The Future Talent Learning Podcast

Access the podcast transcript here.

What is neurodiversity? What struggles do neurodivergent people face? And what are the benefits of having a team with neurodivergent people in it?

To help explore these questions, Ross G and Ross D are joined by Laura Kerbey, founder of NEST – Neurodivergent Education Support and Training. Laura has a degree in Psychology, a Post Graduate Certificate in Special Education and a PCGE in Life Long Learning.

We discuss:

• What we mean by 'neurodiversity'
• The typical issues that neurodivergent employees face in the workplace
• How leaders and managers can take practical steps to include neurodivergent colleagues.

Additional Information

You can find out more about NEST at: https://n-est.org/

During the discussion, the team also discussed the 'social model of disability: https://www.scope.org.uk/about-us/social-model-of-disability/

In 'One Thing I Learned This Week', Ross D discussed lung size: https://www.lung.org/blog/how-your-lungs-work

Laura discussed 'sensory specific satiety' (you always have room for dessert). See: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4910838

Ross G recommended the documentary: Dinosaurs: The Final Day with David Attenborough

Access the podcast transcript here.

How can we learn new behaviours at work? What gets in the way of learning new skills and developing new behaviours? And what are some helpful techniques that help us learn at work?

To explore this question, Ross G and Ross D are joined by Karine George, an award-winning educationalist who worked as a headteacher for more than 20 years, and is now an international keynote speaker and author.

We discuss:

• Why learning new skills is so important, no matter your age
• The role of managers in creating a safe space to practice new skills
• Three techniques for learning: spaced repetition, interleaving and reflection.

Episode Timestamps

• Importance of Learning New Skills [00:00:48]
• Mindset and Fear as Obstacles [00:12:52]
• Shared Responsibility and Manager's Role [00:15:35]
• Time Management and Prioritization [00:21:57]
• Effective Learning Techniques [00:29:05]

Additional Information

During the discussion, Karine referenced the book Growth Mindset by Carol Dweck.

For more on Ebbinghaus and Bartlett, see: https://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~jfkihlstrom/MemoryWeb/cognitive/cognitive_supp.htm

For more from Brinkerhoff and the role of managers in training transfer, see: Brinkerhoff, R. O., & Montesino, M. U. (1995). Partnerships for training transfer: Lessons from a corporate study. Human resource development quarterly, 6(3), 263-274.

In 'One Thing I Learned This Week', Ross D recommended the Merlin bird identification app: https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/

Karine referenced a Department of Education report, online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/childrens-social-care-data-in-england-2021/main-findings-childrens-social-care-in-england-2021

You can find the book Karine wrote with Rose Luckin, AI for School Teachers, at: https://www.routledge.com/AI-for-School-Teachers/Luckin-George-Cukurova/p/book/9781032037714#

Find Karine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karine-george

Or at Educate Ventures: https://www.educateventures.com/

Access the podcast transcript here.

Are we unhealthily obsessed with mental health? What does 'mental health' mean in an organisational context? And is it really good for us to switch off and take a break?

To explore this question, Ross G and Ross D are joined by Dr Alan Watkins, a physician-turned-leadership-consultant. Alan now runs a leadership consultancy and coaching business called 'Complete'. He also writes on a variety of topics, from leadership issues to how to tackle the world's toughest problems.

We discuss:

• Why the common understanding of 'mental health' is completely wrong
• Whether we can really 'switch off and relax'
• How learning about our emotions can help us – and our teams – improve our performance.

Episode Timestamps

• Introduction and defining mental health [00:00:54]
• The role of emotions in decision-making [00:18:20]
• Emotional literacy and regulation [00:26:00]
• Addressing emotional issues in organizations [00:29:08]
• Taking ownership and emotional sovereignty [00:32:37]

Additional Information

During the discussion, Alan discussed the case of Phineas Gage and the tamping iron that passed through his brain. See more at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phineas_Gage

In 'One Thing I Learned This Week', Ross D recommended the Nike Vaporfly range and the issues athletic bodies have with them: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/51324991

Alan discussed the book The Order of Time, by Carlo Rovelli: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/301539/the-order-of-time-by-rovelli-carlo/9780141984964

Ross G referenced Andy Weir's Project Hail Mary: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/440237/project-hail-mary-by-andy-weir/9781529100617

And Ross G also discussed a Twitter thread from @CulturalTutor: https://twitter.com/culturaltutor/status/1538211892707086338?lang=en-GB

You can find out more about Alan on his website: https://complete-coherence.com/

See also his TED talks (For example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-rRgpPbR5w), and his book Coherence: The Science of Exceptional Leadership and Performance: https://complete-coherence.com/coherence-second-edition/

Access the podcast transcript here.

Is it important to work for a company that shares my values?

To answer this question, Ross D and Ross G are joined by author, speaker and podcast co-host Nathalie Nahai.

We discuss:

• The role that values play in choosing our employers
• The limitations of psychometric testing
• Examples of companies that clearly demonstrate their values.

Episode Timestamps

• The Importance of Shared Values in Choosing Employers [00:00:57]
• The 'Great Resignation' and the Need for Attractive Workplaces [00:01:54]
• Remote Work and Expanded Job Choices [00:04:48]
• Assessing Company Values and Integrity [00:06:31]
• Understanding Personal Values [00:08:59]
• Personality Tests and Their Limitations [00:13:55]
• Examples of Companies Modeling Values Well [00:22:37]

Additional Information

Nathalie's book, is Business Unusual. Find out more at: https://www.businessunusualthebook.com/

To find out more about Nathalie, see: https://www.nathalienahai.com/biography/

We also discussed Schwartz's Theory of Basic Human Values: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_Basic_Human_Values

This theory informed The Values Map, online at: https://thevaluesmap.com/

Change Board discussed personality testing at: https://www.futuretalentlearning.com/programme-resources/nutshell-beyond-the-fortune-cookie-the-pros-and-cons-of-psychometric-testing

The HEXAGO model of personality structure is discussed at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HEXACO_model_of_personality_structure

Ikigai is covered at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikigai

The Ikigai visualisation that Ross discussed is based on a blog post at: https://theviewinside.me/what-is-your-ikigai/. Though useful, it is a topic of some debate. See: https://ikigaitribe.com/ikigai/ikigai-misunderstood/

You can read about the Big Five personality traits at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Five_personality_traits

For examples of values-led companies, see Timpsons: https://www.timpson-group.co.uk/timpson-foundation/ex-offenders/

And Patagonia: https://www.patagonia.com/activism/

In 'One Thing I Learned This Week', Nathalie discussed yew trees: https://britainsbestguides.org/blogs/why-do-so-many-english-churchyards-have-yews/

If, like Ross G, you're super interested in New York City laws and their impact on employment practices, see: https://www.wired.com/story/movement-hold-ai-accountable-gains-steam

Access the podcast transcript here.

What is 'design thinking'? How do we apply it? And can design thinking help us solve complex problems?

To answer these questions, Ross G and Nathalie are joined by Nick Stanhope, founder and CEO of Shift, a team of designers, researchers and strategists who use research and creativity to solve challenging social problems. Nick was named one of Britain's 50 New Radicals by The Observer and NESTA and is a board member of the Centre for the Acceleration of Social Technology.

We discuss:

• Examples of how design thinking has been applied to tackle social problems
• How to ask for budget when the outcome is uncertain
• The difficulty of applying design thinking to complex environments

Additional Information

You can find out more about Shift, and Nick, at: https://shiftdesign.org/

In 'One Thing I Learned This Week', Nathalie discussed The Entangled Activist by Anthea Lawson.

Ross discussed Tim Harford's article 'The hidden cost of cost-benefit analysis': https://timharford.com/2022/01/the-hidden-costs-of-cost-benefit-analysis/

And Nick discussed 'relationship-centred design'. Find out more at: https://shiftdesign.org/equation-relationship-centred-design/

Access the podcast transcript here.

Why is networking important? If you're good at your job, and can demonstrate that, what purpose does it serve?

To answer these questions, Ross D and Ross G are joined by consultant, speaker and author Dorie Clark. Dorie was named one of the Top 50 business thinkers in the world by Thinkers50, and teaches executive education at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and Columbia Business School.

We discuss:

• Principles that can help you network
• How to build relationships online
• How to build an effective network on LinkedIn

Episode Timestamps

• Introduction and the Importance of Networking [00:00:18]
• Cultural Differences in Networking Attitudes [00:02:25]
• Types of Networking and Strategies [00:12:16]
• The 'No Asks for a Year' Rule [00:08:26]
• Digital Networking and the Pandemic [00:18:02]
• Leveraging Existing Connections and Insights from Home Environments [00:15:22]
• Closing Thoughts and Resources [00:38:12]

Additional Information:

You can find out more about Dorie at: https://dorieclark.com/

The books Stand Out and The Long Game, by Dorie Clark, are available now: https://dorieclark.com/books/

The free e-book, Stand Out Networking, is available at: https://dorieclark.com/stand-out-networking/

And 'The Long Game Strategic Thinking Self-Assessment' is online at: https://dorieclark.com/longgame/

Ross G referenced Robert Putnam's book Bowling Alone.

Dorie referenced a Microsoft study that looked at connections between teams: Yang, L., Holtz, D., Jaffe, S., Suri, S., Sinha, S., Weston, J., ... & Teevan, J. (2021). The effects of remote work on collaboration among information workers. Nature human behaviour, 1-12.

In 'One Thing I Learned This Week', Ross G discussed President Obama's memoir: A Promised Land.

Dorie recommended The Circadian Code by Satchin Panda.

And Ross D discussed Matthew Walker's book Why We Sleep.

Access the podcast transcript here.

What is change management? And why is it important to Anglo American?

To answer these questions, Ross D and Ross G are joined by Nicola Cohen, Change Management Specialist at Anglo American.

We discuss:

• Examples of change management
• The role of managers in successful change management
• Overcoming resistance to change.

Additional Information

Tools and resources to help you manage change are available at: https://angloamerican.sharepoint.com/sites/esc-009/corporate-comms/managing-change

In 'One Thing I've Learned This Week', Ross G shared details of what it's like to winter in Antarctica: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/south-pole-sunrise-summer-antarctica

Ross D discussed the book What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, by Haruki Murakami.

And Nicola discussed the Fabergé in London exhibition at the V&A, which runs until 8 May 2022: https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/faberge

Access the podcast transcript here.

How can critical thinking help us at work? What are the benefits of thinking critically? And how can we create a work culture that allows for better critical thinking in our teams?

To answer these questions, Ross D and Nathalie are joined by author and tech philosopher Tom Chatfield. Tom is the author of How To Thrive in the Digital Age, Live This Book! and, most recently, How to Think.

We discuss:

• What we mean by 'critical thinking
• Examples of critical thinking in the workplace
• Tools and techniques that can help you improve your critical thinking.

Episode Timestamps

• Introduction [00:00:07]
• Defining Critical Thinking [00:01:14]
• Importance of Critical Thinking at Work [00:03:06]
• Creating a Culture of Critical Thinking [00:07:03]
• Long-term Thinking and Risk-Taking [00:19:23]
• Techniques for Improving Critical Thinking [00:23:42]

Additional Information

You can find out more about Tom at: https://tomchatfield.net/

Find Tom on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/TomChatfield

Tom recently launched a 'Critical Thinking Masterclass', which you can find here: https://www.vbqspeakers.com/tom-chatfield-critical-thinking-masterclass

During the discussion, we mentioned Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment, by Daniel Kahneman, Olivier Sibony and Cass Sunstein.

In 'One Thing I Learned This Week', Ross D recommended Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, by Malcolm Gladwell.

Access the podcast transcript here.

What do we mean by 'creative thinking'? Can anyone think creatively? And what techniques can help us generate new ideas?

To answer these questions, Ross D and Ross G are speaking to bestselling author and innovation consultant Rod Judkins. Rod's books Change Your Mind and The Art of Creative Thinking are available in over 15 languages; he has delivered workshops to clients that include Google, Apple, Samsung, and Bombay Sapphire; and he lectures on art, design and creative process at Central St Martin's College of Art.

We discuss:

• The relevance of creative thinking to people in roles in 'non-creative' roles
• Why so many people find creative thinking difficult or scary
• Practical techniques for generating new ideas.

Episode Timestamps

• Rod's Background and Introduction to Creative Thinking [00:01:04]
• Applying Creative Thinking in Business Contexts [00:02:53]
• Examples of Teaching Creative Thinking [00:05:23]
• Overcoming Resistance and Creating an Open Environment [00:11:55]
• Creativity as a Mindset, Not Just for 'Creative' Jobs [00:21:21]

Additional Information

To find out more about Rod, visit: https://www.rodjudkins.com

During the discussion, Ross G referenced 'story dice' for coming up with ideas: https://davebirss.com/storydice/

In 'One Thing I Learned This Week', Ross G discussed AirBnb's commitment to 'working anywhere': https://techcrunch.com/2022/04/28/airbnb-commits-to-fully-remote-workplace-live-and-work-anywhere/

Access the podcast transcript here.

Will robots steal our jobs? What is a robot? And is it possible for robots to replace leaders and managers?

To answer these questions, Ross G and Ross D are joined by writer, broadcaster, speaker and coach David Baker.

David worked for 12 years at the Financial Times, was managing editor of Wired magazine, and regularly presents on BBC Radio 4 and the World Service. He also teaches at The School of Life.

We discuss:

• Definitions of robots, artificial intelligence and automation
• The extent to which robots 'threaten' specific job roles and why
• How to take proactive steps to embrace the robot revolution

Episode Timestamps

• Introduction and Definition of Key Terms [00:00:07]
• Historical Perspective and Parallels with the Industrial Revolution [00:01:14]
• Jobs at Risk of Automation [00:22:17]
• Jobs Less Susceptible to Automation [00:28:17]
• Societal and Economic Implications [00:33:00]

Addtional Information

Find out if a robot will take your job at: https://willrobotstakemyjob.com/

You can find out more about David and his work at: http://www.davidbakeronline.com/

In 'One Thing I Learned This Week', Ross G the news that traffic deaths in the US are surging during the pandemic: https://messaging-custom-newsletters.nytimes.com/template/oakv2?productCode=NN&te=1&nl=the-morning&emc=edit_nn_20220215&uri=nyt://newsletter/53bb0e7d-253c-512c-905a-97a2aece9bb4

But not so much in the UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/reported-road-casualties-in-great-britain-provisional-estimates-year-ending-june-2021/reported-road-casualties-in-great-britain-provisional-estimates-year-ending-june-2021

David shared insights into the extent to which Brits consume baked beans: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0015tp6