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Dan Smolen interviews Debra Olshan Cooper to discover how personal storytelling builds brilliant careers.

Debra is the founder and principal of Your Career Design Lab. She empowers people new to the workplace and not, to find and do the work of their dreams.

What is more, by leveraging mindfulness and neurolinguistic programming (NLP) techniques, Debra poses questions which get to the heart of her clients’ career journeys:

“What were you doing when you were truly happy, when you felt joy, when you felt passion? Let’s go back to that space!”

In a wide ranging discussion, Debra:

• Summarizes the value proposition of Your Design Career Lab. Starts at 4:05
• Illustrates how she engages with careerists who seek her guidance. Starts at 9:04
• Responds to the widespread problem of career exploration as an afterthought. Starts at 14:17
• Describes how she employs mindfulness to get her clients grounded and centered. Starts at 20:27
• Discusses how effective storytelling answers the question: who are you? Starts at 35:16

Personal storytelling builds brilliant careers and helps people to live joyful, purposeful lives.

Main podcast segment starts at 3:01

About our guest:

Before founding Your Career Design Lab, Debra Olshan Cooper enjoyed a successful career in public relations, marketing communications, and business development. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Journalism at New York University. Debra lives and works near Miami, Florida.

EPISODE DATE: March 25, 2022

Social media:

– LinkedIn

– Instagram

– Twitter

– Website

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:49 — 42.9MB)

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Dan Smolen interviews author Hana Ben-Shabat. She illustrates how the future of work is Generation Z.

Hana is the author of Gen Z 360: Preparing for the Inevitable Change in Culture, Work, and Commerce. And, to tell the generation’s story, she gleaned considerable insight from a large sampling of the cohort.

This much is evident: Gen Z is changing every aspect of life and work. And, the oldest among them, people in their early 20s, are positively shaping the future of work and the workplace.

In a wide ranging discussion, Hana:

• Describes her firm, Gen Z Planet, and its unique value to clients and prospects. Starts at 4:28
• Offers key insight she learned in writing her book about Generation Z. Starts at 5:28
• Contrasts Generation Z from the Millennials and other demographic cohorts through the lens of events. Starts at 9:11
• Provides examples of how forward thinking companies are engaging Gen Z workers. Starts at 17:24
• Explains Gen Z’s “high tech, high touch” engagement preferences and how managers can lead them to achieve successful work outcomes. Starts at 21:03
• Illustrates how Gen Z will change the workplace. Starts at 37:34

Gen Z workers thrive in what Hana describes as “high tech, high touch” environments. And, on the job, their motivations may seem contradictory: they seek financial success, recognition, and autonomy. However, they also seek intentional leadership from their bosses. According to Hana:

“The leaders of the future are going to be successful when they show empathy and compassion.”

The future of work is Generation Z. Yes, they will turn the workplace upside down. But everyone who works will benefit from better career experiences and outcomes.

About our guest:

Hana Ben-Shabat is the founder Gen Z Planet. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Tel Aviv University and an MBA from the Rotterdam School of Management at Erasmus University. She lives and works in New York City.

EPISODE DATE: March 18, 2022

Social media:

– LinkedIn

– Instagram

– Twitter

– Website

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:36 — 59.9MB)

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Dan Smolen explores future work recruitment with Russell White.

Russell is a veteran executive recruiter who is based in London.

For years, he supported candidate development for top brands in digital marketing, insights, and social media.

But, in the wake of the pandemic, Russell remade and rebranded his firm as Future Work.

Now, along with core executive search services offered, Future Work partners with Pimento to help enterprising talent join a community of professionals. As Future Work members, people acquire skill and knowledge that they need to find and do meaningful, purposeful work.

In a wide ranging discussion, Russell:

• Describes the transformation of his recruitment firm to Future Work. Starts at 4:21
• Explains the meaning of Future Work. Starts at 10:05
• Conveys his brand’s WHY, and the sense of community enjoyed by members. Starts at 16:33
• Advocates for the role of professional leadership. Starts at 21:49
• Speaks to his role as an avatar for candidates and community members that he wants to attract to Future Work. Starts at 35:16

In stating the value of future work recruitment, Russell says:

“Our whole proposition of Future Work, what we want to do, is to create a recruitment company with purpose.”

About our guest:

Russell White has been an executive recruiter for most of his professional career. Yet, he is also widely known around the globe as “Retro Russ,” presenting 1970s Disco music on Delite Radio. Russell earned a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Business Studies from Middlesex University. He lives and works in London, England.

EPISODE DATE: March 11, 2022

Social media:

– LinkedIn

– Twitter

– Website

– Delite Radio (Retro Russ)

– MixCloud (Retro Russ)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:20 — 49.9MB)

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Dan Smolen explores the emergence of a human and adaptive workplace with Rodney Evans.

Rodney is the host and executive producer of the Brave New Work Podcast. What is more, she leads The Ready which helps companies become more human and adaptive.

Out of the pandemic, we begin to recognize a future of work that is less about co-locations and siloes and more about recognizing and leading talent. And of the shift, Rodney says:

“At [their] core level, human beings want to contribute, they want meaning in their work, and they [are able] to change.”

In a wide ranging discussion, Rodney:

• Summarizes the value propositions of the Brave New Work Podcast and her consultancy, The Ready. Starts at 4:04
• Explains the “it’s the aquarium, not the fish” conundrum facing head count managers who struggle to hire and reward professionals. Starts at 6:39
• Describes executive leadership changes needed in the future of work. Starts at 8:57
• Provides a real time example of how leadership can empower professional talent. Starts at 11:15
• Envisions a novel role for human resources to positively impact the future of work. Starts at 25:40

A human and adaptive workplace helps to ensure that professional talent thrive in the future of work.

About our guest:

Rodney Evans received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Syracuse University. Earlier in her career, Rodney served companies in senior executive roles, positively impacting their human resources and organizational development. She lives and works in Durham, North Carolina.

EPISODE DATE: March 4, 2022