Interview Highlights 2022
On Curiosity and Trust
In an era of rapid change and transformation, companies need a solid foundation. A dynamic company culture provides just that. Company cultures that enable innovation and successfully accommodate an agile workforce share two important attributes. They support people’s natural drive to learn; and they provide people with a sense of trust – which empowers employees to stretch their comfort zones. Stefaan van Hooydonk and Stephen M.R. Covey share their passion and expertise about fostering a future-ready company culture with Michael Wiederstein.
“I’ve always been interested in the reasons for and the roots of curiosity, and getAbstract has some exciting titles in the library. But Stefaan van Hooydonk is an exceptional newcomer. He comes from the business world and writes for the business world, but not with the usual and often rather dull focus on ‘How do I make people curious so that the performance is right?’ Van Hooydonk demonstrates an intrinsic interest in the topic, which comes through in our conversation (and the book).” – Michael Wiederstein
“The pandemic and the subsequent shift to a hybrid workplace highlighted the importance of trust as a pillar of successful collaboration. When people no longer share office space together and rarely get to see each other in person, something important gets lost. As a leader, extending trust to inspire others is the most stimulating lubricant of professional life, trust specialist Stephen M.R. Covey explained to me. The conversation was truly inspiring.” – Michael Wiederstein
Becoming Smart on AI and Big Data
Given the exponential availability of data, businesses need ways to make sense of it, to separate the weed from the chaff and to extract the relevant data points that will move the business forward. Caryn Hunt talked to two experts addressing this daunting subject.
“My conversation with Chris Surdak was eye-opening to me in terms of how companies should think about transitioning to AI-driven processes. Chris explains how, when implementing AI, organizations have to think very big and very minutely at the same time about how the technology will be most effective. He also recommends launching a number of AI projects at once rather than experimenting with one at a time.” – Caryn Hunt
Related Summaries in getAbstract’s Library
“Jeff Desjardins found a way to take incredibly complicated data – 27 global trends – and turn it into visual information that’s easy to grasp and absorb. In a world of too much information – and much of it irrelevant – Jeff found a way to identify ‘signals’ amid the noise. His infographics are created from carefully vetted information and meant to provide a factual basis from which people can draw conclusions and form opinions.” – Caryn Hunt
On Finding Alignment with Your Core Values
We live in a world full of conflicting demands. We are drawn into all kinds of different directions – so much so that we risk losing our way. You may wake up one day and find that the career ambitions you’ve been pursuing don’t jibe with your personal values. Or you may suddenly find yourself embroiled in an ethical conflict and wonder what led you to ignore your moral conscience. In conversations with Sara Küpfer, two experts shared their insights on how to find and stay aligned with your core values.
“Big scandals like the ones that brought down Enron and Theranos always leave me wondering: What is leading smart people down the wrong path? While a range of factors can make people ignore their inner moral compass, Wharton School professor G. Richard Shell stresses that we all have that compass inside us.” – Sara Küpfer
“According to meditation expert Giovanni Dienstmann, the ‘mindfulness’ aspect of ‘Mindful Self-Discipline’ refers to your ability to monitor your actions and keep them aligned with your values and aspirations. In my wide-ranging conversation with Dienstmann, I particularly enjoyed our deep-dive into the nuanced differences of the various meditation styles. If you’ve ever wondered what meditation technique might be right for you, check out the interview.” – Sara Küpfer
On behalf of the getAbstract Journal team, we hope that you’ve enjoyed reading our expert interviews as much as we’ve enjoyed conducting them. Perhaps you have a different favorite? Explore all our expert interviews here.
