Future Work/Life

This week I share some thoughts on why 2025 will be the year of the AI Agent.Plus, how it will affect roles in B2B marketing, learning & development, and law.Finally, I share some advice on how you can prepare your company and team.READ:AI Agents: our new colleaguesWork Redesign: Humans + AI AgentsLINKS:Follow 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). 

This week, I’m joined by David Landman, former Goldman Sachs executive turned advisor and educator.After two decades leading performance management, talent mobility, and talent development at Goldman, David embarked on what he calls The Long Exhale - a transformative sabbatical that reshaped his outlook on work and life.David shares his journey into purpose-driven work, reflecting on what it means to create a more sustainable, inclusive, and fulfilling workplace.Whether you’re rethinking your own career or looking for strategies to lead in the AI era, this episode is packed with actionable insights and thought-provoking ideas.TALKING POINTS:David’s transformative career pivot.The intersection of AI and human connection - how technology can amplify humanity in work.Building a culture of gratitude, recognition, and authentic leadership.Reskilling and upskilling for the AI-driven future of work.LINKS:David's LinkedInFollow 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). 

This week, I'm joined by Donald (DK) Knight, SVP of People & Culture at Warner Bros. Discovery.Donald has had a varied career, working in senior HR and people roles and serving as a venture partner and advisor for Valor VC, PeopleTech Partners, and Lattice.We had great fun discussing various topics related to company culture, wellbeing, and the skills you need to build a fulfilling work/life. You'll enjoy this.TALKING POINTS:The importance of mental fitness in the workplace and why it's a growing challenge.How leaders can cultivate positive cultures in which employees are able to express who they are.The difference between assimilation and authenticity in leadership, and why acclimation matters more.How the next generation is changing norms for the better.Tips on where to focus your time and energy.LINKS:Donald's LinkedInFollow 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). 

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). 

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). 

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). 

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). 

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). 

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).