In this episode, Imran & Nick sits down with Howie Konopko, Executive Vice President at Publicis and former Oracle colleague, for an honest conversation about what really makes people stay at companies- and what drives them away.

Howie breaks down the framework every employee should use to evaluate their role: fair compensation, interesting work, trust in your team, and opportunities for growth. He shares practical advice on how to thrive in your organization by going above and beyond (without burning out), the traits that separate high performers from everyone else, and why having a bad manager might actually be one of the best learning experiences of your career.

We also dive into the realities of modern work culture—from the distorted expectations social media creates for Gen Z employees to the ongoing tension between remote work and in-person collaboration. Howie reveals what he really looks for when hiring, how to differentiate yourself in interviews, and why dressing the part and embodying the role before you get promoted is crucial.

Whether you're navigating your current job, considering a move, or trying to figure out how to advance your career, this episode is packed with actionable insights from someone who's managed hundreds of people across Citi, Oracle, and Publicis.

Most companies think they're losing talent because of salary or remote work policies. They're wrong.

Mark Cruth, Atlassian's Head of Team Anywhere, has coached teams at Boeing, Nordstrom, and now one of the world's most distributed companies. In this episode, he reveals why the real culprits are transformation theater, lack of psychological safety, and unsustainable work cultures that push your best people toward the exit.

We discuss:

• Why "we need to transform NOW" mindsets actually drive talent away
• The early warning signs that your company's way of working has become unsustainable
• How lack of clear storytelling causes teams to wander in different directions (and eventually leave)
• What happens to retention when psychological safety disappears
• The biggest shift in how we work that will determine who keeps talent over the next 3-5 years

If you're wondering why your top performers are quietly job searching, this conversation will give you the answers your exit interviews won't.

This interview with Stefano Puntoni explores the psychological impact of AI in the workplace — how its implementation affects employee well-being, motivation, and retention. It covers the hidden psychological disruptions AI creates, why people feel less threatened by AI than by human replacement, and how cost-cutting narratives harm morale.

The discussion examines how AI influences employees’ sense of competence, autonomy, and relatedness, and offers practical guidance on implementing AI in a psychologically supportive way. It also explores how companies can build “AI-proof” skills like creativity and ethics — and what they must do now to avoid losing top talent in the AI-driven future.