Humanity Working

Paul welcomes back three-time guest Bob Johansen to discuss his co-authored book, Navigating the Age of Chaos, and the shift from VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) to BANI (brittle, anxious, nonlinear, incomprehensible) as a more accurate frame for today’s world.Bob explains that unlike VUCA, BANI assumes some external events won’t make sense even with data and experts, yet leaders must still decide, often with less information than they want.Paul and Bob explore why today differs from past crises—citing global climate disruption, AI systems even designers don’t fully understand, and unprecedented cyber threats—and how chronic anxiety, cognitive overload, and polarization shape responses.The conversation highlights how BANI+ can be used to respond to the challenges of BANI, and other positive actions we can all take to deal with the challenges of the current world.00:00 Housekeeping and Audio Note01:05 Bob Returns and New Book02:15 Setting the Agenda for BANI03:41 From VUCA to BANI08:40 Why Today Feels Different10:05 Anxiety and Human Impact12:15 Nonlinear Climate and Decisions16:46 Cognitive Overload and Unthinkable Risks20:54 BANI Plus Flipping Positive23:32 Simulation Gaming and Readiness26:33 Coach Eck Cave Story29:32 Stories and Resilient Clarity31:55 Small Actions Beat Helplessness35:59 Gratitude and Mental Fitness38:32 Wrap Up and Next Book Tease39:01 Credits and Call to ActionHumanity Working is a podcast focused on helping individuals, teams and organizations be ready for the future of work by maximizing their human potential.For more information, and access to our weekly newsletter, visit us at humanityworking.net.

The team returns after the launch of Paul's new book, The AI Ready Human, and this time Matt plays the role of interviewer! In this episode Matt and Paul discuss the book’s core framework: the “Magnificent Seven” stacked capabilities—readiness, organization, control, balance, motivation, resilience, and adaptability—created in response to programs that treat AI only as a tool and overemphasize prompt engineering.The explore how to truly create evergreen skills in a world that is ever changing, and how to manage a form of AI that feels neither particularly artificial or intelligent.They explore concerns about AI training on mixed-quality internet data, the possibility of moving from broad AI to narrower, task-specific systems, and the accelerating growth of AI-generated content. And they look at how the themes from the book have broader applicability to work and life.Resources mentioned in this episode:The AI-Ready Human on AmazonThe AI-Ready Human on Barnes and NobleThe AI-Ready Human on (the awesome) Bookshop.orgA Signed Hardback Copy of The AI-Ready Human00:00 Show Returns and Book Launch01:00 Special Episode Setup02:29 Why 90 Days Format05:48 Magnificent Seven Skills06:25 Beyond Prompt Engineering11:50 Evergreen Yet Changing14:32 Maestro Leadership Metaphor20:40 AI as Unreliable Teammate25:02 Bias Data and Narrow AI31:15 Ethics and authorship32:28 AI content flood34:42 AI traps and trust36:52 Context and memory41:41 Naming your AIs45:41 Confidence and hallucinations47:05 Autonomy mastery purpose49:23 Rebuilding mastery at work53:28 Adapting your human role57:07 Wrap up and next topicsHumanity Working is a podcast focused on helping individuals, teams and organizations be ready for the future of work by maximizing their human potential.For more information, and access to our weekly newsletter, visit us at humanityworking.net.

In this special episode, Paul announces the release of his new book titled 'AI Ready Human: Your 90 Day Program to Stay Relevant as Technology Transforms Work.' The book is designed to help readers adapt to the evolving AI-dominated technology landscape through concise daily exercises over a 90-day period. Listeners and readers of Humanity Working can get a pre-release signed copy of the book by visiting humanityworking.net and looking for the book announcement!00:00 Special Announcement: New Book Release!00:22 Introducing 'AI Ready Human'02:13 Book Structure and Unique Features03:56 Pre-Order and Availability05:15 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsHumanity Working is a podcast focused on helping individuals, teams and organizations be ready for the future of work by maximizing their human potential.For more information, and access to our weekly newsletter, visit us at humanityworking.net.

Why is conflict resolution degrading as a skill in the workplace, and what can we do about it?In their last episode before the holidays, Paul and Matt explore how factors like the personalized internet, social media, and AI are conspiring to make it challenging to handle conflict respectfully and to use it as a driver for positive change. And they propose an exercise you can use in the workplace to help you deal with conflict before it becomes a real issue.00:00 Introduction to Conflict Resolution02:01 The Impact of Technology on Conflict02:58 Social Media and Tribalism03:55 AI and Conflict Avoidance04:23 The Decline of Conflict Resolution Skills08:19 Conflict in Personal Relationships09:16 Effective Conflict Resolution Strategies13:57 Addressing Underlying Tensions17:50 Podcast Wrap-Up and Upcoming EpisodesHumanity Working is a podcast focused on helping individuals, teams and organizations be ready for the future of work by maximizing their human potential.For more information, and access to our weekly newsletter, visit us at humanityworking.net.

Paul is joined by Bill Kirst, host of the Coffee and Change podcast and author of the new book Leading Change in the Era of AI.The conversation explores the psychological and societal implications of rushing toward artificial intelligence. Kirst argues that while technology companies strive to maximize addiction and profit, individuals must pause to ask if they are losing their identity in the "race" for efficiency. From the potential for a "reverse renaissance" led by younger generations to the importance of "messy" human connection over AI simulation, this episode is a call to preserve the unique divinity of the human spirit.Key Topics Discussed:• The "Master’s Degree" in Understanding: Kirst shares a story about his 84-year-old father, who went from feeling inept about AI to feeling empowered and informed after reading the book.• The Addiction Algorithm: A look at how tech companies hire psychologists to tweak algorithms for dependency, repeating the mistakes of the social media era.• The Race to Irrelevance: Slater and Kirst discuss the fear driving governments, corporations, and individuals to adopt AI, asking: "Will we remember ourselves and who we are at the end of said race?".• The Mirror Metaphor: Kirst reveals that the backward binary code on his book cover is designed to be read in a mirror, symbolizing the need for self-reflection before engaging with technology.• Empty Calories vs. Nourishment: An analogy comparing AI interaction to "empty calories" that leave the spirit lethargic, versus the "nourishment" found in messy, authentic human relationships.• The "Reverse Renaissance": Hopeful signs that Gen Alpha and high school students are asking for permission to disconnect and say "no" to constant AI integration.• The Refuge of Human Spaces: The prediction that society will eventually place a premium on "human-only" spaces—like phone-free restaurants—to escape the perfection of the digital world.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:• Book: Leading Change in the Era of AI by Bill Kirst.• Podcast: Coffee and Change hosted by Bill Kirst.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:37 Reactions to the Book02:06 Common Reactions and Personal Stories04:02 AI's Role and Ethical Concerns08:26 The Race for AI Supremacy15:04 Generative AI and Its Impacts21:35 Youth Perspectives and Hesitations26:43 Exploring Human-AI Relationships27:49 The Emotional Impact of AI Companions29:07 The Chemical Reactions in Human-AI Interactions31:50 The Dangers of Over-Reliance on AI35:41 Human Connection vs. AI Interaction43:03 The Future of Human Interaction in a Digital World49:21 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsHumanity Working is a podcast focused on helping individuals, teams and organizations be ready for the future of work by maximizing their human potential.For more information, and access to our weekly newsletter, visit us at humanityworking.net.

Written communication has expanded from formal emails to Slack messages, tweets, and video scripts. But are you being understood? In this "Quick Fix" episode, Paul and Matt break down why the way we were taught to write in school fails us at work and how the lack of intonation in text creates emotional misunderstandings. Paul introduces a four-layer framework to ensure your writing is effective and resonant, and issues a warning about using AI: don't let it destroy your authenticity.Key Takeaways:• The Sender-Receiver Gap: What feels positive to you as the sender can often be received negatively. Text lacks the vocal cues that usually signal intent, creating a gap where uncertainty and anxiety emerge.• The Framework for Excellence (The 4 Rs): To move from "functionally okay" to excellent, layer your communication to be:    1. Real: Truthful and clear.    2. Receivable: Short sentences that are easy to process.    3. Relevant: Focused on what the other person needs to know, not just what you want to say.    4. Resonant: Toned appropriately for the relationship and circumstance.• The AI Warning: While AI is useful early in the drafting process, relying on it too heavily can strip away your unique voice. This creates cognitive dissonance when people eventually meet you in person and the "real you" doesn't match your written persona.The "Quick Fix" Challenge: Before you hit send on your next important email or text, pause. Read it through the eyes of the receiver. Better yet, use a text-to-speech tool to listen to it. Hearing your words read back to you can reveal issues with tone and clarity that your eyes might miss.Resources & References:• Book Mentioned: Smart Brevity (Recommended for structure, but use with caution to remain authentic).• Tool: Speechify (Text-to-speech app).Up Next: Join us Thursday for a deep dive with Bill Kirst on maintaining our humanity in the age of AI, and tune in next Tuesday for a Quick Fix on Conflict Resolution.Humanity Working is a podcast focused on helping individuals, teams and organizations be ready for the future of work by maximizing their human potential.For more information, and access to our weekly newsletter, visit us at humanityworking.net.

Our most resilient companies have been around for about a hundred years. Meanwhile, some species of life are still thriving after a billion years. Ines Garcia believes that by quietening our cleverness and truly tapping into our understanding of how nature demonstrates adaptability and resilience, we can build organizations that truly last.In this episode, Paul and Ines discuss her new book, Nature's Blueprint for Business: Harnessing the Hidden Power of Edges, and propose radical new approaches to organizational design that could increase innovation, dramatically improve employee experience, and position organizations for the future of work.00:00:05 Introduction to Biomimicry and Nature Centricity00:02:44 Understanding Biomimicry00:08:38 Artificial vs Natural Organizational Structures00:11:03 Resilience and Adaptability in Nature00:13:41 Quietening Cleverness00:16:35 Practical Applications of Nature's Lessons00:19:46 The Importance of Edges00:21:51 Creating Resilient Organizations00:24:57 Learning From NatureHumanity Working is a podcast focused on helping individuals, teams and organizations be ready for the future of work by maximizing their human potential.For more information, and access to our weekly newsletter, visit us at humanityworking.net.

Verbal communication is the number one soft skill listed on job descriptions these days for a reason - almost all of us are getting worse at it.In today's episode Paul and Matt discuss why this is a degrading skill, and what specific steps we can all take to make sure we stand out in our verbal communications, whether it's with colleagues, leaders or even among our family and friends.00:00 Introduction00:16 The Importance of Verbal Communication00:52 Challenges in Verbal Communication02:58 The Decline of Verbal Communication Skills03:32 The Impact of Technology on Communication08:22 Improving Verbal Communication Skills11:14 The Role of Listening in Communication14:40 Practical Tips for Better Communication16:46 Upcoming Episodes and ConclusionHumanity Working is a podcast focused on helping individuals, teams and organizations be ready for the future of work by maximizing their human potential.For more information, and access to our weekly newsletter, visit us at humanityworking.net.

What does it take to be a leader in the new, unpredictable ever-changing world of work?Dr. Riza Kadilar has thought deeply about this question, as a CEO in multiple different countries, as an academic, and as president of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). But the main cause of introspection came from his own daughter's critique of leadership.The result? A fascinating new book: The Contemporary Leader: The Value of Inclusion in Successful Leadership.In this episode, Paul and Dr Kadilar what is fundamentally different in the new world of work, and what this means to everyone who will lead as work transforms.00:00 Introduction01:16 The Business Case for Inclusion01:39 Personal Journey and Realizations03:24 Historical and Anthropological Perspectives04:28 Challenges and Opportunities in Diversity06:15 Inclusion as a Feeling09:09 The Role of Culture in Leadership11:03 Collaboration and Emotional Aspects16:24 The Impact of Strong Organizational Culture32:57 Sustainability and Resilience41:20 Final Thoughts and ConclusionHumanity Working is a podcast focused on helping individuals, teams and organizations be ready for the future of work by maximizing their human potential.For more information, and access to our weekly newsletter, visit us at humanityworking.net.

Is resilience just something you get by going through tough times, or are there steps you can take in the here and now to make you more resilient? In today's episode Paul and Matt dive into resilience in some depth, and help you discover an exercise you can do today that will help you be more resilient in the moment.00:00 Introduction to Resilience00:12 Defining Resilience and Adaptability06:06 The Importance of Resilience Today08:59 Techniques to Build Resilience14:11 Practical Exercises for Resilience16:21 Conclusion and Upcoming ContentHumanity Working is a podcast focused on helping individuals, teams and organizations be ready for the future of work by maximizing their human potential.For more information, and access to our weekly newsletter, visit us at humanityworking.net.