In this episode of the People and Tech podcast, hosts Dave Ballantyne and Duena Blomstrom engage with Dr. Cherry Vu and Rob England from Teal Unicorns who are shaping organisations in Asia and Vietnam, to discuss the importance of treating employees as humans rather than resources. They explore the concepts of HumanDebt AKA cultural debt, the shift from shareholder value to employee value, and the role of younger generations in driving change within organizations. The conversation emphasizes the need for psychological safety, transparency, and continuous learning in fostering a positive organizational culture. The guests share insights on overcoming fear and resistance to change, the journey of self-transformation in leadership, and the cultural nuances in implementing these changes across different regions. Ultimately, they express optimism for the future of work and the potential for organizations to thrive by embracing these human-centric principles and focusing on reducing their Human Debt.

takeaways

• Organizations often view people as resources, leading to exploitation.
• Caring for employee happiness can drive better organizational outcomes.
• The shift from shareholder value to employee value is crucial.
• Younger generations demand better treatment and work conditions.
• Psychological safety is essential for effective teamwork and innovation.
• Transparency in organizations fosters trust and engagement.
• Fear of losing control hinders leaders from empowering employees.
• Self-transformation in leadership can lead to better organizational culture.
• Continuous learning is vital for long-term success.
• Cultural differences exist, but fundamental human needs are universal.

Sound Bites

• "What got you here won't get you there!"
• "If we treat people like humans they will thrive."
• "We don't treat people as resources."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Importance of Treating People as Humans

03:08
The Shift in Values: Moving from Profit to People

06:32
The Changing Expectations of the Younger Generation

09:26
Adapting to the Accelerating Rate of Change

14:20
Overcoming Fear: Embracing a Human-Centered Approach

25:21
Embracing Change: Overcoming the Fear of Losing Control

27:06
Transparency: The Key to Success in Organizations

28:00
Becoming a Learning Organization: The Path to Continuous Improvement

31:16
Cultural Differences in Embracing Change

39:22
Opportunities for Change in Times of Turbulence

Learn more at www.peoplenottech.com

Summary

In this conversation, Duena Blomstrom and Karen Ferris discuss the need for a new leadership mindset and the challenges of transforming workplace culture. They emphasize the importance of leaders being open to unlearning old ways and embracing new approaches. They also highlight the disconnect between what employers think new talent wants and what talent actually wants. The conversation touches on the need for personal responsibility and courage in driving change, as well as the potential for pushback from the new generation entering the workforce. Overall, they stress the importance of human connection, vulnerability, and continuous learning in creating a better workplace.

Takeaways

• Leaders need to be open to unlearning old ways and embracing new approaches.
• There is a disconnect between what employers think new talent wants and what talent actually wants.
• Personal responsibility and courage are needed to drive change in the workplace.
• The new generation entering the workforce may push back against outdated leadership practices.
• Human connection, vulnerability, and continuous learning are key to creating a better workplace.

Titles

• Unlearning and Embracing New Leadership Mindsets
• Bridging the Gap Between Employer and Talent Expectations

Sound Bites

• "It's got to be that wake up call to say, yeah, what I knew yesterday is not going to enable me to lead today."
• "Keep asking why. Why am I doing this? Because I did it yesterday? No. Why am I doing this? What value is it adding? What purpose does it deliver?"
• "Start small. Pick one thing as a trait."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Background

00:58
Karen's New Book: Be Remarkable

02:11
The Need for a New Leadership Mindset

06:07
Embracing Change and Unlearning

13:42
The Importance of Questioning and Purpose

18:51
Starting Small: Making Incremental Changes

22:48
Personal Responsibility and Vulnerability in Leadership

31:18
The Impact of the New Generation on Workplace Culture

Summary

Dr. Kevin Jones discusses the importance of focusing on people in organizations and the need for continuous learning and growth in the face of accelerated change. He emphasizes the value of curiosity, empathy, communication, and kindness in the workplace. Dr. Jones also shares his advice for organizations that want to create a positive and healthy work environment, highlighting the importance of honesty, authenticity, and rupture and repair in human relationships. He encourages leaders to mentor and support others and emphasizes the impact that individuals can have within their sphere of influence.

Takeaways

• The focus in organizations should be on people and their well-being.
• Continuous learning and growth are essential in the face of accelerated change.
• Fundamentals such as empathy, communication, kindness, and curiosity are crucial for creating a positive work environment.
• Individuals can make a difference within their sphere of influence by being authentic, supportive, and caring.
• Rupture and repair are important for maintaining healthy human relationships in the workplace.
• Mentorship and support from leaders can have a significant impact on individuals' growth and development.

Titles

• Navigating Accelerated Change in the Digital Age
• The Importance of Continuous Learning and Growth

Sound Bites

• "The emphasis in all of our work must be people."
• "If each one of you walked away and focused on making things better in your workspace with your people, we don't solve the world's problems, but we surely create a space of improvement through your individual work."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and the Importance of People in Organizations

02:19
Navigating Accelerated Change in the Digital Age

06:12
The Need for Human Work and Fundamental Skills

09:45
Addressing Human Debt in Organizations

14:04
Creating a Positive Work Environment and Overcoming Human Debt

27:24
The Role of Regulators in Promoting Ethical Governance

32:26
The Importance of Mentorship and Supporting Others

Summary
In this conversation, Aaron Phethean shares his experiences in dealing with data debt and the challenges of communication in the technology industry. He discusses the importance of understanding the size of the problem and the need for clear and effective communication. Aaron also reflects on his journey as a technologist and a people leader, emphasizing the importance of investing in emotional intelligence and learning from experiences. The conversation highlights the need for humanizing technology and the role of AI in improving communication.

Keywords
data debt, communication, technology, leadership, emotional intelligence, AI

Takeaways
Understanding the size of the problem is crucial in addressing data debt and other challenges in the technology industry.
Clear and effective communication is essential in navigating complex technological issues.
Investing in emotional intelligence and learning from experiences can help in becoming a successful technologist and people leader.
Humanizing technology and leveraging AI to optimize communication can lead to better outcomes.
Continual learning and self-reflection are important for personal and professional growth in the technology industry.

Titles
The Journey from Technologist to People Leader
Humanizing Technology and Leveraging AI for Better Communication
Sound Bites
"The memories of that time, they are still vivid."
"Data Debt (tm?) is the aggregation of disparate bits of data from different sources with no plan, part of Tech Debt and caused by Human Debt"

Chapters
00:00
Introduction and Funny Story
06:39
The Journey Since Leaving a Technology Giant
26:20
The Changing Role of Technologists
31:42
Becoming a People Leader
36:21
Investing in Emotional Intelligence

Summary

In this conversation, the hosts discuss the changing landscape of work and identity in the face of technological advancements and societal challenges. They explore the concept of work doubling as identity and the impact of remote work on human connection. They also touch on the power dynamics between corporations and governments, the need for rethinking work and valuing other aspects of life, and the uncertain future of jobs in the age of AI. The hosts express their own experiences of trauma and the ongoing process of healing. They invite listeners to share their thoughts on work and identity.