d'Skills in Action – Details, episodes & analysis

Ever wondered what's on the mind of a leader when they're working with someone from Gen Z like you? 

In this episode, we're going to give you an inside look at how leaders think when they're trying to engage and motivate someone from your generation. 

This show is all about breaking down what goes on behind the scenes to make Gen Z-Gen X working relationships successful. 

Join us as we dive into the world of leadership through the unique partnership of Coco Brown, the Founder and CEO of Athena Alliance, and Brit De Visser, the Chief of Staff at The Athena Alliance.  

Through their honest conversation, you'll get to peek behind the curtain and see how Coco, an experienced leader, keeps someone as talented as Brit (gen Z) engaged and excited about their work. 

Coco embodies the kind of leader you aspire to work with, and by listening in, you'll gain valuable insights into how leaders like her think and make decisions. 

This episode is your open door to expanding your connections.... 

So, put aside those textbooks for a moment, turn up the volume, and get ready to explore the world of leadership and Gen Z engagement with Brit De Visser and Coco Brown! 

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In our conversation, Britt emphasizes the importance of open communication and alignment between a company's mission and an employee's personal goals. 

This alignment can lead to mutually beneficial outcomes... 

On the other hand, Coco highlights the value of trust and autonomy in empowering employees. 

Trusting them to find their own way to achieve goals can be more effective than micromanaging. 

Britt underscores that Gen Z individuals are often motivated by aligning their personal goals with a company's mission. 

Trust and goal alignment can be key to their success. 

I get to ask Coco’s thought on the importance of Gen Z employees... 

and she stresses that Gen Z should be treated as partners and granting them autonomy and trust. 

This approach fosters a sense of ownership and collaboration. 

Coco highlights the shift towards a partnership mindset when working with Gen Z, acknowledging their unique contributions and ideas as valuable assets. 

She emphasizes the importance of collaboration and shared goal setting when working with Gen Z... 

moving away from a purely task-based approach, and the need for a more flexible and non-structured approach in today's world, aligning with the evolving nature of work and society. 

Welcome Rebels! 🤘😎 

If you've been following our podcast rebrand and caught the excitement in the air 

You already know we're not just a podcast... 🔥💥 

We're a dynamic community and a powerful movement. 

This is for high schoolers or a gap year student with a unique perspective... 

We hope you've joined the vibrant d'Skills community already, too! 😉 

Today, Swetha Tandri and I will unravel the real "why" behind this journey 

From launching this show and its vitality... 

Plus, the 10 commandments that shape the very essence of the d’Skills community. 

Buckle up, because this episode marks the beginning of an extraordinary voyage into the world of skills, empowerment, and a different mindset.  

Are you ready? Let's dive in! 🎧🌟  

Welcome to the groundbreaking inaugural episode of d'Skills in Action! 🚀 

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Our 10 d’Skills Community Commandments: 

1. Skills Over Scores: We believe that real-world skills, mindsets, and impacts say infinitely more about who we are than test scores and GPAs. 
2. Progress over Perfectionism: We believe that mistakes are ESSENTIAL to grow and build resilience to succeed, and that we should welcome them in our lives. 
3. Courage Over Conformity: We believe in the power of courage and tenacity to break the mold and defy the status quo. 
4. Impact Now: We believe that we don't have to wait until we’re older to make a real impact in the world on real businesses and real problems. 
5. Community Over Competition: We believe in the strength of community to uplift, encourage, and educate one another, rather than just competing for “top spots”. 
6. Pathway-Inclusive: We believe that whatever pathway you're on—college, no college, technical school, entrepreneurship, or something entirely different—d’Skills are vital to launch you into a fulfilling, best version of yourself. 
7. Different OVER Better: We follow our different. 
8. Forge Our Path: We believe that everyone has the opportunity to learn from this community and carve out their own unique career path. 
9. Digital Tools, Infinite Potential: We believe Native Digitals are unstoppable when we harness the power of digital resources and AI technology. 
10. Real World, Real Skills: We believe that real learning happens when you begin with a real-world impact you want to make, and work backwards. In our community, we don't just learn; we apply and impact the real world. 

Manifesto — d'Skills (dskills.io) 

COMMUNITY — d'Skills (dskills.io) 

Make Your Life Feel Longer, with John K. Coyle, Olympic Speed Skater and Design Thinking Expert 

If you watched the 1994 Winter Olympics, you may recognize today’s guest. 

Because he ended up taking home the silver medal in speed skating that winter with his team. 

Today’s episode is exciting and thrilling as our guest shares his adventurous journey. 

From 55 times he almost died, his thoughts about the perception of time, to how he led the shift from contract cellphone plans to non-contract plans... you’ll be hanging onto every word John shares. He even shared, for the first time in a public forum, the personal story behind a poem he wrote that has since been shared with hundreds of thousands of people. 

Join me in our episode today as I take the journey to the great mind of an Olympian, storyteller, keynote speaker, author, and a leading expert in "Design Thinking” and Innovation --- John K. Coyle  

This episode is an idea of flow, adventure, risk, and creativity combined in one. 

John’s whole life, he’s sought out thrills. Intentionally. And in moderate numbers each year. He described himself as a kid who’d go to a haunted mansion on the hill at midnight with no flashlight. 

From a young age, John's fearlessness and resilience set him apart. As he said,

He fearlessly embraced physical challenges that others would shy away from. 

He made tough decisions that others wouldn't dare to make. 

When faced with a lack of success on the Olympic team, John took a leap and decided to train on his own.  

This audacious move earned him triumphs beyond imagination, breaking US and world records and proving that daring choices could lead to tremendous achievements. 

Throughout his life, John's willingness to embrace uncertainty and go against the grain paid off. 

In this section, pay special attention to how anyone can use seeking danger, thrills, and stories to increase the perception of time. Your life will be more fulfilling. 

Losing Creative People 

Reflecting on my own generation, Gen Z, I note how college made more sense in their time when company routes were prominent. 

John unveils how swiftly shooting down ideas dampens creativity and causes talented minds to withdraw, leading to a decline in business growth and potential failure, 

"So, it's about what's that calculated risk, and divergent thinkers, creative thinkers, are just capable of thinking far outside of the comfort zone than your convergent thinkers, and if you shut them down all the time, if you don't absorb them, if you fire them or if they leave, then you just don't have that pool of ideas that can help a business grow beyond its current boundaries. And that's how businesses die." 

I'm left pondering the significance of nurturing a culture that welcomes innovative ideas, disruption, and calculated risks... 

"So now they're essentially permanently shut down. They just don't bring ideas anymore. And then the third strike happens is they leave because people join companies, and they leave leaders. The reason they leave leaders, 52% of the write-in votes is my boss is not open to my ideas. So now you've just had an exodus of all your creative people, and this is how big companies go out of business." 

Amygdala Driven Moments, Time Perception 

Our conversation takes an intriguing turn as we discuss his research on the...

Many of us know the familiar feeling…

The fear of hurting someone's feelings or the resistance to doing things differently holds many people's back in their careers, and sometimes personal life as well.

In this episode, our guest, Amy C. Horner, CPA, MBA, C-Suite executive, and Strategic Change Ambassador will unpack the topic of change leadership.

Not only that!

This episode spans from far-beyond-things related to accounting, to recruiting Gen Z into professional services, and so much more!

In my conversation with Amy, I got to ask her thoughts on the experiences of women leaders in male-dominated industries and the evolving landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

While I highlight the common thread I have observed among many women leaders, 

Amy shared her perspective on the challenges faced by women in the workforce... 

emphasizing the need to focus on the people and their talent rather than the metrics of diversity. 

She criticizes the "metric-driven diversity mentality" that treats diversity as a checkbox, rather than considering the strength and capabilities of individuals. 

She emphasizes the importance of genuine connection and collaboration among diverse individuals, rather than relying solely on metrics to drive change. 

Amy attributes the difficulty in recruiting Gen Z’ers to accounting's negative reputation of being a “boring career” and lack of exposure in early education.

Many high schools have cut accounting courses as electives, resulting in students not being exposed to accounting until college, if they pursue a business major.

Amy acknowledges that the Intro to Accounting course can be challenging and not enjoyable for those who aren't interested in mathematics.

She also mentions the perception of accountants working long hours in dark, windowless rooms, which has created a bias and reputation that is hard to overcome.

The negative programming and reputation associated with accounting make it challenging for the profession to attract Gen Z talent.

However, Amy believes that efforts, such as incorporating accounting into STEM education at an early age and dispelling outdated stereotypes, can help improve recruitment efforts in the future.

As I seek Amy’s perspective into why people fear change, she highlights the impact of early programming: 

She...

Subscriptions are the norm in 2023.

But it wasn’t always that way.

Behind every genius model is someone. Someone who made things the way they are by changing the way they were.

And in the case of the brilliant shift to a membership economy that Netflix led, and millions of others followed, the “someone” behind that move was our guest today, Robbie Kellman Baxter.

It was such an honor to dive into a personal conversation with Robbie, who is known for her #1 best-selling books The Forever Transaction” and “The Membership Economy”, but today we get to experience Robbie’s insights on not just subscriptions, but education, digital community, and even poetry.

You’re in for a treat.

In the late 1980s, Robbie’s parents encouraged her to pursue her passions and study whatever interested her.

They believed in her ability to forge a successful career, regardless of her chosen field.

With this support, Robbie embarked on a journey into the world of poetry...

As she entered the job market after college, she faced condescending questions during interviews, such as being asked if her passion for poetry would distract her from her work.

Despite such challenges, Robbie's dedication and impressive track record of achievements eventually landed her a job.

To thrive in the independent consulting realm, she understood the importance of establishing a personal brand and becoming an expert in a specific area.

It was during this phase that Robbie discovered her passion for subscriptions and membership models, which she has been actively involved in for over two decades.

Today, Robbie's expertise lies in the realm of subscriptions, where her skills as a writer and researcher come to the fore.

Robbie shared her experience of working at three different tech companies after graduating from business school.

In retrospect, these companies operated under recurring revenue models, similar to today's SaaS companies.

When faced with a layoff, her immediate focus was on financial stability to support her mortgage and family.

Initially, she was open to any work that could provide income. However, she realized the need to specialize and become an expert in a specific area.

The turning point came when she began working with Netflix as an independent consultant.

Witnessing Netflix's relentless dedication to customer retention and its profound impact on...

Ever wondered what it truly means to coach yourself?

Get ready, as our guest Mike Normant is about to reveal the secrets behind this powerful skill.

In this conversation, I dared to ask Mike, author of Coach Yourself Up, an executive coach, and leadership trainer, to coach me right here on the show.

We explored his methodology, delving into the essence of self-coaching and its transformative potential for your career, life, and everything in between.

Brace yourself for a mind-opening experience unlike any other.

Let's dive in!

Drawing from his extensive knowledge, Mike provides a relatable example to illustrate how these truths manifest in our daily experiences. 

We discussed the common small “t” truth of needing things to be perfect initially shaped by childhood experiences and the desire for acknowledgment. 

Gradually, it transformed into a capital T truth—the perception that imperfection equated to failure. 

However, upon reflecting on our conversation, I realized that this belief did not correspond to an objective reality. 

 It was not a universal truth that dictated worth or guaranteed success. 

Imagine the possibilities that arise when we become aware of the stories we tell ourselves and take active control over them. 

These stories resemble invisible threads woven into our minds...  

They empower us, giving us the courage to take risks and embrace growth, or they can hold us back, limiting our potential and trapping us in self-imposed barriers. 

Ontological humility and Political Stances—two crucial aspects to consider. 

In a nutshell, ontological humility delves into the study of reality. 

For example, your perception tells you that marketing has gone awry.  

But ontological humility nudges you to pause and consider that your perspective may not be the only valid one. 

It invites us to engage in conversations with the awareness that our perception of reality is shaped by the core set of facts we believe to be true.  

However, it's important to recognize the ease with which we pass judgment and the commonality of this tendency.  

By acknowledging our instinct to label others, we can go deeper into the complexities of differing perspectives.  

In this

We all know that the attention spans of both young individuals and adults are decreasing....

As the volume of learning content continues to rise, our ability to focus diminishes.

However, micro-learning presents a refreshing approach to knowledge acquisition...

And in this episode, we explore how this innovative approach is revolutionizing training and learning,with our special guest, tech start-up rockstar Chris Sterbenc, who has three decades of epic entrepreneurial adventures under his belt; we'll delve into the captivating world of micro-learning.

Chris’ company, Learn to Win, had the opportunity to deploy their micro-learning technology on a crazy experiment: Could micro-learning help a college football team improve their defense strategies?

Ole Miss shifted from traditional methods to using Learn to Win to break down lessons into one to three-minute chunks.

As a result, not only did the players find it more enjoyable, but the comprehension and retention of the material skyrocketed.

The ultimate result? They went from being one of the worst defenses to becoming the top defense in the country.

Chris shared that the key to effective training lies in meeting people where they are comfortable and delivering content in a format that they prefer.

Flipped learning is an alternative approach that can be utilized alongside micro-learning.

Chris explained that this method flips the traditional order of presenting information, resembling a game of jeopardy.

In flipped learning, the problem or question is presented first, engaging learners' minds in thinking about how they would solve it.

In the realm of education, exciting experimentation is taking place both in universities and high schools.

From active learning classrooms to collaborative sessions, the focus is on hands-on experiences that defy passivity.

As Chris mentioned, “There is now a lot of experimentation going on in higher education, at university level, and you're seeing a little bit of it in the high school level with active learning classrooms... there's hands-on experimenting going on. There are collaboration sessions. It's not passive.”

This shift signifies a powerful transformation, where students are actively engaged in their learning journey, paving the way for dynamic and impactful educational experiences.

Chris’ journey was far from ordinary.

He discovered his interests and preferences by immersing himself in a business

Are you an early-stage startup struggling to attract investors and find product-market fit? 

Do you ever wonder what you might be missing when it comes to presenting to VCs?  

Well, we recently spoke with the brilliant mind that is Sean, and he dropped some major knowledge bombs on the subject. 

Sean is a savvy serial entrepreneur, who knows how to make a business boom! With three successful exits and a background in Venture Capital, Sean is the Managing Partner at Corporate Venture Builder U+. 

For over 30 years, Sean has been bringing new products to market as a five-times sales founder. With his extensive experience and expertise, he helps startups find their footing in the industry and develop predictable revenue models. 

It's no wonder Sean has been recognized as one of the Top Sales Influencers You Should Be Following on social media. 

 You know that feeling when someone isn't being totally honest with you?  

Well, that's exactly what gets VC investors like our speaker here worried. 

In our conversation with Sean, he pointed out that most young start-ups often lack honesty when presenting to VCs. 

And that's a big issue because finding product market fit is a tough journey. 

It's not just about what entrepreneurs are holding back from investors; it's about their attitude towards learning and growth.  

Building a successful startup isn't just about having a great idea or cool technology... 

It's about understanding the problem you're trying to solve, and the people you're trying to solve it for. 

 One of the pressing topics about market strategy is the difference in mindset between those who prioritize short-term gains and those with a strategic understanding of technology companies. 

Sean explains why Wall Street guys tend to prioritize quarterly earnings... 

While those with a strategic understanding of technology companies can see the bigger picture.  

Adobe's acquisition of Figma is an example. 

Sean emphasizes the importance and the need to adapt between generational demographics and to own relationships with customers to stay on top in the long run 

This is the age of infinite leverage. 

In today's age of applied...

We wake up in a fast-paced world, and sometimes 24 hours isn’t enough.  

But what if you could get back an extra hour each week? What would you do with it?  

I bet most of us will do what we love.  Perhaps become a better spouse, parent, or friend.  

Or pursue bigger things and spend an hour less treated like a ticket.  

That’s when the power of AI comes in.  

Today’s episode is not a typical discussion about AI because our guest, Dan Turchin, CEO and Founder of PeopleReign, will tell us what the future could be with the help of AI. 

Meet the tech powerhouse and AI aficionado, Dan Turchin! As the CEO and Founder of PeopleReign, he's revolutionizing employee service automation with his leading AI platform. He's also a member of the Forbes Technology Council and the host of the wildly popular podcast show AI and the Future of Work. But wait, there's more! Before PeopleReign, he was at the helm of InsightFinder, the AIOps leader, and co-founded Astound, an AI-first enterprise platform for HR and IT. Oh, and did we mention he's served as Chief Product Officer at Fortinet and a Senior Director of Product Strategy at ServiceNow? This guy's tech cred is off the charts. But he's not just a tech genius, Dan's also an active angel investor and startup advisor with over 30 companies in his portfolio. He's passionate about building great teams and great products that solve hard problems and change lives. And when he's not crushing it in the tech world, he's likely cheering on youth soccer, indulging in some adventure sports, or reading Asimov and Dr. Seuss. Dan's got a BS and BA from Stanford University, so he's got the smarts to back up his incredible tech journey. 

 “If we could build like a great big digital brain that like personal concierge that would be awesome. You've got like your companion brain that gets smarter all the time and is just there to assist you, to make you like the best version...That's our vision for the future of work, for the future of humanity.” --- Dan Turchin 

Gen Z is known for being great consumers of new technologies, like AI and machine learning, without necessarily understanding how they work.  

Imagine walking into the office and the walls knowing who you are, making your job easier.  

The mundane tasks that create friction between employees and employers disappear, giving employees an hour back to do more of what they love.  

Dan Turchin emphasizes the end goal is to bring impact to the next billion employees and make work life more human. 

 Imagine being able to travel the world and understand every language without even speaking it. Sounds like science fiction, right?  

But with the rapid advancements in technology, it's becoming a reality. 

The only impediments to this technology were storage problems, bandwidth, and data training, but now those are rapidly being solved. 

Augmentation is a huge part of this... 

“There's amazing research in AI that's going into the augmentation of capabilities that we thought, we thought there was a limit to what we could do as humans, now we realize there's no limit and its augmented intelligence that's helping us realize that.” --- Dan Turchin 

Not only does it save time and accelerate outputs, but it also helps people with disabilities, too. 

Doing what you love is what makes you the best version of yourself. 

Dan delves

Welcome to the Native Digital Native Analog Show, where today's episode is one that will deeply touch your heart and soul.  

Our guest, James Fellowes, shares his journey of unraveling and rebuilding after a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, while also co-founding a company that has placed over 75,000 people with incredible abilities into meaningful careers. 

But this episode is even more special as we welcome my sister, Sam, who was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder, to join in the conversation. 

Get ready to be profoundly impacted and to open your mind to a level of empathy you didn't think was possible.  

Let's jump in and join this special conversation in My Den. 

 James had everything going for him, but then everything came crashing down.  

He recounts his privileged upbringing, his successful career in the drinks industry, and his seemingly perfect family life.  

However, in 2008, things began to unravel for him...  

“This dawned on me. Having been white male and exceptionally privileged. I'd never heard any kind of or experienced any kind of barrier to employment in my entire life...”-James Fellowes 

This was when his mental health began to suffer. He lost his confidence and struggled to operate in any way. He couldn't even turn on his computer and found himself staring out of the window.  

Despite this, he found hope through therapy and the support of his family, and he now works to help others going through similar struggles. 

“And I started rebuilding my life again. And I was like, “Okay, we can start again, you know, bottom of the snakes and ladder”. - James Fellowes 

James and I discussed how employers should view the future of talent, given the shifting landscape where AI surpasses our expectations. 

“I think this (AI) makes this talent pool even more strategically vital. Because if AI can do what typical talent can do, but much better and working 24/7 and various other things.” -- James Fellowes 

And James points out that managers need to start thinking about all different types of diversity, not just gender and ethnicity.  

Neurodiversity includes talents like those with autism, who have attention to detail and focus, and dyslexics who are extremely creative. 

James said, "if you have gone through a system that's designed to put you down, tell you you're stupid, and you have gotten through that, well, you must be bloody good." 

People who have lived through difficult experiences also bring unique experiences to the table that cannot be replicated by AI 

Therefore, it is crucial for companies to embrace diversity and seek out untapped talent pools to get ahead. 

If you want to catch the full conversation, be sure to listen to the complete podcast. 

About James Fellowes 

In 2018 James was made redundant for the fifth time in 8 years. It was then that he had an epiphany: to leave the corporate world to try and change the world! He co-founded Bridge of Hope Careers to create the missing link between ‘untapped talent’ and inclusive employers seeking to expand their talent pool. He’s a proud dad of three, an unshakable optimist and an obsessive wild swimmer. 

Connect with James Fellowes