Work For Humans

Aaron McEwan, a behavioral scientist and futurist at Gartner, dives into the seismic shifts in the workplace post-pandemic. He highlights the importance of market sensing to identify emerging trends and social movements, emphasizing how unprepared companies can falter. Aaron also explores the rise of employee activism fuelled by social media, and discusses innovative strategies like treating employees as customers to enhance engagement. With insights into rapid response teams, he reveals how organizations can turn challenges into opportunities for growth.

Matt Beane, a pioneer in machine intelligence and assistant professor at UC Santa Barbara, discusses the critical impacts of AI on workforce skills. He reveals how automation threatens mentor-novice relationships, leading to a loss of essential human capabilities. Beane delves into the distinction between knowledge and skill in tech environments and the challenges facing new workers. Furthermore, he emphasizes innovative methods like positive deviance for skill development, advocating for a harmonious blend of technology and human growth.

On Work for Humans, we explore what people truly seek from their work. A recurring theme we have found is the desire for puzzles to solve. In today’s episode, we chat with a puzzle expert and creator to uncover the elements that make a compelling puzzle and how we can apply these principles to create work that people genuinely love.Jasen Robillard’s career has evolved from engineer to product specialist, geological mapper, and now, jigsaw puzzle creator. He is the founder of Stumpcraft, a Canadian jigsaw company that has gained recognition for its high-quality, artisanal puzzles, with Jasen's creative vision at the core of the company's success.In this episode, Dart and Jasen discuss:- The definition and attributes of a great puzzle- How Jasen started StumpCraft- The components of a compelling puzzle- Puzzles, problems, and messes at work- Work as an empathy playground- Puzzle creation constraints - Puzzles as part of the transformation economy- And other topics…Jasen Robillard is the founder of Stumpcraft, a premium wooden jigsaw puzzle company based in Canada. With a passion for intricate design and craftsmanship, Stumpcraft locally crafts each puzzle from sustainably sourced wood, incorporating unique, laser-cut pieces of Canadian fine art to challenge and delight puzzle enthusiasts. Jasen’s career journey led him from engineer to product specialist to geological mapping and, now, to jigsaw puzzles. Stumpcraft has gained recognition for its high-quality, artisanal puzzles, with Jasen's creative vision at the core of the company's success.Resources mentioned:Tools for Thinking, by Michael Pidd: https://www.amazon.com/Tools-Thinking-Modelling-Management-Science/dp/0470721421 “C.O.R.E. Attributes,” by Justin Gary: https://justingarydesign.substack.com/p/justin-gary-core-attributes Connect with Jasen:www.StumpCraft.com Substack: https://substack.com/@jasenrobillard 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 managing crises to ensuring compliance and safety, HR professionals are often the first responders in the workplace. Julie Turney, an HR specialist with over 15 years in the field, found herself so focused on supporting others that she became depleted and burned out. Drawing from her journey and research, Julie now dedicates her work to creating positive workplace cultures and fostering employee engagement, especially in the face of burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma. Julie Turney is an HR specialist, TEDx Speaker, author, and Founder and CEO of HRatHeart Consulting Inc. In this episode, Dart and Julie discuss:- The major challenges of HR professionals- HR as first responders in the workplace- Self-care and support for HR professionals- Things all HR employees need to know - Self-forgiveness in the field - The balance between HR, leadership, employees, and regulations- Julie’s recommendation for improving HR contracts- And other topics…Julie Turney is an HR specialist, TEDx Speaker, author, and Founder and CEO of HRatHeart Consulting Inc. With over 15 years of HR experience, she is passionate about building positive workplace cultures and fostering employee engagement, especially in the face of burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma. Julie focuses on talent management, employee development, and organizational change. Known for her ability to blend empathetic leadership with strategic HR practices, she helps companies navigate transitions while improving overall employee satisfaction. Resources mentioned:Confessions of an HR Pro, by Julie Turney: https://www.amazon.com/-/he/Julie-Turney/dp/0578905825 HR Sound Off podcastInterview - Julie Turney X The Pivot SeriesConnect with Julie:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamjulieturney www.HRatHeart.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.

Marty Cagan, a leading expert in product management and partner at Silicon Valley Product Group, shares his journey from engineering to mastering product management. He emphasizes the importance of empowered product teams solving customer problems, contrasting them with ‘feature factories.’ Marty discusses how workplace culture impacts innovation, recommending principles over processes, and highlights the necessity for decentralized decision-making. He also tackles the balance between innovation and predictability, urging a shift towards a culture of experimentation for success.

Stephan Meier, a renowned professor at Columbia Business School, discusses the crucial role of prioritizing employees for business success. He argues that businesses risk losing innovation if they neglect employee well-being. Highlights include the 'value stick' concept for balancing employee and customer satisfaction, and case studies showing the benefits of an employee-centric model. Meier also emphasizes the importance of tailored support based on workforce segmentation and the role of managers in fostering an engaged workplace.

In this engaging discussion, design strategists Stephanie Goia and Melanie Kahl explore human-centered organizational design. They emphasize the need to focus on actions over objects to innovate workplace structures. The duo introduces a pattern language library to encourage collaboration and diversity in design. They also touch on empathetic practices that integrate emotional well-being into organizational frameworks. Insights on designing participatory spaces and transforming education further illuminate their vision for a more inclusive and dynamic work environment.

Blaine Merker, an urban designer and leader at Gehl, champions human-centered design in public spaces. He discusses the transformative potential of prioritizing people over structures, highlighting the importance of 'in-between spaces' for fostering community. By integrating empirical data and ecological considerations, he advocates for designs that promote connection and serendipity. Alongside Alice Katter, they explore the impact of spatial innovation on collaboration and creativity, emphasizing the joy of observing human behavior in thoughtfully designed environments.

Brian Elliott, a leadership advisor with experience at Google and Slack, dives into the evolution of flexible work. He emphasizes the need for leaders to redefine success measures and build a culture of connection, regardless of location. Elliott discusses the shift from rigid work hours to prioritizing outcome-driven metrics and how innovative tools can address hybrid challenges. He also explores the importance of community engagement for remote workers and the changing dynamics of office spaces post-pandemic.

Phillip Brown, a distinguished sociologist and author, delves into the disillusionment facing college graduates burdened with debt and limited job prospects. He critiques the flawed promise of human capital theory and highlights how AI and outsourcing have created an oversupply of educated workers. Brown advocates for a new perspective on labor, urging a rethinking of education's role in economic equity and employee well-being. His insights challenge traditional views on education's purpose, emphasizing the importance of meaningful work and authentic value in today’s job market.