conversation highlights the role of communication and bullying in the workplace and the importance of human work in creating a supportive environment. It emphasizes the need for effective leadership, self-awareness, and reflection, as well as the importance of embracing diversity and cultural differences. The conversation also touches on the need for preventive work, supportive environments, and continuous improvement in teams. Finally, it emphasizes the importance of recognizing and supporting neurodivergent individuals and challenging stereotypes in the workplace. In this conversation, Duena Blomstrom discusses the concept of podders and their potential to have their own podcasts. She emphasizes the importance of psychological safety and human depth in the tech industry. Duena also talks about humanizing engagement and centralizing resources for everyone. She extends an invitation to discuss topics like authenticity and women developers. The conversation concludes with closing remarks and future plans.

Takeaways

The tech industry is facing challenges related to online presence, SEO, and the dissemination of knowledge.
Personal challenges and career changes can impact one's professional journey.
Creating a network of podcasts can provide a platform for discussing important topics and amplifying voices.
There is a need for a psychological safety community to address issues in the tech industry and promote a supportive and inclusive environment. Women in the tech industry face unique challenges and often struggle to be taken seriously.
Psychological safety is crucial for creating inclusive and innovative teams.
Mediocrity in organizations can hinder progress and prevent the development of psychological safety.
Ego-less leadership is essential for fostering psychological safety and creating a culture of trust and collaboration.
Measuring psychological safety is challenging but necessary for understanding team dynamics and identifying areas for improvement.
Cultural differences play a role in fostering psychological safety and must be considered in creating inclusive environments. Neurodiversity and psychological safety are crucial for creating a supportive and inclusive workplace.
Leadership plays a vital role in fostering psychological safety and promoting effective communication.
The mental health crisis and burnout are significant challenges that need to be addressed in the workplace.
Embracing diversity, cultural differences, and individual strengths is essential for creating a thriving work environment.
Continuous improvement, self-reflection, and learning are key to creating a positive and productive workplace culture. The podders concept involves individuals having their own podcasts.
Psychological safety and human depth are crucial in the tech industry.
Humanizing engagement and centralizing resources can benefit everyone.
Discussions on authenticity and women developers are important.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up
08:05 Discussing the Current State of the Tech Industry
09:32 Challenges with Online Presence and SEO
15:30 Personal Challenges and Career Changes
20:40 Creating a Network of Podcasts
23:03 Issues with Google and Microsoft
28:29 The Future of the Tech Industry
31:18 Techlet Culture and Disseminating Knowledge
34:02 Collaboration and Co-hosting Opportunities
35:01 The Need for a Psychological Safety Community
35:31 The Challenges of Being a Woman in Tech
38:06 The Importance of Psychological Safety
43:03 The Impact of Mediocrity in Organizations
46:26 The Need for Ego-less Leadership
53:52 The Journey to Psychological Safety
56:08 The Lack of Psychological Safety in Large Organizations
01:00:43 The Connection Between Psychological Safety and Innovation
01:04:37 The Challenges of Measuring Psychological Safety
01:09:08 The Cultural Differences in Psychological Safety
01:10:57 The Importance of Neurodiversity in the Workplace
01:11:23 The Need for Psychological Safety and Health at Work
01:12:13 The Disconnect in Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
01:13:08 The Impact of Mental Health Crisis on Work
01:13:32 The Role of Communication and Bullying in the Workplace
01:14:23 The Importance of Human Work in the Workplace
01:15:13 The Focus on Output vs. Value in the Workplace
01:15:48 The Need for User Research and Customer Understanding
01:16:17 The Lack of Sustained Efforts in Design-Led Development
01:17:15 The Importance of Effective Communication and Listening
01:18:08 The Role of Leadership in Creating Psychological Safety
01:18:36 The Importance of Embracing Diversity and Cultural Differences
01:19:01 The Need for Self-Awareness and Reflection in Leadership
01:20:35 The Need for Humility and Learning in Leadership
01:21:05 The Importance of Empowering and Supporting Teams
01:22:06 The Need for Preventive Work and Supportive Environments
01:23:25 The Importance of Daily Human Work in Teams
01:24:57 The Generational Change in Workplace Dynamics
01:26:16 The Need for Human Work in the Face of Automation
01:27:05 The Role of Leadership in Creating Psychological Safety
01:28:27 The Importance of Self-Reflection and Self-Awareness in Leadership
01:29:19 The Need for Research and Understanding of Team Burnout
01:30:07 The Importance of Team Dynamics and Human Work
01:31:01 The Lack of Research and Focus on Human Work in Technology
01:32:21 The Importance of Continuous Improvement and Progress
01:33:18 The Need for Change and Innovation in the Workplace
01:34:57 The Importance of Neurodiversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
01:36:16 The Need for Change in Leadership and Workplace Culture
01:37:43 The Importance of Recognizing and Supporting Neurodivergent Individuals
01:39:29 The Need for a Shift in Mindset and Understanding of Neurodiversity
01:41:06 The Importance of Challenging Stereotypes and Embracing Diversity
01:43:43 The Need for Individualized Support and Understanding of Neurodivergent Individuals
01:45:40 Introduction to Podders Concept
01:46:07 Mission: Psychological Safety and Human Depth
01:47:01 Humanizing Engagement and Centralizing Resources
01:48:20 Invitation to Discuss Authenticity and Women Developers
01:49:15 Closing Remarks and Future Plans