The Future of Work, Frontier Firms, Agent Bosses, AI & 2025 Work Trend Index with Alexia Cambon (FBF)

In this episode of The Curious Advantage, former Navy SEAL officer and human performance expert Rich Diviney joins Simon Brown and Garrick Jones to explore what truly drives leadership, performance under pressure, and the neuroscience behind stress and fear. Drawing on two decades in the SEAL Teams, Rich breaks down why attributes and not skills determine success in high-pressure, high-uncertainty environments.Rich explains how elite performers build situational awareness, adaptability, and neural agility, and why concepts like dynamic subordination are essential for modern leadership. He dives into the neuroscience of stress management, the role of curiosity in high-stakes decision-making, and how understanding duration, pathway, and outcome can help the brain stay calm under uncertainty.Whether you’re leading teams, navigating complexity or curious about the psychology behind human performance, this conversation offers powerful insights into attributes, curiosity, and the mindsets required to thrive in chaotic environments.Show Links: Attributes WebsiteAttributes HubRich Diviney LinkedInThe Attributes: 25 Hidden Drivers of Optimal Performance book is available on AmazonThe Curious Advantage explores curiosity and its growing importance in the digital age. From history, neuroscience, and anthropology to business and culture, it takes the widest possible view of curiosity. At its heart is the ‘Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’ model, a practical framework to help individuals harness curiosity as a power skill for growth and transformation.The Curious Advantage is available on Amazon and Audiobook Follow us on LinkedIn and InstagramDiscover more about The Curious Advantage hereThe Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing by Danny Cross and video editing by Jessica Wickham. 

Today we are joined by Salvatore Manzi, a communication and leadership coach who helps data-driven leaders turn expertise into influence.For over 20 years, Salvatore has guided executives and founders through high-stakes moments, from boardrooms and investor meetings to global stages such as SXSW and the United Nations, and even a U.S. presidential campaign. His work focuses on one critical shift. Moving from information delivery to human connection.In this episode, he explores why empathy is not a soft skill but a leadership advantage, and introduces his powerful You-Then-Me Principle, starting with acknowledgment, validation, and reflection before sharing your own message. The result is collaboration instead of resistance.In his book Clear and Compelling: Communication Strategies for Big Thinkers with Bold Ideas, he distills two decades of experience into practical tools that help leaders transform complex ideas into messages that resonate, inspire, and drive action.Show Links Find out more about Salvatore Manzi and his work here Find Salvatore on LinkedIn here The Curious Advantage explores curiosity and its growing importance in the digital age. From history, neuroscience, and anthropology to business and culture, it takes the widest possible view of curiosity. At its heart is the ‘Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’ model, a practical framework to help individuals harness curiosity as a power skill for growth and transformation.The Curious Advantage is available on Amazon and Audible.Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram, and discover more at curiousadvantage.com.The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing by Danny Cross | Video editing by Jessica Wickham. 

In this episode of The Curious Advantage, Art Kleiner — author of The AI Dilemma — joins Simon Brown & Garrick Jones for a conversation about what it really means to build Responsible AI.Together, they explore the tensions at the heart of today’s AI landscape: rapid innovation vs accountability, efficiency vs empathy, and the risks of bias, misinformation and unintended consequences. Drawing on the “five fundamental principles” from The AI Dilemma, Art explains why responsible technology requires human judgment, transparency, and a deep understanding of our social systems.The discussion dives into: How AI systems amplify human behaviour — good and bad The rising challenge of misinformation and synthetic media Where bias enters the system and how organisations can address it Why empathy, forgiveness and human values are essential to AI governance What leaders must understand as AI becomes embedded in everyday work A thoughtful, human conversation about technology, responsibility and how we navigate the future.Lean More about Art Kleiner and his work hereAbout The Curious AdvantageThe Curious Advantage is available on Amazon and Audible.Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram, and discover more at curiousadvantage.com.The Curious Advantage explores curiosity and its growing importance in the digital age. From history, neuroscience, and anthropology to business and culture, it takes the widest possible view of curiosity. At its heart is the ‘Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’ model, a practical framework to help individuals harness curiosity as a power skill for growth and transformation.The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing by Danny Cross | Video editing by Jessica Wickham. 

FBF -- Flashback Friday In this throwback episode of The Curious Advantage Podcast, Simon Brown, Paul Ashcroft and Garrick Jones speak with Alexia Cambon, Senior Director of Research at Microsoft, about how AI is transforming work and what sets today’s Frontier Firms apart.They explore insights from Microsoft’s Work Trend Index—including Agent Bosses, digital labour, and Intelligence on Tap—and discuss how curiosity, leadership, and HR are evolving in an AI-powered world.🎧 Listen & explore the 2025 Work Trend Index:https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/2025-the-year-the-frontier-firm-is-born

FBF -- Flashback FridayIn this episode, global HR and HR technology analyst Josh Bersin, Founder & CEO of The Josh Bersin Company, joins the authors of The Curious Advantage — Paul Ashcroft, Simon Brown and Garrick Jones — to explore curiosity in the flow of work.They discuss the role of curiosity in learning and people development, how curiosity supports adaptability in a digital-first world, and why curious leaders are critical during periods of disruption.This episode was originally published on 5th May 2020. Want to go deeper?Get your copy on AmazonThe Curious Advantage Audiobook is also available on audible#FlashbackFriday #CuriousAdvantage #CuriosityAtWork #Learning #7Cs

FBF — Flashback FridayIn this episode, Amy Edmondson, Novartis Professor at Harvard Business School, explores curiosity, leadership, and psychological safety in the digital age.Drawing on The Right Kind of Wrong (named the Financial Times’ #1 Business Book), she shares practical insights on productive failure, learning, and building high-performing teams.This episode was originally published January 2024.Want to go deeper?Discover Amy Edmondson’s work in Right Kind of Wrong or  3 book collection of the Right Kind of Wrong, Leader as Healer & Staring Down the WolfFollow Amy Edmondson on LinkedIn hereGet your copy of The Curious Advantage on AmazonThe Curious Advantage Audiobook is also available on AudibleFollow The Curious Advantage on LinkedIn and Instagram

In this episode of the Curious Advantage podcast, hosts Simon Brown and Garrick Jones talk with Christian Kressman, an actor, systemic coach, and PhD holder in creativity. The conversation explores how curiosity fuels creativity and problem-solving, the importance of asking the right questions, and the role of diversity in fostering innovative solutions. Christian shares his personal journey, including a life-changing misdiagnosis that led him to embrace creativity in overcoming challenges. The discussion also touches on the impact of AI on learning and the importance of immersive environments in education. Christian LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiankressmann/ Christian Website https://christian-kressmann.de/podcast About The Curious Advantage The Curious Advantage is available on Amazon and Audible. Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram, and discover more at curiousadvantage.com. The Curious Advantage explores curiosity and its growing importance in the digital age. From history, neuroscience, and anthropology to business and culture, it takes the widest possible view of curiosity. At its heart is the ‘Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’ model, a practical framework to help individuals harness curiosity as a power skill for growth and transformation. The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing by Danny Cross | Video editing by Jessica Wickham. 

In this episode of The Curious Advantage Podcast, Simon Brown and Paul Ashcroft speak with Radhika Dutt, author of Radical Product Thinking, about how traditional goals can limit curiosity and drive organisations into the performance trap. Radhika introduces OHLs — Objectives, Hypotheses, and Learnings — a practical alternative that fuels creativity, psychological safety, and better problem-solving. Through real-world examples, she shows how curiosity can transform teams, leadership, and product thinking.Find out more:Radhika Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/radhika-dutt/ Radical Product: https://www.radicalproduct.com/ Radical Product Thinking: The New Mindset for Innovating Smarter on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Product-Thinking-Mindset-Innovating/dp/1523093315About The Curious AdvantageThe Curious Advantage is available on Amazon and Audible.Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram, and discover more at curiousadvantage.com.The Curious Advantage explores curiosity and its growing importance in the digital age. From history, neuroscience, and anthropology to business and culture, it takes the widest possible view of curiosity. At its heart is the ‘Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’ model, a practical framework to help individuals harness curiosity as a power skill for growth and transformation.The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing by Danny Cross | Video editing by Jessica Wickham. 

In this episode of The Curious Advantage podcast, hosts Garrick Jones and Simon Brown sit down with Jonathan Besser, co-author of 50 Ideas That Changed the World of Work, to explore how curiosity, leadership, and emotional intelligence shape the future of learning and innovation.From classic frameworks like SWOT and the Eisenhower Matrix to the impact of Black Swans and White Rhinos, the conversation examines how leaders can navigate uncertainty with a growth mindset and foster psychological safetywhere creativity, feedback, and experimentation thrive.Jonathan shares insights on overcoming imposter syndrome, using feedback for growth, and creating emotionally intelligent workplaces that inspire trust and collaboration. Discover how curiosity fuels adaptability in a post-COVID world and why questioning assumptions remains essential for effective leadership and continuous learning.Find out more:Jonathan LinkedInIntrepid Leadership50 Ideas That Changed the World of WorkAbout The Curious AdvantageThe Curious Advantage is available on Amazon and Audible.Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram, and discover more at curiousadvantage.com.The Curious Advantage explores curiosity and its growing importance in the digital age. From history, neuroscience, and anthropology to business and culture, it takes the widest possible view of curiosity. At its heart is the ‘Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’ model, a practical framework to help individuals harness curiosity as a power skill for growth and transformation.The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing by Danny Cross | Video editing by Jessica Wickham. 

Reimagining Education with Ted DintersmithIn this episode of The Curious Advantage, Ted Dintersmith joins Garrick Jones, Paul Ashcroft, and Simon Brown to explore why education — especially how we teach math — must evolve. Ted calls for creativity, curiosity, and real-world relevance in learning, arguing that schools should teach skills that truly matter in today’s AI-driven world.Discover how curiosity can reconnect students to meaning, innovation, and the joy of learning.Learn more: https://www.teddintersmith.com/ https://www.whatschoolcouldbe.org/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-dintersmith-0211985a/ https://www.multiplechoicefilm.com/Keywords: education, math, creativity, AI, learning, reform, curiosity, skills, Ted Dintersmith, schoolAbout The Curious AdvantageThe Curious Advantage is available on Amazon and Audible.Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram, and discover more at curiousadvantage.com.The Curious Advantage explores curiosity and its growing importance in the digital age. From history, neuroscience, and anthropology to business and culture, it takes the widest possible view of curiosity. At its heart is the ‘Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’ model, a practical framework to help individuals harness curiosity as a power skill for growth and transformation.CreditsThe Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing by Danny Cross | Video editing by Jessica Wickham.