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 m...

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 overemphasi...

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 t...

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...

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 &...

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 ef...

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, Natu...

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. 0...

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 b...

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 Resilience 00:12 Defining Resilience and Adaptability...

Dan Rust returns  to the conversation with Paul to delve into the skills people need to thrive as work evolves, but as individuals and leaders. Paul and Dan share their thoughts on using AI in the workplace, including how to balance productivity and quality, and the psychological impacts of reliance on such technologies.  They also explore what really constitutes career success, highlighting the s...

Why is it so difficult to be motivated in today's world of work, and what can we do to make sure that we get and sustain motivation even as AI and robotics become more prevalent? In today's episode, Matt and Paul discuss how motivation is more than just an initial burst of inspiration or positivity; it involves understanding the reality of your situation, knowing what matters to you, and...

Learning and Development leader and host of the  podcast Leadership Disrupted joins Paul to discuss critical factors that can determine your success or failure in the workplace of today and tomorrow. They tackle questions such as: Knowing When to Leave an Organization How to Recognize the Root Cause of Workplace Struggles How to Navigate Workplace Cultures The Role of Luck in a Person's Caree...

In this episode, Paul and Matt tackle the concept of balance within the modern work-life environment. They discuss how managing energy across various life domains—work, family, friends, and personal interests—is more crucial than merely dividing time between work and personal life. They differentiate between traditional work-life balance and the current need for energy balance, addressing the inte...

Paul hosts Stephan Meier, author of 'The Employee Advantage' and chair of the management division at Columbia Business School. Paul and Stephan discuss the new book, and the benefits and challenges associated with creating human-centric workplaces. They delve into the core themes of employee engagement, the importance of listening to workers, and the concept of treating employees as valu...

In this episode, Paul and Matt delve into the concept of control in the workplace. They define control as the ability to manage one's environment, knowing when to take command and when to step back. They discuss how remote work and the use of AI tools have shifted the dynamics of real-time collaboration, emphasizing the importance of situational awareness and adaptability. The conversation to...

In this episode, Paul sits down with Shannon Plumb , Founder and CEO of PURL Advisors , globally recognized mentor, leadership advisor, and creator of the Real T newsletter. Shannon is known for helping leaders stop pretending to be someone else—and start winning as themselves. They unpack: What authentic leadership actually means beyond the buzzword The difference between polish and presence Why...

In this episode, Paul and Matt dive into one of the most misunderstood durable skills: organization . It’s not just about tidy desks or color-coded inboxes—it’s the human ability to make sense of the world. They explore why some of us are natural filers while others are pilers , how AI tools are reshaping our need for structure, and what “just right” organization looks like in modern work. From an...

In this episode, Paul sits down with Michele Volpi - author of The Career Remix: Build a Future That Fits You — Pivot. Grow. Thrive. , to explore how professionals can reinvent themselves in an era of disruption.  Together, they unpack what it takes to stay adaptable, purposeful, and fulfilled when careers no longer follow a single, linear path. They discuss the mindset shifts needed to thrive ami...

In this episode, Paul and Matt tackle what they call the “North Star” of durable skills— adaptability. They explore what it really means to adapt as the world changes daily, how it differs from resilience, and why it’s the single most important skill for staying relevant in work that refuses to stand still. Five Key Learnings: Adaptability is the ability to adjust as the world around you changes—i...

In this episode, Paul and Matt explore what readiness really means at work—and why it’s not the same as wellbeing or wellness. They unpack why traditional wellness programs often fail to resonate with everyone, introduce the idea of “focused energy,” and explain how daily practices can recharge your “brain battery” to stay effective in an unpredictable world. Five Key Learnings: Readiness is the a...

Changes are coming to Humanity Working . In this episode, Paul and Matt share what’s next: a new format designed for the way we all actually listen and learn. Every Tuesday, we will be dropping "Quick Fixes"—short, focused episodes that tackle one idea at a time, from mentoring and networking to resilience and adaptability. Continue to look out for interviews as bonus episodes from time...

Mentoring is everywhere—but not all of it works. In this episode, Paul and Matt separate hype from reality, covering what actually drives value for mentees, mentors, and organizations. They also place mentoring in a broader context. Five Key Learnings: Mentoring demand is surging, but impact varies widely. Programs often fizzle when urgent tasks crowd out the important. Mentees can accelerate valu...

Networking doesn’t have to mean awkward small talk or transactional card-swapping.  Paul and Matt reframe networking as relationship-first, exploring how to create authentic connections, design better event formats, and balance depth with breadth in your network. Five Key Learnings: Intentional, authentic connections beat performative mingling. Even 30 minutes at an event can yield real relationsh...

Go Slow to Go Fast We live in a culture that prizes speed—but sometimes moving slower is what actually accelerates results. In this episode, Paul and Matt explore when deliberate pauses pay off, how to test “slow-downs” safely, and how leaders can set the right cadence without losing urgency when it matters most. Five Key Learnings: Slowing down can reduce rework, surface hidden costs, and sharpen...