Ollie on Work

This week, I’m joined by David Blake, CEO of Degreed and a pioneer in the world of lifelong learning and skills development. Degreed, founded in 2012, launched with the mission of “jailbreaking the degree”, where all skills are recognised, irrespective of how they are acquired. More than 9 million learners from hundreds of global companies now use Degreed to gain the skills to grow in their careers.If you've been thinking about how to manage talent in the age of AI, or how to future-proof your own skills, this episode is packed with insights.TALKING POINTS:The growing skills gap and why it’s here to stay.How AI can be leveraged to identify and bridge skills gaps within organisations.Moving beyond traditional credentials - why skills are the new currency.Practical advice for leaders on adopting a skills-based approach to workforce development.The importance of lifelong learning and how organisations can create a culture that supports it.LINKS:David's LinkedInDegreed websiteFollow Ollie on LinkedInSubscribe to the Future Work/Life NewsletterMy book, Work/Life Flywheel, was shortlisted for the Business Book Awards 2024. You can order your copy HERE (UK) or HERE (US).  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to this special episode of Future Work/Life, in which we take a step back and reflect on the key themes and insights from Season 15 so far. It’s been a busy few months—between speaking events and connecting with people leaders, I've had the privilege of speaking with incredible guests about the future of work, leadership, learning, and what it means to be human in an AI-powered world.In this episode, I bring together the standout ideas and discussions from Season 15. We talk about how AI can augment human skills, the changing landscape of workplace connection, the evolving needs of different generations, and the importance of empathy and learning cultures.More great guests to come before the end of the year...LINKS:Ollie's LinkedInFuture Work/Life NewsletterMy book, Work/Life Flywheel, was shortlisted for the Business Book Awards 2024. You can order your copy HERE (UK) or HERE (US).  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I’m joined by Grief Gang's Amber Jeffrey, a podcaster, speaker, and grief mentor.Despite tackling a challenging topic, I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation, which was filled with laughter and positivity. We explore how grief is often hidden in the workplace, how creating space for these conversations can help people heal, and why connecting during tough times matters. I finished our conversation feeling more confident about discussing these tough topics—and I hope this episode does the same for you.TALKING POINTS:How the loss of her mum inspired Amber to start The Grief Gang.The challenge of navigating grief at work and why it's often avoided.The power of creating a space for conversations about loss and vulnerability.Amber’s journey in building The Grief Gang community and why community support is crucial.Practical ways to be there for someone dealing with grief—at work and beyond.LINKS:The Grief Gang websiteThe Grief Gan InstagramAmber's LinkedInOllie's LinkedInFuture Work/Life NewsletterMy book, Work/Life Flywheel, was shortlisted for the Business Book Awards 2024. You can order your copy HERE (UK) or HERE (US).  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I’m joined by Cara Brennan Allamano, cofounder of PeopleTech Partners and experienced people leader at startups and high-growth companies. Cara has been instrumental in scaling people functions at Pinterest, Udemy, and, most recently, Lattice.In this episode, we explore the biggest challenges and opportunities in the world of work, how AI is reshaping jobs, and Cara's advice for people leaders and executives looking to thrive.TALKING POINTS:The historic shift in work: from agrarian and industrial to decentralised and AI-driven.Why curiosity is a critical mindset for navigating the future of work.The rising value of hands-on, practical skills alongside tech-driven roles.How the “multi-stage life” concept is reshaping career paths and personal growth.Personalisation of work experiences through AI—making employee engagement more meaningful and tailored.LINKS:Cara's LinkedInPeopleTech PartnersInterested in me sharing insights on these topics with your team? Book a free consultation to see how I can help, HEREOllie's LinkedInFuture Work/Life NewsletterMy book, Work/Life Flywheel, was shortlisted for the Business Book Awards 2024. You can order your copy HERE (UK) or HERE (US).  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I'm joined by Pat Wadors, newly appointed CHRO at Intuitive, a leading medical technology company. Pat has previously led HR at UKG, ServiceNow, LinkedIn, and Yahoo and is widely recognised for her transformative leadership in the people space.In this episode, we explore leadership, storytelling, and the power of human connection. Pat also shares insights from her upcoming book, Unlock Your Leadership Story: How to Build Understanding and Motivate Teams Using Fables and Folktales.TALKING POINTS:The role of storytelling in effective leadership.How neurodiversity shaped Pat’s leadership approach.Navigating career growth in fast-paced, innovative industries.Lessons from leading HR in some of the world’s top companies.Insights on building inclusive, high-performing teams.LINKS:Pat's LinkedInUnlock Your Leadership Story: How to Build Understanding and Motivate Teams Using Fables and FolktalesInterested in me sharing insights on these topics with your team? Book a free consultation to see how I can help, HEREOllie's LinkedInFuture Work/Life NewsletterMy book, Work/Life Flywheel, was shortlisted for the Business Book Awards 2024. You can order your copy HERE (UK) or HERE (US).  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I’m joined by David Hanrahan, Chief People Officer at Flare.Flare’s software platform is transforming the delivery of professional services within the legal sector. By simplifying complex processes, Flare empowers lawyers to deliver an elevated experience, ensuring clarity and support during key life events.In this episode, David and I dig into some of the biggest challenges and opportunities shaping the modern workplace. TALKING POINTS:The challenge of workplace disconnection and social isolation—why addressing this is crucial for employee well-being.The ongoing debate on work models: insights on remote, hybrid, and in-office work, and why “one size fits all” doesn’t work.The evolving role of AI in HR and how it can help reduce busywork, enabling people teams to focus on more meaningful human interactions.Rethinking performance reviews—shifting from individual assessments to evaluating team performance for greater impact.Practical steps HR leaders can take to foster genuine human connection and boost team performance.LINKS:David's LinkedInFlare's websiteInterested in me sharing insights on these topics with your team? Book a free consultation to see how I can help, HEREOllie's LinkedInFuture Work/Life NewsletterMy book, Work/Life Flywheel, was a Business Book Awards 2024 finalist. You can order your copy HERE (UK) or HERE (US).  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I’m joined by Michael Ioffe, co-founder and CEO of Arist.Arist is used by leading organisations to deliver behavioural training and critical knowledge through the messaging tools employees use every day, like WhatsApp, Slack, and Teams.Michael’s background is fascinating—from his early entrepreneurial endeavours to building a platform that’s reshaping how people learn on the job. Listen in to discover more...TALKING POINTS:How Arist leverages AI to deliver high-impact learning.The shift from legacy training methods to rapid, easy-to-deploy microlearning.The importance of meeting learners where they are - why training via SMS and tools like Teams & iMessage is so effective.The role of Stanford-backed research in Arist's development.Arist's new AI Agent, TeammateLINKS:Arist websiteMichael's LinkedInInterested in me sharing insights on these topics with your team? Book a free consultation to see how I can help, HEREOllie's LinkedInFuture Work/Life NewsletterMy book, Work/Life Flywheel, was a Business Book Awards 2024 finalist. You can order your copy HERE (UK) or HERE (US).  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Melissa Daimler, Chief Learning Officer at Udemy, returns to the podcast.Melissa brings decades of experience shaping leadership, learning, and organisational culture at some of the world’s leading companies, including Adobe, Twitter, and WeWork (you can listen to what she learned during her brief spell at the latter on her previous pod appearance).She's also the author of ReCulturing: Design Your Company Culture to Connect with Strategy and Purpose for Lasting Success.TALKING POINTS:Why consistent clarity on priorities is the key to team success.Leaders who encourage curiosity foster innovation and growth.How organisations can create environments where continuous learning thrives.What AI means for the future of leadership and learning.Skills-based organisationsLINKS:Melissa's websiteMelissa's LinkedIn profileReCulturing: Design Your Company Culture to Connect with Strategy and Purpose for Lasting SuccessCarolyn Wiley's study on motivation and recognitionInterested in me sharing insights on these topics with your team? Book a free consultation to see how I can help, HEREOllie's LinkedInFuture Work/Life NewsletterMy book, Work/Life Flywheel, was a Business Book Awards 2024 finalist. You can order your copy HERE (UK) or HERE (US).  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I speak with Chloe Combi, an expert on Gen Z and Gen Alpha, who’s spent years researching and advising on how these younger generations are reshaping work, education, and culture.Chloe is the author of Generation Z: Their Voices, Their Lives and a consultant to some of the world’s leading brands. She helps them connect with and understand the next generation of workers and consumers. In this episode, Chloe dives into the key factors driving these generations' workplace preferences, from feedback culture to boundary setting, and explores how organisations can adapt to attract and retain the talent of tomorrow.TALKING POINTS:Feedback Culture: Gen Z and Gen Alpha expect constant feedback—just like in the rest of their lives.Boundaries Matter: Younger generations prioritise mental health and set clear boundaries at work.Career Aspirations: Gen Z and Gen Alpha are choosing entrepreneurship and creativity over traditional careers.Visibility Drives Motivation: Younger workers need to feel seen to stay engaged and perform at their best.LINKS:Chloe's websiteChloe's LinkedInInterested in me sharing insights on these topics with your team? Book a free consultation to see how I can help, HEREOllie's LinkedInFuture Work/Life NewsletterMy book, Work/Life Flywheel, was a Business Book Awards 2024 finalist. You can order your copy HERE (UK) or HERE (US).  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I speak with Nancy Duarte, CEO of Duarte Inc. and the world's leading presentation expert.Nancy’s career is a masterclass in the art of communication. She has advised TED, worked with Al Gore on the documentary An Inconvenient Truth, and helped some of the world’s biggest companies communicate effectively. She is famous for her deep understanding of storytelling and empathy, and her analysis of speeches by Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., and Steve Jobs is legendary.Duarte Inc. has helped countless leaders and companies transform how they present ideas, blending empathy, storytelling, and data to craft powerful messages that resonate. In this episode, Nancy shares her insights on communicating authentically, leading with empathy, and adapting to an evolving technological landscape.TALKING POINTS:The Role of Storytelling in Leadership: Nancy explains why storytelling is key to authentic leadership and how leaders can use it to connect with their teams.Balancing Structure and Authenticity: Nancy discusses how to deliver scripted communications without losing authenticity and the nuances of using teleprompters effectively.Navigating Hybrid Work Challenges: Insights on maintaining visibility and transparency in distributed teams and why in-person communication remains critical.The Future of AI in Communication: Nancy’s take on the opportunities and risks of AI and how it might change how we communicate, both in business and beyond.Empathy as a Core Skill: The critical role empathy plays in leadership and communication, and how leaders can cultivate it to improve their influence and effectiveness.LINKS:Duarte IncInterested in me sharing insights on these topics with your team? Book a free consultation to see how I can help, HEREOllie's LinkedInFuture Work/Life NewsletterMy book, Work/Life Flywheel: Harness the work revolution and reimagine your career without fear, was recently shortlisted for the Business Book Awards 2024. You can order your copy HERE (UK) or HERE (US).  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.