Speak to the human

Millions of us use AI at work every day without really knowing what we’re doing. Mostly we’re just figuring it out as we go – often without feeling in control. It can be hard to know if it’s going to change your life – or end the world. But what can you actually do about that? That’s what this episode explores. Jamie Bartlett writes and broadcasts on technology and its impact on the rest of us. Hi...

Most organisations are treating AI as a technology challenge. But the real impact depends on people: how they use it, what they use it for – and whether they engage with it at all. In this episode, social psychologist Dr Guy Champniss shares findings from his new research into what he calls “adoption quality” – a framework for understanding why organisations are struggling to realise AI’s potentia...

Listening – really listening – to people who work at the ‘chalk face’ is the most powerful way to build trust and achieve positive outcomes for an organisation. Nadine Anderson’s story is a brilliant illustration of this. As an expert in organisational development, and the People, Culture and Engagement Lead at Westminster City Council, she has applied a people-first approach to shape a values-dri...

Working in frontline bomb disposal and special operations in the British Army for nearly two decades has given Ben Sawyer a vivid, profound perspective on how to face and manage fear, and what risk really means.  Having moved into the corporate world, now Head of Continuous Improvement at British Gas, Ben brings a blend of insights into operational strategy, empowerment and leadership. In this con...

How do decisions get made in organisations? And what does it look like to support the decision-making process really effectively? And how might human behaviour be accounted for? Clym Stock-Williams is Head of Operational Excellence in the Offshore Wind Division at the renewable energy company Vattenfall. In this episode, Clym explains how effective decision systems align people, data, processes an...

What if preconceptions about disability could be turned upside down… to create much better ways to enable inclusion, tap into people’s talents, and open up opportunities?  Martyn Sibley is an entrepreneur, activist, and founder of Purple Goat marketing agency, and The Purple Collective. He is a brilliant thinker, who prompts interesting questions about what we might all be overlooking by not enabl...

How do you help people navigate change at work? The success of any change – large or small – comes down to what people feel, think and do. So, understanding and responding to those human needs and voices is indispensable. In this episode, our host Sarah Abramson talks to Charlotte Bolton, a learning, development and culture consultant and coach, about the human side of transformative change. Charl...

Why does the drive for productivity so often miss the point? The relentless focus on rules, compliance and systems risks a disconnect from the experience of real people. In this episode, Sarah is joined by Christine Armstrong of Armstrong and Partners. Christine works with business leaders to help them understand trends in the world of work, within their organisations and beyond, through research...

AI is changing work fast, but the story is still about people. So what are the opportunities for everyone, from personal development to boardroom strategy? And why does imagination, curiosity and play matter more than ever?  Sarah is joined by Jeremy (Jez) Bassinder, Partner and GenAI Consulting Lead for UK and Ireland at IBM. Jez is excited by the opportunities that GenAI is opening up, but he’s...

What are the implications of GenAI for learning and development? What’s really happening at the moment… and how do we make sense of it, while staying grounded in something that feels like human reality? In this episode, Sarah talks with Ross Stevenson, founder and Chief Learning Strategist of Steal These Thoughts . Ross has spent nearly 20 years in L&D, and helps organisations bridge future sk...

How do we find and tell stories that capture imagination and shape how we share ideas? And what happens when you try using storytelling in unexpected areas – like academic science? Anna Ploszajski, founder of Storyology, is challenging conventions and helping people communicate with miles more impact. Anna Ploszajski is a materials scientist. She’s also a storyteller, author, podcaster, business f...

In pressured situations, human connection is more needed than ever. Military leader and media strategist Lesley Woods excels at forging those connections. In this episode, she shares her experiences of reaching across divides to build bonds, crafting communications to tell the stories of her military colleagues, and how she has learned the leadership skill of lifting up those around her. Lesley Wo...

Richard Etienne is a filmmaker and founder of The Introvert Space.  His career has been shaped by a genuine passion for telling the stories of other people, and a curiosity about human nature. He was the official videographer at 10 Downing Street for the UK Prime Minister Theresa May, and for the Commonwealth Heads of Government, interviewing numerous heads of state. Despite working in these circl...

Illustration is a powerful and engaging form of communication – and visual expression reveals a lot about how we think. Hannah Williams is a live illustrator, and founder of her own business, Scribble Inc. She uses visual storytelling to create illustrations as people speak – a skill that she uses to create illustrations at events and workshops. Hannah’s ability to capture the key ideas from a pre...

What do we mean by ‘speak to the human’?   In this episode, Sarah  takes the mic inhouse to chat with Acteon partner Owen Rose, exploring a ‘human-centred’ approach – why it matters, what it means, and how to do it.  Leading change or communicating effectively depends on connecting with the people we’re trying to engage with. And to do that well, we need to try to understand what shapes their resp...

How does the culture of an organisation affect its ability to survive and thrive? And how is that culture is really created and experienced by colleagues? Ruth Steinholtz helps organisations to build a better understanding of their existing culture, and to evolve values-driven leadership towards ethical practices, focused on more successful outcomes for the long-term business strategy.  Ruth is an...

Why are we afraid of mistakes, and seek to avoid risks? How do we challenge ourselves outside of our comfort zones? Improviser Heather Urquhart helps us explore our innate fear of failure, and the value of being more open to creative risk. Heather is a talented actor and musician, and uses her skills not only to entertain, but also to open up people’s thinking, their willingness to try new things,...

How could employers make the painful process of redundancies more sympathetic, thoughtful, supportive, and well… human? Eleanor Gooding shares how she was able to build on foundational work on culture, values and a ‘People Manifesto’, to stay human-centred while managing restructuring and redundancies. In this episode, we’re joined by Eleanor Gooding, People & Culture Director at Boost Drinks....

Stories are a fundamental part of what makes us human.  They help us make sense of the world, remember things, share information, bring ideas to life, and communicate better with others. Stories capture meaning and emotion, reveal injustice or challenge our perspectives in ways which can change our minds or shape our behaviour. And stories bond us together, helping us identify with the groups, tri...

Inspiring young people: double meaning intended. Firstly, young people are inspiring. Gen Z are full of inspiration for employers if we give them space and voice. The energy, fresh ideas and innovative thinking, different attitudes to work, technology, and the diversity of thinking all bring massive potential for organisations to better imagine the future. So how could organisations better harness...

Why would a puppet work for getting colleagues to pay attention to a new Code of Ethics? And how could we all think differently, creatively, and perhaps more bravely about ways to help people ‘do the right thing’? In this episode we hear from Fraser Simpson about some of the creative campaigns that have broken the mould by taking a totally unexpected and different approach, including Connie the pu...

‘Why are we doing it this?’ and ‘How do we know if it’s working?’ are questions that too often go unanswered when organisations roll out a new approach.   In this episode, Katryn Wright and James Elfer from MoreThanNow share how they bring a scientific, rigorous approach to behavioural strategies for organisations. They explain how they both became fascinated with behavioural science: helping comp...

How can we rethink ‘learning and development’ to be more focused on the things people need to do and how best to support them with that? And how can the business case for a different approach be made successfully to leaders? Malcolm Taylor is a pioneer in taking different and often disruptive approaches in learning and development. He is Head of Capability at the UK Health Security Agency, having...

Why are humans the largest risk facing organisations, and why do the efforts to impose rules and controls on human behaviour often fail? Christian Hunt has wide experience in a range of executive roles, including MD and Head of Behavioural Science at UBS, and now runs Human Risk, a Behavioural Science-led Consultancy.  In this episode, Christian brings to life the concept of human risk, and talks...

How do you use behavioural science to translate boardroom strategies into the actions that people take every day? In our first episode, Sarah talks with Acteon Director and Partner James Woodman, to explore what we mean by ‘speak to the human’: building connections with people, and thinking about the humans at the other end of organisational communications and change initiatives. They discuss how...