Leaders as Healers
Humans at Work with Michael Glazer
In this episode, we're rethinking leadership with Nicholas Janni, author of “Leader As Healer” and teacher at IMD Business School and the University of Oxford Said Business School. Nicholas introduces the revolutionary concept of leaders as healers, advocating for a shift from the hyper-rational, imbalanced corporate norms that prioritize doing over being. He shares how integrating emotional intelligence and deep personal connections can transform leadership effectiveness. Join us as Nicholas shares how embracing our whole selves helps businesses and the people who work in them can thrive...
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The Art of Spontaneous Communication (Rebroadcast)
Humans at Work with Michael Glazer
We've all been there: put on the spot during a meeting and found ourselves tongue-tied. In this episode, we tackle the challenge of spontaneous communication head-on. I'm joined by Matt Abrahams, who is a Lecturer at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business and the host of the “Think Fast, Talk Smart,” which draws in millions of listeners per episode. His TEDx Talk has captivated a global audience, and his latest book is titled, “Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot.” Today, Matt shares his insights into preparing for those...
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Harnessing Trust, Motivation, and Emotions for Team Performance
Humans at Work with Michael Glazer
This episode examines the components of building and leading high-performing teams with guests Alison Grieve and Jenni Miller, experts in transforming team dynamics at some of the world's leading companies, including PepsiCo and ING. Alison and Jenni share practical advice on the critical roles of trust, motivation, and emotional intelligence in team success, as well as advice on fostering resilience, enhancing virtual and hybrid collaborations, and creating a culture of accountability and empowerment. If you enjoy the show, please rate it on or . Your ratings help more...
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Improv for Wellbeing
Humans at Work with Michael Glazer
Can improv help us unlock workplace success? In this episode, we explore the positive impact of improvisation on well-being, communication, and the nuances of our daily interactions. Patricia Ryan Madson, Stanford University Emerita and author of “Improv Wisdom,” provides insights on how improv maxims can enhance the way we connect, create, and engage at work – and in life. If you enjoy the show, please rate it on or . Your ratings help more people like you discover the podcast! Episode Highlights Learn how simple acts of noticing and acknowledging others can have outsized effects on...
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Reverse Mentoring
Humans at Work with Michael Glazer
Ever wondered what happens when we flip traditional corporate hierarchies, allowing the young to mentor the old? This episode zeroes in on reverse mentoring, showcasing its power to drive innovation and foster understanding across generations. Patrice Gordon, a pioneer at Virgin Atlantic and author of the book “Reverse Mentoring: Removing Barriers and Building Belonging in the Workplace.” Patrice explains how embracing uncomfortable moments and challenging our assumptions can lead to growth for both people and organizations. She also shares advice for setting up and running reserve...
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Empowerment After 50
Humans at Work with Michael Glazer
Facing gender bias is tough. Add ageism to the mix, and the workplace becomes a whole different challenge. This episode examines the landscape for women over 50 in the workplace, spotlighted through Dr. Lucy Ryan's insights from her book, "Revolting Women." Addressing the dual hurdles of ageism and gender bias, Dr. Ryan explains how societal expectations shape professional experiences. She shares compelling stories about navigating menopause and caregiving, alongside strategies for midlife women. The discussion includes advice for employers, such as having midlife check-ins, to create a more...
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Are You Leading With Your Right Brain?
Humans at Work with Michael Glazer
Do you excel in analytical, strategic and goal-oriented tasks yet often get bogged down in thinking through how to unstick yourself from complicated situations or challenges? This episode focuses on how tapping into the power of your right brain can help you move forward through seemingly intractable challenges. The right brain is our gateway to seeing the big picture, infusing fresh ideas and deeper understanding into your life. It’s the part of our brain that helps us interpret the world through our senses and is vital for empathy, enabling us to forge genuine connections with others. Our...
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A Conversation with Nobel Laureate Dr. Robert Lefkowitz (Rebroadcast)
Humans at Work with Michael Glazer
Dr. Robert Lefkowitz shares anecdotes and wisdom from his extraordinary career. This episode delves into the power of storytelling and narratives, building a legacy based on mentorship, overcoming harsh criticism, and using personal values at work. Lefkowitz won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2012 for “for studies of G-protein-coupled receptors.” His memoir is titled “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Stockholm”. Today, more than half of all prescription drug sales are of drugs that target either directly or indirectly the receptors discovered by Dr. Lefkowitz and his trainees. If...
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Coaching That Really Works (Rebroadcast)
Humans at Work with Michael Glazer
With employee disengagement at alarming levels despite significant investments in training leaders in coaching skills, there's a pressing need to reevaluate and get practical about making coaching truly effective for people in managerial roles. This episode zeroes in on how to address this gap, introducing insights and tools for leaders to genuinely engage and empower their teams. , CEO of , has firsthand experience across 37 countries, providing a fresh and nuanced perspective on leadership, culture, and organizational transformation. Having co-authored "", Dominic brings an innovative...
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Tech-Driven Human Work Experience
Humans at Work with Michael Glazer
How is the intersection of technology and human experience reshaping our workplaces? In this episode, we explore the dynamic evolution of work environments, where technology and human-centric practices are becoming increasingly intertwined. You’ll hear about leveraging technology to create more inclusive and equitable workplaces, simplifying work processes through AI, and shifting the focus from productivity to impact. Stela Lupushor is the founder of Reframe.Work Inc. She is also Program Director for the Strategic Workforce Planning and Talent Management Councils, as well as the Human...
info_outlineProblem-solving is a crucial skill for so many jobs, so why aren’t we taught how to do it properly? This conversation dives deep into research-backed process and techniques that help businesspeople and their teams navigate and solve problem better and faster.
Arnaud Chevallier is a co-author of Solvable: A Simple Solution to Complex Problems. He is also a Professor of Strategy and decision making at IMD where he prepares executives for the strategic challenges that organizations face in today’s dynamic global marketplace by helping them make better decisions in volatile and uncertain conditions. Arnaud has consulted with multiple organizations across industries, including the United Nations, SAP, STADA, and Shell.
Originally aired as episode 73.
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Episode Highlights
3:25 Complex and ill-defined problems
5:31 Famous, historical example of solving a symptom and not the cause
9:09 How to effectively frame a problem
11:24 Examples of effective problem framing
12:08 The problem with how companies are framing Return To Office
13:13 Too much vs too little stakeholder engagement
15:58 How much info is needed to frame a problem well
17:09 The value of taking a probabilistic approach
19:39 How to prevent info overload when framing problems
21:55 What differentiates how great teams approach problems
22:57 Engagement is about more than inviting people to the table
26:20 Balancing establishing credibility and showing vulnerability
27:26 Approach for mapping out solutions to problems
31:36 What MECE is and how to apply it in problem solving
34:35 How much mapping is needed for complex problems
36:16 Example of how diverse thinking leads to breakthrough solutions
38:50 Addressing our blind spots in problem solving
41:35 How to agree on evaluation criteria when choosing a solution
Arnaud’s view on the greatest unmet wellbeing need at work today
"Stress and and realizing how much stress is crippling us. And I'd say let's start with this. I think there's been a oh, there is an ongoing shift from being 'the tough people' to admitting we don't have all the answers and [admitting we have] vulnerabilities. And when we're in stressful situations, we should be able to speak up and look and ask, 'okay, how do we overcome this?'"
What “working with humans” means to Arnaud
“I trained as an engineer, [and as it relates to] problem solving, it's a science. It's also an art. So working with humans, what I love is the fascinating interactions between the science and the art.”
Resources
Follow: on LinkedIn and through IMD
Read: Solvable: A Simple Solutions to Complex Problems
Read: Adam Grant on having a "challenge network" (Knowledge at Wharton)