EZRA Asks

In this extended episode of EZRA Asks we invited in Vijay Pendakur - a leading thinker on leadership and team dynamics, author of soon-to-be released 'Alchemy of Talent' and a valued member of EZRA's adivsory board. In this two part special, we delve into the topic of whether there really is a formula for high performing teams. We'll talk about topics like team cohesion and performance, diversity, friction and the critical role of leadership.

In September's episode of EZRA Asks, we invited the incredible expertise of Dr Pamela Larde, to join a discussion alongside Professor Jonathan Passmore on the topic of joy and happiness. During the episode we cover topics like current trends and insights, toxic positivity, organisational responsibility, with many tips and insights shared along the way. 

In this month's episode, we invited Mike Sharrock, former CEO of the British Paralympic Association and qualified executive coach, to discuss the world of elite athleticism and purposeful leadership. Mike has worked across the globe in various roles with BP, with his first involvement in the Paralympics coming from their partnership with the games in London in 2012. We discuss a range of thought-provoking topics, such as the social impact of the Paralympic games, our perception of differences, doing purposeful work and building resilience. MAIN EPISODE FINAL

In our fourth episode of EZRA Asks, we invited Haesun Moon, Ph.D., author and educator at the University of Toronto, to discuss communication in the digital age. Haesun is a communication scientist and "pracademic", and cares about people experiencing better conversations at home and at work. In this conversation we explore questions such as, is how we communicate in this digital age in sync or out of tune? What are some of those big communication challenges that we face in the workplace? Are there generational differences that we need to be mindful of? And, how can a single word change a whole conversation?

In our third episode of EZRA Asks, we invited Paul Nevin, Assistant Manager of the England Football team and first-team coach for League 1 club, RC Strasbourg, France, to talk about the crossovers between sports and professional development in the workplace. Paul is a former player himself, and is seen as one of the most respected and widely experienced coaches in the country. We discuss a variety of intriguing questions, such as what are the ingredients of high-performing teams? How can we approach setbacks and learn from failure? How do we make split-second decisions? And how do we recognise and nurture potential in others?

In our second episode of EZRA Asks, we invited Nick Caesar, Head of Senior Leadership Development and Coaching Centre of Expertise at NatWest Group, to have a conversation about hybrid working. Nick is passionate about supporting individuals and organisations to achieve purposeful, inclusive, and sustainable growth. We discuss some of the most talked about questions, such as what have we learned in the last 4 years since many of us were forced to ‘work-from-home’? What mix of home, office, or ‘third’ space working seems to work? What type of people, roles and businesses benefit from hybrid working, and who might not fare so well?

In our first EZRA Asks podcast, we invited Simon Lambert, Chief Learning Officer at Microsoft UK to discuss all things AI and the world of work. Simon is responsible for leading the learning culture and skilling strategy in the UK and driving the execution for customers, partners, employees, and future generation skilling. We discuss the big questions, such as 'Is AI really set to change the world of work, and what does that mean for HR and L&D functions?' and 'As individuals in all roles and functions look to put AI to use, are workplace cultures leading or lagging?'. 00:00:00 - Introduction to Ezra Asks Podcast
00:00:10 - Sinead Keenan's Introduction and AI's Impact on Work
00:01:03 - Guest Introduction: Simon Lambert
00:02:11 - Simon's Take on AI and Technological Moments
00:03:26 - The Superpower of Coaching and Simon's Superpower
00:04:55 - Rapid Fire Questions with Simon
00:06:53 - Simon's Personal Journey with AI
00:07:20 - Organizational Culture and AI
00:09:06 - Advice for L&D Leaders on AI and Culture
00:10:02 - Habit Formation and Change in the Context of AI
00:11:27 - Measuring Learning and Recognizing Learning Moments
00:12:23 - The Role of AI in Enhancing Work
00:13:03 - AI's Impact on Roles and Skills
00:14:23 - Responsible vs. Irresponsible AI Practices
00:15:05 - AI Use Cases for L&D and HR Leaders
00:16:09 - Addressing Skepticism and Concerns Around AI
00:17:12 - Predictions for AI in the Workplace in Five Years
00:19:08 - AI as a Learning Assistant and Skills Valuation
00:20:07 - Final Thoughts and Episode Wrap-up