• Big Bet Leadership Strategies at Amazon with John Rossman E165
    Nov 12 2024

    John Rossman (ex Amazon executive) co-author of the book 'Big Bet Leadership' shares leadership strategies at Amazon.

    We explore the concept of Big Bet Leadership focusing on how to manage high-risk, high-reward business initiatives through creating clarity, maintaining velocity, and accelerating risk and value.

    Rossman shares insights from his time at Amazon, discusses the importance of leadership in complex transformational situations, and addresses common challenges in these scenarios.

    00:00 Introduction

    02:43 Defining Big Bets in Business

    05:31 Challenges and Risks of Big Bets

    10:00 Insights from Amazon's Playbook

    17:15 The Role of Culture in Leadership

    22:03 Critique of the Agile Methodology

    23:55 The Misuse of the Agile Methodology

    24:28 The Overplanning Paradox in Agile

    25:21 High Stakes Meetings: Continue, Kill, Pivot, or Confusion

    26:53 Structuring High Stakes Meetings

    28:45 The What Sucks Memo and Hypothesis

    30:01 Big Bet Vectors and Testing

    33:50 Applying Big Bet Leadership to AI

    36:14 Abolishing Ineffective Meetings

    38:24 The Power of Memos Over PowerPoint

    41:51 Final Thoughts

    John Rossman: www.johnrossman.com

    ⚡️ In each episode, Paddy Dhanda deep dives into a new human Superpower to help you thrive in the age of AI.

    Paddy Dhanda (Host)

    Paddy works at the largest Tech training organisation in the UK and is passionate about helping tech professionals build human skills to thrive in the age of AI.

    Contact Paddy: paddy@superpowers.school

    Subscribe to my newsletter:

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    44 mins
  • How Tony Robbins Firewalks Lead to Personal Growth
    Nov 5 2024

    In this episode, Dave Albin shares his incredible journey from addiction to becoming a key figure in Tony Robbins' organization.

    Dave emphasizes the importance of creating your own story, the value of service to others, and developing crucial human skills in an automated world.

    He recounts his experience with firewalking, his work with celebrities, and how he went on to establish Firewalk Productions.

    He also discusses his philosophies on health, state management, and the significance of purpose and fulfillment in life.

    00:00 Introduction and Philosophy of Happiness

    03:42 Dave's Journey to Sobriety

    04:26 The Life-Changing Firewalk Experience

    14:53 Joining Tony Robbins' Team

    20:53 The Birth of Firewalk Productions

    21:13 A Life-Changing Conversation at Google

    22:04 Leaving Tony Robbins and Starting Anew

    22:34 Corporate America Embraces Firewalk

    23:27 Reflections on Tony Robbins

    25:04 Lessons from Tony Robbins

    32:12 Daily Routines for a Healthy Life

    38:52 The Importance of Quality Water

    41:33 Dave Albin's Firewalk Academy and Nonprofit

    44:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    About Dave Albin

    Dave is the #1 Firewalk Instructor in America. Firewalking is a 1,000 year old rite of passage ritual where you literally walk across hot burning coals. Having worked for Tony Robbins for 19+ years and starting Firewalk Productions in 2014 Dave and his incredible Team have 🔥👣firewalked🔥👣 hundreds of thousands of people. 😃 He and Tony Robbins set a World Record in London in 2005 walking over 12,300 people. His success has a scary and violent past. On June 8th, 1988 he put a gun to his head to stop the excruciating pain from both drug and alcohol addiction. 2024 will mark 36 years of sobriety. 🗣🎙🏆👉 To date: Mr. Albin has been a guest on 150+ podcast shows, with 135+ 5***** star reviews and counting. Dave's clients include Googe, NASA, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Heineken, RE Max, Entrepreneurs Organization (EO), Chick-fil-A, CRISP Video, Mystery Hill, Y.M.C.A., Replace Your University, Tony Robbins, T Harv Eker, NATE BAILEY, The 4-Seasons, The Omni Hotel, The Waldorf Astoria, Waikoloa Hotel, and MANY others.

    ⚡️ In each episode, Paddy Dhanda deep dives into a new human Superpower to help you thrive in the age of AI.

    Paddy Dhanda (Host)

    Paddy works at the largest Tech training organisation in the UK and is passionate about helping tech professionals build human skills to thrive in the age of AI.

    Contact Paddy: paddy@superpowers.school

    Subscribe to my newsletter:

    👉 Newsletter: https://www.superpowers.school/subscribe



    Get full access to Superpowers School at www.superpowers.school/subscribe
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    45 mins
  • 7 Tips on How to Grow on LinkedIn in 2024
    Oct 29 2024

    Are you making the most of LinkedIn to build your personal brand and connect with your audience?

    In this episode, we dive deep into leveraging LinkedIn for personal and professional growth with insights from Gus Bhandal, a top LinkedIn trainer.

    We explore:

    * The power of personal branding

    * The art of authentic storytelling

    * SEO optimisation

    * Balancing personal and professional content creation

    Discover tips for maximizing post engagement, unlocking the algorithm, and spotlighting your unique identity in a world increasingly influenced by AI.

    00:00 Introduction

    01:02 Exploring Coventry with Gus

    04:39 The Power of Personal Branding

    11:48 Optimising Your LinkedIn Profile

    18:50 The Importance of Brand Colors

    20:50 Maximising Your LinkedIn Profile's About Section

    24:00 SEO Strategies for LinkedIn Profiles

    25:29 Creating Engaging LinkedIn Content

    32:44 The Importance of Outbound Engagement on LinkedIn

    35:30 Understanding LinkedIn Post Formats

    38:33 Final Tips

    Gus Bhandal - The UK’s Number One LinkedIn Trainer*

    *according to my mum

    I help business owners and corporate teams with marketing strategy, LinkedIn training, consultancy, and implementation.

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mguruuk/

    Website: https://www.themguru.co.uk/

    ⚡️ In each episode, Paddy Dhanda deep dives into a new human Superpower to help you thrive in the age of AI.

    Paddy Dhanda (Host)

    Paddy works at the largest Tech training organisation in the UK and is passionate about helping tech professionals build human skills to thrive in the age of AI.

    Contact Paddy: paddy@superpowers.school

    Subscribe to my newsletter:

    👉 Newsletter: https://www.superpowers.school/subscribe



    Get full access to Superpowers School at www.superpowers.school/subscribe
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    46 mins
  • Brain Techniques to Memorise Anything E162
    Oct 22 2024

    Have you ever wondered how you can significantly improve your memory recall and retention? In this episode, we'll cover a variety of techniques, from the Memory Palace to mind mapping, and explore the impact of visual imagery, novelty, and spaced repetition in making information stick.

    I’m joined by Andy Gray who has been refining these techniques for many years and has combined them with graphic recording to help things stick.

    Andy conducts a live demo of one of these techniques to help me remember 10 random objects. I have to say, it works!!!

    00:00 Introduction to Memory Techniques

    00:56 The Power of Memory

    01:18 Understanding Memory and Aphantasia

    03:25 Focus and Pattern Interrupts

    04:46 Visualisation Techniques

    06:54 Novelty and Memory

    11:37 Encoding Numbers and Images

    15:27 Practical Applications of Memory Techniques

    19:35 Advanced Memory Techniques

    29:48 Effective Presentation Tips

    43:16 Connecting to Yourself

    43:44 Building a Network of Faces and Places

    45:58 Creating Impactful Stories

    47:35 Practicing and Presenting with Confidence

    50:16 Unlocking the Power of Dyslexic Memory

    54:10 The Number Rhyme System

    56:09 Applying the Number Rhyme System

    01:07:32 Recalling and Reinforcing Memory

    01:12:23 Final Thoughts

    Andy Gray

    Andy Gray is an editorial and book illustrator and graphic recorder (public sketchnoter on big sheets of paper) and curious consultant, who has spent his life helping and training others, from smaller settings to huge gatherings. Seeking to uncover the potential in humans, one of his great personal discoveries was the power of memory and how remembering is at the heart of many skills. Believing he had been called ‘stupid’ by his teachers in primary school causing his grades to nose-dive, and at A level receiving a prestigious 2 u’s and an X, (that’s 'unclassified' and 'didn’t turn up') he went on to learn how to learn and think, and receive two degrees in theology. He now incorporates memory skills, techniques, and how brains work into his art, consultancy, and graphic recording work. And is passionate about unlocking the potential in every human.

    Being autistic himself, his greatest joy is helping those who are neuro-divergent discover their own super-powers.

    As part of his work he is looking to help keynote speakers deliver without using notes, and connect with their audience with greater impact.

    He lives in Somerset with his family, cycles, climbs, and gets to be an artist who lives on a farm.

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/onegraydot/

    Website: https://onegraydot.com/superpowers

    ⚡️ In each episode, Paddy Dhanda deep dives into a new human Superpower to help you thrive in the age of AI.

    Paddy Dhanda (Host)

    Paddy works at the largest Tech training organisation in the UK and is passionate about helping tech professionals build human skills to thrive in the age of AI.

    Contact Paddy: paddy@superpowers.school

    Subscribe to my newsletter:

    👉 Newsletter: https://www.superpowers.school/subscribe



    Get full access to Superpowers School at www.superpowers.school/subscribe
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Don't Pitch, Be An Intentional Communicator E161
    Oct 15 2024

    I speak to Martin Barnes, an expert in 'intentional communication,' which encompasses pitching, presenting, and public speaking. Martin emphasizes the importance of storytelling in presentations and shares his transformative experience living in China, which taught him cultural similarities and differences.

    We delve into the challenges and opportunities posed by AI in communication. Martin offers actionable advice for introverts at networking events and presents a simple yet effective framework for crafting impactful presentations.

    00:00 Introduction

    01:03 Intentional Communication: A New Approach

    04:20 The Journey to China

    06:00 Cultural Revelations and Similarities

    12:10 The Impact of AI on Communication

    27:37 The Hidden Costs of AI

    28:06 Sensationalism in AI Media

    29:24 Navigating Emotional Responses to AI

    30:15 The Power of Social Objects in Networking

    31:16 Advice for Introverts on Small Talk

    36:47 Effective Presentation Structures

    39:27 The Art of Storytelling in Presentations

    47:40 Analog Tools for Digital Presentations

    52:28 Resources for Effective Public Speaking

    54:21 Final Thoughts

    Martin Barnes

    The one piece of advice I want to share with every ambitious founder. The biggest insight from my 23 years pitching advertising campaigns to Mercedes, VW, and Nike.vHosting +150 PitchClub events.Coaching CEOs at tech companies and working with dozens of accelerators, helping founders at all levelspitch.vSee your pitch as a conversation.vShare the right pages of your bigger story at the right time with the people in front of you.vPitch to start a conversation. I learnt this form 8 years working in the UK. 16 years working in China. On projects in advertising, film, events, branding, design and startups. And 6 years crocodile wrestling. Martin Barnes Founder of 8 Seconds 2 Connect-pitch coach.

    Links:

    Horse racing analogy / 1-page pitch

    The original research paper

    Martin’s slide summary of the research paper

    Martin’s LinkedIn

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinbarnespresentations/

    Are you getting ROI from speaking at conferences?

    ⚡️ In each episode, Paddy Dhanda deep dives into a new human Superpower to help you thrive in the age of AI.

    Paddy Dhanda (Host)

    Paddy works at the largest Tech training organisation in the UK and is passionate about helping tech professionals build human skills to thrive in the age of AI.

    Contact Paddy: paddy@superpowers.school

    Subscribe to my newsletter:

    👉 Newsletter: https://www.superpowers.school/subscribe



    Get full access to Superpowers School at www.superpowers.school/subscribe
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    57 mins
  • What is the Metaverse? E160
    Oct 8 2024

    Do you wear glasses? Were you or someone you knew ever called 4 eyes? I used to get that phrase thrown at me all the time. There was a time when wearing glasses wasn’t so cool.

    But what if we could integrate technology into our specs? What if they could give us new superpowers and a new perspective on how we interact and engage with the world?

    I’m joined by Bianca Spada, who works at Meta and part of the team behind Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses. We explore everything from what is the Metaverse, how the Metaverse represents the next communication revolution, the challenges tackled by Meta's ambitious projects, and the blend of fashion with cutting-edge tech.

    00:00 Introduction to the Metaverse

    02:32 Bianca's Journey: From Struggles to Success

    04:00 The Power of Social Media

    05:52 Overcoming Dyslexia in the Tech World

    07:28 Creating Viral Content

    11:23 Working at Meta: Insights and Experiences

    13:13 Understanding the Metaverse

    19:32 Ray-Ban Meta: A Revolutionary Partnership

    30:13 The Future of AI and Technology

    40:38 Final Thoughts

    Biance Spada - Social Media & Creators Lead at Meta

    Digital expert with 12 years experience delivering successful online strategies and global campaigns for some of the world’s leading companies. I focus on driving visibility and driving ROI online for brands and public figures. I thrive under pressure and have a proven record of delivery, radically turning around performance and generating 3-figure growth within 12 months.

    LinkedIn

    ⚡️ In each episode, Paddy Dhanda deep dives into a new human Superpower to help you thrive in the age of AI.

    Paddy Dhanda (Host)

    Paddy works at the largest Tech training organisation in the UK and is passionate about helping tech professionals build human skills to thrive in the age of AI.

    Contact Paddy: paddy@superpowers.school

    Subscribe to my newsletter:

    👉 Newsletter: https://www.superpowers.school/subscribe



    Get full access to Superpowers School at www.superpowers.school/subscribe
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    43 mins
  • Inclusive Language in Technology: Designing for All Users E159
    Oct 1 2024

    Have you ever considered how the language we use might be outdated and full of hidden biases? I explore the topic of inclusive language with Dr Suzanne Wertheim, a former professor of linguistics and linguistic anthropology, who now consults on inclusive language in the workplace.

    We explore the importance of updating our language systems to align with today's norms and etiquette, and how thoughtful communication can foster inclusivity.

    Suzanne shares her background, top principles for inclusive language, and real-world examples of how nuanced language choices can make or break business interactions.

    Tune in to discover practical strategies and the underlying patterns that can transform your approach to communication.

    00:00 Introduction: The Need for Language Upgrade

    01:34 Suzanne Wertheim's Background in Linguistics

    02:57 Networking Tips and Inclusive Language

    06:06 The Importance of Inclusive Language in the Workplace

    06:23 Understanding Linguistics and Social Patterns

    08:39 Navigating Gender and Language

    12:39 Practical Tips for Inclusive Language

    16:18 Challenges in Gender-Neutral Language

    18:41 Public Facing Roles and Gender Sensitivity

    20:54 Gendered Language in Hollywood

    21:27 Visual Representation of Gender

    21:56 Mental Models and Gender Bias

    23:00 Principles of Inclusive Language

    24:11 Challenges in Implementing Inclusive Language

    25:11 Universal Principles for Inclusive Language

    27:32 Language and Cognitive Bias

    29:44 AI and Ethical Concerns

    34:09 Impact of Language in Tech Industry

    37:13 Final Thoughts

    Guest: Dr. Suzanne Wertheim

    Dr. Suzanne Wertheim is an international expert in inclusive language.

    After getting her Ph.D. in Linguistics from Berkeley, she held faculty positions at Northwestern, University of Maryland, and UCLA. In 2011, she left the university system in order to apply her expertise to real-world problems.

    Dr. Wertheim uses science to identify and correct problematic language that hurts business. Global clients call on her for keynotes, workshops, customized video courses, and consulting. Dr. Wertheim’s book, The Inclusive Language Field Guide, was published in 2023.

    ⚡️ In each episode, Paddy Dhanda deep dives into a new human Superpower to help you thrive in the age of AI.

    Paddy Dhanda (Host)

    Paddy works at the largest Tech training organisation in the UK and is passionate about helping tech professionals build human skills to thrive in the age of AI.

    Contact Paddy: paddy@superpowers.school

    Subscribe to my newsletter:

    👉 Newsletter: https://www.superpowers.school/subscribe



    Get full access to Superpowers School at www.superpowers.school/subscribe
    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
  • What is Product Design? Eli Woolery Stanford D.School Lecturer E158
    Sep 24 2024
    In a world driven by innovation and creativity, product design has emerged as a crucial field influencing everything from consumer products to the digital tools we use daily. But what exactly is product design, and how does it differ from traditional approaches to problem-solving? I had the pleasure of exploring these topics through a conversation with Eli Woolery, a lecturer at Stanford University and co-host of the podcast Design Better, along with his insights on design thinking and the impact of AI on the design process.Here's what I learned from Eli's journey and insights, from the origins of human-centered design to the future of product design in an AI-driven world.The Origins and Essence of Product DesignEli's path into product design wasn’t linear. As a child, he dreamt of becoming a "dinosaur dentist"—inspired by watching paleontologists carefully dig up dinosaur bones using dental tools. Though Eli didn’t end up cleaning T. Rex's teeth, his curiosity about how things work led him to product design, a discipline that blends art and engineering to create solutions that meet human needs.Product design goes far beyond aesthetics. It's about understanding people—how they use products and what challenges they face—and then designing solutions with empathy at the core. This is where Stanford’s human-centered design approach comes into play. Eli teaches something called design thinking, a method that helps to reframe difficult, often ambiguous problems by putting the human experience at the centre of the process.As Eli puts it, design thinking "arises when the challenge is more ambiguous... it’s all about framing the right problem."💡 3 Key Product Design PrinciplesHere are three important principles Eli shared that are fundamental to understanding product design:1️⃣ Embrace CuriosityCuriosity is not just a trait but a superpower in product design. Eli explained how asking questions, observing, and being curious about human behaviour forms the backbone of the process. Whether it's through interviews or simply watching people interact with products in their daily lives, curiosity leads to insights that drive better design.2️⃣ Reframe the ProblemSometimes the initial challenge is not the real challenge. Eli shared a powerful case study from Nepal where the design team set out to tackle infant mortality by creating affordable incubators. What they discovered upon visiting Nepal was that the hospitals already had plenty of incubators—the real problem was getting premature babies to the hospital in time. This led to the development of Embrace, a portable option that saved lives.3️⃣ Prototype and IterateOne of the biggest takeaways is to test early and often. By creating low-fidelity prototypes (even simple wireframes or paper sketches), designers can quickly get feedback from users. Eli shared anecdotes about how small changes in prototypes—like switching from a thermometer to a binary "too hot/too cold" indicator—can lead to big shifts in the effectiveness of a product.How AI is Shaping the Future of Product DesignCan AI help with creativity, or is it a looming threat? According to Eli, the answer lies somewhere in between. On the one hand, AI tools are allowing designers to experiment and build things faster than ever before. You can ask a tool like ChatGPT to whip up an app interface or generate interview questions in a matter of seconds. There’s Galileo, a tool that lets you create a basic app or website using text prompts.But there's a risk. AI can hallucinate—return responses that make no sense in the real world. Moreover, relying too much on AI in the early stages of design could make designers miss smaller, valuable insights that emerge from thinking through problems manually.Eli highlights that while AI speeds up some tasks, it may also cause people to skip crucial aspects of the design process where real innovation happens. You can learn more about the intersection of humans and AI in this excellent episode.Could AI Replace Product Designers?Whenever we discuss AI, the question pops up: will AI eventually replace whole professions? Eli’s take is nuanced. Yes, AI can drastically change product design, but it’s more about enhancing capabilities than replacing them.He likens it to having an excellent but flawed intern—a tool that can rapidly generate ideas but still requires human oversight. In the short term, AI might remove some mundane tasks from a designer's plate, such as generating interview questions or drafting basic design elements. But for more complex problem-solving and creative thought, human intuition will continue to be invaluable.Product design is more than crafting sleek objects; it’s about solving real human problems with empathy, curiosity, and creativity. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, understanding these principles will help you excel in today’s dynamic world of design. And in an age where AI tools...
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    35 mins