Work For Humans

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.

Join Stephanie Reuss and Victoria Stuart, co-founders of Beamible, as they revolutionize the way we understand work. Stephanie is an award-winning entrepreneur with deep consulting expertise, while Victoria brings strategic insights from her tenure at Google. Together, they discuss why visibility into work processes is crucial for meaningful change and how AI is reshaping job design. They also dive into the human cost of misalignment, the power of transparency, and innovative tools like bubble charts to enhance productivity. Tune in for fresh ideas on optimizing team dynamics!

Most of us don’t realize how much fear shapes how we live and show up at work. But Amon Woulfe sees it clearly. As the founder of 432Hz, he has spent over a decade helping leaders understand the deeper fears that silently drive behavior, limit growth, and erode connection. In this episode, Dart and Amon explore how fear shapes leadership, why change agents often burn out, and what it takes to shift from protection to presence. They also discuss the limits of personality tests, the illusion of control, and how tuning in can unlock more grounded, courageous leadership.Amon Woulfe is a leadership coach and founder of 432Hz, a company that blends psychology, performance, and transformation to help people lead with presence, clarity, and courage.In this episode, Dart and Amon discuss:- The nine psychological fears that shape leadership- How fear creates protective patterns that limit range- Why personality tests can become boxes instead of tools- The role of curiosity in emotional freedom- How leaders can move from performance to presence- What it means to be "in tune" as a human being- Why change agents burn out- And other topics…Amon Woulfe is the CEO of 432Hz and the creator of the world’s first holistic MAP of human development. He helps leaders overcome fear, unlock their potential, and grow from the inside out. As a coach and consultant, he has worked with executives, elite athletes, first responders, and military teams around the world. Amon’s mission is to help people live beyond fear so they can lead, grow, and create lasting change. He’s now focused on scaling this work to reach more people through human-centered technology.Resources Mentioned:432Hz: https://432hz.comConnect with Amon:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amonwoulfeWebsite: https://www.amonwoulfe.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.

Michael Cholbi, a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh, delves into the deep philosophical implications of work. He discusses the necessity behind 'work-positive' attitudes and how adaptive preferences shape our labor relationships. Cholbi examines the moral responsibilities of companies in designing work, challenging the notion of work as a mere obligation. The conversation also explores the potential for automation to liberate us from the traditional job structure, emphasizing the need for dignity and a reimagined future centered on human fulfillment.

Anthea Roberts, the Founding CEO of Dragonfly Thinking and a Professor at the Australian National University, dives into the transformative power of metacognition in an AI-driven world. She discusses how Dragonfly Thinking encourages viewing challenges from multiple perspectives to enhance problem-solving. Anthea emphasizes that improving thought quality, not speed, is essential in decision-making. The conversation also covers the role of AI in clarifying complex issues and how metaphors shape organizational understanding, paving the way for better thinking tools.

Lisa Kay Solomon, a futurist and strategist at Stanford's d.school, dives into the art of design as a powerful tool for shaping the future. She discusses the importance of imagination in leadership, emotional engagement in strategy, and how scenario planning fosters agency. Solomon shares insights from a groundbreaking wellness retail project and emphasizes the necessity of long-term thinking for sustainable futures. Listeners will discover how design can inspire hope and transform personal and business models in today's complex world.

Suzana Kubric, Chief People Officer at Nubank, and Jessica Matsumoto, Senior Director of People Experience, discuss their innovative approach to transforming HR into a product-driven function. They explore how viewing employees as internal customers enhances engagement and efficiency. The conversation delves into journey mapping, the importance of diverse roles like designers and PMs, and how initiatives like the 'Bureaucracy Buster' channel empower employees. They emphasize a continuous service mindset to revolutionize the overall employee experience.