'We live in the most Generationally Diverse Demographic' (Rebecca Robins).

Unfortunately, generational differences are often seen as a source of problems - sometimes misunderstood, and exaggerated by social media..

However, what would happen if we saw Generational Differences as Opportunities instead of Issues?

This is precisely the topic of the book 'Five Generations at Work: How We Win Together, For Good' by Rebeca Robins and Patrick Dunne.

In the 30th episode of the Leadership 2.0 podcast, I interview Rebeca Robins and Patrick Dunne about 'Maximising the business opportunity of generational diversity'

During our conversation, we discussed the following topics:

• Are generational differences real?
• Friction Points and Stereotypes
• Respect between Generations
• Turning Generational Labels into Generational Lenses
• Using Generational Lenses to gain a Competitive Advantage
• Are Family Companies ahead of Publicly Traded Companies?
• Generational Differences and Brand Relevance
• Ageism, Social Tension, and having 'an Africa Strategy'
• Do younger Generations want to Learn from older ones?
• Next Generation Boards versus Focus Groups
• Final Thoughts

► About Rebeca Robins

Rebecca Robins is a global advisor and expert in brands, leadership and cultures of excellence, also advising on inter-generational collaboration in the five generational workplace. Her work spans leading brands and organisations across the world, including: AstraZeneca, British Airways, Burberry, HUGO BOSS, LEGO, LVMH, Reuters, alongside Universities, founder and family businesses. Rebecca is the author of two industry-leading books on brands and culture, and also writes for numerous leading publications. A postgraduate of Cambridge University, Rebecca is ever at the intersection of education and industry as lecturer and programme advisor, and is a Board Trustee at The EY Foundation.

► About Patrick Dunne

Patrick Dunne is an experienced Chair with extensive experience of working with boards in Europe, Africa, Asia and North America. Currently Chair of board consultancy Boardelta and the charities the Royal Voluntary Service and ESSA- Education Sub Saharan Africa.
He gained this experience with Air Products and FTSE100 3i Group plc where he was Communications Director, a member of its Operating Committee and Chairman of its Operational Risk forum.
Patrick is author of the award-winning book “Boards” and co-author of "Five Generations at Work", a member of the Higgs Review and Visiting Professor at Cranfield University.
He also has extensive experience of developing social enterprises, most notably with Leap Confronting Conflict, the EY Foundation and Warwick in Africa.
Patrick was awarded an OBE in the Kings Honours list in 2023 for services to charity and philanthropy in Africa and the UK.

► 'The Book: Five Generations at Work - How We Win Together, For Good'

https://www.amazon.com/Five-Generations-Work-Together-Good/dp/139425220X

Any questions or comments? Press this link and send me a message!

In many organizations Learning & Development (L&D) is seen as a 'Nice to Have'. Unfortunately, this is often reflected their (bland) L&D offerings, which, more often than not, are generic and fail to address the strategic issues organizations need to address

However, what would happen if organizations truly would treat Learning & Development as a strategic instrument?

In the 29th episode of the Leadership 2.0 podcast, I interview Nick van Dam about 'The Strategic Value of Learning & Development'.

During our conversation, we discussed the following topics:

• Where Nick’s interest in Learning & Development (L&D) stems from
• How Nick put L&D on the map of McKinsey and Deloitte
• How to link L&D to business strategy
• How to determine the ROI of L&D
• If L&D efforts should be limited to Soft Skills
• A strength-based approach to L&D
• The implications of Generational Differences for L&D
• Has the role of L&D changed over the years?
• What world class L&D organizations look like
• Nick’s latest book: 'The Best Version of Me'
• Final Thoughts

► About Nick van Dam

Dr. Nick van Dam is an internationally recognized thought leader, advisor, executive coach, researcher, facilitator, and best-selling (co-) author of more than 29 books on Leadership, Organizational Behavior, and Corporate Learning & Talent Management. Dr. van Dam has over 30+ years of business experience as a former Partner, Global Chief Learning Officer, HR Executive, and Client Advisor at Siemens, Deloitte and McKinsey. As an advisor or faculty, he has served over 100 clients around the world.

He is (visiting) Professor at The University of Pennsylvania , Harvard Business School-
Corporate Learning, IE Business School, and Nyenrode Business University. Nick is

Director of the IE Business School, Center for Corporate Learning and Talent Management. He is the Director of the IE Business School, Global HR Leadership Program and Global L&D Leadership Program. He is a core faculty member of CEDEP. (INSEAD Campus, France) and a co-founder of Pathos Leadership Institute. Nick is an External Senior Advisor
and Faculty member at McKinsey & Company.

He has written numerous articles for various publications and has been quoted by Bloomberg Businessweek, The Financial Times, Fortune Magazine, Harvard Business Review, Times of India, Information Week, CLO Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal.

His lifelong learning journey has included studies in economics and business economics (BEd, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam), organizational sociology (MA), Universiteit van Amsterdam), psychodynamic psychology (EMC, INSEAD) and human capital development (PhD, Nyenrode Business University).

Nick has lived in the US, Spain and The Netherlands. Throughout his career, he has spent time in various countries, with significant periods in Asia, particularly in India.
Leaders around the world value his inspiring, engaging, and application-oriented
teaching/facilitation style tremendously.

► Books (selection)

Van Dam, N.H.M., et al. (April 2024) The Best Version of Me: Boosting Your Well-Being, Lulu Publishing.

Van Dam, N.H.M., Marcus, J. (2023). Handbook Organization & Management (5th edition), Noordhoff Publishers.

Brassey, J., van Dam, N.H.M., Van Witteloostuijn, A. (2022) Authentic Confidence. Vakmedianet.

Feser, C., Nielsen, N., Rennie, M., editors (2018) Leadership at Scale. HBG (Nick has co-authored 4 chapters)

Rogers, E., & van Dam, N.H.M. (2014). YOU! The Positive Force in Change: Leveraging Insightsfrom Neurosciences and Positive Psychology. Raleigh (NC): Lulu Publishing.

Any questions or comments? Press this link and send me a message!

Many people in the workplace wrestle with combining their ethical and spiritual convictions on the one hand, and what they feel is required of them to progress their careers or simply to stay in their roles.

For people who experience this tension and want to address it, 'Heroic Leadership - Best Practices from a 450-Year-Old Company That Changed the World' by Chris Lowney. ' will be a great read!

Chris Lowney, is a one-time Jesuit seminarian, who currently chairs the board of CommonSpirit Health, America’s largest not-for-profit healthcare system with 140 hospitals and more than 150,000 employees. Previously, he served as a Managing Director of J.P. Morgan & Co. in Tokyo, Singapore, London and New York.

In the 28th episode of the Leadership 2.0 podcast, I interview Chris Lowney about Heroic Leadership. During our conversation, we discussed the following topics:

• What is Jesuitism?
• Chris's involvement with Jesuitism
• The four Key Values of Jesuitism: Self-Awareness, Ingenuity, Love, and Heroism
• The Jesuits and Agility
• 'Greater Love than Fear' as a Leadership Principle
• Leadership as an Activity
• The Concept of Indifference
• Self-Compassion
• Serving a Higher Purpose in Competitive Work Environments
• A Call to Action - Heroic Leadership - The Workbook
• Why Everyone is a Leader

► Resources

Chris has authored six books, including the bestselling Heroic Leadership, which has been translated into eleven languages and was named to the recommended reading list of the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps. His latest work, Make Today Matter: 10 Habits for a Better Life (and World), won an Independent Press Award.

You can find more information about his books (including the workbook on Heroic Leadership that was just published) here: https://chrislowney.com/wp/books/

Any questions or comments? Press this link and send me a message!