Humanity Working

Written communication has expanded from formal emails to Slack messages, tweets, and video scripts. But are you being understood? In this "Quick Fix" episode, Paul and Matt break down why the way we were taught to write in school fails us at work and how the lack of intonation in text creates emotional misunderstandings. Paul introduces a four-layer framework to ensure your writing is effective and resonant, and issues a warning about using AI: don't let it destroy your authenticity.Key Takeaways:• The Sender-Receiver Gap: What feels positive to you as the sender can often be received negatively. Text lacks the vocal cues that usually signal intent, creating a gap where uncertainty and anxiety emerge.• The Framework for Excellence (The 4 Rs): To move from "functionally okay" to excellent, layer your communication to be:    1. Real: Truthful and clear.    2. Receivable: Short sentences that are easy to process.    3. Relevant: Focused on what the other person needs to know, not just what you want to say.    4. Resonant: Toned appropriately for the relationship and circumstance.• The AI Warning: While AI is useful early in the drafting process, relying on it too heavily can strip away your unique voice. This creates cognitive dissonance when people eventually meet you in person and the "real you" doesn't match your written persona.The "Quick Fix" Challenge: Before you hit send on your next important email or text, pause. Read it through the eyes of the receiver. Better yet, use a text-to-speech tool to listen to it. Hearing your words read back to you can reveal issues with tone and clarity that your eyes might miss.Resources & References:• Book Mentioned: Smart Brevity (Recommended for structure, but use with caution to remain authentic).• Tool: Speechify (Text-to-speech app).Up Next: Join us Thursday for a deep dive with Bill Kirst on maintaining our humanity in the age of AI, and tune in next Tuesday for a Quick Fix on Conflict Resolution.Humanity Working is a podcast focused on helping individuals, teams and organizations be ready for the future of work by maximizing their human potential.For more information, and access to our weekly newsletter, visit us at humanityworking.net.

Our most resilient companies have been around for about a hundred years. Meanwhile, some species of life are still thriving after a billion years. Ines Garcia believes that by quietening our cleverness and truly tapping into our understanding of how nature demonstrates adaptability and resilience, we can build organizations that truly last.In this episode, Paul and Ines discuss her new book, Nature's Blueprint for Business: Harnessing the Hidden Power of Edges, and propose radical new approaches to organizational design that could increase innovation, dramatically improve employee experience, and position organizations for the future of work.00:00:05 Introduction to Biomimicry and Nature Centricity00:02:44 Understanding Biomimicry00:08:38 Artificial vs Natural Organizational Structures00:11:03 Resilience and Adaptability in Nature00:13:41 Quietening Cleverness00:16:35 Practical Applications of Nature's Lessons00:19:46 The Importance of Edges00:21:51 Creating Resilient Organizations00:24:57 Learning From NatureHumanity Working is a podcast focused on helping individuals, teams and organizations be ready for the future of work by maximizing their human potential.For more information, and access to our weekly newsletter, visit us at humanityworking.net.

Verbal communication is the number one soft skill listed on job descriptions these days for a reason - almost all of us are getting worse at it.In today's episode Paul and Matt discuss why this is a degrading skill, and what specific steps we can all take to make sure we stand out in our verbal communications, whether it's with colleagues, leaders or even among our family and friends.00:00 Introduction00:16 The Importance of Verbal Communication00:52 Challenges in Verbal Communication02:58 The Decline of Verbal Communication Skills03:32 The Impact of Technology on Communication08:22 Improving Verbal Communication Skills11:14 The Role of Listening in Communication14:40 Practical Tips for Better Communication16:46 Upcoming Episodes and ConclusionHumanity Working is a podcast focused on helping individuals, teams and organizations be ready for the future of work by maximizing their human potential.For more information, and access to our weekly newsletter, visit us at humanityworking.net.

What does it take to be a leader in the new, unpredictable ever-changing world of work?Dr. Riza Kadilar has thought deeply about this question, as a CEO in multiple different countries, as an academic, and as president of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). But the main cause of introspection came from his own daughter's critique of leadership.The result? A fascinating new book: The Contemporary Leader: The Value of Inclusion in Successful Leadership.In this episode, Paul and Dr Kadilar what is fundamentally different in the new world of work, and what this means to everyone who will lead as work transforms.00:00 Introduction01:16 The Business Case for Inclusion01:39 Personal Journey and Realizations03:24 Historical and Anthropological Perspectives04:28 Challenges and Opportunities in Diversity06:15 Inclusion as a Feeling09:09 The Role of Culture in Leadership11:03 Collaboration and Emotional Aspects16:24 The Impact of Strong Organizational Culture32:57 Sustainability and Resilience41:20 Final Thoughts and ConclusionHumanity Working is a podcast focused on helping individuals, teams and organizations be ready for the future of work by maximizing their human potential.For more information, and access to our weekly newsletter, visit us at humanityworking.net.

Is resilience just something you get by going through tough times, or are there steps you can take in the here and now to make you more resilient? In today's episode Paul and Matt dive into resilience in some depth, and help you discover an exercise you can do today that will help you be more resilient in the moment.00:00 Introduction to Resilience00:12 Defining Resilience and Adaptability06:06 The Importance of Resilience Today08:59 Techniques to Build Resilience14:11 Practical Exercises for Resilience16:21 Conclusion and Upcoming ContentHumanity Working is a podcast focused on helping individuals, teams and organizations be ready for the future of work by maximizing their human potential.For more information, and access to our weekly newsletter, visit us at humanityworking.net.

Dan Rust returns  to the conversation with Paul to delve into the skills people need to thrive as work evolves, but as individuals and leaders. Paul and Dan share their thoughts on using AI in the workplace, including how to balance productivity and quality, and the psychological impacts of reliance on such technologies. They also explore what really constitutes career success, highlighting the significance of adaptability, capturing evidence of achievements, and the importance of resilience and grit in overcoming challenges.00:00 Introduction01:31 Reflecting on Leadership Mistakes03:21 Adapting to a Changing World10:38 The Invisible Revolution16:45 AI's Impact on Careers24:41 Personal Experience with Chat GPT26:26 MIT Study on Brain Function and AI28:13 Thrive with AI Program Insights29:53 Strategic Use of AI for Productivity30:59 Psychological Impact and Management Skills32:34 Future of AI in Organizations39:05 Adaptability as Key to Career Success45:10 Overcoming Challenges and Building Resilience50:53 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsHumanity Working is a podcast focused on helping individuals, teams and organizations be ready for the future of work by maximizing their human potential.For more information, and access to our weekly newsletter, visit us at humanityworking.net.

Why is it so difficult to be motivated in today's world of work, and what can we do to make sure that we get and sustain motivation even as AI and robotics become more prevalent?In today's episode, Matt and Paul discuss how motivation is more than just an initial burst of inspiration or positivity; it involves understanding the reality of your situation, knowing what matters to you, and making consistent progress. They examine the difference between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation, noting that both play a role in our drive to work. And they highlight the importance of momentum, suggesting that effective motivation comes from recognizing when to maximize high-motivation periods and when to ride out the lows. This episode includes practical advice on how you can improve your motivation with small, simple steps.00:00 Introduction to Motivation00:11 Defining Motivation01:21 Historical Perspectives on Motivation04:51 Modern Challenges in Motivation09:00 Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation12:17 Practical Tips for Boosting Motivation13:44 Conclusion and Wrap-UpHumanity Working is a podcast focused on helping individuals, teams and organizations be ready for the future of work by maximizing their human potential.For more information, and access to our weekly newsletter, visit us at humanityworking.net.

Learning and Development leader and host of the  podcast Leadership Disrupted joins Paul to discuss critical factors that can determine your success or failure in the workplace of today and tomorrow. They tackle questions such as:Knowing When to Leave an OrganizationHow to Recognize the Root Cause of Workplace StrugglesHow to Navigate Workplace CulturesThe Role of Luck in a Person's Career00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:50 Getting to Know Dan Rust01:58 Discussion Format and Questions03:52 Warning Signs to Leave an Organization16:17 Root Causes of Struggles at Work29:09 Navigating Workplace Cultures36:58 Universal Success Habits vs. Personalization44:50 The Role of Luck in Career Success52:25 Conclusion and Future Plans00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:50 Meeting and Mutual Interests01:58 Discussion Format and Questions03:52 Question 1: Warning Signs to Leave an Organization16:17 Question 2: Root Causes of Struggles at Work29:09 Question 3: Navigating Workplace Cultures36:58 Question 4: Universal Success Habits vs. Personalized Advice44:50 Question 5: The Role of Luck in Careers52:25 Conclusion and Future PlansHumanity Working is a podcast focused on helping individuals, teams and organizations be ready for the future of work by maximizing their human potential.For more information, and access to our weekly newsletter, visit us at humanityworking.net.

In this episode, Paul and Matt tackle the concept of balance within the modern work-life environment. They discuss how managing energy across various life domains—work, family, friends, and personal interests—is more crucial than merely dividing time between work and personal life. They differentiate between traditional work-life balance and the current need for energy balance, addressing the intertwining of work and non-work activities in today's world. They highlight challenges like hyperresponsiveness and guilt, which complicate maintaining balance. The episode concludes with practical advice: conducting an internal audit of balance and seeking external perspectives from important relationships in one’s life.00:00 Introduction to Balance00:57 Defining Work-Life Balance02:56 Challenges of Modern Work-Life Balance05:06 Managing Energy and Time06:52 Balance and Guilt08:42 Achieving the Right Balance09:41 Practical Tips for Better Balance11:10 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsHumanity Working is a podcast focused on helping individuals, teams and organizations be ready for the future of work by maximizing their human potential.For more information, and access to our weekly newsletter, visit us at humanityworking.net.

Paul hosts Stephan Meier, author of 'The Employee Advantage' and chair of the management division at Columbia Business School.Paul and Stephan discuss the new book, and the benefits and challenges associated with creating human-centric workplaces. They delve into the core themes of employee engagement, the importance of listening to workers, and the concept of treating employees as valuable assets.Stephan shares insights from his book, including examples of successful employee-centric companies such as Best Buy and MasterCard. They also explore the diminishing returns of monetary compensation, the necessity of learning and development, and the impact of empathy on team productivity. The episode concludes with a discussion on how adopting AI can enhance employee experience and why employee centricity is crucial in modern workplaces.02:08 The Importance of Employee-Centric Workplaces03:46 Challenges in Valuing Employees04:50 Employee vs. Customer Centricity08:44 Listening to Employees: Beyond Surveys10:53 Leadership and Employee Engagement22:36 Mission and Vision: Walking the Talk28:32 The Importance of Purpose in the Workplace30:37 Connecting Purpose to Daily Work34:28 KPMG's 10,000 Stories Challenge38:06 Behavioral Economics and Employee Motivation42:31 Learning and Growth as Key Motivators49:21 The Role of Social Skills in Team Success52:32 AI, Robotics, and the Future of Work58:20 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsResources Mentioned In This EpisodeInterview with Garry RidgeThe Employee Advantage BookStephan's Stop-Motion AnimationHumanity Working is a podcast focused on helping individuals, teams and organizations be ready for the future of work by maximizing their human potential.For more information, and access to our weekly newsletter, visit us at humanityworking.net.