The World of Work Podcast

Unlock the power of a positive work culture! Explore the intricate relationship between work and well-being as Jane Stewart talks about culture with Matt Cameron, an employee retention performance and well-being consultant. Matt offers valuable and actionable strategies for creating a thriving workplace environment where everyone can flourish. Don't miss this insightful discussion that promises to inspire positive change in your workplace culture.

The world of work is changing, and so is what it means to belong. Join us for a captivating conversation with Letesia Gibson, founder of New Ways, as she dives into the intricacies of modern belonging in the workplace. Letesia's unique perspective on creating inclusive, anti-racist cultures is rooted in her varied career and personal experiences. In this episode, she discusses the challenges organizations face in fostering a sense of safety, agency, and connection, especially in today's turbulent world. From her approach to conducting cultural audits to supporting leaders in building strong, inclusive workplaces, Letesia offers insights that will inspire you to rethink what it means to belong in the modern workplace. Tune in for an eye-opening discussion on the evolving dynamics of work and how we can create environments where everyone feels they belong.

Every employer loves proactive employees on their team. But what does proactivity in the workplace even mean? For the uninitiated, it is often confused with volunteerism, but in reality, it is the exact opposite. But what most people would agree on is that proactivity does wonders in productivity, efficiency, and efficacy at work. Dr. Joe Gray joins us in this World of Work episode to break this concept down. She discusses how people are motivated to manifest proactive behaviors, why there is a dark side to proactivity, and what its positive effects are when done right. Join in for a fruitful and insightful conversation!

It would seem like the benefits of the four day week are a no-brainer. After all, it makes total sense how spending less time on work would benefit the employee physically, mentally, and emotionally. But how much of an impact does it truly have? Here's something to show your average naysayer: there is actually a lot of hard, scientific data supporting the positive benefits of the four day week. Today's guest, Dr. Charlotte Rae, has devoted her time to studying these effects to come up with a reliable dataset that would help companies make the best decision with regards to their work arrangements. If you're curious what's behind all the hype around the catchphrase, then you better prepare yourself for a lot more than you expected! Tune in!

Managers should be guides, mentors, and supporters for their people because they play a critical role in fostering an environment where employees grow and reach their full potential. Although that role is critical in organizations, not every manager is an effective developer. That is what we will address in today's conversation. In this episode, Lorna Leach shares her insights about developing people in the organization. She also talks about what managers should understand and know to make the right choices to develop people. Listen to Lorna's advice to guide you into managing your people in the organization. Tune in to this episode so you won't miss Lorna's wealth of experience in non-profit management.

The workplace is not just a place for us to utilize our technical skills; it is also a place where we have to navigate various psychological dynamics. An organisational psychologist is the best person who can assist us in this area. Back for the second part of our conversation on organisational psychology, Dr. Hayley Lewis of Halo Psychology dives deeper into what the profession can offer. She breaks down the key characteristics that make a good organisational and occupational psychologist in the field. Working as translators to the public about the world of work psychology, Dr. Lewis also shares how practitioners can get better at informing more people about the things that can help them. From simplifying and providing access to research to utilizing social media, she shows ways to engage more people and bring them into the fold. What is more, Dr. Lewis shares three theories that are fundamental to the workplace. Don't miss out on this jam-packed conversation that can help transform the world of work!

In this capitalist society, it is so easy to view work and entrepreneurship as gateways to financial success. This leads to the grind and hustle culture that often makes our professional lives tedious. What if you can look at work and success from a different perspective? In this episode, we have the perfect guest who can speak on the subject of work and our relationship with it: award-winning registered occupational psychologist, Dr. Hayley Lewis of Halo Psychology. In the first of a two-part conversation, Dr. Lewis shares from an organisational psychology perspective about navigating work today. She talks particularly about her academic research on female entrepreneurship and their idea of success, tying as well her own experiences as a business owner. Dr. Lewis then tells us her view of the profession and what occupational psychologists can do more for small business ownership. Tune in to this conversation and learn more about the world of work through the lens of organisational psychology.

In this episode Jane is joined by James MacPherson from Risk Fluent to explore concepts around keeping people safe at work, preventing harm and talking about health and safety

Effective leadership isn't just about setting deadlines; it's about empowering your team to own them and thrive, finding the balance between support and accountability. For today's episode, hosts James Carrier and Jane Stewart continue to dive deeper into the intricate world of leadership challenges. This time, they tackle a multifaceted issue many managers grapple with—meeting deadlines and fulfilling responsibilities within a team. They reflect on the balance between empowering team members to take ownership and providing the necessary support to ensure tasks are completed effectively. Throughout the episode, they dissect the dynamics of managing a team member who constantly misses deadlines, highlighting the roles of clear communication, shared expectations, and more. Tune in now and get equipped with strategies to foster productivity, accountability, and growth within your team!

How do you manage your team when restructuring is coming your way? How should you navigate through the changes? In this episode, The World of Work Podcast Hosts James and Jane share their insights and steps leaders should take to lead their teams in the process of restructuring. James emphasizes that the process takes time, and what resonated with him is looking after yourself because change is an emotionally charged situation. On the other hand, Jane suggests it is time to create space to process your emotions. Learn some valuable tips to face this challenge in restructuring through this insightful episode today!

Have you noticed that the more you control your anxiety, the more you become anxious? Control strategies are not entirely effective and can be counterproductive. In this episode, Chris Westcott, an experimental psychologist, offers the value of acceptance and commitment therapy in dealing with suppressed thoughts. Chris explains how acceptance allows you to make peace with cognitive events going on every day. He shares the importance of values in guiding our behavior to live a life with satisfaction. Learn to respond to your thoughts with mindful values no matter the internal thoughts and emotions you are experiencing. Tune in to this episode with Chris Westcott today.

Discover the priceless currency of emotional salary — the intangible rewards that fuel our souls and elevate our work to new heights. Redefine success, find fulfillment, and create a workplace where hearts thrive alongside paychecks. Join us as we sit with Clodagh Beaty, a visionary co-creator of the Emotional Salary Barometer. In this conversation, Clodagh challenges traditional notions of compensation. She delves into the realm of emotional salary — an innovative framework that explores the intangible rewards we receive from our work environment. She uncovers the profound impact of emotional salary on our overall well-being, job satisfaction, and sense of fulfillment. Clodagh also reveals how an enhanced understanding of emotional salary can lead to a more harmonious and rewarding work experience. By embracing the power of emotional salary, we can create a world where work truly becomes a source of inspiration and personal growth. Tune in now and unlock a renewed passion for what you do.

The loneliness of leadership is not an uncommon experience among leaders. In this episode, James and Jane share their perspectives on this particular management challenge. They share some tips for leaders when they feel separated from their team and the group. They also talk about creating a shared mutual understanding of the relationship in the board room. There is so much to unpack from this conversation that you don't not want to miss. Tune in!

When building a team, every individual is often measured using the traditional strengths vs. weaknesses approach. But for Kay Bahia, there is untapped potential in leading using a strengths-based approach. In this episode, she explains why she favors exploring strengths from a positive psychological perspective rather than the typical psychometrics that only end up nowhere. Kay breaks down how encouraging individuals to focus on their unique strengths can lead to better performing and energized teams. She also talks about how a strengths-based approach can help cure procrastination, the best way to navigate the evolution of your top strengths, and how managers can cultivate cognitive trust within the team.

In the previous episode, we discussed the process of transitioning to become a first-time CEO. Now, Executive Coach John Maxwell returns on the podcast to talk about the other end of that journey. We reflect on what it's like to transition away from being a chief executive, and what comes next after this key inflection point in a leader's career. And what an inflection point it is! Transitioning out of the CEO role is not as easy as it sounds. A lot of people struggle with the uncertainty of what to do next and with the unavoidable consequence of diminishing status and importance. How do we navigate that when the time comes for us to make that journey? Join the conversation and open yourself to the possibilities.

Are you afraid to step into a bigger responsibility? You don't have to! In this episode, John Maxwell, an Executive Coach, shares his journey into transitioning into his first role as a chief executive officer. The moral compass in stepping into the role is the big takeaway in leading and running an organization. It is the determiner of achieving success. In this conversation, John points out the importance of standing for something and aligning the teams. Step out from fear of taking a huge responsibility and learn to navigate as a first-time CEO with John Maxwell today.

“Collaboration has no hierarchy. The Sun collaborates with the soil to bring flowers on the earth.” - Amit Ray, Enlightenment Step by Step. In this episode, Jane and James dive into reducing the hierarchy in a team. They tap into the power distance and the leadership deference within a hierarchical organization. Jane mentions reducing hierarchical behaviors in a team allows everyone to feel more ownership and engagement. James and Jane also share the elements you should be wary of losing when reducing hierarchy. Learn more from this episode to manage your teams effectively with James and Jane.

James is joined by Dr. Richard MacKinnon to talk about loneliness at work. The conversation explores what it is, its prevelance, why it matters, how it affects us and some of the things we can do about it as individuals and leaders or managers in the workplace. There are some great free resources on Richard's website: https://www.worklifepsych.com/connectandthrive/

Success in life is part courage and part action. You can make a difference in the workplace because they are in harmony. In this episode, James and Jane pick some situations they experience in life as managers and dive into improving colleague confidence. They share some empowering insights to manage their team suffering from a lack of confidence. Tune in to this episode to gain more ideas from our hosts.  

Addressing poor behaviors in team meetings is not only important to create a positive work environment, but also to unlock your team's collective intelligence. Join James Carrier and Jane Stewart as they tackle management challenges. In this episode, they dive deep into the topic of poor behaviors in meetings, providing valuable insights on how managers can address this issue. Jane and James also share their own experiences with various behaviors in meetings. They emphasize the importance of a leader being capable of calling out poor behavior, even when the meetings are not perfect. With thought-provoking reflections and practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to improve team dynamics and make the most out of their meetings. Tune in now and learn how to navigate this common workplace challenge.

There is never a dull day in management. No matter the highs, there will always be management challenges to overcome. Good thing you are not alone in this position. You can always find people who can help you navigate this path. Introducing a new series, James Carrier and Jane Stewart are your new Agony Aunts to give advice on the management challenges we are facing today. In this pilot episode, they dive deep into what happens when a manager wants to transition to a more coaching approach in their team. Should stepping back and giving the power to your employees' hands the way to a better organization? What are its pros and cons? How do you prepare your team for that transition? Join James and Jane in this conversation as they give answers and more, guiding you about figuring out if a coaching approach fits you!

Data-driven learning is not just about improving performance; it's about transforming potential into possibility. In today's fast-paced world, learning and development are crucial for staying ahead. But with so many training options out there, it can be tough to know what really works. That's why in this episode, award-winning L&D specialist Helen Bailey explores the power of evidence-based learning and development. She breaks down the science behind evidence-based learning, sharing real-world examples of how it can drive behavior change and boost performance. From theory to practice, Helen discusses the key principles of evidence-based learning and how they can help you unlock your team's potential. Whether you're a learning professional or just interested in how to stay competitive in today's changing world, this episode has something for you. Join us as we dive into the impact of data-driven learning, and discover how it can transform your organization's training outcomes.

What's the secret ingredient to growing your business? This episode shares the secret formula for you! Today, Sophia Kristjansson, the founder of Lexicon Lens, discusses the value of diversity, inclusion, and belonging in business profit. She believes that business has a responsibility to include everybody and pay attention to how they grow their business. The ability of leadership to define promotable qualities is essential in shaping culture and sticking by its culture. Sanctioning poor behaviors and celebrating good ones from a senior position is helpful. Tune in to this insightful conversation today!

This is the final episode of our six part series exploring leadership and management in 2023. In this episode we reflect on our thoughts and conclusions with a specific focus on broader advice for leaders and managers and their teams.  We start this conversation by reviewing some of the headline messages from leading consultancies about what good leadership and management looks like in 2023, and we discuss how some of our own work has informed our thinking on this subject. We then share some of our key insights and lessons learned in relation to leadership and management which we think can help leaders of people and teams in 2023.  To learn more, download our whitepaper on Leadership & Management in 2023 from our website: www.worldofwork.io

This is the fifth episode of our six part series exploring leadership and management in 2023. In this episode we dive deeply into responsible business, one of our key focus areas for leaders and managers in 2023.  We start this conversation by reviewing some of the headline messages leading consultancies have shared in the last year relating to the role of responsible business and we discuss how some of our own work has informed our thinking on this subject. We then share some of our key insights and lessons learned in relation to responsible business which we think can help leaders of people and teams in 2023.  To learn more, download our whitepaper on Leadership & Management in 2023 from our website: www.worldofwork.io

This is the fourth episode of our six part series exploring leadership and management in 2023. In this episode we dive deeply into people and skills for the future, one of our key focus areas for leaders and managers in 2023.  We start this conversation by reviewing some of the headline messages leading consultancies have shared in the last year relating to organisations' quests for people and skills for the future and we discuss how some of our own work has informed our thinking on this subject. We then share some of our key insights and lessons learned in relation to people and skills for the future which we think can help leaders of people and teams in 2023.  To learn more, download our whitepaper on Leadership & Management in 2023 from our website: www.worldofwork.io

This is the third episode of our six part series exploring leadership and management in 2023. In this episode we dive deeply into wellbeing, one of our key focus areas for leaders and managers in 2023. We start this conversation by reviewing some of the headline messages leading consultancies have shared in the last year about wellbeing and we discuss how some of our own work has informed our thinking. We then share some of our key insights and lessons learned in relation to wellbeing in the workplace which we think can help leaders of people and teams in 2023.  To learn more, download our whitepaper on Leadership & Management in 2023 from our website: www.worldofwork.io

This is the second episode of our six part series exploring leadership and management in 2023. In this episode we dive deeply into Hybrid and Remote Working, one of our key focus areas for leaders and managers in 2023. We start this conversation by reviewing some of the headline messages leading consultancies have shared in the last year in relation to hybrid and remote work and we discuss how some of our own work has informed our thinking on this subject. We then share some of our key insights and lessons learned in relation to Hybrid and Remote Management which we think can help leaders of people and teams in 2023.  To learn more, download our whitepaper on Leadership & Management in 2023 from our website: www.worldofwork.io

This is the first episode of a six part series exploring leadership and management in 2023. Over the course of the series we talk about the current context we are operating in, discuss four core focus areas we think leaders and managers should prioritize and reflect on key lessons for leaders and managers. In the first episode of the series we talk about the broader context we find ourselves in and how this is affecting the world of work before introducing the four focus areas that we will explore in upcoming episodes. To learn more, download our whitepaper on Leadership & Management in 2023 from our website: www.worldofwork.io

This is the last of our four-part mini series exploring cultic behaviours in organizations. Once again we are joined by friend of the show Stephen Mather from the Cult Hackers podcast. In this episode we explore the role that purpose plays in our work and organizations. Having purpose is rewarding and fulfilling, and it can also boost our discretionary effort at work. Is it possible to have too much purpose? Perhaps it is. Join us as we try and decide!

This episode is the third of a four part special collaboration with our friends at the Cult Hackers podcast. In it, we focus on the employee voice, or lack of voice, in shaping our experiences in work. Does the level of voice we feel we have as employees shape how cultic we think those organizations are?

This episode is the second of a four part special collaboration with our friends at the Cult Hackers podcast. In it, we focus on the role of leaders in our organizations. The world is full of influential and charasmatic leaders. But are they using cultic behaviours? Where does and inspiring leader become a cultic leader?

Jane is joined once more by Dr Kevin Teoh, Chartered Psychologist and Programme Director in Organisational Psychology at Birkbeck, University of London. In this conversation we explore the experience of healthcare workers in recent years and some of the challenges experienced since 2020.    

This episode is the first of a four part special collaboration with our friends at the Cult Hackers podcast. In it, we start to explore cultic behaviours and some of the methods used by cults for social control. This topic is interesting to us as we think there are some intentional, and many unintentional, ways that these methods are also used for esablishing social and behavioural control in some of our modern workplaces.

Jane is joined by Rachel Morris, of Motion Learning, to talk about the new the experience of maternity and maternity coaching. In this conversation we explore the experience of maternity leave and maternity coaching, hear about Rachel's experience and research and learn more about supporting people during maternity leave. A great chat for those interested in navigating maternity and supporting others to do the same in the workplace.  

James is joined by Dr. John Boudreau, Professor Emeritus at University of Southern California, to talk about the new "Work Operating System". In this conversation we explore how technology is changing the way tasks are allocated to employees or machines or non-employees in talent marketplaces, and how workers will in the future be identified not as job holders, but through their full array of skills and talents. A fascinating consideration of the way work may be evolving!

James is joined by Ian Ziskin to talk about leading transformational change. Ian is the lead author of "The Secret Sauce for Leading Transformational Change", a book of diverse and sometimes conflicting perspectives on transformational change from CEOs and other senior business leaders, CHROs and other senior HR leaders, transformational change experts, authors, coaches, and consultants.

In this episode, Jane explores the experience of work during a period of bereavement with researcher and leadership expert Naomi Collins.

Jane is joined by Dr Jutta Tobias Mortlock for an episode all about MIndfulness and Leadership. The conversation explores what mindfulness is in the context of organisational leadership and the ways in which leaders can think and learn from mindfulness research whilst navigating an increasingly uncertain world.

James is joined by Fiona McBride, a consultant and yoga instrutor, for a conversation all about the pace of work and the power of slowing down. The conversation explores some othe benefits of pausing, and how we can do more of it. It also looks at some of the ways that leaders and managers can bring a more mindful pace to the cadence of their teams.

James is joined by Taslim Tharani for a podcast all about loneliness and connection, with a particular view to their roles in the workplace. The conversation explores what they are and what they feel like, their prevalence and how we can affect them in our own lives. It goes on to look at what we might be able to do as leaders and managers to improve connection and reduce loneliness in the workplace, and the benefits this might bring for individuals and organizations.

James is joined by Emma Lloyd from Create the Ripple for an episode all about Kindness. The conversation explores what kindness is, the benefits of kindness in the workplace, how we might be kinder as individuals and what we might be able to do to enable more kindness in our teams and organizations.

James is joined by Zena Me for a super interesting conversation about trauma in organizations. The discussion explores how understanding past traumas and the behaviors they give rise to can help us create transformational change in organizations. The conversation also goes on to explore the role of elders and eldership in organizations and society.

James is joined by Claire from Now Go Create to discuss creativity and burnout. The conversation starts with an exploration of what creativity is, what the creative process is like and what it takes be be creative. It then moves on to look at what burnout is like in a creative space, what to watch out for and how to recover if you are burned out.

In this episode, James is joined by Valentina Hynes to talk about Burnout. In this episode we discuss what burnout is, some of the different factors that contribute to it and some of the things to watch out for as warning signs. The conversation also explores some of the things we can do to get ourselves back on track if we have experienced burnout.

James is joined by an old friend of the show, Rob Robson, and a new friend of the show, Helen Amery, to talk about Flow. Helen and Rob have different views on it, and the conversation explores this interesting and important concept from a range of angles.

James is joined by Dr. Raphael Chiuzi from the University of Toronto to talk about bullshit jobs. The conversation explores David Graeber's ideas, what BS jobs are and the impacts they have on individuals. We also talk about some of the things we can do to bring more fulfillment into our own jobs.

Jane joins James in listening to his conversation with Lior Locher to discuss certainty and ambiguity. The conversation explores the structures and scaffolding that shapes our understanding of what is certain and how we can be better at thriving with ambiguity in our careers and work. 

James is joined by Kevin Monroe to speak about gratitude and the power of gratitude in our work an in our lives. The conversation explores what gratitude is, how gratitude can change how we think and feel and how we can create habits that help us bring more gratitude into our lives. Kevin also shares some thoughts on how gratitude can be brought into the workplace.

James is joined by Kaumudi Goda from Singapore to talk about the role that cognitive biases play in our lives. The conversation explores what cognitive biases are, how they may appear and how they affect what we do. To bring the subject to live, Kaumudi explores how biases affect our views and actions in relation to climate change and sustainability.

James is joined by Mark Gilroy for an exploration of introversion and extraversion. The conversation covers what these different terms mean, the different preferences different people can have and why understanding your own and others preferences could be helpful. A super fun conversation with lots to learn in it!