Eat Sleep Work Repeat - better workplace culture

This sponsored episode is brought to you by Deliveroo for WorkSpencer Walker is the global director of Deliveroo for Work.The podcast has returned several times to the idea of food as a cultural trigger, something that catalyses connection and allows cohesion. We explore that idea further this week with Spencer Walker who runs Deliveroo For Work the workplace service provided by the delivery firm. The Deliveroo Feeding Employee Engagement ReportI mention a book by Robin Dunbar and Samantha Rockey, it's this: The Social Brain - Tracey Camilleri, Samantha Rockey, Robin Dunbar. They talk about giving curry to bond teams (because the sharing plates require people to pass them around). Hear them talking about it here.Deliveroo for WorkThe Deliveroo Feeding Employee Engagement ReportMore about food, rituals and culture Sign up to the Make Work Better newsletter or check out the best ever episodes at the website.Eat Sleep Work Repeat is made and hosted by Bruce Daisley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this engaging conversation, Nick Shackleton-Jones, a learning and leadership consultant known for his clever TikTok rants, dives into the quirky idea that middle-aged men push for return-to-office mandates to reclaim identities lost at home. He discusses the identity-driven nature of workplace norms and how outdated management styles disempower employees. Nick also sheds light on the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in corporate settings, including the fatigue of endless meetings and the nuances of masking. His insights are thought-provoking and entertaining!

Colin Fisher, a Professor of Organizations and Innovation at UCL, guides us through the dynamics of effective teamwork. He emphasizes the transformative power of small, interdependent teams and demonstrates how oversized groups can hinder performance. Discover practical strategies to revitalize teams through better structures and shared leadership. Colin advocates for the importance of collective goals and routine reviews, urging managers to focus on the group's synergy instead of individual contributions for enhanced workplace success.

Susan Carruth, a partner at 3XN renowned for her innovative workspace designs, and Mike Wiseman, Head of Campuses at British Land, discuss the evolution of office environments. They highlight how behavioral psychology influences design to enhance employee well-being and productivity. The conversation delves into the importance of neurodiversity and flexible spaces that cater to various needs. They also touch on the changing landscape of workplace demand, driven by generational values and the shift towards quality office environments post-pandemic.

Nick McClelland, CEO of Byrne Dean and expert in workplace dynamics, delves into how the pandemic has reshaped personality traits, particularly among younger workers. He discusses the declines in conscientiousness, agreeableness, and extraversion and their implications for employee engagement. The conversation highlights the increasing conflicts in workplaces fueled by external tensions and the importance of respectful communication. McClelland also examines the challenges of maintaining connections in a hybrid work environment dominated by digital communication.

Dan Jackson, a former Aussie Rules footballer and current General Manager at Adelaide Football Club, dives into the cultural challenges faced in professional sports. He discusses Ange Postecoglou's coaching journey and questions if he was unfairly treated in the English Premier League. The conversation reveals the need for genuine relationships and stability in team environments, advocating for a more relational leadership approach. Jackson emphasizes how sports culture parallels business, highlighting the importance of psychological safety and authentic connections for high-performance teams.

In this conversation, Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus Energy Group, shares insights on fostering a vibrant workplace culture without rigid values. He emphasizes the critical roles of trust and autonomy in empowering teams, which propel the company’s rapid growth. Jackson challenges common corporate norms, showcasing how a decentralized decision-making process enhances customer relations. He also discusses the evolution of team dynamics, prioritizing clear communication, and adapting to change, all while keeping the focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Jerry Ting, the founder of Evisort and a senior leader at Workday, along with Angelique de Vries Schipperijn, EMEA president for Workday, dive into the transformative potential of AI in the workplace. They discuss its impact on efficiency in industries like banking and talent management. The duo emphasizes the importance of responsible AI adoption and highlights the generational shift towards tech-savviness in the workforce. Their insights reveal a disparity in global AI adoption, motivating listeners to embrace a proactive approach to integrate AI into their organizations.

In a deep dive into AI's role in work culture, Alexia Cambon, Head of Research at Microsoft, shares groundbreaking insights from the Work Trend Index Annual Report. She discusses how AI integration can double productivity, akin to having an extra team member. Alexia also highlights the emergence of new workplace roles, like 'agent bosses,' and the need for human oversight as digital labor evolves. With fascinating case studies and reflections on navigating interruptions, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone curious about the future of work.

"There's this concept called inbox zero, where everyone tries to get to their inbox down to zero. But I would suggest that a more noble pursuit is that of calendar zero".I chatted to Howard Lerman this week. I was blown away by this discussion - it captured exactly what is wrong about current work, and why back-to-back meetings are going to lead to many organisations missing the opportunity of this vital moment.This is an essential listen - about where work is imminently going and how Howard's philosophy is building his fascinating new product Roam to serve the company of the future.Explore Roam, follow Howard.Read all about the way that work is about to change in the newsletterThe AI 2027 predictions are the wake up call we didn't know we neededMicrosoft explains why we need to ready ourselves for the reinvention of workKonstantine Buhler on 'always on' Full transcript on the websiteSign up to the Make Work Better newsletter or check out the best ever episodes at the website.Eat Sleep Work Repeat is made and hosted by Bruce Daisley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.