Future Work/Life

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). 

This week, I speak with Nick Matthews, VP and GM of Europe, Middle East & Africa at Culture Amp.Nick brings a unique blend of experiences from his early days teaching Liam Neeson’s kids to swim to his career in tech. He started his career at Deloitte Consulting before moving to Yammer, which was later acquired by Microsoft, where he worked for four years before joining Culture Amp in 2016.Culture Amp is the world’s leading employee experience platform, revolutionizing how 25 million employees across more than 6,500 companies create a better world of work. Culture Amp empowers companies of all sizes and industries to transform employee engagement, drive performance management, and develop high-performing teams.TALKING POINTS:AI and Technical Comfort: The importance of embracing technology and AI to enhance workforce and talent strategy.Cultural Transformation: From his start at Deloitte to leadership roles in tech, Nick discusses navigating shifts in workplace culture.Employee Experience as a Culture First Approach: How Culture Amp uses employee engagement data to enhance organisational culture and drive financial success.Performance Management Evolution: Nick’s take on transforming performance management systems to accommodate modern, hybrid work environments.Future of HR Technology: Expectations for integrating AI and analytics into HR practices to enhance strategic decision-making and organisational outcomes.LINKS:Nick's LinkedInCulture AmpInterested in me sharing insights on these topics with your team? Book me to speak with your team.Ollie'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). 

In this episode, I interview Isabel Berwick, presenter of the award-winning Financial Times' Working It podcast and co-writer of the Working It newsletter.Isabel's new book The Future-Proof Career: Strategies for thriving at every stage is published this week. We had a brilliant conversation about careers, management and changes in how we work. The book is a great read, so make sure you order a copy!"Covering topics as wide-ranging as the four-day working week, bridging the workplace generation gap, making sure your company walks its diversity talk, quiet quitting and the great resignation, achieving workplace equality and even micro-dosing for creativity, The Future-Proof Career spreads the word about understanding modern workplaces so we can all have happier, more productive lives."TALKING POINTS:Understanding Ambition: The importance of aligning personal ambition with career advancement.The Managerial Journey: The evolving roles of managers and non-managers in career progression.Navigating Toxicity: Identifying signs of a toxic workplace and building a healthy organisational culture.Work/Life Balance?: The realities of balancing career aspirations with personal commitments.Late Career Blooms: Celebrating the potential for growth and reinvention.LINKS:The Future-Proof Career: Strategies for thriving at every stageWorking It Isabel's LinkedInInterested in me sharing insights on these topics with your team? Book me to speak with your team.Ollie's LinkedInFuture Work/Life NewsletterWork/Life Flywheel: Harness the work revolution and reimagine your career without fear, is out now. You can order your copy HERE (UK) or HERE (US). 

In this episode, I had a fascinating chat with Hannah Grady Williams, the founder of d'Skills. We explored the challenges of the traditional education system and how new technologies, particularly AI, can revolutionise learning and skill acquisition for young minds eager to make their mark in the world.d’Skills is a 10-week virtual, cohort-based bootcamp where high schoolers learn new digital and AI skills and convert them into paid, real-world projects with small businesses.TALKING POINTS:The problem with the current education systemAlternative approaches, including more hands-on, creative modelsWhy Gen Z looks at things differently and what they want from workReimagining education and careers, focused on adaptability, creativity and critical thinkingHow d'Skills empowers high-schoolers to build Impact PortfoliosLINKS:d'SkillsHannah's LinkedInMost Likely To Succeed documentaryInterested in me sharing insights on these topics with your team? Book me to speak with your team.Ollie's LinkedInFuture Work/Life NewsletterWork/Life Flywheel: Harness the work revolution and reimagine your career without fear, is out now. You can order your copy HERE (UK) or HERE (US). 

In this episode, my conversation with Matthew Dicks sheds light on storytelling as a craft that everyone can master, offering insights into life and work.Matthew Dicks is an internationally bestselling author, columnist, blogger, podcaster, playwright, and teacher. A 59-time Moth StorySLAM champion and 9-time Moth GrandSLAM champion, Matthew teaches storytelling and public speaking to individuals, corporations, universities, entrepreneurs, religious institutions, and school districts around the world. He also consults with advertising agencies, documentarians, filmmakers, writers, comedians, and more.TALKING POINTS:Demystifying Storytelling: Matthew reveals storytelling is a skill, not just an innate gift.'Homework for Life' Concept: A daily ritual that turns routine into stories.Finding Narrative Gems: How everyday life is ripe with impactful stories.Crafting Suspense: Tips for keeping audiences on the edge of their seats.Injecting Humour: Learning the art of bringing humour into any story.The Role of Reflection: Matthew explains why reflection is essential to storytelling.Storytelling's Professional Edge: Using personal narratives to stand out in the workplace.LINKS:StoryworthyMatthew's new book, Stories SellMatthew's LinkedInInterested in me sharing insights on these topics with your team? Book me to speak with your team.Ollie's LinkedInFuture Work/Life NewsletterWork/Life Flywheel: Harness the work revolution and reimagine your career without fear, is out now. You can order your copy HERE (UK) or HERE (US). 

In today's episode, I sit down with David Green, Host of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, co-author of Excellence in People Analytics, and Director of Insight222 and myHRfuture.David's round-up of the best HR and people-related content is legendary in the industry, and he brings that incredible expertise and insight to our conversation, which explores the role of data and technology in driving growth in people and organisations.TALKING POINTS:Defining people analyticsThe impact of technology on HRTalent marketplaces and worker mobilityAI's role in leadership and business strategyVisibility and recognition in remote and hybrid teamsLINKS:David's LinkedInInsight222Digital HR Leaders podcastExcellence in People Analytics: How to Use Workforce Data to Create Business ValueInterested in me sharing insights on these topics with your team? Book me to speak with your team.Ollie's LinkedInFuture Work/Life NewsletterWork/Life Flywheel: Harness the work revolution and reimagine your career without fear, is out now. You can order your copy HERE (UK) or HERE (US). 

In today’s episode, I speak with Vanesa Pazos, a Partner at NoBa Capital.NoBA is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage tech-enabled businesses shaping the Future of Work. Their portfolio companies deliver worker-centric solutions that make this possible. Whether it's through providing access to work opportunities, improving career development, enhancing diversity and inclusion, providing financial stability, supporting wellbeing, or fostering flexibility.TALKING POINTS:The personalisation of workThe role of community and networks to support professional and personal growthHow technology can enable personalised work experiences and real-world connections.Why focusing self-care is critical in your careerEmpowering women in the start-up ecosystemLINKS:Vanesa's LinkedInNoBa CapitalInterested in me sharing insights on these topics with your team? Book me to speak with your team.Ollie's LinkedInFuture Work/Life NewsletterWork/Life Flywheel: Harness the work revolution and reimagine your career without fear, is out now. You can order your copy HERE (UK) or HERE (US). 

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jenny von Podewils, co-founder and co-CEO of Leapsome.Leapsome is revolutionising how companies engage with employees and foster a culture of continuous improvement, providing tools for performance management, personalised learning, and employee engagement.TALKING POINTS:Insights into the challenges managers face, especially in a post-pandemic world, and how Leapsome assists in overcoming these hurdles.The evolving workplace expectations and how younger generations prioritise purpose and meaningful conversations.Fostering a feedback culture and the significance of OKRs for transparent and effective management.Jenny's entrepreneurial journey and her approach to building a strong company culture at Leapsome.The importance of clear expectations and alignment in performance management, catering to full-time employees and external talent.The critical role of manager enablement and effectiveness as a top priority for 2024, with a focus on leveraging technology to support managers.LINKS:LeapsomeJenny's LinkedInInterested in me sharing insights on these topics with your team? Book me to speak with your team.Ollie's LinkedInFuture Work/Life NewsletterWork/Life Flywheel: Harness the work revolution and reimagine your career without fear, is out now. You can order your copy HERE (UK) or HERE (US). 

Today's guest is Tonille Miller, Transformation & Experience Leader, and author of The Flourishing Effect: Unlocking Employee Thriving and High Performance as Your Competitive Edge.This was a great conversation covering not just the biggest challenges faced by organisations and leaders right now, but many practical tips and strategies to help solve them.TALKING POINTS:Flourishing at Work: Tonille discusses creating workplaces that fulfil human needs inspired by positive psychology.Workplace Obstacles: Fixing common issues like outdated technology and rigid structures that hinder productivity and engagement.The New Employer-Employee Relationship: Introducing a model based on transparency and mutual valueCulture: Adapting company culture for a diverse workforce including freelancers and contractors.Investing in All Talent: Learning and development to retain and grow talent.Work and Life: Creating a positive work/life connection.LINKS:Tonille's LinkedInThe Flourishing Effect: Unlocking Employee Thriving and High Performance as Your Competitive EdgeInterested in me sharing insights on these topics with your team? Book me to speak with your team.Ollie's LinkedInFuture Work/Life NewsletterWork/Life Flywheel: Harness the work revolution and reimagine your career without fear, is out now. You can order your copy HERE (UK) or HERE (US).