Episodes
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CEO of Virtual Work Insider, Sacha Connor discusses the challenges of remote work and how distance bias affects professional teams.
Marketer turned remote work advocate, Sacha Connor, shares about her journey and insights into leading distributed, hybrid, and remote teams. Sacha shares her experiences from working at advertising agencies to leading teams at Clorox and starting Virtual Work Insider in 2018. They discuss the challenges of remote work, including distance bias, creating team agreements, the importance of flexibility, and the necessity of evolving leadership skills for the modern workplace. The conversation also highlights practical solutions for improving productivity and connection within remote teams.
BIO
Sacha Connor is the CEO of Virtual Work Insider, a consultancy that provides training programs and content on how to lead, communicate, collaborate, and build culture in hybrid, distributed, and remote teams.
Sacha has 18 years of business leadership experience in marketing, sales, and new product innovation roles, including over 13 years of experience leading hybrid & distributed teams while working fully remotely.
As one of the first remote marketing directors at The Clorox Company, she led brands worth over $250M and was the first fully remote member of the leadership team for a $1 billion business unit.
Since the launch of Virtual Work Insider in late 2018, VWI has delivered over 300 skills training workshops, executive team sessions, and speaking engagements about hybrid and remote work to audiences of 10 to 1,000+. VWI has worked with clients that span a range of industries, including Toyota, Sephora, Vanguard, Under Armour, Allstate, Eventbrite, and Optum Health.
CHAPTERS
05:38 Sacha’s remote work story
08:18 Sacha’s views on remote vs. in-person work
13:10 How leaders reacted to Sacha’s remote work experiment
15:43 Becoming an omnimodal leader
17:50 Leading remote teams vs. in-person teams
19:32 The value of remote work management skills
22:24 Leadership skills and managing the abstract nature of people
26:47 The importance of communicating preferences
31:31 The mindset shift required to embed connection in work
34:00 Is it necessary to meet in person?
37:10 Building connections continuously
38:53 Focusing on goals and roles and creating team agreements
42:31 Flexibility in omnimodal environments
LINKS
Narnia Westmount
Ep. 1 - The Secret Super Powers of HIghly Sensitive People - with Clare Kumar
Virtual Work Insider
The Clorox Company
Orbit ERG
Dave Ulrich
Invested Leader Program
Hot Topics Playlist
Happy Space Work Style Profile™
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CEO of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, Paul White shares his journey so far in forming a global symbol for those with hidden disabilities.
CEO of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, Paul White shares the origin and growth of the Sunflower initiative, which started in 2016 at Gatwick Airport to support people with non-visible disabilities. Paul shares how the Sunflower lanyard has helped individuals, including a mother traveling with her son and a man with dementia who regained his independence. The conversation delves into why the program operates as a for-profit business, supporting inclusion and accessibility worldwide, and the impact it makes on both customers and employees. He also touches on the importance of creating sunflower-friendly environments and the cultural nuances of implementing the program globally.
BIO
CEO, Paul White, is a passionate and dedicated advocate for disability rights, driving real change as the global CEO of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. With an unwavering commitment to inclusivity, accessibility and championing equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities, Paul has a genuine desire to ensure that the wearers of the Sunflower receive the patience, care and understanding they may need throughout their day from whoever they meet, wherever they may travel.
CHAPTERS
00:06:34 Origins of The Sunflower
00:12:40 Is The Sunflower a charity organisation, why or why not?
00:17:27 The Sunflower and Pride
00:19:15 How The Sunflower can help employees
00:23:15 How corporations can use The Sunflower in the workplace
00:25:24 Language and Hidden Disabilities
00:31:02 Sunflower-friendly environments around the world
00:35:00 How companies can become allies of hidden disabilities + the purple pound
00:41:33 Where to find out more about Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
LINKS
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Website
Bayley House, Australia
European Pride Organization Association
The Purple Pound
HDSunflower training video
Zayed Higher
European Pride Organisers Association
Ep. 27 - The Undeniable Value of Neurodiversity - with Theo Smith
Ep. 44 - The Need for Clear Language around Neurodiversity - with Judy Singer
Ep. 49 - The Language of Neurodiversity - with Pasha Marlowe
IMAGE CREDITS (see images on Youtube video)
Gatwick Airport - Wiki
The Purple Pound logo - This is Me Agency
Sunflower logo - HDSunflower.com
Suflower lanyards - HDSunflower.com
Sunflower...
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Missing episodes?
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Color Expert, Laura Guido-Clark discusses the transformative power of color in design and the emotional and physiological impacts of color in communities and workspaces.
Designer and color expert, Laura Guido-Clark talks about the transformative power of color in design. She discusses how color acts as a conduit for human connection, its physiological impacts, and the influence it has on mood and productivity. Laura shares insights from her work with renowned organizations and her nonprofit, Project Color Corps, which uses color to bring hope and joy to underprivileged school communities. The conversation also covers practical advice for incorporating color into workspaces and the importance of creating environments that respect and nurture human needs.
BIO
Laura Guido-Clark is the world’s foremost color expert, Laura Guido-Clark – their color, materials, and finish. Throughout her twenty-plus year career, Laura has analyzed the conscious and unconscious influences that drive buying decisions. She has been dubbed an 'Experience Consultant' because of her ability to translate those influences into prescient forecasting and concrete applications of color and finish for new products.
In 2017, Laura launched her groundbreaking color methodology called LOVE GOOD COLOR. LOVE GOOD COLOR integrates science and the senses, enabling designers to factor in emotive response when using color. It is a language-based system that facilitates selection confidence and efficacy while simplifying and reducing iterations. The digital tool is currently in development. LOVE GOOD COLOR has been used by designers from various firms including Gensler, IA, Adobe, Rockwell Group, Atlassian, and Studio O+A.
Laura has helped companies such as Herman Miller, HP, Samsung, and Toyota use color and materials on their products that resonate with consumers and succeed in competitive markets. Her textile and pattern design includes work for HBF, Pallas, Carnegie, and FLOR. Laura’s expertise ranges from textiles to consumer products such as automotive, electronics, and major household appliances. Learn more about Laura’s design work at Laura Guido-Clark Design.
In 2011, Laura founded Project Color Corps™, a nonprofit organization dedicated to painting urban neighborhoods with color and pattern that impart positive messages of optimism and hope. The organization is now flourishing in four cities across the country.
Laura was honored as the IIDA Northern California Chapter recipient of the 2014 Leadership Award of Excellence. As a result of her expertise, Laura speaks both nationally and internationally on design and the creative process and was an expert design blogger for Fast Company.
CHAPTERS
05:40 Why color is so important in design
08:50 The effect of color on physiology and mood
10:45 Colors in schools
13:51 Punitive colors and the humanity of color
16:04 Project Color Corps and transforming underprivileged schools
21:50 Students’ reactions and impact
23:49 Transforming “grown up” spaces with color
26:30 How leaders can interact with color
31:55 Color dosage and why do certain colors look better on us than others
38:18 The relationship between light and color
43:00 How to achieve a sense of belonging through color
44:50 Bringing personality back to retail environments and logos
48:35 Designing to contrasting preferences
51:39 The importance of programming and Adobe Founders Tower
LINKS
Project Color Corps
Love Good Color
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President & CEO of Seramount, Subha Barry tells us about her connections with neurodiversity, her widely recognized Autism Intern program, and gives practical advice on how to advance your DEI efforts in today’s corporate world.
A trailblazer in diversity, equity, and inclusion, Subha Barry shares a wealth of insights through her work as President and CEO at Seramount. Barry shares her personal and professional journey from India to the United States, and her pioneering initiatives at Merrill Lynch and Freddie Mac, including her widely recognized Autism intern program at Freddie Mac. Key topics include the importance of embedding DEI into business strategies without relying solely on HR, understanding neurodiversity, and practical ways to create inclusive workplaces. She also gives her take on how she thinks leaders should approach DEI and foster better relationships with employees.
Subha Barry is a C-suite leader and an advisor who brings a unique perspective on the alignment of corporate culture to talent strategy and business results. As a transformational change agent, she has a proven record of identifying and accelerating new business creation, driving sales, and increasing profitability.
Subha is president of Seramount where she drives the firm’s vision, strategy, and business development. Subha joined Working Mother Media (WMM) in 2015 and during her tenure she dramatically improved margins, expanded its portfolio through growth in high-value consulting and learning and development, exponentially grew their client roster, and recruited talented executive leaders to amplify subject matter and functional expertise. In 2021, Subha oversaw the brand’s transformation from WMM to Seramount, a leading strategic professional services and research firm dedicated to building high-performing, inclusive workplaces. Today, Seramount works with 450+ organizations globally, including half of the Fortune 500, to help our partners navigate today’s talent and DEI landscape.
Previously, Subha was senior vice president and chief diversity officer at Freddie Mac, where she served on the firm’s management committee and led their foundation. Prior to her time at Freddie Mac, Subha spent 20+ years at Merrill Lynch as managing director and their first global head of diversity & inclusion where she built their D&I strategy, infrastructure and execution plans from the ground up. She also created a highly successful Multicultural Business Development Group to focus their wealth management business on diverse and multicultural communities bringing in over $8 billion in new assets and $50+ million in annual revenues in just three years. She began her career at the firm as a financial advisor where she was a top 100 advisor among 16,000 in the firm.
Subha is a former adjunct professor at Columbia University’s SIPA, and currently serves on the Boards of SHRM Foundation, Rice 360, Rutgers Cancer Center and the Rutgers Institute of Women’s Leadership. She is also a Board Advisor at PE-owned Snowden Lane Partners. In the past, Subha has served on a variety of Boards as Board Chair, Head of Nominating & Governance, Finance, and HR and DEI Committees.
A native of India, Subha holds a BA from Bombay University and an MBA and MS in Accounting from Rice University. She enjoys golfing, reading poetry and rallying for social change. She has two grown children and lives in Naples, Florida and New Hope, PA with her husband.
CHAPTERS
04:00 Subha’s story and journey in DEI
08:00 Connecting DEI to the business
09:40 Seramount’s initiatives and the focus on neurodiversity
13:00 Multicultural initiatives at Merrill Lynch and relying on HR for talent issues
16:38 Diverse culture shift in Canada
19:00 Subha’s experience with neurodiversity and personal connection with autism
21:40 Freddie Mac’s Autism Internship Program
30:50 Positive examples of DEI...
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Negotiation Expert, Fotini Iconomopoulos shares how adopting a few negotiation strategies can lead to better relationships in business and life.
Negotiation Expert, Fotini Iconomopoulos dives deep into the art of negotiation. Throughout the conversation, Fotini shares insights from her extensive experience running negotiation workshops and reveals the top challenges people experience when learning how to negotiate and how applying these strategies can actually improve relationships. She offers actionable steps for overcoming these barriers like the importance of preparation, cooperative negotiation tactics, emotional regulation, and asking the right questions. Fotini also explores the bias between men and women in the workplace when it comes to negotiation and provides real life examples. She also shares her own story about needing to go to the emergency room and how negotiation literally saved her life.
BIO
For over a decade, Fotini Iconomopoulos has been the person that Fortune 50 companies call to help them through their high stakes negotiations or train them to upgrade their negotiation, communication and persuasion skills. Today she spends most of her time keynote speaking on negotiation, communication, leadership and conflict management, and offering her experience to meaningful non-profit initiatives. She is regularly featured on TV & podcast media and has been quoted in numerous global publications including HBR, Forbes, CNN, CNBC, and Business Insider.
HarperCollins noticed her frequent media appearances and asked to write her first, now best-selling, book “Say Less, Get More: Unconventional Negotiation Techniques to Get What You Want”which launched to critical acclaim and praise as some of “The Best Leadership Advice from Books By Women” (Globe & Mail 2021).
When not with clients, she occasionally returns to the classroom as an instructor of MBA Negotiations at the Schulich School of Business, where she completed her MBA, as well as guest lectures at universities all over the globe.
After a decade of entrepreneurship in retail, Fotini refined her negotiation skills in the corporate world working for giants like L’Oreal before management consulting. She created a successful negotiation advisory practice for another global firm before starting her own, guiding clients through high-stakes scenarios in all industries.
Having overcome significant gender adversity early in her career, Fotini is passionate about helping people develop the confidence to take on challenges, with a particular interest in empowering women & disadvantaged groups through various non-profit initiatives. In 2018, she expanded to educating adolescent girls through an empowerment camp experience, to start building their confidence and resilience early, a passion she continues to pursue.
She’s been honored by NextUp (formerly Network of Executive Women), whom she serves as a regional advisor for their only Canadian chapter, with a National Inclusion award; The Greek America Foundation as one of their Top 40 under 40; and has been nominated for the Women of Influence RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards multiple times.
CHAPTERS
05:12 Challenges surrounding asking for what you want
08:16 Privilege in negotiation, the on-ramp vs. the stairs
12:09 Emotional regulation in negotiation
16:58 Labelling in negotiation
19:40 Using questions to self-advocate in high pressure situations
22:14 Mirroring in corporate environments
25:20 How to know when to leave a negotiation situation
31:13 Rehearsing for negotiations
34:22 Likeability in negotiation and how to better connect with others
40:50 How Fotini turned a hospital visit into a negotiation and succeeded
LINKS
Say Yes Get...
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Productivity expert and executive coach, Clare Kumar reveals her new job, outlines the Total Team Work Program, recaps her experience and shares insights from Brené Brown’s keynote at WorkHuman 2024.
Clare Kumar is a productivity expert and executive coach who focuses on the intersection where productivity meets inclusivity in workplaces and organizations. In this episode, she talks about her new job as Regional Director of Hidden Disabilities Canada (hdsunflower.com). In addition, Clare gives an update and outlines her program, Happy Space Total Team Work, where leaders and their teams co-create their future of work and explains how the Happy Space Work Style Profile is an integral part of this program. The episode covers the Workhuman 2024 conference and Clare shares her experience and takeaways from speakers such as Baratunde Rafiq Thurston, Esther Perel, and Brené Brown.
CHAPTERS
04:25 Clare’s late autism diagnosis
07:58 the Sunflower and Clare’s new job
12:00 New book, Ask Already and the Happy Space Work Style Profile
15:25 Sharing MS diagnosis
18:18 Happy Space Total Teamwork Program
20:15 Workhuman 2024 highlights
22:23 Being comfortable with silence and “The Culture Map” by Erin Meyer
24:22 Barbie Brewer and Building your asynchronous muscle + Vanice Hayes and ERG’s
28:20 Baratunde Rafiq Thurston - Understanding power and its value
29:15 Hustle and grind, and the importance of weaving in personal priorities
33:10 Speakers: Gloria Goins, Peter Danzig and Kamille Washington
37:50 A thank you from Happy Space Podcast
38:40 Brené Brown highlights and how AI ties into HR
41:50 Brené Brown and the epidemic of loneliness
43:55 “I do like humanity, I’m not crazy about people in general” - Brené Brown
45:00 Brené Brown and shame triggers in the workplace
46:03 Brené Brown and grounded confidence
LINKS
Hidden Disabilities
Hdsunflower.com
WorkHuman 2024
The Message of You by Judy Carter
Ep. 45 - Melanie Deziel - Unmasking - Late Autism Diagnosis in Women
Ep. 46 - Ludmila Praslova - Unlocking the Power of Neurodiversity at Work
The Canary Code by Ludmila Praslova
Robbie Samuels’ Website
Ep. 30 - Stephen Shedletsky - Creating a Speak-Up Culture
Speak-Up Culture by Stephen Shedletsky
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Pasha Marlowe, neuroinclusion expert speaks about the evolution of language surrounding neurodiversity and clarifies terms like neuroqueer, disorder, gender, and impaired.
In this episode of the Happy Space Podcast, Clare Kumar interviews Pasha Marlowe, a neuroinclusion advocate. The discussion delves into the importance of language in fostering inclusivity in neurodiverse spaces. They explore terms such as 'neurodiverse,' 'neuroqueer' and 'neuro spicy,' and emphasize the significance of personal agency in identity. The conversation also touches on the intersectionality of these terms with disability, gender, and cultural contexts. Pasha highlights the importance of inclusive design and creating spaces where everyone can feel they belong.
Pasha Marlowe, MFT (she/they) received her masters in marriage and family therapy in 1996, way back when "Macarena" was the hit song and now you can't get that song out of your head.
Since then, she has focused on working as a coach with neurodivergent individuals and couples, specifically those who identify as ADHD, Autistic, AuDHD, or Dyslexic. They especially enjoy working with neurodivergent couples who are looking for help with communication, sex/intimacy, betrayal recovery, RSD (rejection sensitivity dysphoria), LGBTQIA+ issues, or PTSD.
She lives in Portland, Maine with her youngest child, her ex-husband, and two doodles.
CHAPTERS
4:40 What is Neurodiversity and Neurodivergency?
8:12 Why Clare is Neurospicy?
12:40 Language surrounding physical and invisible disabilities
18:18 Avoiding body trauma in medical system
21:21 Medical trauma for LGBTQ+ identifying people
25:08 Kassiane Asasumasu’s work and lack of sources for Neurodivergency
27:15 Neurodistinct and new words emerging, neurobelonging and neurological safety
34:27 Inclusive design vs. Universal design
38:44 Interpreters and accessibility
40:52 Gatekeeping in Neurodivergent language
46:34 Neuroqueering
47:57 Sources for further research into Neurodiversity
54:15 Organizations realizing they need to be aware of Neurodiversity
LINKS
Neurobelonging Media Kit
Pasha Marlowe’s Website
My Next Husband Will Be a Lesbian by Pasha Marlowe
Neuroqueering Podcast
Book a Call with Pasha
Brené Brown Quote Source
Ep. 34 - Lisa Whited - Redesigning Work for People and the Planet
Ep. 46 - Ludmila Praslova - Unlocking the Power of Neurodiversity at Work
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In this episode Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, founding physician and well-being expert takes us through the seven types of rest, how to know which one you need, and the gifts that come from a well-rested life.
Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, founding physician and well-being expert tells us why rest is about more than just sleep and how by through the seven types of rest, you can not only reset your battery, but enjoy a more fulfilling life. Dr. Dalton-Smith takes us through her journey of her own story of burnout and how she made adjustments after realizing that living a successful life full of stress and “producing” wasn’t as important as her own well-being. She gets into the relationship between sleep and rest, the science behind sleep, and other factors that impact everyday rest. She explains how scientific research and her unique view on spirituality has informed the seven types of rest in her book, Sacred Rest.
Trigger Warning: We talk briefly about suicide in this show. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out for mental health assistance. In Canada, dial 988. If there is immediate risk, dial 911. For resources where you are, here is a list of global mental health resources:
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mental_health_resources
Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith is a Board-Certified internal medicine physician, speaker, and award-winning author. She is an international well-being thought-leader featured in numerous media outlets including Prevention, MSNBC, Women’s Day, FOX, Fast Company, Psychology Today, INC, CNN Health, and TED.com. She is the author of numerous books including her bestseller Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity, including insight on the seven types of rest needed to optimize your productivity, increase your overall happiness, overcome burnout, and live your best life. Over 250,000 people have discovered their personal rest deficits using her free assessment at RestQuiz.com. Learn more about Dr. Saundra at DrDaltonSmith.com.
4:04 Empathy and compassion in the conversation about rest
5:33 Secrets of the well-rested
8:36 Pushing back on culture to claim what we need
11:38 Saundra’s personal burnout journey
16:34 The relationship between rest and sleep
20:41 How technology is affecting our rest routines
22:47 Regulating breaks for work sessions and workshops
26:50 Mental-exhaustion, and why it’s so common now
30:40 Increased stimulation in the world and how it’s affecting rest for sensitive people
34:16 How do we find quiet in a noisy world?
36:26 Increasing productivity and connection in conferences and workshops
37:53 Saundra's view of spirituality and how it ties into rest
41:22 How atheists view spirituality
42:30 Next steps for experiencing more rest, Sacred Rest and Restquiz.com
LINKS
Dr. Saundra-Dalton Smith’s Website
Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith’s Personal Rest Retreats
RestQuiz.com
Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra-Dalton Smith
National Speakers...
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Heather Hansen, accent bias and linguistic inclusion expert discusses how English speakers can address their own accent bias and how non-native speakers can communicate more effectively in work environments.
In this episode, Heather Hansen, Accent Bias and Linguistic Inclusion Expert shares her experiences with accent bias in three different continents and how cultural attitudes vary across the world. She discusses the universal language, English, and gives English speakers advice on how to handle their own accent bias as well as tips for non-native English speakers on how to communicate more effectively in workplaces. Accent bias brings up many questions like does having a certain accent make you sound less or more intelligent? Can you get rid of accent bias completely? And where does humor fit in? As our world becomes more and more diverse, it’s becoming important to think about communication across cultures, especially in a business context. Join Heather in this exciting conversation about language expression and cultural inclusion.
BIO
Heather Hansen is Managing Director of corporate training firm Global Speech Academy where she helps top professionals show up, speak up, and inspire action in a changing world. She fights microinequities related to language and accent in international teams, and helps global companies build UNMUTED communication cultures where every voice belongs.
Heather is an External Expert in Communication for National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School's Executive Education programs and she is pursuing her PhD in Linguistics at Nanyang Technological University where she is studying the effects of accent bias in multinational organizations.
Not only does Heather study accent bias, she has lived it in three languages across three continents, including over 20 years living abroad. She is also one of the only practitioners in the world actively running training interventions on accent bias in global organizations.
This is partly why Heather has been named to the Thinkers50 Radar 2024 Class - an exclusive list of 30 up-and-coming thinkers whose ideas are expected to make an important impact on management thinking in the future.
Heather is author of the multi-award-winning book, Unmuted, published by Bloomsbury Business. This book outlines her framework for successful global communication in multinational companies. She is also the author of Powerful People Skills and has contributed to three other books published by Marshall Cavendish International.
Heather’s next book (coming in 2025) is a comprehensive guide on how to manage accent bias and promote linguistic inclusion at work.
CHAPTERS
4:40 Heather’s connection to empathy
10:30 How language affects how intelligence is perceived
15:50 Canadian study with children and how they perceive teachers
17:30 Film examples of accent bias
21:20 Our human nature to mimic
24:13 When is language mockery?
29:51 Why are we offended by some language?
31:50 Cognitive dissonance of language and facial expression
32.34 Can accent bias be stopped?
34:00 Accent bias and call centres
36:00 Learning language as children
41:50 Where does humor come into accents and language?
44:00 The increase in diversity in cities and how immigrants can be successful in English
51:11 Cat trick time
51:45 Pacing in language and tips to speak English more effectively
54:30 Accent bias in a business environment
55:40 Life and death situations - accent bias and aviation English
LINKS
University of Toronto Missisauga Study - Children have biases toward different accents
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Author of the Canary Code, Ludmila Praslova discusses how moral injury can cause autistic burnout, and how dignity plays a part in setting boundaries in neurodiverse workplaces.
Ludmila Praslova, the author of The Canary Code, discusses the common misconceptions about autism, the importance of recognizing female and high-functioning presentations of autism, and the challenges faced by those seeking diagnosis and acceptance. This episode touches on authenticity, moral injury, and the need for accommodations at work. She also shares about her work on the concept of dignity and how it’s imperative to setting boundaries and better understanding social situations involving neurodivergent individuals. Finally, she talks about the implications of the DSM-V's categorizations, and practical advice for organizations to move forward in their DEI evolution.
Ludmila N. Praslova Ph.D., SHRM-SCP is the author of “The Canary Code: A Guide to Neurodiversity, Dignity, and Intersectional Belonging at Work” (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, April 2024) and the member of the Thinkers50 Radar 2024 cohort of global management thinkers most likely to impact workplaces.
She is a Professor of Graduate Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Accreditation Liaison Officer at Vanguard University of Southern California.
With over 25 years of experience in developing talent-rich organizations, she is a global inclusive talent strategy expert with deep knowledge of global diversity and neurodiversity.
Her current consulting is focused on creating organizational systems for inclusion and wellbeing and providing neuroinclusion training and support to organizations such as Amazon, Bank of America, and MIT. Dr. Praslova is also the editor of “Evidence-Based Organizational Practices for Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging and Equity” (Cambridge Scholars, 2023) and the special issue of the Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, “Disability inclusion in the workplace: From “accommodation” to inclusive organizational design.”
She regularly writes for Fast Company, Harvard Business Review and Psychology Today, and is the first person to have published in Harvard Business Review from an autistic perspective.
CHAPTERS
7:00 Clare’s self-diagnosis of autism
8:15 Women and the misunderstanding of autism
10:48 Autistic and neurodiverse traits
12:00 Masking and Ludmila’s journey with autism
17:47 Why there are so many autistic actors
19:50 How moral injury affects autistic burnout
21:58 The consequences of moral injury for neurodivergent individuals
24:11 Autistic burnout vs. regular burnout
28:20 What can leaders do to create a better work culture?
32:30 What is behind a leader’s need to control?
36:45 The need for more conscious social interactions in the workplace
39:10 Socializing and masking with autism
43:02 How to honor your own dignity
44:19 How dignity can help establish boundaries at work
46:12 How do we navigate the growing neurodivergent population?
48:53 Autistic people and how empathy is expressed
57:12 The medical model of diagnosis in autism
01:06:04 The Canary Code and where you can find it
LINKS
The Canary Code by Ludmila Praslova
Ep. 45 - Melanie Deziel - Unmasking - Late Autism Diagnosis in Women
Clinical Psychiatrist Jonathan...
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Melanie Deziel, keynote speaker, branded content creator, and autistic self-advocate shares her creative insights on how she navigated her late self-diagnosis journey as an autistic adult and what advice she has for others going through their own self-discovery.
In this episode of the Happy Space Podcast, Melanie Diezel, keynote speaker and highly creative autistic self-advocate explores her journey as a late-diagnosed autistic woman. Melanie delves into the challenges and misunderstandings surrounding autism, particularly how it manifests differently in women compared to men. Melanie shares her personal experiences with self-discovery through social media, the role of self-acceptance, and how her diagnosis has transformed her understanding of herself. The discussion covers the importance of recognizing and advocating for neurodiversity, as well as the nuances of diagnosis. The episode also covers insights on the spectrum of autism, the societal perceptions that influence diagnosis, and the significance of language in discussing autism.
As a keynote speaker, author, and award-winning branded content creator, Melanie has spent her career developing the skills to think differently and discover new ways to engage audiences through content.
Having been the first-ever editor of branded content at The New York Times, a founding member of HuffPost’s brand storytelling team, and Director of Creative Strategy for Time Inc's 35 US magazines, Melanie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience on how content can be used as a strategic tool, and how processes can help unlock its power.
She’s supported 30 of the Fortune100 companies with their content (so far!), given keynotes and workshops around the world, and has developed courses for several universities.
She co-founded The Creator Kitchen with fellow marketing speaker Jay Acunzo to help experienced creators continue to pursue creative growth and mastery of craft.
Since 2015, she has worked with some incredible brands and spoken on stages around the world at leading conferences, building her reputation as one of the leading voices in content marketing. Melanie Deziel is frequently named on as a top influencer, expert, and person-to-follow in marketing. You can access her book “Content Fuel Framework” and “Prove It” in paperback, e-book or audiobook form.
CHAPTERS
4:28 How Melanie’s autism journey began
7:35 The differences between diagnosing autistic men and women
11:21 How hyperfixations can be mistaken for autism
14:57 Melanie’s books - Content Fuel Framework and Prove It
16:45 The signs that you may be autistic
20:33 Who are the female autistic role models?
21:36 The discussion around autism and language
24:50 Introversion and extroversion
25:46 Melanie’s inclination to speak on stage despite being autistic
28:52 Self-advocating and accommodating when you are autistic
32:52 Why most women are late-diagnosed autistic
37:15 Self-diagnosing vs. medical diagnosing autism
41:40 Autism and creativity
45:47 RAADS-R Autism Test for diagnosing autism
LINKS
For active links, visit www.clarekumar.com/podcast
Melanie Deziel’s website
EPIC Conference
Late Diagnosed Diaries - Substack
Words Matter: Language preferences in a sample of autistic adults (corr. 87%)
Schueberfour
Content Fuel Framework by Melanie Deziel
Prove It by Melanie Deziel
Phil M. Jones
Temple Grandin
Hannah Gadsby
The Canary Code by Ludmila Praslova
HSP Quiz
Happy Space Inclusivitees (T-shirts)
#nevermindthelabels T-shirt
RAADS-R Test
IMAGE CREDITS (see images on Youtube video)
Phil M. Jones - LinkedIn
Ludmila Praslova - LinkedIn
Temple...
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Judy Singer, sociologist and pioneer of the neurodiversity movement discusses the role of language around neurodiverse populations, her views on autism, whether HSP’s fit into the neurodivergent ecosystem, and her feelings about the use of the term “woman” when considering transgendered individuals.
Judy Singer, sociologist and pioneer of the neurodiversity movement, discusses her views on the complexities of language, identity, and the nuances of social change. Singer discusses her contributions to societal dialogue on neurodiversity and her ongoing efforts in academic and public spheres, amidst navigating online controversy. Singer shares her pioneering thoughts on neurodiversity, the critical role of language, and naming in transgender identities. She gives her opinion on autism, and whether HSPs can be considered neurodivergent. The discussion also goes into Judy’s experience living in Sydney, and her future plans aimed at fostering inclusivity.
Judy Singer is an Australian sociologist credited with coining the term “Neurodiversity” in 1997-8 while completing an Honours Thesis at the University of Technology, Sydney. Her thesis, subtitled “a personal exploration of a new social movement based on “neurological diversity”, was the first non- psychomedical academic work to map out what was proving to be the last great civil rights movement to emerge from the 20th century. The movement was based on the pioneering work of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Movement, which was being joined by other neurological minorities who clearly needed a catchy, authoritative banner term
The idea grew out of her lived experience in middle of 3 generations of women whom she then described as “somewhere on the autistic spectrum”.
Like many people “on the spectrum” and especially as a woman seeking work in the early 1970s, Judy experienced difficulty finding employment. Fortunately, like many autistics, she was able to find a career in the burgeoning new field of IT which opened up a new world of opportunities for women.
When Judy became a parent with a child who appeared to have a “mysterious” disability, her career responsibilities compelled her to give up her career. Instead she went back to University to pursue her true interests: anthropology and sociology.
Judy has a long career in community organizing: she was the founder, via the internet, of the world's first support group for people raised by autistic parents, became the secretary of Sydney’s largest support group for the parents of autistic children and a co-founder of Sydney’s only independent social club for teenagers on the spectrum. She was elected a director of Shelter NSW, Australia’s peak body for housing justice but since the rediscovery of her work in 2017, she has been fully occupied with advocacy within the Neurodiversity discourse.
Note: Edited on May 1, 2024 to remove challenging language about mental health.
CHAPTERS
5:53 Judy's thesis and academic background
10:22 The importance of naming
12:10 Neurological diversity to neurodiversity
16:33 I do claim crediting the buzzword neurodiversity
24:03 Neurodiversity is a property of a place, not a person
26:33. Nature is not benign
27:48 What about those who don't care about being so particular about language?
29:47 Where does the trait of high sensitivity fit in?
31:50 Why do we need all these labels? The welfare system and the medical model of disability
38:41 The expansion of autism
43:32 Labels can lead to solidarity
44:12 Faking depression to get help
53:33 The importance of naming yourself
LINKS
Sage Journal: The neurodiversity concept was developed collectively: An overdue correction on the origins of neurodiversity theory
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Company culture expert, Chris Dyer discusses his experimental approach to creating environments for better work culture, the pitfalls of AI, and suggests dumping the “one on one.”
In this episode of the Happy Space Podcast, company culture expert and author, Chris Dyer talks about different ways leaders can think about company culture and shares his experimental approach in creating better work environments. Chris gives his take on optimizing the hiring process where leaders aim to be fair vs. equitable, and even suggests dumping the weekly “one on one”. He gives insight into whether some leaders have realistic goals or not, and the tendency for some companies to continually “push” too hard after the pandemic. Other highlights include the irreplaceable value of human creativity and authenticity amidst limitations of AI in replicating human nuances such as humor, inclusivity, and emotional connection.
Chris Dyer is a recognized company culture and remote work expert. As a former CEO managing thousands of people, his companies were consistently named the best places to work. They have also been named a fastest growing company by Inc Magazine 5 times. Chris routinely consults and speaks, and Inc Magazine ranked him as the #1 Leadership Speaker on Culture.
He has three bestselling books: The Power of Company Culture and Remote Work, and has been named #5 on the Leadershum Power List, a Top 50 Voice in Leadership, a Top 40 Change Management Guru, a Top 50 Global Thought Leader, and a Top 50 leadership podcast, Top 50 HR Leaders Shaping the Future of Work, and a Top 101 Global Employee Engagement & Experience Influencers by Inspiring Workplaces and Work Buzz, just this year.
As a keynote speaker his goal is to inspire audiences with a straightforward delivery, insightful candor, and engaging humor. His talks leave audiences permanently transformed, offering innovative perspectives on leadership to improve company culture, and empower organizations to discover new successes. Countless companies have unlocked productivity, performance, and profits by implementing his 7 Pillar Strategy.
CHAPTERS
00:04:11 How should we be working post-pandemic?
00:05:56 The pitfalls of AI
00:08:21 How will AI affect the quality of work?
00:10:06 Are organizations still pushing too hard post-pandemic?
00:13:38 Chris’ strategy for better work during the pandemic
00:18:16 Fairness vs. equity at work
00:20:20 Chris’ example - military spouses
00:25:00 Bad leaders vs. good leaders
00:28:00 What to do if you’re stuck in a difficult work situation
00:32:10 Why listening is so important in company culture
00:41:35 Shifting from individual therapy to group therapy
00:47:12 Chris’ view on patience in the workplace
00:51:20 Chris’ experimental approach to innovation
LINKS
Together by Vivek Murthy
The Power of Company Culture: How Any Business Can Build a Culture that Improves Productivity, Performance and Profits by Chris Dyer
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Author and empathy advocate, Maria Ross busts myths about empathy and clearly defines what it is so that it can be effectively harnessed.
In this episode of the Happy Space podcast, Maria Ross, an author and empathy advocate, shares her life-changing experience of surviving a medical trauma, highlighting the role of empathy in her recovery and its influence on her work. Maria discusses her books 'The Empathy Edge' and the soon to be released in fall 2024, 'The Empathy Dilemma,' emphasizing the operationalization of empathy in organizations and its importance in leadership. The conversation touches on common myths about empathy, its innate nature, and methods to cultivate it in business environments and personal lives. Maria and Clare explore the misconceptions surrounding empathy and sensitivity, advocating for a cultural shift towards more human-centered practices in business and personal spheres.
Maria Ross is a speaker, facilitator, author, and empathy advocate who believes cash flow, creativity, and compassion are not mutually exclusive. She’s spent decades helping forward-thinking leaders and teams connect and engage through empathy to accelerate growth and impact. Maria has authored multiple books, including her most recent title, “The Empathy Edge: Harnessing the Value of Compassion as an Engine for Success” and also hosts The Empathy Edge podcast.
Maria understands the power of empathy on both brand and personal levels: in 2008, shortly after launching her business, she suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm that almost killed her and inspired her memoir, “Rebooting My Brain”. In it, she explores the critical importance of empathy in healing and overcoming adversity. Her next book “The Empathy Dilemma: How Successful Leaders Balance Performance, People, and Personal Boundaries”, arrives on shelves in Fall 2024.
CHAPTERS
03:06 The medical emergency that started Maria’s journey
07:38 Operationalizing empathy in organizations
12:17 Busting empathy myths part 1
17:31 The connection between empathy and highly sensitivity people
21:00 Toning your empathy muscle
24:04 Busting empathy myths part 2
26:51 “Empathy circles” and having powerful conversations
30:26 Empathy and gender in leadership
36:28 Having better experiences surrounding layoffs
39:55 Empathy in personal relationships
LINKS
For active links, visit www.clarekumar.com/podcast
The Empathy Edge: Harnessing the Value of Compassion as an Engine for Success by Maria Ross
The Empathy Dilemma: How Successful Leaders Balance Performance, People, and Personal Boundaries by Maria Ross
Rebooting My Brain: How a Freak Aneurysm Reframed My Life by Maria Ross
“The Empathy Edge” Podcast
TedX Talk: How to Trojan Horse Leaders into Being More Empathetic | Maria Ross
Talks at Google: Rebooting my Brain | Maria Ross
Clare’s HSP Quiz
Empathy Circles Website
Institute for Patient and Family-Centered Care
Awakening Compassion at Work
Phil M. Jones
Exactly What to Say: The Magic Words for Influence and Impact by Phil M. Jones
IMAGE CREDITS
The Empathy Edge book - Maria Ross
The Empathy Dilemma book - Maria Ross
The Empathy Edge Podcast logo - Maria Ross
Mark Cuban - Wikipedia
Empathy Circles logo - Edwin Rutsch
Empathy Circles tents - Edwin Rutsch
Phil M. Jone - philmjones.com
Exactly What to Say book - goodreads.com
Satya Nadella - Wikipedia
Other images - Canva
Learn more about and follow Maria:
Instagram
Youtube
Twitter
LinkedIn
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Highly sensitive executive coach and productivity catalyst, Clare Kumar, explores the intersection of productivity and inclusivity continually asking how can we invite the richest contribution from all. She coaches individuals in...
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We need to weld DEI into the business, embedding DEI in every relevant aspect that we can. When you think about welding something into the business, it's an incredibly powerful word because you think of welding as kind of these two pieces, the merging or fusion of these two pieces coming together.
You’re listening to episode 41 of the Happy Space podcast. Today we’re exploring keeping DEI initiatives strong in challenging times by welding them to your business - with Seramount’s Managing Director Katie Mooney.
Seramount's Managing Director, Katie Mooney, discusses how she began her DEI journey, her view on "welding" DEI initiatives to organizations, the value of community, and what it means to “pass the baton” as a DEI practitioner.
Managing Director of Seramount, Katie Mooney talks about the importance of sustaining efforts for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. She shares her journey from a young professional in financial services to becoming deeply involved in DEI work, sparked by a visit to an exhibit called “Struggle for Justice,” as part of Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. She also prefers the term “welding” DEI to organizations as opposed to embedding it and shares practical ways of doing so. With the downturn of the economy and a concerted effort by some to dismantle DEI efforts, these are volatile times, and keeping DEI strong is more important than ever. Katie emphasizes that slow progress is not an option due to the demand for transparency and the need for proactive processes. As DEI practitioners, carrying the baton forward is necessary. I hope you enjoy this illuminating discussion about DEI and where it’s heading next.
Katie Oertli Mooney is a Managing Director at Seramount, an organization with over 40 years of experience supporting and advancing women in the workplace. She is an accomplished DEI leader and thought partner with expertise in driving strategy and growth of diversity and inclusion change management, planning and programs. Prior to joining Seramount, she was responsible for overseeing the client delivery, staffing, operations and growth as Vice President of Jennifer Brown Consulting. She was accountable for the firm’s successful consulting project delivery to clients from the Fortune 1000, government agencies, startups, to nonprofits.
Before that, she managed the DEI enterprise learning and development strategy at Capital One specializing in differential investment programming to support historically underrepresented talent and communities of color. She is currently on the Board of Directors for the GSBA; the largest LGBTQ and allied chamber of commerce in North America and is supporting the organization in 2020, by advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion for the Board of Directors, for the benefit of GSBA staff, members, partners, and the LGBTQ+ and allied community of Washington State. Katie has a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management with a concentration on Diversity and Inclusion Management from Georgetown University. She is based in Seattle, WA.
CHAPTERS
02:34 Katie Mooney: A DEI practitioner's journey
03:52 The importance of DEI in business strategy
08:00 The power of DEI in driving business outcomes
12:50 Challenges and opportunities in DEI work
15:18 The role of research in DEI work
15:57 Welding DEI into business outcomes
26:44 The impact of DEI on consumer behavior and attracting talent
29:29 The role of DEI in navigating through polarity
36:44 Future of DEI work
LINKS
National Portrait Gallery - Struggle for Justice
Seramount Website
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The other thing that I keep harping on is that remote work doesn't need to mean that it's lonely work. We confuse remote work with isolation a lot because we equate remote work with working from home. Again, because the pandemic forced remote work to be synonymous with working from home. But post-pandemic, there are countless ways to work remotely.
You are listening to episode 40 of the Happy Space Podcast. Today we're exploring remote work 2.0, and the opportunity to work at your neighbors with Radious founder, Amina Moreau.
Amina Moreau’s startup Radious addresses the challenges of returning to the office by solving for the dreaded commute and providing a network of distributed workspaces in local neighborhoods.
Amina Moreau shares the history of Radious, a company focused on creating a network of distributed workspaces in local communities. The idea originated during the 2020 pandemic lockdowns, where the shift to remote work prompted discussions on the challenges of returning to the office, especially with the commute being a significant barrier. Radious aims to provide flexible and cost-effective solutions by offering a network of workspaces in suburban areas, allowing employees to choose locations based on their needs and preferences. The focus is on reducing commute times, fostering collaboration, and providing diverse workspace options for different activities. Amina encourages a nuanced approach to flexible work solutions, tailored to factors such as culture, innovation, and productivity. She highlights the significance of leveraging data and insights to inform workspace decisions and stresses the importance of robust self-reflection.
A chronic entrepreneur, Amina's companies are merely symptoms of her obsession with putting something meaningful out into the world. Amina began her career as co-founder and Executive Creative Director at Stillmotion, Inc., a five-time Emmy Award-winning band of filmmakers.
Amina became an Adjunct Professor at the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communication in 2018, teaching graduate students about the business of storytelling. Radious is her next big thing, an online platform that outfits residential properties with workplace amenities and offers them up for company workdays and team meetings —rented by the day. When she’s not busy building Radious, you’ll find her grunting on the tennis court.
Recently ranked #1 in the Pacific Northwest, she continues to play at a high level and finds her sense of peace crushing it at 100 MPH.
CHAPTERS
01:44 Radious’ different approach to remote work
04:21 The philosophy and benefits of working locally
07:31 The impact of the commute on work & concern for the environment
17:12 Understanding the diversity of work needs and preferences
18:49 The importance of data and self-reflection in remote work
23:03 Adapting to new workforce demands
24:36 The impact of remote work on personal life
25:37 Addressing loneliness in the digital age
26:40 Remote work doesn’t have to mean lonely work
31:08 The role of community in remote work
35:55 The evolution of workspace design
40:29 The importance of collaboration and transparency in workplace policies
42:30 The future of workspaces
LINKS
Radious.pro
Google, The Verge article
Gitlab
Atlassian
Ep. 40 Research...
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Rick Brennan, author of “The Atypical Leader”, and champion for the undiagnosed neurodivergent professional shares the secrets of his success in the corporate world, why it’s important to have neurodiversity in the workplace, and how investing in human connection can build your foundation as a leader.
Rick Brennan, author of 'The Atypical Leader', shares his journey from being someone unaware of his neurodivergent temperament to recognizing it as a strength in the corporate world. Rick shares how he built relationships and the critical need for a foundation of trust. He believes we need to look beyond diagnosed conditions and to value the “undiagnosed”. Rick explains how leader-employee interactions can be more “real,” and how fun and hardwork can co-exist together, making for the most inclusive team environments.
Rick Brennan is a retired executive, leadership consultant, author and podcaster whose battle with learning disabilities, anxiety and a host of other neurodivergent conditions leads him to a developing unique perspective and way of doing business.
Following academic struggles in his early years, Rick began to uncover skills emerging from within the very limitations that he was told would be his demise, skills that would ultimately shape his success.
He spent 35 years occupying top executive positions in the Canadian healthcare and pharmacy industry and at one time was responsible for up to 4.5 billion in annual sales across 2500 pharmacies.
Rick is recognized as an outstanding leader, possessing an out-of-the-box management style and an expert team builder. By the end of his corporate career Rick’s teams would secure some of the highest employee engagement scores in the world.
CHAPTERS
00:02:01 The journey of an “Atypical Leader”
00:04:04 Understanding neurodiversity and rick’s diagnosis
00:08:38 Trust and empathy in leadership
00:13:19 The importance of neurodiversity in the workplace
00:19:58 How to build trust in team environments
00:22:49 Adapting to remote work
00:26:25 Why humility is important in leadership
00:30:50 The challenge of building relationships remotely
00:32:24 Why “Done is Better than Perfect”
00:37:10 How fun and hardwork can coexist at work
00:39:07 Using your intuition and the power of human connection in leadership
LINKS
The Atypical Leader
The Atypical Leader Podcast
IMAGE CREDITS
Rick Brennan Headshot - Rick Brennan
Atypical Leader book - Rick Brennan
Cardboard pop hat - Canva
Photobomb graphics - Canva
Man at desk, stressed - Canva
Man standing up, stressed - Canva
Girl working from home - Canva
Checklist - Canva
Woman stressed at desk - Canva
Man, plaid shit - Canva
Woman, yellow sweater - Canva
Woman covering ears - Canva
Boat paddling down river - Canva
Working at cubicles - Canva
College checklist - Canva
Man in front of Ivy League school - Canva
Graduates facing forward - Canva
Man smiling in group - Canva
Coworkers meeting - Canva
Sad to happy face - Canva
Negative to positive - Canva
Workers in a group, busy - Canva
Workers around a table, busy - Canva
Man realizing his greatness - Canva
Empowered woman, speaking in front of group - Canva
Bridge, panning - CAnva
Leader speaking to group - Canva
Business partners out to lunch - Canva
Group working 1 - Canva
Group working 2 - Canva
Key note speaker - Canva
Man sitting on the floor - Canva
Learn more about and follow Rick:
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Global Workplace Analytics’ Kate Lister shares her insights on the growth of remote work, the challenges leaders face with the abstract nature of managing virtual teams, and why using data-driven research is important instead of relying on gut-based decision-making at work.
You're listening to episode 38 of the Happy Space Podcast. Today I speak with Kate Lister, founder of Global Workplace Analytics. You'll enjoy her candid take on the future of work.
Kate Lister, president of Global Workplace Analytics, discusses the shift towards remote work and how organizations have been reacting. Kate shares her insights about the importance of moving from gut-based decisions to research-driven strategies and how remote work dramatically increased because of the pandemic. This conversation also highlights the significance of inclusive work practices for employers to retain their workforce. Kate says that it's an era of transformation for businesses, and leaders need to be more intentional, embrace transparency, and grasp the opportunities presented by the changing world of work.
Kate is a widely-recognized thought leader on workplace, workforce, technological, and other trends that are changing the who, what, when, where, and how of work.
She has been helping public and private sector employers optimize their remote, hybrid, and flexible work strategies for nearly two decades.
Kate’s recent client work includes the development and roll-out of hybrid/remote workplace and return-to-office strategies for a global law firm, an automotive industry giant, a regional insurance company, and a behemoth tech firm.
Kate produces a wide range of primary and secondary research and is a trusted source of insights about the future of work for news outlets including the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, and dozens of others. She has appeared on NPR, The Today Show, CNBC Nightly News, Voice of America, Fox News, and dozens of other TV and radio news programs.
As a resident of San Diego, Kate charges extra if she has to travel anywhere with temperatures over 75F or less than 65F, humidity greater than 75%, frequent rain, or bugs. She’s willing to make exceptions for Hawaii and New Zealand. She’s over-the-top nuts about dogs and gardening (as long as it’s not too hot out).
CHAPTERS
00:30 The shift towards remote work
04:15 Leaders tendency towards fear and control in remote work
07:49 The impact of the pandemic on remote work
14:27 How employees experience remote work
21:31 The reality of bias in leaders and the false consensus effect
26:02 #flexibilityisinclusivity and the risks of ignoring equity in remote work
31:24 The importance of data-driven research and avoiding gut decisions
34:27 The role of transparency and accountability in leadership
35:03 The future of distributed and remote work & where we need to go from here
LINKS
Global Workplace Analytics
Shamrock Organization
U.S. General Services Administration
IMAGE CREDITS
Kate Lister headshot - Kate Lister
Global Workplace Analytics logo - Global Workplace Analytics
Circling the Wagons - Canva
Tug of War - Canva
Press Rewind - Canva
Factory Workers - Canva
Shamrock graphic - Canva
Hybrid Work, group surrounding talking screen -...
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MillerKnoll’s Ryan Anderson shares his research and talks about the benefits of respite spaces, place attachment, recognizing your own belonging cues at work, and how being intentional about usable designs makes for the most beautiful workspaces.
You're listening to Episode 37 of the Happy Space Podcast. Today, I speak with MillerKnoll’s Global Research lead, Ryan Anderson, about opportunities for organizations to create more inclusive workspaces that support sustainable performance.
Ryan Anderson, VP of Global Research and Insights at MillerKnoll, shares his research, deep passion, and appreciation for inclusive design. Ryan suggests that we must dramatically rethink our workspaces in order to better reflect our biological, mental, and emotional needs at work. Ryan talks about the current need for “spaces for everyone”, including those who identify as neurodivergent. In addition, he discusses place attachment, the human tendency to form connections with physical spaces, and the challenges and limited opportunities offered by the practice of hoteling. The discussion underscores Clare’s often made point that if you design for wellbeing performance will flow.
Ryan Anderson serves as Vice President of Global Research and Insights at MillerKnoll, renowned workspace and furniture design company. Ryan’s team leads MillerKnoll’s research, shares insights publicly across the world, and provides workplace strategy and design services to MillerKnoll customers.
With nearly thirty years of industry experience, Ryan’s work has centered on how the places we inhabit can be better designed to support healthy, inclusive, and productive communities. Ryan hosts MillerKnoll’s “About Place” podcast on the future of the workplace and regularly speaks at public events about MillerKnoll’s historical and current research.
He is a member of the SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) Executive Network, an Executive Fellow at Woxsen University in Hyderabad India, and has been featured in a wide variety of publications such as The Wall Street Journal, NPR, the BBC, Fortune, Bloomberg, and beyond.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
05:49 The role of belonging cues in inclusive design
11:28 The business case for inclusive design
19:24 The future of workspace design and commercial real estate
22:55 Respite spaces in the workspace
26:34 The impact of diversity and culture on workspace design
28:49 Sustainable productivity
30:40 The role of leadership in promoting wellbeing and preventing burnout
35:08 Hotelling and depersonalization of office space
40:27 The importance of team-based workplace design
42:13 The need for empathy in the workplace
LINKS
Herman Miller
MillerKnoll
Harkin Institute for Public Policy
Nigel Oseland
Bill Stumpf
Work Better Save the Planet - Lisa Whited
Dr. Greg Wells
IMAGE CREDITS
Ryan Anderson headshot - Ryan Anderson
MillerKnoll logo - MillerKnoll
Car Parked next to bike lanes - Clare Kumar
Nigel Oseland - UCL
Dr. Greg Wells - LinkedIn
Healthcare Recliner - HermanMiller
Harkin Institute of Public Policy - Harkin Institute
Bill Stumpf -
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In this solo show, Clare digs into the reasons behind the current tension between leaders and employees. She suggests that it is solvable and offers practical ways to do so.
You’re listening to episode 36 of the Happy Space Podcast, and today it’s me Clare Kumar. We’re going to be talking about “solving the stalemate,” looking closely at the tension between leadership and employees. I’ve got some solutions for you.
News reports keep informing us that leaders and their teams are at odds on how best to get work done. Executives are issuing mandates to return to the office while employees have redefined their ideal way of working and it includes much less or even no time in the office. This tension reveals itself as employees quit, quietly or otherwise. Clare digs into both sides to understand the cause of the standoff. She offers practical ways to bridge the gap such as ten ways leaders can create more effective teams and introduces the new Happy Space® Work Style Profile™ to help workers articulate what conditions invite their best performance. The profile is part of the Happy Space® Total Team Work™ program to help leaders and their teams co-create their future of work.
Productivity catalyst, highly sensitive executive coach, and international speaker Clare Kumar explores the intersection of productivity and inclusivity. She inspires individuals to design for well-being and cultivate sustainable performance while avoiding exhaustion and burnout. She encourages leaders to co-create the future of work with their teams all while respecting neurodiversity and humanity. This is a topic Clare explores with innovators here as the host of the Happy Space Podcast.
Clare draws on a diverse corporate career that took her from Toronto to Tokyo and Montreal, with equal experience as an award-winning entrepreneur. She is a sought-after media contributor to news and lifestyle shows including the Huffington Post, Fast Company, the Globe and Mail, CBC Radio, The Social, and the Marilyn Denis Show. Whether speaking to one person or thousands, Clare loves inspiring massive shifts by inviting you to pay attention to little things that make a big difference.
CHAPTERS
00:01:40 Tension between Leaders and Employees
00:04:09 In case we haven’t met before…
00:05:47 Productivity is personal and flexibility is inclusivity
00:07:27 Remote vs. in-person work
00:08:37 Leaders’ attitudes towards control and management
00:13:47 What employees are really thinking
00:15:05 The world has gone through significant challenges
00:16:40 Building a culture in a world of “black Zoom squares”
00:20:42 10 ways leaders can create more effective teams
00:32:37 Taking the Happy Space® Work Style™ Profile
00:35:07 Sharing your profile with others & the value of disclosure
00:38:54 Happy Space® Total Team Work™ Program
00:43:06 Where to find Total Team Work™ program, Work Style profile, and links.
LINKS
For active links, visit www.clarekumar.com/podcast
Clare’s blog post - DEI Is Not Dead
SHRM Inclusion Conference
Amy Edmondson
Work Style Profile
Total Team Work
Redesigning Work for People and the Planet - with Lisa Whited
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