The Future Talent Learning Podcast

Access the podcast transcript here.

In this episode, EY's Harvey Lewis, a data scientist (and real-life rocket scientist), urges leaders to look at talent in conjunction with technology. In conversation with Future Talent Learning's Tom Ritchie, he outlines how EY uses AI in its tax practice to help people to their jobs more efficiently and effectively. He also discusses the potential dangers of automation and the importance of governance and trust in AI.

Episode timestamps

• Harvey Lewis talks about the importance of staying up to date with technology [00:02:30]
• The impact of technology on organisations and talent [00:07:37]
• The Importance of looking at talent in conjunction with technology [00:09:06]
• Examples of AI in EY's tax practice [00:11:56
• Reaping the benefits of AI in tax compliance [00:14:50]
• Why leaders need to understand AI [00:18:44]
• The impact of automation on people's working lives [00:20:05]
• The skills people need to co-exist with AI [00:27:00]
• The importance of deepening our existing knowledge [00:28:05]

Access the podcast transcript here.

In conversation with Future Talent Learning's Tom Richie, Geoff McDonald, former global vice president of HR at Unilever, shares his personal struggles with mental ill health. He talks about stigma and suggests practical steps organisations can take to support employee wellbeing – including investing in education and recognising energy as a driver of performance.

Episode timestamps

• Geoff McDonald shares his personal struggles with mental ill health at work 00:01:09]
• McDonald talks about seeking support from fellow campaigner Alister Campbell to help normalise mental health in the workplace [00:04:16]
• Tackling the 'double stigma' around mental health in the workplace [00:06:11]
• Improving wellbeing at Unilever [00:07:26]
• Stigma and lack of education [00:09:49]
• Education and shifting the narrative [00:12:27]
• The four factors of wellbeing [00:15:45]
• Energy as a driver of performance [00:17:44]
• Enhancing organisational wellbeing [00:19:53]

Access the podcast transcript here.

Writer and strategist Alistair Campbell talks to Future Talent Learning's CEO Jim Carrick-Birtwell about leadership and the showmanship of winning. He shares his own journey towards openness around mental health, and emphasises the role employers play in supporting wellbeing and embracing different perspectives.

Episode timestamps

• Writing Winners and learning from other walks of life [00:01:36]
• The need for a restless, innovative mindset in politics [00:07:50]
• Campbell's drive to win and do more [00:11:39]
• The showmanship of winning [00:14:23]
• Campbell's journey towards openness about mental health [00:15:53]
• The employer's role in supporting mental health [00:21:13]
• Implementing mental health first aid [00:24:27]
• Embracing different perspectives [00:28:39]
• Heroes - from Mandela to Shakespeare [00:32:00]
• Becoming more reflective [00:34:04]

Access the podcast transcript here.

We talk to physician and neuroscientist Dr Alan Watkins, founder of leadership consultancy Complete, about the impact of digital transformation on leaders.

In conversation with Future Talent Learning's CEO Jim Carrick-Birtwell, Watkins explores the implications of AI on jobs, the need for 'polymath integrators' in the workforce, and how leaders can develop the skills to succeed in a rapidly changing world. He also highlights the importance of mental and emotional health at work.

Episode timestamps

• The impact of digital transformation on leaders [00:01:09]
• Implications of AI on jobs and the rise of the 'polymath integrator' [00:04:14]
• Leaders developing the necessary skills to succeed in a rapidly changing world [00:06:41]
• Why polymath integrators are cruical to modern organisations [00:08:09]
• The failure of the command-and-control system [00:09:41]
• Skills not pills: training people to manage their emotional states [00:15:53]
• Transforming performance through self-awareness [00:16:50]

Access the podcast transcript here.

Writer and broadcaster Simon Fanshawe OBE, managing director of consultancy Diversity by Design and a co-founder of LGBT charity Stonewall, talks to Future Talent Learning's Tom Richie about the importance of workplace D&I. They discuss the role of diversity in answering strategic business questions and the need to value individuals' unique differences.

Episode timestamps

• Simon Fanshawe's career journey from comedian to D&I consultant [00:01:23]
• The importance of learning new skills and embracing change [00:02:40]
• The role of diversity in answering strategic business questions [00:06:44]
• How diversity can help organisations adapt to changing markets [00:07:36]
• Challenges faced by diverse groups in career advancement [00:09:01]
• Addressing lack of diversity in senior management [00:13:14]
• The danger of bias in technology [00:18:19]
• Changing behaviour through engagement in different situations [00:21:42]
• The Importance of empathy and solidarity [00:23:24]
• Valuing difference and baking it into organisational processes [00:25:26]
• Using tech to understand individuals in the workplace [00:27:49]

Access the podcast transcript here.

What is curiosity? Why does it matter in the workplace? And what stops us being curious?

To answer these questions, Ross G and Ross D are joined by Dr Brennan Jacoby, philosopher and founder of Philosophy at Work, an organisation that helps businesses think their best. Brennan holds a B.A., M.A. and Ph.D in philosophy, and his doctoral work analysed trust in the context of interpersonal relationships and corporate character.

We discuss:

• Why curiosity is important
• How to ask questions, even if it's difficult
• How to create an environment where curiosity is the norm.

Additional Information

You can find out more about Brennan at: https://philosophyatwork.co.uk/

Rainer Maria Rilke's Letters to a Young Poet is online at: https://www.alyve.org/english/docs/9.1/Rilke-Letters_to_a_Young_Poet.pdf

Find out more about wicked problems in: Grint, K. (2010). Wicked problems and clumsy solutions: the role of leadership. In The new public leadership challenge (pp. 169-186). Palgrave Macmillan, London. Available online at: http://leadershipforchange.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Keith-Grint-Wicked-Problems-handout.pdf

In 'One Thing I Learned This Week', Ross D shared the mystery of where eels come from: https://www.alyve.org/english/docs/9.1/Rilke-Letters_to_a_Young_Poet.pdf

Ross G asked if it's time to stop worrying about stress: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/feb/14/the-big-idea-is-it-time-to-stop-worrying-about-stress

Access the podcast transcript here.

Why is it important to have a happy team? Can we measure happiness? And what can I do to help make my team happier?

To answer these questions, Ross D and Ross G are speaking to world-renowned happiness expert Nic Marks. Nic uses statistics to research workplace culture, measure happiness, and create lasting, positive change. He's the author of A Happiness Manifesto, a TED speaker, and heads up the workplace happiness platform 'Friday Pulse'.

We discuss:

• What we mean by 'happiness'
• The relationship between happiness, resilience and performance at work
• Actions that managers can take to build a happier team.

Additional Information

You can find out more about Nic at: https://nicmarks.org/

For details of Friday Pulse, see: https://fridaypulse.com/

In 'One Thing I Learned This Week', Ross G asked if it is true that an astronaut has to have their appendix removed before going into space: https://www.quora.com/Is-it-true-that-astronauts-have-to-have-their-appendix-removed-before-going-into-space

Ross D recommended the film C'Mon C'Mon: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10986222/

Access the podcast transcript here.

Why does good writing matter? What impact does good writing have at work? What tends to go wrong? And how can we, as managers, foster a culture of good writing in our teams?

To answer these questions, Nathalie and Ross G are joined by writers John Simmons and Neil Baker. John is an independent writer and brand consultant, whose books include The Invisible Grail and The Dark Angels Trilogy. Neil is a writer and communications consultant, and Associate Poet with Canterbury's Wise Words Festival.

Together, they work with businesses, groups and individuals to develop creative writing skills through their Dark Angels workshops.

We discuss:

• The importance of good writing at work
• Why people are afraid of writing
• How we can all become better writers.

Additional Information

You can find out more about Dark Angels at: https://darkangelswriters.com

See also their books Dark Angels on Writing and John's We, Me, Them & It: https://darkangelswriters.com/bookshop/

During the discussion, Ross quoted writer Anna Wiener. See: https://www.vulture.com/2020/02/spread-of-corporate-speak.html

In 'One Thing I Learned This Week', Nathalie recommended Merlin Sheldrake's Entangled Life: https://www.merlinsheldrake.com/entangled-life

If you were curious, this episode was recorded on June 8, 2022, during the height of the 'Partygate' scandal.

Access the podcast transcript here.

How can we become more adaptable? What do we mean by 'adaptability'? And what personal habits can we adopt that will help us?

To answer these questions, Nathalie and Ross G are joined by author, speaker and educator Adam Kingl. Adam teaches at business schools around the world, regularly appears in the press, and is the author of Next Generation Leadership.

We discuss:

• 'adaptability' vs 'agility'
• Why leaders should care about being adaptable
• The importance of experimentation, openness and slack time.

Additional Information

You can find out more about Adam at: https://adamkingl.com/

During the discussion, Ross referenced the 'agile manifesto', available online at: https://agilemanifesto.org/

In 'One Thing I Learned This Week', Nathalie discussed the relationship between the ability to recall dreams, and creativity: https://www.psypost.org/2022/05/heightened-dream-recall-ability-linked-to-increased-creativity-and-functional-brain-connectivity-63139

Ross G discussed whether the word 'Viking' is a verb or a noun. In short, he didn't know. See: https://twitter.com/qikipedia/status/850310498503585792, and: https://www.reddit.com/r/Norse/comments/b317j9/where_in_the_world_did_the_myth_that_viking_is_a/

Access the podcast transcript here.

What is a 'purpose'? Why is it so important for Generation Y in particular? And how do we create a purpose statement?

To answer these questions, Nathalie and Ross G are joined by author, speaker and educator Adam Kingl. Adam teaches at business schools around the world, regularly appears in the press, and is the author of Next Generation Leadership.

We discuss:

• Why purpose is important
• How to craft a purpose statement
• Examples of companies with good and bad purpose statements.

Additional Information

You can find out more about Adam at: https://adamkingl.com/

To read Coca Cola's purpose statement, see: https://investors.coca-colacompany.com/about/our-purpose

Adam also recommended the book Firms of Endearment: https://www.firmsofendearment.com/

In 'One Thing I Learned This Week', Ross G discussed Alex Trembath's article on the need to design climate-friendly transportation for everyone, not just the elite: https://www.persuasion.community/p/cars-are-here-to-stay-7d0?s=r