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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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 42:48 — 58.8MB)

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Dan Smolen asks internationally recognized Corporate Diva Dipika Trehan: will women lead future work?

A self-described “philanthrepreneur,” Dipika promotes the health, wellness, and professional success of women across the globe.

Her brands, the H.O.W. Forum and Corporate Diva, work across many verticals of holistic employee well-being and female empowerment. As Dipika explains:

“Women are looking for two things which they don’t deservingly receive: one is dignity of labor and the other is respect.”

In a wide-ranging discussion, Dipika:

• Describes her personal and professional background, the H.O.W. [Health of Women] Forum, and Corporate Diva. Starts at 4:26
• Digs into research about the challenges facing professional women. Starts at 9:30
• Supports the promise of women in the workforce. Starts at 14:43
• Explains why the workplace needs more women leaders. Starts at 15:39
• Offers reasons why “Male Samaritans” should support professional women. Starts at 23:05

Will women lead future work? We contend that it is a likely outcome.

About our guest:

Dipika Trehan earned a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from Lady Irwin College New Delhi and an MBA from the Institute of Management Technology Ghaziabad. She is an ET Now Top Global Diversity and Inclusion Leader (2020) and alumna of the Innovation in Women’s Health Program, Mashav (Israel). Dipika lives and works in Bangalore, India.

EPISODE DATE: February 25, 2022

Social media:

– LinkedIn

– Website

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:02 — 45.4MB)

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Dan Smolen discusses mastering the digital workplace with podcaster Neil Miller.

He helps careerists to make sense of digital workplace innovations, to be truly intentional in the future of work.

Neil calls himself a “thought stealer.” Actually, he is a best-practices synthesizer. Neil helps people and companies to succeed in the digital workplace.

What is more, his journey through life and career is unusual. With a college degree in religious studies, Neil moved to India. There, he supported top clients with content development. His dazzling experiences living and working there shaped his thought-leadership.

In a wide ranging discussion, Neil:

• Describes his work and the value proposition of The Digital Workplace. Starts at 4:15
• Takes us through his adventurous move to India, to live and work. Starts at 5:06
• Summarizes the 5 Levels of a Digital Workplace. Starts at 10:20
• Supports how untraditional life and work experiences foster future work leadership. Starts at 20:21
• Discusses how perpetual learning impacts workforce professionals. Starts at 22:35
• Relates the core skills he hopes to see scale in the workplace. Starts at 26:44

Mastering the digital workplace. It is critical for success in the future of work.

About our guest:

Neil Miller earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Lincoln Christian University. He lives and works in Indianapolis, Indiana.

EPISODE DATE: February 18, 2022

Social media:

– LinkedIn

– Podcast

– Website

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:30 — 59.8MB)

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Dan Smolen discusses workplace trends for 2022 with Kettle’s Dan Rosenzweig.

Most notably, Dan explains two trends this year with the biggest workplace impact: the clubhouse as the office and pop-up venues for work.

On one hand, clubhouses enable professional talent to gather safely and with engagement. On the other, pop-up venues allow companies to reassemble team members in laboratory-like settings. Pop-ups help people re-learn people skills and test out new leadership models.

In a wide ranging interview, Dan:

• Describes the clubhouse as the office model. Starts at 4:48
• Summarizes insight gathered from Kettle’s research. Starts at 12:24
• Discusses the Great Resignation and how pop-up space can be used to empower people at work. Starts at 15:30
• Explains how Human Resources or HR can be used to foster team leadership in intentional workplaces. Starts at 27:09

The workplace trends for 2022 signal a bright future of work.

About our guest:

Dan Rosenzweig earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and History from Vanderbilt University. Prior to co-founding Kettle, he worked for other co-working providers. Dan lives and works in the suburbs of New York City.

EPISODE DATE: February 11, 2022

Social media:

– Facebook

– LinkedIn

– Twitter

– Website

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:17 — 47.2MB)

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Dan Smolen and podcast guest Achim Nowak delve into the Fourth Act Career.

In his first career act, Achim was a successful New York City-based theatrical director who, as a workaholic, sought perfection.

But a vision of a white house on a tropical island soon captivated his dreams.

Achim’s dreamy vision turned into reality. He found that white house on the tropical island of Tobago and moved in. As a result, he left the stage and his life in New York City. While on Tobago, Achim became an accomplished windsurfer.

But later on, needing a steady income, Achim moved back to New York to become a mediator. And that professional experience pivoted him to next act work that included helping CEOs and other C-suite executives, to:

“Show up with relaxed authority and amplify [their] personal influence for great success.”

Now, into his fourth act career, Achim has added to his résumé joyful work experiences. He is host and executive producer of the My Fourth Act Podcast; Achim interviews a wide array of professionals who, in their fourth career acts, do the work of their dreams. And, during 2021, he interviewed me on his podcast about my fourth act.

In an engaging and wide-ranging podcast discussion, Achim:

• Describes the My Fourth Act Podcast and the work he does for senior executives. Starts at 5:14
• Relives his first, second and third career acts. Starts at 7:34
• Explains how his career in theater as a director impacts his current work with corporate executives. Starts at 14:39
• Discusses the experiential commonalities that bubble up amongst his fourth act guests. Starts at 16:23
• Illustrates a day in the life of his fourth act. Starts at 21:49
• Takes us through what he believes Generation Z and the cohorts that follow may find profound and meaningful about the future of work. Starts at 29:02

This we know: the fourth act career is quite often personally satisfying and professionally fulfilling.

About our guest:

Achim Nowak earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Theater Arts from the George Washington University, and, a Masters of Arts in Organizational Psychology and International Relations from New York University. He lives and works in Hollywood, Florida.

EPISODE DATE: February 4, 2022

Social media:

– Facebook

– Instagram

– LinkedIn

– Podcast

– Episode 23: The Beauty of a Side Hustle (with guest Dan Smolen)

– Website

– Published Work

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:44 — 53.3MB)

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Dan Smolen discusses employee experience and future work with Professor Diane Gayeski.

Professor Gayeski teaches Strategic Communications at Ithaca College’s Park School of Communications. What is more, she is a noted thought-leader in employee experience or EX.

In the future of work, EX is a linchpin for people to find and do meaningful work.

In a wide ranging podcast interview, Professor Gayeski:

• Defines employee experience or EX. Starts at 4:07
• Discusses management by objectives (MBO) and the pivot to more talent-driven success outcomes. Starts at 6:49
• Contrasts tangible and intangible assets and their importance in the workplace. Starts at 18:47
• Digs into how members of the Gen Z cohort will approach work. Starts at 22:20
• Describes citizenship behaviors and their benefit to workforce professionals. Starts at 27:10

The connection between employee experience and future work is critical. To that end, Professor Gayeski believes that:

“employee experience has to be very carefully designed so that we don’t get to yet another version of management by objectives cranking out performance.”

About our guest:

Professor Diane Gayeski is Dean Emerita of Ithaca College’s Park School of Communications; currently, she teaches Strategic Communications at the school. Diane earned a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Ithaca College and a Ph.D. in Education and Communications from the University of Maryland. She lives and works in Ithaca, New York.

EPISODE DATE: January 28, 2022

Social media:

– LinkedIn

– Putting employee experience on the balance sheet (October 11, 2021)

– Twitter

– Website

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:11 — 69.0MB)

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Dan Smolen discusses a startup parent’s workplace culture fix with entrepreneur and podcaster Sarah K. Peck.

Sarah is the CEO and founder of Start Up Parent and host of the popular Start Up Parent Podcast.

As a former start up executive, and the mom of two young children, Sarah is leading the charge to improve start-up business environments. To that end, she wants start-up enterprises to become as innovative in workplace culture as they are in technological advancement. Sarah truly is impacting the future of work for noble purpose. 

In a wide ranging interview, Sarah:

• Introduces Start Up Parent and its value to workforce professionals. Starts at 4:17
• Recalls her career journey as a start-up executive and chief corporate storyteller. Starts at 5:54
• Discusses how “frenetic” start-ups impede cultural innovation at work. Starts at 8:58
• Offers insight on how to change the narrative to make start-ups a better place for parents to work. Starts at 17:48
• Provides a personal account of being a business professional and mom. Starts at 34:17
• Describes the kinds of questions working parents should ask to further their future work goals. Starts at 43:12

Sarah’s startup parent’s workplace culture fix helps this space become more hospitable.

About our guest:

Sarah K. Peck earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Biology from Denison University and a Masters of Arts in Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning from the University of Pennsylvania. She lives and works outside of New York City.

EPISODE DATE: January 21, 2022

Social media:

– Website

– Start Up Parent Podcast

– LinkedIn

– Instagram

– TikTok

– Twitter

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:03 — 61.9MB)

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Dan Smolen discusses Myers Briggs and the Great Resignation with expert Edythe Richards.

As 2022 begins, an estimated 20 million American workers opted for the Great Resignation. With such an unprecedented exit of active workforce members, we wondered about the correlation between Myers Briggs Type Indicators and the Great Resignation.

To help guide us through this critical discussion, we bring back Edythe Richards. Edythe is a world-renowned Myers Briggs expert who helps people discover their Myers Briggs Type. With such insight, people benefit greatly in their lives and careers.

In this episode, Edythe:

• Provides a quick review of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator. Starts at 4:27
• Explains how Myers Briggs insights factor into the Great Resignation. Starts at 6:29
• Offers five factors that motivate people in the Great Resignation. Starts at 12:53
• Discusses the loss of people skill and the need for workplace remediation to create new team leadership outcomes. Starts at 30:50
• Describes how the pandemic changed perceptions of MBTI. Starts at 38:29

Understanding Myers Briggs and the Great Resignation can help people to uncover key career sticking points.

And, among the factors affecting people in the workplace is boredom. Similarly, Edythe says that:

“Boredom is one of the clearest signs that [you are] in a career or a workplace that doesn’t suit your personality.”

About our guest:

Edythe Richards received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delaware and a Masters of Arts degree in Counseling from Seton Hall University. Her nationally recognized career counseling consultancy, A Top Career, is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia.

EPISODE DATE: January 14, 2022

Social media:

– Website

– EQ at Work Podcast

– Myers Briggs Question Corner Podcast

– LinkedIn Page