DECODING AQ - Adaptability For The Future Of Work With Ross Thornley – Details, episodes & analysis

With me today is Sandra Loughlin, Chief Learning Scientist at EPAM Systems, an organizational psychologist and a self-proclaimed 'skills nerd.' Sandra has dedicated her career to transforming the way businesses approach learning, employee enablement, and technology-driven transformation. 
She’s at the forefront of helping organizations cultivate business agility and engineering excellence through AI-enabled, skills-based strategies. With her work featured in Forbes and CEO Magazine and recognition as a Global Leader in Consulting, Sandra is here to share her expertise on building cultures of continuous learning and innovation.

I'd like to give our listeners some context about EPAM - has been on this journey for 3 decades - the art of the possible - built in-house, home grown - how it is configured, is to server the business - and is like a foreign country. EPAM and SKILLS have been married from day one.

Ross and Sandra talk about software engineering, data, AI, building sophisticated digital platforms, skills, finding the right people, skills-based organisations, systems of work, understanding your people, compelling change, being certain about change, digital transformation, human capital and framing to the right people. The pair also discuss set expectations, knowing where you are going, chief administration officers, AI in the workforce, transforming businesses, understanding AI, disruptive AI, autonomous robots,  pushing your capabilities, understanding tasks, building teams, learning capabilities, dynamic learning, being outside our comfort zone and pickleball. 

Timecodes:

• 00:16 Intro to Sandra
• 01:01 Sandra's background
• 01:51 EPAM
• 03:34 Tasks related to skills
• 05:06 What Sandra is currently working on
• 08:51 Leaving a set system that time and money have gone into
• 14:01 Making big changes while avoiding too much stress
• 21:09 EPAM approaching structuring business roles differently
• 25:34 Slowing down before speeding up
• 26:54 Being leaner and AI colleagues
• 34:04 Evolving communication skills in teams and collectives
• 37:47 Shifting away from limitations
• 40:18 Learning through incentivising
• 41:52 The difference between learning and training
• 44:39 The last time Sandra did something for the first time

Connect with Sandra:

• LinkedIn

Connect with Ross:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Moonshot Innovation 
• Pivot Point Documentary

What does Russell do? Well the opening line on his website says it all "he Supports Leaders Who are Wading Through Treacle to Rediscover their Mojo and make great decisions"

With over 2 decades years of experience in learning, leadership, and organizational development, Russell has dedicated the past 18 years to resilience and navigating the complexities of a VUCA world. 

He’s an engaging leadership coach, speaker, and facilitator with a mission to positively impact 100,000 lives by the end of this year.  Passionate, pragmatic, and playful, Russell is here to share his insights on resilience, leadership, and helping people rediscover their mojo.

Ross and Russell talk about leadership at The Co-operative Group, restructure, change, defining resilience, bouncing back without learning, surviving, thriving, overwhelm, never add to the 'to do list', reducing stress, purpose & energy, positive effects, playing to strengths, reducing responsibilities, delegating, removing blockage to people performing and feeling lighter. The pair also discuss common understanding, fostering energy, wellbeing, lack of confidence, caring for people, optimism, grounding guiding hope, tough times forcing resilience, adaptability, agility, simplifying new things, permanent openness, burnout, adopting AI, what is working well, emotional intelligence, finding purpose, reflect back on your life and remember being proud, finding ways to be proud, natural energisers, enjoying work, fear, your network, intentional choice and asking for help. 

Timecodes:

• 00:16 Intro to Russell
• 00:54 Russell's background
• 01:48 Becoming ‘The Resilience Coach’
• 04:40 Clients journeys with Russell
• 13:06 Giving teams and organisations resilience
• 16:41 Russell's current activities and impacting 100,000 lives
• 19:54 Darker times in the past and accepting reality
• 24:44 Addiction recovery - Genius Recovery
• 25:58 Proactive resilience and building resilience
• 29:10 Suffering a role and identity loss
• 32:23 VUCA and BANI - Brittle, Anxious, Non-Linear and Incomprehensible
• 33:54 Rolemodeling and unlearning
• 35:53 EQ and AQ - Emotional Quotient and Adversity Quotient
• 38:16 Building resilience in the next 10 days
• 42:57 The last time Russell did something for the first time

Connect with Russell:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Email: - russell@TheResilienceCoach.co.uk

Connect with Ross:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Moonshot Innovation 
• Pivot Point Documentary

Francis is a Master Trainer, WSJ Best Selling author and is driven to help executive coaches take their business & clients’ businesses to the next level.

He is the Founder & CEO of SQUIRCLE ACADEMY where he helps executive coaches and leaders rapidly elevate their businesses by leveraging the innovative SQUIRCLE framework. Francis also founded 'The Human Company' over 26 years ago.

With such a treasure trove of experience advising Fortune 100 executives, he is known for his ability to shatter the linear mould, driving transformation and accelerating growth in just a few months. I’m thrilled to share these insights and strategies with you all on the show today.

Ross and Francis talk about dream analysis, dreams driving life choices, connecting peoples thoughts, creativity combining with management, visualisation, logic, perception, improvisation, imagination, knowledge, development, dynamic imbalances, illusions of balance, expectations, reaching a process, decision making, controlling your mind, knowledge and deep intelligence. The pair also discuss duality, experience in the workplace, environments, nature, new principles in action, leadership, assessing, awareness of what's not working, limitless capacity of human beings, humans ability to solve things, universal principles, willingness to be curious, managing problems, faith, life, dealing with intensity, facing reality, desire, our value, relaxing over tensing up, endless possibilities, abundance, swimming with wild sharks and extraordinary experiences.

Timecodes:

• 00:16 Intro to Francis
• 01:53 Francis' dreams as a young boy  
• 04:34 Technology replicating dreams
• 05:24 Subconscious training
• 06:20 Scientific models of training
• 10:28 SQUIRCLE's framework
• 15:10 Models taking people through experiences
• 21:39 Francis' coaching
• 27:51 Unlocking better performance
• 31:56 Looking forward to 12 months ahead
• 35:31 Blockers to full potential
• 42:05 Authority being transferred to value
• 45:57 The last time Francis did something for the first time

Connect with Francis:

• LinkedIn
• Website
• Publications
• email: francis@thehumancompany.com

Connect with Ross:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Moonshot Innovation 

Dr. Ruth Gotian is a prolific mentor and educator, leading important research into the secrets of success.” A contributor to Forbes and Psychology Today, personally coached and mentored thousands of people ranging from undergraduates to faculty members. 

Currently, she researches the most successful people of our generation, including Nobel laureates, astronauts, CEOs and Olympic champions, in order to learn about their habits and practices so that we may optimize our own success.

Ross and Ruth talk about living the best version of ourselves, expanding  success, your own definition of success, high achievers, passion and focus. The pair also discuss the Pomodoro Technique, team work, exceeding, goals,  accountability and time management.

Timestamps

•  0:33 Ruth's mission
• 03:16 Intrinsic motivation
• 07:49 Ruth's motivation to become a Doctor 
• 12:01 Ruth's thoughts on flow state
• 20:36 Optimising the success of individuals and teams
• 23:52 Things that leaders can do to make lager teams overcome challenges 
• 26:39: Programmes providing  opportunities for everyone to improve
• 29:06 Big challenges in scaling optimisation  and overcoming them
• 31:24 Learning on demand 
• 33:53 The last time Ruth did something for the first time
• 35:52 What could Ruth do for the first time on the next 48 hours

Connect with Ruth

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Book: The Success Factor

Connect with Ross:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Moonshot Innovation 

Charlene Li  is a Digital Transformation and Disruptive Leadership expert. For the past two decades, she has been helping leaders and organizations see the future and thrive with disruption - as an author, speaker, advisor, and coach. Charlene is a prolific writer, having written or co-authored six books, including "Groundswell: Winning In A World Transformed By Social Technologies"​, the New York Times bestseller, "Open Leadership"​, "The Engaged Leader", and latest book "The Disruption Mindset". Why Some Organizations Transform While Others Fail.

Ross and Charlene talk about writing her books and the inspiration behind them, disruption mindset, thriving with disruption, being inspired, change and focusing energy, The pair also discuss change fatigue, bringing change to order, recognising change, defining space, humility, strategic planning and looking forward to disruption. 

Timestamps

• 01:23 Charlene's 1st book  'Groundswell'
• 06:23 Disruption mindset
• 08:40 What makes a disruption mindset
• 12:14 Change fatigue and re-energising
• 15:49 Liminal space  (moments in between change)
• 20:35 Holding the space
• 24:16 Energise instead of fatigue
• 27:47 The art of focus and saying no
• 33:33 Serving a mission but disrupting it
• 39:01 The last thing Charlene has done for the first time
• 42:47 Thriving with change and disruption

Connect with Charlene

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Books
• Twitter

Connect with Ross:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Moonshot Innovation 

Tony is a Chief Inspiration Officer, trusted advisor to accomplished leaders, career navigator, The Virtual Campfire Podcast host  and author.  He has 20 years of experience in navigating people and leaders through change and unlocking their true potential. Tony is also the Founder and Chief Inspiration Officer at Inspired Purpose Coaching.

Ross and Tony talk about creativity, science, logic, depression, leadership, new chapters, adaptability, personal journeys, inspiring people, coping, having a meaningful life and connecting with purpose. The pair also discuss inspiration, making people feel safe, the power of being fearless, improving your environment, living for today, goals, what lights us up, identity, empowerment, personal journeys and honesty to ourselves.

Timestamps

• 01:41 Tony's background
• 05:57 Origins of unlocking the potential of people
• 10:52 Tony's decision to change his path
• 15:08 The inspiration behind his book
• 18:37 What does 'to inspire' mean to Tony and psychological safety
• 26:22 In 12 months what will Tony look like and what adaptions he'd aim to achieve 
• 31:17 Early signals to prevent burn out
• 35:28 Examples of what Tony's clients are going through and how he supports them
• 40:20 A starting point for people to face their own challenges

Connect with Tony

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Book
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter

Connect with Ross:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Moonshot Innovation 

Erich is a HR advocate, DiSC nerd, and connection coach who helps organizations build and grow teams that value productive communication with diverse personality styles. He also spent 16 years at Compass Group plc which is the largest contract foodservice company in the world employing over 500,000 people.

Ross and Erich talk about the stories behind his beliefs, psychology, philosophy, HR, and working  at Compass Group plc. The pair also discuss the business of people, growth, meaningful and fulfilling work, productivity, being heard, adaptability, leadership, introverts, networking, looking for a job, being of service and developing.

Timestamps

• 01:18 Erich's origins and getting his degree in psychology and philosophy
• 04:32 Experiences at Compass Group plc and HR
• 09:16 Erich's belief that workplace communication can be productive, collaborative, and respectful
• 12:31 Tips on effective communication in a remote world
• 20:06 Erich's belief that each one of us is capable of leading with greater influence
• 24:18 A story where introverts have underestimated their ability to network professionally
• 30:47 Job seekers benefit from regaining confidence and control in their search
• 36:08 Being your own cheerleader or critic
• 39:21 The power of intentional service to others
• 45:37  The last time Erich did something for the first time
• 50:05 Tips to deal with change that's ever accelerating

Connect with Erich

• LinkedIn
• Harmony Insights
• HRHotseat

Connect with Ross:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Moonshot Innovation 

Greg Verdino is a Business Futurist & Digital Transformation expert, keynote speaker, author and advisor. With 25 years spent working at the forefront of change, during which time he has advised hundreds of organizations including more than 50 of the Fortune 500.

Ross and Greg talk about becoming a sociologist, sociology in advertising,  communication, change, taking risks and moving too fast. The pair also discuss driving change more effectively, digital transformation, ecosystems, collaborating and leadership.

Timestamps:

• 1:30 Why did Greg chose sociology as a degree
• 6:18 Pivotal moments after Greg shifted his way in thinking
• 10:56 Why is change so hard
• 14:05 Shifting behaviour on the inside and seeing change as good
• 20:47 Creating The Adapt Manifesto 
• 25:24 Greg's values - evolutionary change over revolutionary disruption
• 28:38 Balance across organisations compared to individuals
• 32:18 Curiosity over certainty 
• 38:10 Inclusivity and competition not actually being competition 
• 45:57 Practical steps organisations can take
• 52:29 Doing things for the first time

Connect with Greg

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• email - me@gregverdino.com

Connect with Ross:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Moonshot Innovation 

The Bolder Company is the catalyst for the lasting behavioural change that empowers businesses to thrive. They connect individuals to themselves, to each other, and to the futures of their organizations. They also combine fully experiential, improvisation-based learning with grounded, outcomes-focused content to produce lasting behavioural change.

Ross, Jenny and Ellen talk about improvisation exercises, pitching, being authentic, networking, representing themselves and how to keep going when feeling awkward. The group also discuss feeling more comfortable, teaching people with improv, giving ourselves permission, evolving, communication, being venerable and finally avoiding burnout.

Timestamps:

• 01:02 The Bolder Company and the ladies backgrounds
• 04:20 Key things that have shaped how the ladies work
• 07:29 How from improv to high stakes and real business impact
• 10:49 Getting positive feedback
• 15:21 Leaders managing themselves now environments are shifting and changing so rapidly
• 20:18 Unlearning and letting go of old ways of working 
• 24:49 The story behind the company name 'The Bolder Company'
• 30:48 Communicating well in a remote environment eg zoom.
• 37:30 Tips on slowing down people who are burning out
• 40:20 Saying no gracefully and not being negative 
• 44:37 Step out to step in

Connect with Jenny and Ellen

• The Bolder Company
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter

Connect with Ross:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Moonshot Innovation 

Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez is World Champion in Project Management,  a professor, author and executive coach. He is fluent in five languages and been recognized by Thinkers50 with the prestigious award “Ideas into Practice” and is ranked #17 in the global gurus Top 30 list.  Also part of Marshall Goldsmith 100 coaches. Antonio author of multiple books, inc, “Lead Successful Projects” (Penguin, 2019) and work focuses on advising senior leaders on how to lead transformational change.

Ross and Antonio talk about project management, project leadership, getting things done and changing strategies. The pair also discuss priorities, inspiration from children's visions, addressing change, value,  purpose and getting results.

Timestamps:

• 00:57 The world champion of project management
• 02:36 Getting into transformational change and working with leaders
• 05:33 Some of the challenges Antonio has seen in the last 18 months and examples of things going well
• 09:23 Prioritising the most essential needs for organisations to operate in
• 13:01 Learning from children like Greta 
• 16:27 Being successful in this environment of accelerated change
• 21:58 Accelerating theories, ideas and experiments getting them into organisations 
• 26:27 Antonio's priorities and what to focus on when scaling up
• 32:09 Saying "no" and changing our relationship with this turning it into a positive
• 37:42 Antonio's first book 'The Focused Organisation'

Connect with Antonio:

• LinkedIn
• Website
• Twitter

Books:

• The Focused Organization
• Lead Successful Projects
• The Project Revolution 

Connect with Ross:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Moonshot Innovation