"If they're not applying creative and intuitive thinking in addition to critical and judgmental thinking, then they're not creating new knowledge for the organisation. They're just taking old knowledge and rearranging it. And for me, that's not adding value." Jackie Eaton

Jackie Eaton shares her unique career path from obtaining a mathematics degree to working in operational research for NATO. She discusses her affection for solving complex problems, her initial struggles to discover a career-fit and the compelling nature of public service. Jackie and I chat about gender dynamics in the workplace, the challenges and rewards of working in a male-dominated, multicultural environment, the importance of effective communication, the role of psychology in leadership and the impact of AI on analytical work. Jackie shares insights on maintaining optimism and tips for those aspiring to work in organisations like NATO.

Jackie Eaton works at NATO. She is a specialist in analysis of public sector issues including defence and health sectors or anything else messy and complex with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. She describes herself as an eternal optimist, smart problem solver, data geek and psychology nerd. She is also a mentor, trainer and ray of sunshine in the office.

Connect with Jackie

On LinkedIn

Resources Mentioned

NATO

Leading Beyond the Numbers by Susan Ní Chríodáin

"...they were willing to take risks for the experience .... and I think I've really taken that on." Liz Jarman

Liz Jarman and I discuss her planned departure as CEO of Living Goods at the end of 2024. She shares her fascinating approach to succession planning, leadership transitions and a non-linear career path. We chat through some of her achievements, including fostering a strong organisational culture, scaling operations sustainably and spearheading a digital transformation in community health. Liz reflects on the influence of her upbringing on her leadership style, her emphasis on a high-performing team and giving people recognition - all offering invaluable lessons on leadership and managing change.

Liz Jarman was named CEO of Living Goods in 2018 and is a member of the Living Goods Board of Directors. Liz has 25 years of experience from various sectors, Liz joined Living Goods in 2014 as Director of Product Strategy and was promoted to Kenya Country Director in 2015 and at the end of 2017, she was promoted to Chief Strategy Officer. Born in Zambia, Liz spent a large portion of her career at Sainsbury’s, a $30 billion UK grocery business where she rose to lead Sainsbury’s Product Development and Fairtrade strategy and worked with thousands of global suppliers with a particular focus on African sustainable supply chains.

Connect with Liz

On LinkedIn

Resources Mentioned

Living Goods

Squiggly Careers Podcast

"Don't be funny, be human - you don't have to force it. Have a sense of humour. Have the ability to look at situations and see the humour that you do when you're outside of work. How often do you go home from work and you're sitting at the dinner table saying to your partner, or your family, you just wouldn't even believe what happened today..." Beth Sherman

Beth Sherman and I place a lens on the transformative power of humour in our work-lives. Beth shares insights from her career as a comedy writer and stand-up comedian, illustrating how humour can be a powerful tool for leaders to build trust, reduce tension and foster team dynamics. We touch on practical applications such as using humour to make interactions more human, make connections in diverse environments and improve workplace resilience. She emphasises the importance of self-awareness and authenticity in using humour effectively. Beth believes humour is a love-language, it can be used like a seasoning and that there is a lot of truth in humour.

Beth Sherman is a speaker, comedian, and seven-time Emmy Award-winning Hollywood comedy writer who's written for the biggest shows in American television, including Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Ellen, and the Academy Awards. As a speaker, she helps individuals and organizations harness the power of humor to create meaningful connection and genuine engagement with clients, colleagues and audiences.

Connect with Beth

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-sherman/

Website: https://www.bethsherman.com/

Resources Mentioned:

Professional Speakers Association

Victor Borge

"This is about what you are experiencing. And I think the beauty of your experience is it's your experience and no one can argue with that."

David Lee and I delve into the significance of emotional self-regulation and co-regulation, highlighting the impact they have on psychological safety and productive workplace environments. We discuss concepts from my book 'Leading Beyond the Numbers' including the importance of emotional granularity and how subtle changes in language can shape one's perception and interactions. We also cover the value of reflection and curiosity, and the cultural impact of emotions in an organisation. Through relatable examples and research, our discussion offers practical techniques for managing emotions and enhancing workplace culture.

David Lee is a coach, consultant, workshop facilitator, keynote speaker, and author of Dealing with a Difficult Co-Worker, who loves creating a win/win/win relationship between people and the organizations they work for. He helps leaders and leadership teams learn how to become "people whisperers", and by doing so, increase their ability to make their organization THE choice for "A List Talent" and inspire the best in their people.

Connect with David

On LinkedIn

Through his website, SoulSatisfyingWork

Resources Mentioned

How to Up Your People Game at Work: LinkedIn Live Series (Forthcoming onOct 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th 5pm UK/12pm EST)

Leading Beyond the Numbers, Susan Ní Chríodáin

The Book of Human Emotions, Tiffany Watt Smith

The Emotional Dictionary, Susie Dent

Lisa Feldman Barrett, How Emotions are Mad

Daniel Goleman

Steven Porges and Polyvagal Theory

Don't Bite the Hook, Pema Chodron

Ted Lasso on Apple TV

Emotional Agility, Susan David

I am thoroughly enjoying reading "Wayfinding: The Art and Science of How We Find and Lose Our Way" by Michael Bond and have drawn from it to put together this episode. The parallels between how we do this out there in the wild and within the daily confines or our work-life struck me.

I've used excerpts from this book, in particular the psychology of being lost, for this episode and added some of my own thoughts, stories and poems.

Please note that I will be taking a break for the month of August. Until September .... happy wandering!

Resources Mentioned

Wayfinding: The Art and Science of How We Find and Lose Our Way by Michael Bond

"There's schools of thought around us; the quantum nature of humanity in terms of us being energy and vibrations. And whether you think of it as woo-woo, pseudoscience or whatever, I'm not concerned about that as much as understanding that when we got on this call, our energy levels were higher than usual and matching each other. And I think that is something that as people we really need to tap into. Being able to empathetically match our energy and also have the ability to shift it up or down as we see fit and that serves the environment that we're in." Steve Wright

Steve Wright and I have a dynamic discussion on his career journey from IT to coaching, and the intersection of human and information technology. We delve into how upbringing influenced Steve's interest in people and the importance of human interaction in technology. We explore leadership, the psychology-physiology connection, life's valleys and peaks and the significance of personal responsibility. We discuss the significance of energy in interactions, both personally and professionally. Steve also shares insights into his coaching practice, particularly around being a thinking partners to help managers become effective leaders.

Steve Wright's career path took him into Information Technology (IT) but the lessons of Human Technology remained, and have been a thread throughout his life. He experienced the transformation that can be achieved with a change in our physiology and psychology. Steve with over 25 years of experience is now a seasoned IT manager turned business and life coach based in Lancaster, UK. He empowers managers to become inspiring leaders through his company, SAWright Coaching.

Connect with Steve

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sawright/

Through his website: https://sawrightcoaching.com

Resources Mentioned:

The 1 to One Thing Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-1-to-one-thing/id1696216009

Episode 45 of The 1 to One Thing Podcast, Leading Beyond the Numbers with Susan Ní Chríodáin: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ep-45-leading-beyond-the-numbers-susan-ni-chriodian/id1696216009?i=1000657301125

Tony Robbins https://www.tonyrobbins.com/

"It's doing it on purpose, and knowing you can do it on purpose; that's what's really important when it comes to negotiations." Phil Brown

Phil Brown and I delve into the nuances of negotiation. Phil emphasises the significance of human interaction, confidence-building, and specific skills such as active listening, questioning, and observation. He shares insights on purposeful negotiations versus everyday interactions, the importance of practical experience in building negotiation skills, and various tactics, including the power of odd numbers and summarising during discussions. He also introduces the concept of the Negotiation Club, an innovative platform where individuals can practice and enhance their negotiation skills in a supportive environment, leveraging simple negotiation cards for realistic and engaging practice sessions. The episode is filled with practical advice, personal anecdotes, and a deep dive into the art of negotiation, making it a must-listen for anyone who would like to know more about the power of negotiation and practice.

Phil Brown is a Negotiation Trainer and Inventor of Negotiation Cards which is The ONLY resource helping businesses practice their negotiation skills, grow revenue, boost profits & build confidence. With over 30 years professional procurement experience he is using this to create an incredible new following of those who want to improve their negotiation skills through a unique approach to negotiation practice. He works across industries as well as educational sectors to deliver a unique coaching and workshop approach based on a philosophy of “Practical Practice”.

Connect with Phil

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-negotiation-club/?jobid=1234

Through his website: https://www.thenegotiationclubs.com/

Resources Mentioned

Toastmasters International

The Association of Speakers Clubs (ASC)

"So even in that dynamic of a relationship, how can I have a growth mindset and see my mother or father in the way they are now? How can I have conversations that may have triggered me in the past? But now I know I'm an adult, not that child reacting, to build my parent in the future. It's the same with organizations. It's the human dynamics." Tasneem Virani

Tasneem Virani and I speak about the critical need for maintaining human connection in an increasingly AI-dominated world advocating for a balanced integration of technology and human qualities in leadership. We discuss the integral role of emotional intelligence, the neuroscience behind human behaviours, and the importance of reflective and conversational intelligence in leadership. We talk about Tasneem's book 'Human Touch Leadership' and the value of nurturing human potential, fostering creativity, and the transformative power of positive human interactions in enhancing organisational performance.

Tasneem Virani is a dedicated proponent of a more human-centred approach to the workplace. She published Human Touch Leadership and developed a programme: "The Human Touch Leadership Accelerator Programme." Through this, Tasneem collaborates with companies to introduce the principles of "human touch leadership," striving to create meaningful changes in people, performance, and profits. Tasneem's focus is on partnering with senior leaders and professionals, aiding them in discovering clarity and purpose. Her skill set encompasses Leadership Development, Change Management, Organizational Coaching, Facilitation, Mediation, and Career Management.

Connect with Tasneem

Through her website: https://clariscoaching.com/home

Resources Mentioned

Human Touch Leadership by Tasneem Virani

Conversational Intelligence by Judith E. Glaser

Leading Beyond the Numbers by Susan Ni Chriodain

Episode #181