Episode 102: Power to the Middle with Bryan Hancock

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless sits down with crisis communications expert Professor Paul Argenti of Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business! Professor Argenti is a prolific thought leader who has taught at Harvard Business School, Columbia Business School, and authored the definitive textbook "Corporate Communication" (now in its 8th edition!). Professor Argenti shares invaluable insights from his decades of experience, including: The difference between a drama and a real crisis Why 85-90% of crises could be prevented with proper preparation The crucial first steps when crisis hits How to build trust with stakeholders before trouble strikes Real examples of crisis communications done right (and wrong!) Key takeaway: "The very first thing you do is admit that whatever happened, happened, and if you are responsible, say that you're sorry."   

In this episode William is joined in conversation by Brian Hancock, Partner at McKinsey & Company and one of the global leaders of McKinsey's talent work. They discuss the compelling book "Power to the Middle: Why Managers Hold the Keys to the Future of Work." Through his research and client service, Brian focuses on connecting workers to opportunities, building their skills, and improving their day-to-day experience on the job.  During this episode William and Brian explore many fascinating topics including: Why cutting middle management can be dangerous The role of managers as "super connectors" in hybrid work Understanding the real reasons behind employee attrition How to combat manager burnout Re-bundling roles in the age of AI The three types of purpose that drive engagement There are many practical insights to be gained from this episode that will help both leaders and managers thrive in today's evolving workplace. Find out more about the book and Bryan’s work here: Power to the Middle | McKinsey & Company  

In our latest episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless is joined in conversation by Andy Lopata, co-author of "The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring" and a specialist in professional relationships, mentoring, and networking. Andy is also an international consultant and keynote speaker known for his expertise in professional relationships. As the host of the Connected Leadership Podcast, Andy works with organizations worldwide to improve communication, foster collaboration, and create cultures that support constructive dissent and debate. In this episode, William and Andy discuss the art and science of effective mentoring. There are many useful insights to be gained from this episode including: · The ICE CREAM approach to mentoring · Overcoming imposter syndrome as a mentor · Reverse mentoring and its benefits · Mentoring across generations · How organizations can create successful mentoring programs · Strategies for mentoring neuro-divergent individuals And much much more.

When it comes to technology impacting society and business, we keep seeing the same patterns, fears of automation, changing ways of working, scams and societal changes. History is a great teacher in how we can learn from the past and be confident about the future. This week on The Workplace Podcast, William welcomes Tom Standage, Deputy Editor of The Economist and editor of The World Ahead, to discuss "What History Can Teach Us About an AI Future." Tom, a bestselling author and expert on technology's social and historical impact, shares valuable insights: The constancy of human nature amidst technological change Why experiencing "AI vertigo" is a sign of engagement AI's transformative potential in coding and software development How AI is addressing skills bias and potentially reducing inequality A balanced view on the ethical concerns surrounding AI AI's role in accelerating digital transformation This episode is a must listen as Tom brings a wealth of knowledge from his experience at The Economist and his authorship of seven history books, including "The Victorian Internet" and "A History of the World in 6 Glasses."  

Neil Mullarkey, a renowned comedian and communication expert, has written a book titled “In the Moment”. This book provides strategies and tools to improve confidence, communication, and creativity in professional settings. As a comedian and improv expert, Mullarkey draws parallels between the techniques used in improv comedy and those applicable to everyday professional interactions. In this episode our Host WIlliam Corless and Guest Neil Mullarkey discuss a variety of topics from his Book In the Moment. Topics include, how improv is applicable to everyday life and business, the importance of relationships and emotional intelligence, collaboration, efficiency in meetings and much more!   For more information on Neil Mullarkey visit: https://neilmullarkey.com/inthemomentbook

Karen Eber is an author, global consultant, and keynote speaker who has educated and inspired over three million people globally. Her book, The Perfect Story: How to Tell Stories that Inform, Influence, and Inspire , helps you understand how to tell engaging stories. It’s a resource you’ll mark up and reach for frequently. In this episode our host, William Corless, and guest speaker, Karen Eber, discuss a range of her topics from her book. Topics include the science of story-telling, getting inside the audience's head, story-telling structure and much more!

Matt Beane is an assistant professor in the Technology Management Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is also a digital fellow with Stanford's Digital Economy Lab and MIT's Initiative on the Digital Economy. In a riveting episode of "The Workplace Podcast," host William Corless engages with Matt Beane, author of The Skill Code: How to Save Human Ability in the Age of Intelligent Machines. Beane, a prominent field researcher on work involving robots and AI, delves into the intricacies of his research and the profound insights presented in his book.   https://www.mattbeane.com/    

Amy Gallo is a workplace expert who frequently writes and speaks about gender, interpersonal dynamics, difficult conversations, feedback, and effective communication. She works with individuals, teams, and organizations around the world to help them collaborate, improve how they communicate, and transform their organizational culture to support dissent and debate. Gallo is the best-selling author of Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) and the HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict, a how-to book about handling conflict professionally and productively. Getting Along was a finalist for the Next Big Idea Club, long-listed for several nonfiction book prizes, and named a Book of the Month by the Financial Times   In this episode our host, William Corless, and guest discuss a variety of topics in her book. Topics include dealing with conflict at work, tactics to diffuse conflicts in a professional manner, the importance of good relationships, consequences to unhealthy relationships, emotional intelligence, self-awareness and much more!   For more information about Amy Gallo please visit: www.amyegallo.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amy-gallo-31b9932/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/amyegallo/

David De Cremer is currently the endowed Dunton Family Dean of D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University where he is also a professor in management and technology. David is also an advisory board member at of EY’s advisory board for their global AI projects. He is the founder of two academic research centers: The “Center on AI Technology for Humankind” in Singapore and the “Erasmus Centre of Behavioural Ethics” at Rotterdam School of Management.   In this episode our host William Corless and guest David de Cremer discuss various topics in his Book "The AI-Savvy Leader". Topics discussed include AI adoption, AI terminology, how and when to apply AI, how AI enhances society, what AI is and what it isn't and much more!   For more information about David please visit: www.daviddecremer.com

Robert J. Lefkowitz, M.D. is Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Professor of Biochemistry and Chemistry at the Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Lefkowitz’s memoir, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Stockholm, recounts his early career as a cardiologist and his transition to biochemistry, which led to his Nobel Prize win.  In this episode our host William Corless and our guest discuss various topics including living a life of significance, influences in his early life, fellow Nobel Prize winners, self awareness, the power of focus, work ethic, instinct, learning to say no, the importance of exercise and diet and much more!