The Unlock: Humanity at Work
idealis
At work, we have one thing in common across all our differences: our shared humanity. Join organizational psychologist and founder of idealis., Dr. Sumona De Graaf, as she brings together extraordinary people who lead with humanity at work, from the classroom to the boardroom and beyond.
The Unlock amplifies the voices of leaders who keep a relentless focus on the human center in all that they do. Guests will share how leading with humanity at work has unlocked something powerful within themselves, and has had radiating impact on human lives, companies, and society. Hearing their stories may unlock something in you, too.
The Unlock amplifies the voices of leaders who keep a relentless focus on the human center in all that they do. Guests will share how leading with humanity at work has unlocked something powerful within themselves, and has had radiating impact on human lives, companies, and society. Hearing their stories may unlock something in you, too.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 11, 2024 • 39min
Leading at Scale and with Impact with David Landman
In this insightful conversation, David Landman, a former HR operating executive at Goldman Sachs, shares his journey of leaving a secure career to embrace human-centered leadership. He discusses the courage required to take career leaps and how his background in IO psychology has shaped his critical thinking. David emphasizes the importance of authenticity and vulnerability after high-pressure roles and explains how to create nurturing workplace cultures. He encourages those contemplating career changes, reinforcing that personal fulfillment comes from deep human connections.
Oct 28, 2024 • 28min
Learning to Lead Never Ends with Diane Neal
Diane Neal, a seasoned retail executive and former CEO of Bath & Body Works and Sur La Table, shares her leadership insights with Sumona. She reflects on her journey starting at 19 and discusses how company culture shapes customer experiences. Diane emphasizes the importance of empathy, motivation for frontline teams, and aligning internal culture with external branding. Addressing modern leadership, she argues hybrid work complicates team dynamics. Overall, Diane advocates for compassionate leadership and the continuous pursuit of learning.
Oct 14, 2024 • 20min
Dear Leader: How to Navigate Change (Without Falling Over)
Allison Williams, Chief Learning Officer at Idealist and a seasoned expert in leadership and higher education, joins the discussion on navigating change. She reassures overwhelmed leaders that feelings of exhaustion are common. The duo emphasizes the importance of staying grounded and embracing curiosity to unlock creativity. They reflect on past tech changes to demonstrate adaptability, while stressing the need for self-awareness and building support systems. Finally, they encourage leaders to acknowledge all emotions and remind them that it's okay to stumble and seek help.
Sep 30, 2024 • 34min
A New Way of Working: Full-Time, Part-Time and My-Time with Tony Buffum
Tony Buffum, an Upwork executive and former HR leader, dives into the transformative landscape of work. He highlights that by 2017, freelancers were projected to make up half of the U.S. workforce, a trend largely driven by Gen Z's embrace of freelancing and tools like generative AI. The conversation covers the innovative shift towards a 'my-time' workforce, necessitating a rethinking of employer control over time. Tony emphasizes the need for HR leaders to adopt an access-over-acquisition mindset to better navigate this evolving environment.
Sep 16, 2024 • 17min
Dear Leader: How to work in a way that works for you
Anne Newton, a seasoned retail executive, joins Sumona De Graaf to tackle the challenges of leading teams in a hybrid world. They dive into concerns about whether remote work impacts career growth and how to navigate tricky conversations with managers about development needs. The duo highlights the balance between productivity and personal growth, emphasizing the importance of human connections at work. Tune in for actionable advice on owning your career path and fostering courageous discussions in a shifting work environment.
Sep 2, 2024 • 39min
The Nuance of Human Decisions with John Dick
John Dick, Founder and CEO of Civic Science, dives into the power of attitudinal data collected from millions of Americans to aid decision-making. He emphasizes the need for empathy in leadership, particularly against the backdrop of misinformation and echo chambers. John shares insights on how Gen Z brings hope with their empathy and mental health awareness, while discussing the importance of understanding workers beyond job satisfaction. He highlights the balance of data with human nuance as crucial for effective leadership in today's world.
Aug 19, 2024 • 38min
Dear Leader: How to decide on a career opportunity
In this insightful discussion, guest Justin De Graaf, a seasoned people's leader with global experience, shares his wisdom on career transitions. He addresses a listener's dilemma about accepting a daunting global role, emphasizing the importance of recognizing potential and aligning roles with personal goals. Justin highlights the realities of leading diverse teams and stresses the need for humility and relationship-building in new environments. Listeners learn to tackle such changes step-by-step and use reflections to guide their career choices.
Aug 5, 2024 • 17min
The Context in Which We Are Leading
In this engaging discussion, Sumona explores the challenges of leading with humanity amid rapid change. She emphasizes the human element as crucial for effective leadership and warns that complexity can erode empathy. The conversation highlights how economic and technological shifts expand leaders' responsibilities, urging a focus on people as a constant. Sumona shares inspiring examples of recognizing human impact that can restore humane leadership and advises starting with self-awareness to stay centered in a chaotic world.
Jan 2, 2024 • 20min
Season 2 Finale with Dr. Sumona De Graaf
In the season finale, Sumona De Graaf reflects on the challenges of leadership and the blurred lines between work and life. She highlights the parallels between parenting and leading, emphasizing the importance of empathy and support. Listeners learn about human-centered leadership traits and the necessity of community for resilience. Sumona also discusses how workplace norms impact home life, advocating for intentional interactions to spread compassion. Exciting insights preview the next season's exploration of humanity at work.
Dec 18, 2023 • 48min
Learning to learn with Dr. Veronica Harvey
Dr. Veronica Harvey, an organizational consultant and author with over 30 years of experience in learning agility, shares her insights. She defines learning agility as knowing how to learn in uncertain situations, highlighting its importance for effective leadership. Dr. Harvey breaks down learning agility into key dimensions and discusses the traits of low agility leaders. Emphasizing curiosity and psychological safety, she explores fostering a learning culture and the role of AI in learning. With practical advice, she inspires listeners to embrace continuous learning and growth.
