Work For Humans

In this engaging discussion, leadership consultant Jim Ferrell reveals that true leadership resides in the connections between us, rather than just within individuals. He introduces the intriguing concept of relation versus relationships and outlines his four laws of relation. Jim explains how an individualistic approach can hinder progress and emphasizes the importance of embracing differences for meaningful integration. With practical insights, he shares how leaders can shift their focus to the 'between' for transformative change.

Sandra Loughlin, Chief Learning Scientist at EPAM Systems, shares her insights on transforming skills into pivotal assets for organizations. She distinguishes between learning and training, emphasizing the importance of active engagement. The conversation explores how stretch assignments catalyze real learning and how contextualizing skills can enhance their value. Loughlin also discusses leveraging data and AI to create dynamic learning environments, adapting to the evolving demands of the workforce, and fostering a true culture of learning at scale.

Dr. Robert Gaynes, an infectious disease physician and author of Germ Theory, discusses the monumental shift to germ theory and its implications for modern innovation. He reveals the resistance faced by groundbreaking ideas, drawing parallels from history that resonate in today’s work environments. Conversations include how personalities of innovators affect acceptance and the pitfalls of overcorrection in new paradigms. Gaynes also shares transformative breakthroughs he’s witnessed, emphasizing the lessons applicable for driving change in any field.

Emily Yang’s work sits at the intersection of AI ethics, governance, and human experience. She is an early advocate for bringing human-centered design and responsible innovation into the heart of enterprise AI, especially in HR and talent functions. For her, ethics is an activity — something we do, not just something we believe. In this episode, Dart and Emily talk about why AI feels both helpful and destabilizing, how bias and invisible harms emerge, and what it takes to preserve human agency as AI tools shape our work and lives.Emily Yang is the Head of Human-Centered AI and Innovation at Standard Chartered, where she leads efforts to embed ethics, governance, and design into enterprise AI. She is a global speaker and advisor on responsible AI and human-centered innovation.In this episode, Dart and Emily discuss:- How AI is changing the meaning of data consent- How training data bakes in human bias- Why checklists aren’t the same as ethics- Trust between people vs. trust in companies- How design preserves or erodes human agency- Why councils alone can’t govern AI responsibly- Emily’s personal struggle with AI’s big questions- How generative AI reshapes identity, craft, and trust- The rise of “AI stewards” in organizations- And other topics…Emily Yang is the Head of Human-Centered AI and Innovation at Standard Chartered. She works to bring ethics, governance, and human-centered design into AI, especially in HR and talent. Emily serves on the bank’s Responsible AI Council, Data Ethics Working Group, and GenAI Task Force. She has more than a decade of experience in UX, innovation consulting, corporate venture building, and big tech. Emily began her AI journey researching empathy and emotional intelligence in virtual agents. She is also an advisor to the Centre for Synchronous Leadership’s “Agents of Change” and a frequent global speaker on responsible AI.Resources Mentioned:Diaspora, by Greg Egan: https://www.amazon.com/Diaspora-Novel-Greg-Egan/dp/1597805424WFH Episode 11 with Don Norman: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-design-of-everyday-things-design-for-a/id1612743401?i=1000582265202Connect with Emily:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyyangy/ 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.

Join award-winning journalist and workplace well-being expert Jennifer Moss as she discusses the crucial link between hope and purpose in combating burnout. Jennifer highlights how cognitive hope empowers employees to set and achieve goals, even amid uncertainty. She addresses the detrimental effects of micromanagement and the pitfalls of 'language of permanence.' With insights on cultivating a compassionate leadership style and fostering community, she provides practical strategies for organizations to create thriving work cultures.

Sam Arbesman writes deep, beautiful books about the boundary between technology, knowledge, and wonder. His most recent book, The Magic of Code, is another profound exploration—this time into the wonders revealed by code. Sam describes code as “a universal force—swirling through disciplines, absorbing ideas, and connecting worlds.” In this episode, Dart and Sam talk about the experience of coding: what makes it great, when it feels arduous or magical, and how AI could change the experience.Sam Arbesman is a complexity scientist trained in computational biology and applied mathematics. He is the author of The Magic of Code, Overcomplicated, and The Half-Life of Facts. Sam is currently Scientist in Residence advising on emerging trends at Lux Capital—a venture firm investing at the outermost edges of what’s possible.In this episode, Dart and Sam discuss:- The experience of writing software—and how to improve it- How Sam first discovered the magic of code- When code feels magical and why- How simple tools spark creativity- Two ways to see computing: utilitarian vs. wondering- The joy of coding just for yourself- What simulations teach us about reality- How coding reframes how we see the world- The hidden connections and limits of debugging- How AI could reshape coding and create leaner teams- Why the history of computing matters- And more…Sam Arbesman is Scientist in Residence at Lux Capital, where he advises on emerging trends at the edges of science and innovation. Previously he was a Senior Scholar at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and a Research Fellow at Harvard. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Wired, Wall Street Journal, and Harvard Business Review. He holds a PhD in computational biology, and is the author of The Magic of Code, Overcomplicated, and The Half‑Life of Facts.Resources Mentioned:The Magic of Code: How Digital Language Created and Connects Our World―and Shapes Our Future, by Sam Arbesman: https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Code-Language-Connects-World_and/dp/1541704487/Connect with Sam:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arbesman/ Website: https://arbesman.net/ 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.

Bree Groff, a former partner at SYPartners and author of 'Today Was Fun', advocates for a workplace where joy supersedes productivity. She argues that many work-related stresses are self-imposed and challenges the idea that professionalism stifles creativity. Bree emphasizes the need for 'cozy teams' that foster trust and camaraderie, alongside building systems that encourage emotional well-being. She also advocates for reshaping work KPIs to include fun and asserts that enjoying work can lead to better outcomes.

Sandra Waddock, a renowned Boston College professor and leading expert on systems change and sustainable business, delves into the radical shifts needed in corporate purpose. She critiques current growth-focused models, advocating for a holistic approach to organizational change. Waddock emphasizes the importance of leadership as a sense-making process and how small actions can incite substantial system transformations. The conversation explores the need for businesses to foster connections rather than control, alongside the role of moral imagination in crafting a flourishing future.

As one of the world’s leading experts on customer centricity, Peter Fader noticed that many businesses were making a critical mistake: they were treating all customers the same. Peter argues that customer centricity means focusing on the customers who matter most—those who are truly driving value for your company. His work is reshaping how businesses think about growth, loyalty, and strategy.In this episode, Dart and Peter talk about why not all customers are created equal, how to measure true customer value, and why brand loyalty may be overrated. They also explore what it takes to design a business around your best customers and why doing so might be the most human move of all.Peter Fader is a Professor of Marketing at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a leading expert on customer centricity. His research helps companies identify their most valuable customers and build strategies around them.In this episode, Dart and Peter discuss:- Why product-first thinking holds companies back- How loyalty programs often reward the wrong people- What customer lifetime value really tells you- Why probabilistic models beat classic segmentation- How personas can hide what customers actually do- The power of small wins in shifting company mindset- What top customer-centric brands get right- And other topics…Peter Fader is the Frances and Pei-Yuan Chia Professor of Marketing at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is also the co-founder of Theta, a company that helps firms value their customer base. Peter is the author of Customer Centricity and The Customer-Base Audit, and his research has been featured in outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and Harvard Business Review. Through his work, he helps companies identify their highest-value customers and build strategies around them.Resources Mentioned:Customer Centricity: Focus on the Right Customers for Strategic Advantage, by Peter Fader: http://amazon.com/Customer-Centricity-Customers-Strategic-Essentials/dp/1613630166Connect with Peter:Profile: https://marketing.wharton.upenn.edu/profile/faderp/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterfader 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.

Ashley Whillans, a behavioral scientist at Harvard Business School and author of 'Time Smart,' dives into the concept of time poverty and its impact on workplace well-being. She explains how an organization’s culture can limit time affluence and emphasizes that control over time often outweighs financial perks. The discussion tackles the myth of work-life balance, the importance of fostering creativity, and strategies to combat urgency culture, ultimately advocating for humane policies that prioritize individual needs and personal growth in the workplace.