Work For Humans

Dan Cable found himself in a situation that millions of people experience every day. He was doing his job, meeting company standards, and getting compensated for it, but he felt something was missing. He wasn’t growing, he wasn’t learning, and his work did not make him feel whole and alive.As a researcher and professor of organizational behavior, Dan knew he needed to make a change. By exploring the neuroscience behind thriving at work, Dan has since used his experience to help companies like Coca-Cola and Twitter design better work experiences for their employees.Dan Cable is a researcher, author, and Professor of Organizational Behavior at the London Business School. He uses his expertise to assist clients like Coca-Cola, Twitter, McDonald’s, and Prudential. Dan has published three books and more than 50 articles in top scientific journals. He has been featured in publications such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, among others.In this episode, Dart and Dan discuss:- Dan’s book, Alive at Work- The biology behind enthusiastic employees- How Dan helped reduce a company’s turnover by 30%- Why experimentation and play at work are essential- Creating conditions for experimentation at work without risking company goals- What stifles employee energy- Playing to the strengths of your team- The type of leadership that creates thriving employees- How managers can create personalized work- And more…Dan Cable is a researcher, author, and Professor of Organizational Behavior at London Business School. He uses his expertise to assist clients like Coca-Cola, Twitter, McDonald’s, and Prudential, among others. He has won the London Business School’s Excellence in Teaching Award and was selected for the 2018 Thinkers50 Radar List.Dan holds a BA from Penn State University and an MS Ph.D. from Cornell. He has published three books – Change to Strange, Alive at Work, and Exceptional – as well as more than 50 articles in top scientific journals. His work has been featured in The Economist, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and CNBC.Resources Mentioned:Alive at Work, by Daniel Cable: https://www.amazon.com/Alive-Work-Neuroscience-Helping-People/dp/1633697665Design for Belonging, by Susie Wise: https://www.amazon.com/Design-Belonging-Inclusion-Collaboration-Communities-ebook/dp/B0998BMN9HConnect with Dan:www.dan-cable.comTwitter: @dancable1Work 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.

If you’ve heard of the five love languages, you know that different people express and receive love differently. For years, we’ve implemented this knowledge within our personal relationships, but Paul White has found a way to apply them to work through his book, The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace. Paul is a psychologist, researcher, keynote speaker, leadership trainer, and best-selling author who “makes work relationships work.” For over 25 years, he has collaborated with companies like the Mayo Clinic, HP, NASA, Microsoft, and the Salvation Army to create positive workplace environments, boost engagement, and increase productivity. His book, The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, teaches how appreciation can improve working conditions while increasing company productivity and profitability.In this episode, Dart and Paul discuss:- Paul’s book, The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace- How to show appreciation in the workplace- Employee recognition vs. employee appreciation- The observable benefits of appreciating your team- HR’s most misunderstood love language - The failure of recognition programs- Workplace design for ADHD employees- Four major misconceptions leaders have about appreciation at work- And other topics...Paul White is a psychologist, researcher, keynote speaker, leadership trainer, and best-selling author who “makes work relationships work.” For over 25 years, he has worked with companies like Microsoft, NASA, the Mayo Clinic, HP, and the Salvation Army to create positive workplace environments, boost engagement, and increase productivity. Paul has given lectures about his work in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. As an author, he has sold over 600,000 books, including The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, which he wrote alongside Gary Chapman. Paul has also been featured in the New York Times, Fortune, BBC news, CNN, and Forbes, among others. Resources Mentioned:The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, by Gary Chapman and Paul White: https://www.amazon.com/Languages-Appreciation-Workplace-Organizations-Encouraging-ebook/dp/B07F7NYY9P The 5 Love Languages, by Gary Chapman: https://www.amazon.com/Five-Love-Languages-Secret-Lasts/dp/B079B7PJMV https://www.appreciationatwork.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.

From street theater performances to multimillion-dollar immersive experiences, Stacy Barton knows how to engage an audience. Through her work as a master storyteller, Stacy has learned how to use storytelling principles to design specific experiences for target audiences. Today, we discuss how to apply these principles to work design. Stacy has been creating multimillion-dollar immersive experiences for over 37 years as a designer, award-winning writer, and story lead. She uses her creativity to work with high-network individuals and companies like Disney, Ringling Bros, DreamVision, and SeaWorld, among others.In this episode, Dart and Stacy discuss:- Creating an immersive experience to engage customers- How to show your customers/employees you care about them- Discovering the story behind a brand- Finding employees that complement your company- The importance of appreciation at work- Applying storytelling to real-world business problems- Being creative within the constraints of work- And more…Stacy Barton has been creating immersive experiences as a designer, writer, and story lead for over 37 years. Utilizing immense creativity and problem-solving skills, she helps build multimillion-dollar pop-up experiences, escape rooms, shows, and theme park areas for high-network individuals and companies, including Disney, Ringling Bros, DreamVision, and SeaWorld.As a writer, Stacy brings stories to life through her scripts, narrative development, and novels. She is the award-winning author of three books, five children’s picture books, and over 30 magazine publications. She presented as a panelist for the National Association of Writers and Writing Program and is a speaker for events such as the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference and the Disney Institute. Resources Mentioned:Why We Work, by Barry Schwartz: https://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Work-Barry-Schwartz/dp/144237814X Connect with Stacy:https://www.stacybarton.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-barton-58b7997/ Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Stacy-Barton/author/B001JS4R6A 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.

Jeff Saperstein watched his father spend his life in a job that used only a tiny portion of his true capabilities. By day, Jeff's father worked as a postman, but in his spare time, he read deeply and broadly in the classics, and he was a national chess champion and master. That would've been fine if Jeff's father had been okay with it, but he really wasn't. Jeff resolved to live a different life. He moved from New York to California where he felt the ethos was much more sky's the limit and future-oriented. He reached for and attained senior marketing roles in top companies, wrote nine books, and now helps others live their full potential through his work as a university instructor and career coach. In this episode, Dart and Jeff discuss:- Creating a legacy through your work- Managers as mentors- Finding purpose at work- Three aspects of connecting meaningfully with others- Creating an inner circle of people who share your values- Company culture- What to do when you feel stuck in your job - And other topics…Jeff Saperstein is an author, university lecturer, and certified career coach. After climbing the corporate ladder in advertising, nonprofit marketing, and fundraising, Jeff decided to follow his calling and founded his own company. Now, Jeff helps accomplished professionals experience value-based growth through meaningful career transitions.Jeff has written nine books and five case studies on business, including one bestseller. He is a lecturer at San Francisco State University, where his legacy includes promoting the growth of his students from diverse socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. Resources Mentioned:The Inner Ring, C.S. Lewis speech: https://www.lewissociety.org/innerring/ The Purpose Economy, by Aaron Hurst: https://www.amazon.com/Purpose-Economy-Personal-Community-Changing-ebook/dp/B00JEMUB1S "8 Ways Women Can Use Their 'Relationship Capital' To Build Powerful Careers," by Jeff Saperstein: https://www.yourtango.com/self/relationship-capital-careerConnect with Jeff:https://jeffsaperstein.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.

In just three years, Darius Mirshahzadeh went from being a one-man show to having the 40th fastest-growing private company in the U.S. He was a 28-year-old CEO who brought his dream to life... until it hit him. He hated his company, and it was his fault.Darius realized that his organization didn’t reflect his core values, making limitless scale impossible. His journey to create a company grounded in core values resulted in Glassdoor ranking him the number nine CEO in America for small and medium-sized businesses. Now, having exited his company, Darius helps other companies scale to 8 and 9-figures using the principles he discovered.Darius Mirshahzadeh is an author, entrepreneur, and expert in scaling businesses. Within three years of founding Twin Capital Mortgage, he grew it from one employee to 150 employees with a 2500%+ revenue growth. His new book, The Core Value Equation, discusses how to use core values to create limitless scale and build an unbeatable organization. In this episode, Dart and Darius discuss:- Darius’ new book, The Core Value Equation- Designing company values- Whether or not employees must share company values- Core values as the language of accountability within an organization- Measuring employee efficacy and engagement - When polarization in business is a good thing - Finding your calling- And other topics…Darius Mirshahzadeh is an author, entrepreneur, and expert in scaling businesses to eight and nine figures. Within three years of founding his first company, Twin Capital Mortgage, he grew it to have 2500%+ revenue growth and reach #40 on the Inc. 5000 rankings. By focusing on core values and honesty within a company, Darius was ranked #9 by Glassdoor’s Ranked CEOs in America for small to medium businesses. His new book, The Core Value Equation, discusses how to use core values to create a limitless scale and build an optimal organization. Darius participated in the Birthing of Giants at MIT and the Gathering of Titans at MIT, was a TEDx curator, and graduated from the world-renowned Stagen Integral Leadership Program. His six core values are happiness, love, passion, curiosity, creativity, and balance.Resources Mentioned:The Core Value Equation, by Darius Mirshahzadeh: https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Bain & Company’s eNPS: https://www.netpromotersystem.com/about/employee-nps/ Gallup Q12 Employee Engagement Survey: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/356063/gallup-q12-employee-engagement-survey.aspxConnect with Darius:https://therealdarius.com/ The Greatness Machine podcastWork 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.

Dan Clein has fought corruption in communist Romania and dismantled mines in the Israel Defense Forces, but his latest mission is a covert one – to assist weak and defeated teams, creating his own army of capable and courageous managers. His newest book, The Unorthodox Manager, uses his unconventional experience to break the mold of what managers should be and teach us what management is really about – thinking outside of the box, defending your team, and showing grit. Dan Clein is an author, the owner of CoMeT-IC Consulting, and the current Chief Strategy Officer of LeadIC Design Canada Inc. As a Canadian, Israeli, and Romanian citizen who speaks four languages, Dan has trained people across backgrounds and within the tech industry for the last 35 years.In this episode, Dart and Dan discuss:- Dan’s latest book, The Unorthodox Manager- The difference between a manager and a leader- A manager’s duty to defend their team- How to negotiate- The importance of acting preemptively in business- Creating a fulfilled and effective team- Knowing who is management material - Dan’s experience in communist Romania and the Israeli army- And more…Dan Clein is an author, the owner of CoMeT-IC Consulting, and the current Chief Strategy Officer of LeadIC Design Canada Inc. He has spent 35 years in the tech industry, training others in everything from hardware implementation to management courses. As a Canadian, Israeli, and Romanian citizen who speaks four languages, Dan has worked with people across backgrounds, countries, and professions. His latest book, The Unorthodox Manager, arms readers with out-of-the-box strategies for successfully managing modern teams.Resources Mentioned:The Unorthodox Manager, by Dan Clein: https://www.amazon.com/Unorthodox-Manager-Eliminating-Turnover-Successful/dp/1525591975 Connect with Dan:Dan Clein LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-clein-43b2581/?originalSubdomain=ca 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.

In 2020, Roy Baladi was moments away from the Port of Beirut when it exploded, nearly costing him his life. Meanwhile, 2,500 miles away in the Netherlands, Eugène Van den Hemel met with struggling refugees to help connect them to a brighter future. An unexpected twist of events would eventually bring these two men together to help hundreds of underrepresented people find work, aspiration, and hope. Roy Baladi is the founder of Jobs for Humanity, a global movement that has created 10,000+ jobs for historically underrepresented talent, including the blind, the neurodivergent, single moms, ethnic minorities, refugees, returning citizens, and those over 58 years old.Eugène Van den Hemel is a professional recruiter who left his corporate job to help underrepresented communities through his consulting company, Heavenly Thoughts. Since 2015, he has helped over 800 individuals reignite their aspirations and find fulfilling work.In this episode, Dart, Roy, & Eugène discuss:- The near-death experience that changed Roy’s perspective- The mission of Jobs for Humanity- A pool of talented employees that companies overlook- Stigmas and biases built into many hiring processes- How to break biases- Neurodivergent employees, and how they help your company win- How one man’s network helped 800+ people find work- And other topics…Roy Baladi is the founder of Jobs for Humanity, a global movement to create jobs for historically underrepresented talent. He has helped over 10,000 people from these communities find work, including the blind and low vision, the neurodivergent, single moms, ethnic minorities, refugees, returning citizens, and those over 58 years old.Eugène van den Hemel is a professional recruiter who left his corporate job to help underrepresented communities connect with employers. He formed his own consulting company, Heavenly Thoughts, to assist refugees and other groups through relationship-based recruiting. Since 2015, Eugène has helped over 800 individuals reignite their aspirations and find fulfilling work.Resources Mentioned:www.Jobsforhumanity.comConnect with Roy & Eugène:Roy Baladi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roybaladi/Eugène Van den Hemel LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evandenhemel/?originalSubdomain=nlWork 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.

Ross Dawson’s mission in life is to advance human evolution – but he's facing a dilemma. How can humans evolve in the Information Age when so much misleading and distracting information surrounds us? By figuring out where to find value amid information overload, Ross became a globally-recognized futurist, creating better business strategies for companies like Microsoft, Coca-Cola, and Citibank.Ross is a global keynote speaker, futurist, author, strategy advisor, and entrepreneur. As an advisor, he has worked in over 30 countries for big names like Microsoft, Visa, and Walmart, among others. He is a best-selling author who predicted the social networking revolution in his book, Living Networks. His latest release, Thriving on Overload, is available now.In this episode, Dart and Ross discuss:- How to find value within our information overload- The 5 capabilities you need for success in the information era- The 6 ways humans pay attention- Ross' time living in a Japanese Zen dojo- The importance of aligning individual mental models within a team- Information hazards we can avoid- The future of humans and technology in work- And other topics…Ross Dawson is a globally-recognized futurist, keynote speaker, author, strategy advisor, and entrepreneur. Named by Digital Media as one of the most influential people in the world in the future of work, Ross has appeared on CNN, ABC TV, and the Today Show, as well as been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC, among others. As an advisor, he has worked in over 30 countries for companies like Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Visa, Citibank, and Walmart. Ross is also the best-selling author who predicted the social networking revolution through his previous book, Living Networks. His latest release, Thriving on Overload, is available now. Resources Mentioned:Thriving on Overload, by Ross Dawson: https://www.amazon.com/Thriving-Overload-Success-Exponential-Information-ebook/dp/B0BFP6WCHP Living Networks, by Ross Dawson: https://www.amazon.com/Living-Networks-20th-Anniversary-Hyperconnected-ebook/dp/B09V1PCFWB Winning on Purpose, by Fred Reichheld: https://www.amazon.com/Winning-Purpose-Unbeatable-Strategy-Customers-ebook/dp/B08TCJHZWZ Connect with Ross:www.RossDawson.com www.ThrivingOnOverload.com Thriving on Overload podcast: https://thrivingonoverload.com/episodes/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.

Alice Fairfax was overjoyed when she landed the acting job at Disney World. There was just one problem. She needed to keep the attention of crowds and had no idea how to do it. Determined to learn the trade, she built up over 10,000 hours of performance experience. Along the way, Alice discovered the secret to engaging an audience, and it works across all domains – storytelling. Alice now helps brands tell their stories in a way that connects with employees and customers alike.Alice has been a Walt Disney World performer for over 20 years. She is a ghostwriter, scriptwriter, keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, and author of two books on creativity and performance, The Creative Life and Tell Your Story. In this episode, Dart and Alice discuss:- How stories make work meaningful- The relationship between core values and stories- Employee onboarding- How to connect employee wants with company needs- What makes a good story- How to speak so people listen- How to win the trust of an audience - And other topics...Alice Fairfax has performed improvisation, storytelling, and comedy at Walt Disney World for over 20 years. Using her vast experience, Alice helps executives, speakers, writers, and companies communicate their vision through her series of storytelling trainings and workshops. She is also a ghostwriter, scriptwriter, keynote speaker, and author of two books on creativity and performance, The Creative Life and Tell Your Story. Alice holds a certificate in Creativity & Innovation from the Walt Disney Company and Harvard Business School Publishing and a BA from Rollins College. Resources Mentioned:A Theory of Human Motivation, by A.H. Maslow: https://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Maslow/motivation.htm Why We Work, by Barry Schwartz: https://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Work-TED-Books-ebook/dp/B00NZWJE3O Design for Belonging, by Susie Wise: https://www.amazon.com/Design-Belonging-Inclusion-Collaboration-Communities-ebook/dp/B0998BMN9H Connect with Alice:www.Alicefairfax.com  Instagram: @alicefairfaxLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-fairfax-3aaa711/ Tell Your Story, by Alice Fairfax, 2023 release: https://www.alicefairfax.com/resourceWork 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.

Thomas Bertels spent the last two decades as a Business Architect  helping struggling businesses solve structural problems: employee disengagement, inefficient teams, and low productivity. Whether working with a small company or a big player like PepsiCo, Thomas realized these issues stemmed from the same source – poor work design.This insight led Thomas to develop what he now calls motivational work design – a systems approach to designing work that is employee-centric, improves productivity, and improves customer experiences.Thomas Bertels is the founder of the consulting firm Purpose Works. He has worked across industries from big pharma, insurance, and top Fortune 50 companies like Johnson & Johnson and PepsiCo, and others.In this episode, Dart and Thomas discuss:- How work came to be so poorly designed- How to design work that balances employee needs and company needs- The role of HR in work design- The role of Senior Executives in work design- Tops-down versus Bottom-Up approaches to work design- The role of managers in well-designed workplaces- The balance between employee oversight and autonomy- And other topics...Thomas Bertels has been redesigning business strategies, processes, and operating models across industries for over 25 years. During his career, Thomas has revamped HR processes for a top ten pharma company, reduced operating costs by over $30 million for a leading insurance organization, and improved efficiency within big names like Johnson & Johnson, Mitsubishi Chemical, and PepsiCo. Thomas began his consulting work in Germany, where he was a founding partner of OXYGY Consulting/Valeocon Management Consulting. He later led the firm’s work in the U.S., where he received his MBA from New York University. Thomas is the founder and current president of the Purpose Works consulting firm, where he continues to work on operating model transformation across all sectors. Resources Mentioned:Purpose Works Consulting: www.purpose.works Job motivation diagnostic tool, Mojo Diagnostic: mymojo.works 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.