The Business of Being Brilliant – Details, episodes & analysis

How is AI impacting our jobs, careers, and sense of purpose at work? Who stands to win or lose as the pace of change accelerates? In this episode Helen Beedham chats to Rob Garlick, author, consultant, and former Head of Innovation & Technology at Citi Global Insights, to unpack how artificial intelligence is reshaping opportunities, job quality, and the very skills we need to succeed, whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned leader.

Together, Helen and Rob explore:

⭐️ How AI is already altering job availability, job quality, who’s most affected and why graduates and tech workers may be the ‘canaries in the coal mine’ for wider workplace shifts;

⭐️ The “conditional optimism” case: why AI’s full benefits might be realised only after navigating painful disruptions;

⭐️ The reality behind the hype around massive productivity gains and job substitution;

⭐️ How younger workers are both disadvantaged and empowered by AI, and why older workers may bring stability and ethical oversight through turbulent times;

⭐️ Practical strategies for pro-human leadership: upskilling and reskilling with purpose, leveraging AI for augmentation (not just substitution), and creating stability and agency at every career stage.

About Rob Garlick:

Rob is an Author, Speaker, Consultant and Coach focused on the implications of AI on work and leadership. His experience includes: 1000’s of meetings with C-suite and top investors globally; a front row seat for most innovation areas in the last 30 years, publishing over 60 papers on innovation topics; and over 100 talks delivered around the world in recent years on the Future of Work. Rob was promoted to Managing Director at Citibank in 2006, and managed, mentored and coached for 20+ years.

With over 30 years of experience in Investment Banking and Fund Management, Robs’ roles included: Head of Innovation & Technology at Citi Global Insights; Head of Citi Research EMEA, leading the team’s (of c.200) rise in the Institutional Investor surveys, from: #7 to #1 in UK, #9 to #2 in Western European, and #7 to #1 globally; Global Product Head at Citi Research; Head of Citi's US Equity Sales desk; TMT sales; Fund Manager. Rob passed the AIIMR (Associate of the Institute of Investment Management & Research) as a prize-winner in Interpretation of Accounts & Corporate Finance. Among other qualifications, Rob holds a BSc (Econ) degree in Accounting and Management, an MSc in Coaching and Behavioural Change and is a qualified Executive Coach. 

Links:

Visit Helen’s website www.helenbeedham.com.

Check out Helen's award-winning business book: The Future of Time: how 're-working' time can help you boost productivity, diversity and wellbeing.

Leave a book review on Amazon here.

Get in touch about Helen’s Time-Intelligent Teams workshops or view/download a flier here.

Join her mailing list here.

What does freedom at work mean to you? Take my short survey here.

Pre-order my new book People Glue: hold on to your best people by setting them free  (out Jan 2026) and become a book supporter to gain exclusive book-related invitations and offers. 

Follow Rob Garlick on Linked In here.

Loved this episode?  

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What does “meaningful work” really mean, and why is it so crucial not just for personal fulfilment but for building healthier, higher-performing organisations? In this thought-provoking episode, Helen Beedham is joined by Professor Ying Zhou, Director of the Future of Work Research Centre at the University of Surrey and a leading expert in job quality and employee wellbeing to unpack the latest research, challenge some big myths, and share actionable insights for leaders, managers and anyone curious about cultivating meaning in their working life.

Together, Helen and Ying explore:

⭐️ What meaningful work truly is including both the “self-realisation” (personal fulfilment) and “social justification” (positive societal impact) perspectives and how these ideas differ;

⭐️ The latest UK data on how many of us actually find our work meaningful and where so-called “bullshit jobs” fit into the story;

⭐️ The real drivers of meaningful work, why it’s less about pay, and far more about intrinsic job quality;

⭐ ️ The emerging role of AI and technology: is automation making work more or less meaningful, and how much does it really matter so far?

⭐️ Simple, research-backed advice for managers to boost meaningfulness in their teams, whatever industry you’re in.

Tune in for an evidence-based yet practical episode pulling together robust research, real-world examples, and clear recommendations to help everyone from senior leaders to those just starting out build more meaningful, impactful working lives.

About Professor Ying Zhou  

Ying Zhou is Professor of Human Resource Management and Director of the Future of Work Research Centre at the University of Surrey. Her research is focused on job quality, occupation, and employee well-being. She has won research grants from the Economic and Social Research Council, the UK Government, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (with a total of £4.3 million) to analyse job quality and employee well-being in the UK and Europe. Her research has been presented to the UK Cabinet Office, House of Commons, OECD, European Commission, European Council and cited in UK, French, Welsh and EU policy documents. Her research appears in leading academic journals such as the Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Organizational Behavior, Human Resource Management Journal, and the British Journal of Industrial Relations. Ying is a recipient of the Surrey Business School Impact Award and the Academy of Management Overall Best Paper Award. Ying received her MPhil and DPhil in Economic Sociology from Oxford University.

Links:

Visit Helen’s website www.helenbeedham.com.

Check out Helen's award-winning business book: The Future of Time: how 're-working' time can help you boost productivity, diversity and wellbeing.

Leave a book review on Amazon here.

Get in touch about Helen’s Time-Intelligent Teams workshops or view/download a flier here.

Join her mailing list here.

What does freedom at work mean to you? Take my short survey here.

Pre-order my new book People Glue: hold on to your best people by setting them free  (out Jan 2026) and become a book supporter to gain exclusive book-related invitations and offers. 

Follow Professor Ying Zhou on Linked In here.

FInd out more about the Future of Work Research Centre. 

Access the 2024 UK Skills Employment Survey.

Loved this episode?  

Follow The Business of Being Brilliant, rate and review the show, and share it with friends and colleagues who care about building brighter, fairer workplaces.

How do you deal with a tricky boss and how can you build resilience and thrive if you’re working for one? In this episode, Helen sits down with Eric Charran, technology executive, author, and former leader at Microsoft and Capital One to take a deeper look at why so many of us encounter difficult managers, and most importantly, what we can do about it.

Together, they explore: 

⭐️ The typical unhelpful behaviours and archetypes of dysfunctional managers, and why these patterns repeat themselves in the workplace

⭐️ Why managers often lead the way they were led, and how a lack of training or support sets even well-intentioned leaders up for struggle

 ⭐️ Practical, emotionally intelligent coping strategies to help you shift your working relationship — from using empathy and curiosity to developing “growth” strategies for your managers. 

Eric shares stories from his own career (names changed to protect the innocent!), and outlines actionable advice for not just surviving difficult boss dynamics but also helping your boss grow in the process. You'll come away with a fresh, compassionate perspective and a toolkit for navigating difficult workplace relationships.

Tune in for real talk on manager mishaps, emotional intelligence, and becoming your own best advocate at work.

About Eric:

Eric Charran is a visionary technology executive, author, and thought leader with over 25 years of experience in transforming global enterprises through digital innovation, data-driven strategy, and AI-driven solutions at major organisations, including Microsoft and Capital One. His strategic insights and leadership have driven high-impact changes across sectors, optimising performance and fostering resilience in industries from finance to healthcare.

In Have You Ever Had a Boss That…, Charran draws on his extensive leadership experience and his understanding of corporate dynamics to offer readers a guide to navigating workplace challenges, enhancing personal effectiveness, and fostering a balanced, fulfilling career. With insights that resonate across industries, he empowers readers to become more effective leaders and team players. With a career shaped by a commitment to measurable impact and a player-coach leadership style, Charran is a sought-after speaker and advisor on topics of leadership, digital innovation, and organisational change. His work continues to influence leaders and organizations seeking sustainable, innovative solutions in a rapidly evolving world.

Eric’s book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Have-Ever-Boss-That-Dysfunctional-ebook/dp/B0DJH2YW4S

Links:

Visit Helen’s website www.helenbeedham.com.

Check out Helen's award-winning business book: The Future of Time: how 're-working' time can help you boost productivity, diversity and wellbeing.

Leave a book review on Amazon here.

Get in touch about Helen’s Time-Intelligent Teams workshops or view/download a flier here.

Join her mailing list here.

What does freedom at work mean to you? Take my short survey here.

Pre-order my new book People Glue: hold on to your best people by setting them free  (out Jan 2026) and become a book supporter to gain exclusive book-related invitations and offers. 

Collective wisdom from my guests in series 1 about how they manage their time at work. This is the finale of series 1.

I talk with Alison Trauttmansdorff, CHRO of Alvarium Investments Ltd, about developing others, rethinking performance management and being economic with our time.

I talk with Diversity and Inclusion leader Mitra Janes about focusing on the priorities, experiencing setbacks and treating our mind as a muscle. Audio, video and show notes are at www.helenbeedham.com/podcast.

I talk with international benefits transition leader Michelle Newton about stepping up, being ourselves and sharing our time habits. Find the show notes at www.helenbeedham.com/podcast.

I talk with business leader and international finance lawyer SunHee Park about being a ‘knowledge omnivore’, avoiding stereotypes and shifting to healthier ways of working. Find the show notes at www.helenbeedham.com/podcast.

I talk with business leader and Chairman Gerry McQuade about 'leaning in' to challenges, finding new tools in our toolbox and thinking differently.

I talk with Professor Connson Locke of the London School of Economics, author of ‘Making your voice heard’, about ‘being a bridge’, managing difficult emotions at work and the power of uninterrupted time. Grab your calendar and your headphones and join us! You’ll find the show notes at www.helenbeedham.com/podcast.