Catching the Next Wave

This season showed us the huge difference between the notion of the English phrase: common sense and its Polish version: healthy judgment. This realization made a great twist on all our conversations where we tried to investigate both these expressions. We dived into the world of measures, decision-making, changing minds, agile, design and even music to better understand whether common sense is as...

There is plenty of stuff that should be common sense but it isn't. In this episode, Gus Power rants about many of such things: from abusing agile principles, through pretending to be aligned, to the misjudgments that stem from the ladder of inference. We tap into the topics of employee motivation, the innovation trap and also the phenomenon of weak consensus every organization on this planet shoul...

So many of us find decision taking really hard. But does it have to be this way? In our conversation with Michelle Florendo, the decision engineer, we discover the three core elements of decision taking. But most of all we both realize that decision taking process is something very different from what is the outcome of that decision. Important links Michelle's podcast: Ask the Decision Engineer “T...

Many companies these days only vaguely know what they aim for. Their visions are in-concrete and difficult to execute on. In this episode we talk to Tom Gilb, the creator of the Evolutionary Development (EVO) about his impact on the way different companies (and even countries) around the world can improve their performance based on focused and tailored measurements. For those, who are curious: EVO...

Singing might seem like magic to so many of you. But is it really the case? In this conversation with the Brazilian musician and the signing teacher, Wagner Barbosa, we talk about the mechanics of the vocal tract, what does rhythm do to our brain and why is positive reinforcement so utterly crucial if you want to learn how to sing. We also hear the story of training 30 kids to sing the national an...

Yeah, we all go to school and learn stuff. But is it the best way to become a professional? For centuries there was another way: an apprenticeship. Peter Droste, a self-thought experience designer from New York, talks about his personal path to become who he is today. He explores what experience design means, how you can test the limits of what's possible and how it was to learn making steaks from...

We all have self-sabotaging mechanisms that stop us reaching our full potential. Elena Foggiato, an amazing coach from Milan, Italy, talks about focusing on the things we can change and also about being present with our lives. She also explains how improvisation is this amazing tool any of us can use to find new ways of interacting with others. Important links " Callings " by Gregg Levoy

Is Big Data able to take decisions for us, humans? In this episode, we talk to the Big Data expert from nPowered, Piotr Jegier about the traps that many of us will encounter as we start to rely more any more on data. We dive into the topic of cognitive biases and try to understand in what domains humans still can't be replaced by AI. IMPORTANT LINKS nPowered - what we do Piotr's twitter Flat Earth...

What do we talk about when we talk about common sense? David Straker, the author of the book "Changing minds" gives a great definition of what common sense truly means. He points out at the traps of our System 1 thinking when it comes to considering something to be common sense. Then we chat about the role of empathy in influencing people, what trust means in the interpersonal relationships and ho...

Sometimes we all ask ourselves this very question: is common sense all that common? In this fourth season of the Catching The Next Wave podcast we hope to investigate what common sense really means and whether it is something that should be generally popular. ...or perhaps not really... Important links Nassim Nicholas Taleb “Antifragile: Things that Gain from Disorder”

Once again we are standing corrected - whatever we imagined crossing the borders means, there is so much more to consider. We were talking about starting the transformational journey, crossing borders slowly or quickly, sitting in the fences and also about the certain borders that needn't be crossed. We looked at ways to let go of your own image of yourself and be happy about the choices you've ma...

Staying innovative is the ultimate challenge for every organization today. Clara Otero, a Director of Systems Innovations for NXP’s Automotive Business Unit, talks about how to structure innovation so that the organization works on both the long-term as well as the short-term vision for product development. We talk about the need for collaboration to create new solutions. We also discuss how to le...

How does living a nomadic life change your perspective about owning stuff? Together with the world-wide known innovator Alex Grots we explore the importance of rituals, the history of Design Thinking at IDEO and the value of Design Thinking workshops. We also chat about the need to keep the unique organizational culture when your start-up is growing. Important links ProGlove IDEO The House of Beau...

The realization of your own mortality must impact the art you do. John-Paul talks about his path as an artist early touched by cancer. He takes us into the world of interactive video installations, game design and provocation. We chat about the burlesque theater as an ultimate space for women to be themselves to the core. And we look into the third gender: the choice of neither being a female or m...

Have you ever imagined yourself being a guest at the Mad Hatter tea party from Alice in Wonderland? Our guest, Flemming Ottsen, can make it a reality. In this conversation we talk about switching from engineering and product management to performance. We explore the world of immersive theater, the importance of meditation and the ego work. We also cross a border we never imagined to cross on this...

Crossing borders is often considered as a metaphor. But it can be both physical and metaphorical too. John Law explains the idea of crossing over to the zone as a way to stretch your imagination and see the world (especially the familiar world) with new eyes. Next to it, John discusses the meaning of anarchy in today's world, tells the stories behind some of the neons to be shown at his upcoming e...

Have you ever thought why does the traditional advertisement never work anymore? And even further - is there a way to make it work again? In this incredible conversation with David Bassuk - the performance professor at the Purchase College in NYC, we investigate the world of transmedia, gameplay and immersiveness as the future of engaging with the audience before, during and after an event or serv...

Have you ever considered beach clean-up as a part of your holidays? Elena Rodriguez Blanco talks about responsible tourism, local social impact and transformational experience design. We discuss the dangers of burnout and the importance of mindfulness. We also dig into the world of female entrepreneurship and the challenges that can be found there. Important links Elena's startup Authenticitys Ele...

Have you ever considered what would you do if it was your last day on Earth? Together with Seth we explore the notion of excellence, good-enoughism and status. We discuss the importance of having time every day for creativity and reflection. And we look into the future of democracy, intellectual property and new artistic expressions. Important links Thomas Peters “In search of excellence: Lessons...

Season 2 made us aware that in order to feel empowered for transformation we need to cross some borders or boundaries. But what does it mean to cross one? How does it feel? Is it one big leap or a thousand little steps? In Season 3 we hope to explore the notion of crossing boundaries from the perspectives of leaders, designers, artists and performers. We begin with this question in mind: do we tru...

As Season 2 of the Catching The Next Wave podcast comes to an end, we attempted to untangle what empowerment means based on the fascinating stories our guests shared with us over the last few months. So, what is empowerment? It is the strength of self-permission? It seems like the right place to start. Important links The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life by Rosamund...

As almost nothing significant can be achieved individually anymore today collaboration is the front and center of challenges the modern companies face. Petter Abrahamsen, the former commander of the Norwegian Navy, talks about motivations and the methods of building teams in the military world. He also shares his thoughts of the ingredients necessary to make empowerment become a reality rather tha...

The traditional leadership style is getting old for the new times we live in. So, what can the leaders of today do to stay relevant and keep up with the new generations of people who don't want to be ruled by command and control bosses? Why would the leaders even want to change their style? Style that made them so successful for so many years? Ask Agger, the partner and the Change Agency Workz and...

Change in many organizations is the new constant. There problem is though - people are not happy about it. April Mills, the author of "Everyone is a change agent" and a perpetual change agent herself, explains ways in which a lasting change can be constructed. She draws from her experience as an engineer at the nuclear navy shipyard and from Intel, where she is bringing change about toda...

Finding a successful way to run a team, especially in the world of agile, is like fining a golden egg. Mel Lang, an amazing agile coach herself, shares secrets of what being a good agile coach is all about. She talks about her path from an interactive agency to becoming a cook and explains how this adventure changed her perspective on running good teams. And for those interested, she also shares h...