The Work Between People

When a Team Has a Communication Problem... Is Communication Really the Problem?

We often hear companies say, “We have a communication problem.” But what if communication is only the symptom... and the real issue sits somewhere deeper?

In this episode of The Work Between People, I speak with George Igoumenakis, Director of Training Solutions at ICAP People Solutions, about the importance of diagnosing what is really happening inside a team before jumping to an intervention.

We explore why communication problems can sometimes point to deeper issues such as lack of trust, unclear priorities or competing agendas... and why even the right training does not automatically lead to lasting behavioural change.

George also shares what he believes makes change actually stick: awareness, practice, reinforcement and consistency.

Because learning something once is not the same as changing the way we behave every day...especially when pressure enters the room.

About George Igoumenakis

An HR professional with over 20 years of international experience, supporting organizations and leaders thrive through strategic HR challenges and tough organizational transformations.
Currently managing the Training Services business unit at ICAP People Solutions, while previously, leading global learning functions at Temenos and EY, driving measurable improvements in employee engagement, curriculum design and leadership development through effective communication across 60+ countries.
Passionate about connecting business outcomes with people growth combining strategic insight, strong stakeholder management, and a data-driven approach while making Learning a competitive advantage for any organization.

Are Great Team Members Hired or Created?

Being good at getting hired and being good to work with aren’t quite the same thing. So how do we recognise real potential and what happens to it once someone joins us?

In this episode of The Work Between People, Maryam Rezaei speaks with Amit Sharma about looking beyond AI-polished applications, creating room for people to contribute, and whyeveryday leadership behaviour matters long after the hiring decision.

A conversation about potential, trust, and what it takes to turn a good hire into a great team member.

ABOUT AMIT SHARMA

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amit0103

Amit Sharma is a Strategic HR Advisor and senior HR Business Partner with over 20 years of international HR leadership experience across technology, telecommunications,financial services, infrastructure, and government.

His experience includes work with Google, Microsoft, Ericsson, and Bank of America, alongside senior HR leadership roles across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. He has helped buildorganisations from the ground up, supported international expansion, and guided businesses through transformation.

Working closely with CEOs, CHROs, and boards, Amit’s expertise spans organisation design, talent management, leadership development, and succession planning. He also speaks at AI, HR, and leadership forums, sharing perspectives on future skills and the changing world of work.

Thank you for Listening to The Work Between People!

Do leaders and employees experience the same workplace?

In this episode of The Work Between People, Maryam Rezaei is joined by Eleni Asvesta, General Manager of KLEEMANN Elevators in China, to explore how the same workplace can be experienced very differently depending on where we sit within an organization.

Drawing on her unique journey from senior HR leadership to general management, Eleni shares insights from leading teams across Europe and Asia and discusses why misunderstandings between leaders and employees often arise, the difference between compliance and genuine support, and what helps transform an "us and them" culture into a sense of "we".

Together, they explore trust, communication, ownership, purpose, and the role leaders play in helping people understand not only what needs to be done, but why it matters.

A thoughtful conversation about leadership, alignment, and the human dynamics that shape organizational life.

And a few words about Eleni Asvesta...

Eleni Asvesta is the General Manager of KLEEMANN ELEVATORS in China.

Eleni has built her career across human resources, organizational culture, and corporate leadership, guiding teams in both Europe and Asia.

Over the years, she has worked on leadership transitions, strengthened employee engagement, and tackled the challenges of aligning global strategies with local realities. 

Alongside her professional role, Eleni contributes to social impact as a member of the General Assembly and Board of Directors of ActionAid Hellas, supporting initiatives in equality and community development.

Eleni’s journey blends her Greek roots with her life in China, giving her a unique cross-cultural perspective on the way organizations adapt in different environments.

She’s passionate about travelling, outdoor activities, and always open to explore new ways of bringing balance and happiness into daily life :)

www.linkedin.com/in/eleniasvesta

Enjoy!

In this episode of The Work Between People, Maryam Rezaei speaks with Andreas Stefanidis, President of HFAISTOS and CEO of the Academy of Entrepreneurship, about what helps people dare to grow.

Together they explore the role of personal responsibility, leadership, communities, and organizational environments in human development, and discuss what it takes to create spaces where people feel encouraged to learn, contribute, and reach their potential.

A conversation about growth, opportunity, and the environments that shape who we become.

A few words about Andreas Stefanidis..

Andreas Stefanidis is the President of the Board of Directors ofthe historic non-profit Athens Educational Association “HFAISTOS,” as well as CEO of the Academy of Entrepreneurship, a civil non-profit organization focused on non-formal education.

In 1994 he received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the State University of New Yorkat New Paltz, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He is certified as a non-formal adult education trainer by EOPPEP (National Organization for the Certification of Qualifications and Vocational Guidance). He also has notable teaching experience, having taught at the State University of New York at New Paltz.

Recognizing the need to develop initiatives with social impact,in 2001 he founded the Hellenic Federation of Young Entrepreneurs Associations (OESYNE), which became the host organization of Global Entrepreneurship Week in Greece in 2008.

https://akep.eu/

https://www.hfaistos.eu/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreasstefanidis/

People do not come to work as empty job titles.

They come with experiences, pressures, fears, hopes, assumptions and emotions that influence how they communicate, collaborate and show up every day.

In this first episode, I share why I started The Work Between People and explore the hidden human dynamics that often shape our workplaces more than we realize.

From trust and honesty to silence, conflict, change and psychological safety, this episode is an invitation to look beyond roles and responsibilities and into the space where work is truly experienced: between people.

Welcome to The Work Between People, a podcast exploring trust, connection and the human dynamics that shape work. In this trailer, Maryam Rezaei introduces the conversations, questions and purpose behind the podcast: what really happens between people inside organizations, and why that space matters more than we often realize.