Work For Humans

Neuroscientist Paul Zak discusses creating engaged workplaces through immersion, oxytocin, and neuromanagement. Topics include the impact of social interactions on behavior, the role of oxytocin in trust and advertising, and the benefits of having dogs at work. Paul also shares insights on work transformation, personal development, and knowing when to move on in the workplace.

Matt Higgins was a struggling teen, working at McDonald’s for $3.75/hr to put food on the table for his ailing mother. When he saw the pay increase offered to college students, he decided to do something unorthodox; he dropped out of high school, got his GED, and enrolled in college. Adults tried to talk him out of it, but Matt knew this was the right choice for him.This was Matt's first "burn the boats" moment, but it wasn't his last. In fact, Matt believes this burn-the-boats mindset has defined his career, and has led him to places like Shark Tank, Harvard Business School, and beyond. Today, he joins us on Work For Humans to discuss the Burn the Boats philosophy.Matt is the co-founder and CEO of RSE Ventures, a private equity firm that incubates and invests in enterprises like the International Champions Cup, RESY, and the Drone Racing League. He is the recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, a current executive fellow at Harvard Business School, and the author of Burn the Boats.In this episode, Dart and Matt discuss:- How backup plans subvert our potential- Emotional intelligence and intuition in decision-making- Using anxiety to drive us- Assessing opportunity costs- Extracting value from negative situations- Acting early and taking risks for greater results- Elon Musk and Twitter- And other topics…Matt Higgins is an operator, investor, business builder, and co-founder and CEO of RSE Ventures. Matt Began his career as the youngest press secretary in New York City, later becoming an executive for the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins. As CEO of RSE Ventures, Matt and co-founder Stephen Ross have helped establish enterprises like the International Champions Cup, RESY, and the Drone Racing League.Matt received his bachelor’s degree from Queens College and his JD from Fordham University. He was a guest shark on ABC’s Shark Tank and is an executive fellow at Harvard Business School. In 2019, Matt received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for making it his mission to share his wealth of knowledge with those less fortunate. Matt recently published his first book, Burn the Boats, to continue to inspire others to toss Plan B overboard and go all in on Plan A.Resources Mentioned:Burn the Boats, by Matt Higgins: https://www.amazon.com/Burn-Boats-Overboard-Unleash-Potential/dp/006308886X  Connect with Matt:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-higgins-rse/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mhiggins/?hl=enwww.BurntheBoatsBook.coWork 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.

Design and strategy expert Deirdre Cerminaro discusses human-centered systems thinking, redesigning systems for human experiences, and best practices in systems mapping. Topics include creating and scaling a K-12 school system internationally, managing trade-offs between stakeholders, and using the 'Zoom In and Zoom Out' design tool.

Joe Pine has a knack for seeing workplace trends ahead of others. As a co-founder of Strategic Horizons LLP, he has helped organizations innovatively increase economic value for over three decades. Joe is a pioneer behind the experience economy, and he is now trailblazing the concept of a transformation economy in his latest book. Join us as we discuss the fifth and final economic offering and how it can impact employees and customers alike. Joseph Pine II is an internationally acclaimed author, speaker, and management advisor to Fortune 500 companies and entrepreneurial start-ups. In this episode, Dart and Joe discuss:- Joe’s latest writing project on the transformation economy- Examples of transformative experiences - The economic value of customer transformation- How to recognize different types of transformation - Work as a transformation offering- The correlation between transformation and wealth- How to create transformative experiences for individual aspirations- Joe’s outlook on the experience-design profession- And other topics…Joseph Pine II is an internationally acclaimed author, speaker, and management advisor to Fortune 500 companies and entrepreneurial start-ups. Joe is a co-founder of Strategic Horizons LLP and a lecturer at Northeastern University. His best-selling book, The Experience Economy, has been published in 15 languages and used as a company guide for over 20 years. He is now pioneering the idea of a Transformation Economy through the development of his latest book. Joe is a Senior Fellow with the Design Futures Council and the European Centre for the Experience Economy. He previously served as a Visiting Scholar with the MIT Design Lab, a professor at Duke University, a lecturer at Columbia University, and a manager with IBM. Joe has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and Harvard Business Review. His other published works include Infinite Possibility, Authenticity, and Mass Customization. Resources mentioned:The Experience Economy¸ by Joseph Pine II: https://www.amazon.com/Experience-Economy-New-Preface-Authors/dp/1633697975  Mass Customization, by Joseph Pine II: https://www.amazon.com/Mass-Customization-Frontier-Business-Competition/dp/0875843727  Work, Pray, Code, by Carolyn Chen: https://www.amazon.com/Work-Pray-Code-Becomes-Religion/dp/0691219087The Anatomy of Genres, by John Truby: https://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Genres-Story-Forms-Explain/dp/0374539227 The World Experience Organization Summit: www.WorldXO.org Connect with Joe:https://transformationsbook.substack.com/ www.StrategicHorizons.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joepine/ 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.

Many people offer predictions about the future of work, but only a handful are trained futurists who know how to influence that future effectively. Reanna Browne stands out by making the future of work her specialty. With a thorough academic background and a decade of experience in strategic foresight, Reanna guides public, private, and start-up companies in navigating change, cultivating resilience, and using the present to shape a more promising future of work. Reanna Browne is an academically trained futurist, former elite athlete, and the founder of Work Futures, a global consultancy firm specializing in strategic foresight. She is a leader in her field and has earned recognition as one of the “World’s Top Female Futurists” among fellow practitioners.In this episode, Dart and Reanna discuss:- The field of futures and foresight and the job of a trained futurist- The largest misunderstandings we have about the future- How to use the present to change what lies ahead- What led Reanna to study the future of work- The largest changes we see emerging around work- Steps we can take today to change the future of work- And other topics…Reanna Browne is an academically trained futurist, former elite athlete, and the founder of Work Futures, a global consultancy firm specializing in strategic foresight. With over a decade of experience in strategic workforce planning, Reanna guides public, private, and start-up organizations in navigating change, cultivating resilience, and using the present to shape a more promising future of work. She has been recognized as one of the “World’s Top Female Futurists” by fellow practitioners. Presently, Reanna serves on the Future of Work Advisory Panel for the Australian HR Institute, drawing on her extensive academic background. She holds an MA in Strategic Foresight from Swinburne University and a post-graduate qualification from the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia. She is also a distinguished graduate of the Finland Futures Academy and the Shillington School of Graphic Design.Resources mentioned:Why Greatness Cannot Be Planned, by Kenneth O. Stanley: https://www.amazon.com/Why-Greatness-Cannot-Planned-Objective/dp/3319155237 “The Bitter Lesson,” by Rich Sutton: http://www.incompleteideas.net/IncIdeas/BitterLesson.html Enlightenment Now, by Stephen Pinker: https://www.amazon.com/Enlightenment-Now-Science-Humanism-Progress/dp/0525427570 Connect with Reanna:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reannabrowne Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurist_reanna/ Work Futures: https://workfutures.com.au/ 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.

Artificial intelligence technologies are transforming our world, with innovations like LLMs and VR becoming part of everyday life and the workplace. Marlene de Koning, HR tech and experience expert, sees an opportunity to enhance employee well-being by improving how we use these technologies at work, bridging the gap between technology and business strategy. Marlene de Koning is the author of HR Tech Strategy and the Director at PwC Nederland, where she leads the HR Tech & Digital team. With over a decade of experience in the HR and employee experience industry, she has worked extensively with global clients such as LinkedIn and Microsoft to enhance the world of work. In this episode, Dart and Marlene discuss:- Technology-driven employee experiences- The misuse of HR technology- How LLMs, AI, and AR are impacting the work experience- Surprising areas where companies are using augmented reality- One vital skill new technologies will demand - Differences between human capital and human capability management- 5 stages of hybrid work- Personalizing work experience through technology- And other topics…Marlene de Koning is an author, start-up mentor, and the Director at PwC Nederland, where she leads the HR Tech & Digital team. With over a decade of experience in the HR and employee experience industry, she has worked with global clients such as LinkedIn and Microsoft to enhance the world of work. Her latest book, HR Tech Strategy, dissects the formula for aligning technology-driven employee experiences with profitable business results. Within Microsoft, Marlene worked on the Microsoft Startups team, served as the Director of Solutions Design for Workplace Intelligence and Director of GTM Strategy, and consulted as the Director of Work & Employee Experience. During her time with LinkedIn, she served on Team Lead Solutions, as a Senior Solutions Consultant and Global Project Lead, and New Product and Solutions Consultant for Northern Europe.Resources mentioned:HR Tech Strategy, by Marlene de Koning: https://www.amazon.com/HR-Tech-Strategy-Revolutionizing-Experience/dp/1637425678Connect with Marlene:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlenedekoning PwC Nederland: https://www.pwc.nl/nl.html 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.

Bill Duane has been navigating complex situations since he was a child, but facing his father’s death as an adult created an experience that he didn’t have an answer for. Trying to come to terms with his situation, Bill realized that what he needed wasn’t more safety – it was more meaning. Through his exploration of diverse disciplines like Buddhism and AI, Bill is now able to help other companies and individuals create more meaningful work through reflection, innovation, and growth.Bill Duane is the principal at Bill Duane and Associates, a consulting firm focused on innovation that serves notable clients such as Google, Amazon, and The White House. In this episode, Dart and Bill discuss:- Blending disciplines like Buddhism and AI to foster innovation- Bill’s intellectual and spiritual history- The relationship between technology and humanity- How to change a company’s standard model of thinking- Spaces where limitless growth is ineffective- Optimizing work for the medium and long-term- Utilizing love and care to problem-solve at work- And other topics…Bill Duane is the principal at Bill Duane and Associates, a consulting firm focused on innovation. With 12 years of experience at Google and a decade in consulting, Bill specializes in navigating change and complexity across industries like tech, healthcare, finance, and media. His clients include Google, Amazon, and The White House, among others. With studies in neuroscience, Bill integrates AI, team effectiveness, and mindfulness to drive innovative work approaches and collaboration. He shares his expertise through his AI workshops at Stanford’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design and as the Director of Strategy and Implementation at the Center for the Study of Apparent Selves, where he works on applied AI ethics. Bill also holds a Research Fellowship at Kathmandu University as part of this effort.Resources mentioned:“The Real Problem with the OpenAI Drama,” by Bill Duane: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/real-problem-open-ai-drama-bill-duane-hbwzc/ “The Techno-Optimist Manifesto,” by Marc Andreessen: https://a16z.com/the-techno-optimist-manifesto/ “Can Buddhism help humanity (and AI) navigate the AI revolution?” by the Center for the Study of Apparent Selves: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zRPql4lkkMKg4J9ThZmbG40rT2ojDaC4/view Care as a Driver of Intelligence in Humans and AI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtta_5rGsHU&t=7s 159 Doctor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlgWasFmmDo Technological Approach to Mind Everywhere: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC4FOzAuHF4Bioelectricity: the Software of the Body: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncuLWpwfRycHow evolution creates problem-solving machines: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR3UWx-G9Ks&t=255s“Technological Approach to Mind Everywhere,” by Michael Levin: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnsys.2022.768201/full CoWork 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.

Losing your job in the U.S. means more than losing your income. It often means losing access to crucial medications and healthcare. Adrian Salazar, the Head of Culture and Integrity at SafetyWing, advocates for a shift away from fear-driven work decisions. Through his role, he is actively involved in creating a social safety net and the first-ever internet-based country for workers around the globe.Adrian Salazar is the Head of Culture and Integrity at SafetyWing, a company pioneering the first global safety net and internet-based country.In this episode, Dart and Adrian discuss:- What it means to be Head of Culture and Integrity- Creating the first country on the internet- Building a social safety net- Overcoming obstacles when creating company culture- Why every company needs a value structure- SafetyWing’s values and how they’re lived out within the company- Why we should doubt the things we learn- The value in taking risks and making mistakes- And other topics…Adrian Salazar is the Head of Culture and Integrity at SafetyWing, a company pioneering the concept of the first internet-based country to offer equal opportunities worldwide. SafetyWing is working to create a global safety net, offering insurance, healthcare, retirement options, and income protection to nomads, remote workers, and individuals around the world. Adrian graduated from Tancsics Mihaly Secondary School of Economics in Salgotarjan, Hungary, and also holds a certification in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). With a background in user experience, design, and administration, he previously served as Head of Brand at Mealco and Head of Design at both Selva and Kensium Solutions.Resources mentioned:The Core Value Equation, by Darius Mirshahzadeh: https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Connect with Adrian:www.SafetyWing.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theadriansalazar/ 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.

For hundreds of years, Western culture has emphasized individualism, mirrored by many companies’ focus on quarterly profits. After seeing the limitations of this short-term thinking, futurist Ari Wallach decided to forge a new path through Longpath Labs. By focusing on generational empathy, Longpath’s work connects with past generations while simultaneously creating a legacy for future ones, fostering innovation and sustainable success.Ari Wallach is a futurist, social systems strategist, author, and founder of Longpath Labs, a leading think tank addressing long-term thinking and systemic issues to create a more sustainable and equitable future. In this episode, Dart and Ali discuss:- Using history and predictions to create innovation and community- The megatrends that Longpath tracks and why- The pros and cons of long-path thinking versus short-path- Transgenerational empathy- How to create a meta-cultural perspective within a company- What the long-path crowd thinking about the next 1000 years- And other topics…Ari Wallach is a futurist, social systems strategist, author, and founder of Longpath Labs, a leading think tank addressing long-term thinking and systemic issues to create a more sustainable and equitable future. Ari’s captivating TED Talk on Longpath has captivated audiences with over 2.5 million times and translations into 19 languages. Additionally, he is also the host of “A Brief History of the Future” on PBS and holds a board position at the Bologna Business School in Italy. Ari earned his BA in Peace and Conflict Studies from UC Berkeley. Before leading Longpath, Ari established and led Synthesis Corp., a strategic innovation consultancy serving clients like CNN, Volkswagen Global, and the US State Department. He is also a former adjunct associate professor at Columbia University, where he lectured on innovation, AI, and the future of governance. Resources mentioned:Longpath, by Ari Wallach: https://www.amazon.com/Longpath-Becoming-Ancestors-Antidote-Short-Termism/dp/0063068737American Nations, by Colin Woodard: https://www.amazon.com/American-Nations-History-Regional-Cultures/dp/0143122029Who Do We Choose to Be?  by Margaret Wheatley: https://www.amazon.com/Who-Do-Choose-Leadership-Restoring/dp/1523083638 Connect with Ali:www.longpath.org“A Brief History of the Future” on PBS: https://www.pbs.org/show/a-brief-history-of-the-future/  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.

When Elena Aylott was asked to lead Global Communications and Employee Experience at Oriflame Cosmetics, she was disillusioned with the traditional, administrative focus of HR. Recognizing the opportunity to drive real change, Elena accepted the role and worked to shift Oriflame towards a new approach. By initiating change and focusing on human-centered work, Elena revolutionized the global employee experience across 60+ countries, impacting thousands of employees and emerging as a champion for people-centric workplaces.Elena Aylott is a seasoned executive in People and Communications, the current Founder & CEO of Aylott Group, and the former VP of Global Communications and Employee Experience at Oriflame Cosmetics.In this episode, Dart and Elena discuss:- The challenges, successes, and future of people-centered CPOs- Elena’s experience as a human-centered CPO for Oriflame- Addressing policies that create negative employee experiences- Creating individualized workplace experiences on a large scale- The importance of acts of kindness at work- Using language to change work culture- How Elena built an HR team with no HR staff- The relationship between personal branding, leadership, and community building- And other topics…Elena Aylott is a seasoned executive renowned for her transformative leadership in People and Communications. As the Founder & CEO of Aylott Group, she specializes in Strategic Community Management and Personal Branding for Experts and Leaders. As the former VP of Global Communications and Employee Experience at Oriflame Cosmetics, Elena revolutionized the global employee experience across 60+ countries, 4500 employees, and 2.1 million independent brand partners. Her initiatives shifted HR and Global Communications, fostering belonging and optimizing business efficiency. Elena is also a Business and Leadership Advisor to Wisory, as well as a Certified Leadership Coach for the EuroAcademy Leadership Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. She is a member of the TEDxStockholm Speakers’ team and is proficient in three languages. Resources mentioned:The Employee Experience Advantage, by Jacob Morgan: https://www.amazon.com/Employee-Experience-Advantage-Employees-Workspaces/dp/111932162X The Power of Moments, by Chip and Dan Heath: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Moments-Certain-Experiences-Extraordinary/dp/1501147765The Experience Economy, by Joseph Pine: https://www.amazon.com/Experience-Economy-Updated-Joseph-Pine/dp/1422161978Mass Customization, by Joseph Pine: https://www.amazon.com/Mass-Customization-Frontier-Business-Competition/dp/0875843727Connect with Elena:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaaylott/Aylott Group: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aylottgroup/ 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.