Moments before presenting at a large conference in Sydney, Gareth Flynn was confident in sharing his expertise on skills strategy. Suddenly, his friend Dart Lindsley tapped him on the shoulder and made a bold claim: skills strategies don’t work. Faced with the unsettling possibility that his expertise might be flawed, Gareth began a research journey to uncover the truth. By engaging with both critics and advocates, he gained a fresh perspective on when and how skills should (or shouldn’t) be prioritized in the workplace.Gareth Flynn is a writer, speaker, and talent and workforce expert with 25+ years of experience focused on strategy, skills, and leadership. He is the founder and CEO of TQSolutions, Australia’s leading talent and workforce strategy and solutions business. In this episode, Dart and Gareth discuss:- How companies approach skills — and when they fall short- Company motivation for investing in skills strategies - Insights from the critics of skills strategy- The difference between skills and capabilities- The taxonomy of skills- How AI is grouping people into social classes- Career drivers vs. life drivers- And other topics…Gareth Flynn is a writer, speaker, and talent and workforce expert with 25+ years of experience focused on strategy, skills, and leadership. As the founder and CEO of TQSolutions, Australia’s leading talent and workforce strategy and solutions business, Gareth and his team have advised companies like GE, Philips, Australia Post, and Westpac, among others. Prior to founding TQSolutions, Gareth co-founded The Career Conversation, an early careers experience and engagement business whose client list includes companies like Bank of America and Deloitte. Resources mentioned:“Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze?” by Marc Effron: https://talentstrategygroup.com/is-the-juice-worth-the-squeeze/ Connect with Gareth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garethflynn Work with Dart:Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.

Kim Clark, an esteemed management professor and former Harvard dean, teams up with his sons Jonathan, a management researcher, and Erin, a consulting director at Deloitte. They explore the pitfalls of traditional 'power-over' management and advocate for a more human-centered approach called 'leading through.' Discussing morality in business, they highlight the necessity of flat hierarchies for better productivity. Together, they redefine leadership to emphasize emotional intelligence and collective empowerment, aiming to transform organizational culture and employee wellbeing.

Samantha Gadd, a seasoned business leader and founder of Humankind, discusses her journey from traditional HR to a focus on employee experience (EX). She shares insights on the importance of nurturing talent and redefining success metrics through the EX Manifesto. The conversation explores how effective leadership and a human-centered approach can transform workplace culture. Gadd emphasizes the need for organizations to adapt to the gig economy and prioritize employee well-being, ultimately unlocking potential for both personal and organizational growth.

David Obstfeld, an Associate Professor at CSU Fullerton and founder of the Social Capital Academy, dives into the critical role social networks play in economic mobility. He shares how first-generation college students often struggle without access to valuable connections. The discussion also highlights the significance of mentorship and innovative networking strategies to bridge economic gaps. Obstfeld emphasizes that it's not just what you know, but who you know, advocating for transformative initiatives to empower underserved students.

Lucy Adams, a seasoned HR leader, has held senior roles in major organizations, including her recent position as HR Director at the BBC. Despite her success, she grew increasingly frustrated by HR’s one-size-fits-all approach, which treated all employees under the same rigid policies. Determined to find a fresh perspective, Lucy founded Disruptive HR, an innovative HR agency that inspires leaders and HR professionals to approach their roles with renewed vision and energy.Lucy Adams is a keynote speaker, author, and founder and CEO of Disruptive HR. She guides HR teams and leaders from some of the world’s top brands, speaking at events for Pepsico, HSBC, Google, and Emirates, among others. In this episode, Dart and Lucy discuss:- Challenging forces acting on the heads of talent/CPOs- Lucy’s experience appearing before a congressional hearing - Emerging disruptions in HR - The EACH model (Employees as Adults, Consumers, and Human Beings)- 3 major benefits of the consumerization of the workplace- Differences between equity and equality at work- Humanizing performance management- And other topics…Lucy Adams is the founder and CEO of Disruptive HR, an agency on a mission to inspire leaders and HR professionals to approach their roles with renewed vision and energy. After working in high-level HR roles across sectors, including the Director of HR at BBC, Lucy wanted to help companies seek new ways to tackle old problems. She now guides HR teams and leaders from some of the world’s top brands, speaking at events for Pepsico, HSBC, Google, Emirates, and many others. Lucy’s latest best-selling book, HR Disrupted, discusses innovative approaches to transform traditional HR practices, challenge outdated norms, and adopt people-centered strategies to engage and empower employees in a rapidly changing workplace.  Resources mentioned:HR Disrupted, by Lucy Adams: https://www.amazon.com/HR-Disrupted-time-something-different/dp/1910056502 The Problem with Change, by Ashley Goodall: https://www.amazon.com/Problem-Change-Essential-Nature-Performance/dp/0316560278 Connect with Lucy: www.DisruptiveHR.com Work with Dart:Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.

Ken Coleman has interviewed thousands of people on work, uncovering a common struggle: people start their careers wanting to make a difference but often lose that drive due to restrictive job expectations and rigid company rules. This disconnect leaves employees disengaged, impacting both personal fulfillment and company success. Ken believes companies thrive by flipping the question — focusing not on how to get the most out of employees, but on how employees can get the most out of their roles. Known as “America’s Career Coach,” Ken continues to help employees and organizations rediscover purpose and achieve aligned success.Ken Coleman is a broadcaster, interviewer, and 3x best-selling author known for his expertise in career and personal development. As the co-host of The Ramsey Show and the executive coach host of The Ken Coleman Show, he has empowered thousands of people to advance their professional lives and grow their influence in the workplace.In this episode, Dart and Ken discuss:- 3 essential employee needs for company success- Key qualities of an impactful mentor- What we know about how humans are wired for work- Uniqueness as the foundation for greatness- 3 introspective questions to uncover work motivations- Career trends from Ken’s decade-long research sample- Practical steps to create the career opportunities you want - And other topics…Ken Coleman is a broadcaster, interviewer, and best-selling author known for his expertise in career and personal development. As the co-host of The Ramsey Show and the executive coach host of The Ken Coleman Show, Ken empowers others to advance their professional lives and grow their influence in the workplace. His insights draw from personal experiences and thousands of interviews, serving as the foundation for his three best-selling books, From Paycheck to Purpose, The Proximity Principle, and Find the Work You’re Wired to Do. Dubbed “America’s Career Coach,” Ken has appeared on shows like Fox & Friends, Yahoo! Finance, and the Rachael Ray Show. He’s a contributing writer for TheLadders.com and a popular speaker on personal development, career strategy, and leadership.Resources mentioned:Get Clear Career Assessment: Find the Work You’re Wired to Do, by Ken Coleman: https://www.amazon.com/Get-Clear-Career-Assessment-Youre/dp/B0CSCY1CH5 The Proximity Principle, by Ken Coleman: https://www.amazon.com/Proximity-Principle-Proven-Strategy-Career/dp/0978562038  From Paycheck to Purpose, by Ken Coleman: https://www.amazon.com/Paycheck-Purpose-Clear-Path-Doing/dp/1942121539 StrengthsFinder 2.0, by Gallup: https://www.amazon.com/StrengthsFinder-2-0-Tom-Rath/dp/159562015X Essentialism, by Greg MckEown: https://www.amazon.com/Essentialism-Disciplined-Pursuit-Greg-McKeown/dp/0804137404 Connect with Ken: www.kencoleman.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kencoleman-/ Instagram: @kencolemanWork with Dart:Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.

Gregory Warner, an NPR international correspondent and host of Rough Translation, shares riveting stories from his global reporting adventures in high-conflict areas. He delves into how cultural norms shape workplaces, from Chinese protests through slacking to South Koreans adopting English names. Warner discusses the impact of government and family on work culture and explores the solitude faced by truck drivers and the resilience of female truckers. His insights highlight the importance of local narratives over dominant global perspectives.

In this discussion, Mike Hess, a blind tech veteran and founder of the Blind Institute of Technology, tackles the stigma surrounding disabilities in the workplace. He shares insights on the economic potential of hiring disabled professionals and how organizations can benefit from inclusive practices. Mike highlights the transformative role of technology in enhancing accessibility and bridging the employment gap. He also emphasizes the importance of valuing individuals for their skills rather than their disabilities, advocating for a cultural shift towards inclusivity.

Jessica Zwaan, the Chief Operating Officer of Whereby and author of Built for People, shares her insights on transforming the employee experience using product management principles. She emphasizes the importance of viewing work as a product and highlights how organizations often overlook the value of employee experience. Zwaan discusses the distinctions between 'people operations' and 'human operations', along with strategies to enhance workforce engagement. Her vision encourages a shift towards more meaningful work that prioritizes both employee welfare and organizational success.

Phil Terry, the founder and CEO of Collaborative Gain, shares his extensive expertise in navigating today’s fiercely competitive job market. He discusses the innovative concept of applying product management principles to job searching, emphasizing the critical importance of 'candidate market fit.' Listeners learn about building supportive networks through Job Search Councils and strategies for negotiating job offers. Phil also explores emotional challenges like imposter syndrome and the transformative power of gratitude and vulnerability in the job search process.