Fluid Labs Mia Jafari

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Anthony Giannoumis, a motivational speaker and the founder of Inclusive Leadership, to discuss how inclusivity and diversity can be integrated into who we are, what we create, and how we work. We explore the business value of incorporating inclusivity and diversity within the technologies, products, and services we build.

Through hearing Anthony stories and real life examples we will discuss:

1. Diversity from Within - Internal diversity is about how much influence we allow into our life, and how the practice of inclusivity plays an Internal role in generating more inspired ideas and dynamic solutions.

2. Inclusive Design - Exploring the practical aspects of inclusive design and how designing with inclusivity at the core, including designing for extreme users, enhances our solutions for all users.

3. Rethinking Hiring Models - In practice, how do we reconsider hiring models by placing diversity at the centre of our approach, and the business sense of building with diversity and inclusion

4. Empathy as a Key Enabler for Meaningful Impact - The importance of enhancing our ability to empathize with users and building more impactful teams by fostering diversity and inclusion.

5. Swapping Validation for Vulnerability - Exploring how vulnerability improves our well-being by allowing us to be our authentic selves and enabling our teams to validate our authentic selves which in turn build trust among the people around us.



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About Dr. Anthony Giannoumis

Dr. Anthony is a motivational speaker on inclusive leadership. His keynotes showcase his signature methodology - the sins and wins of inclusivity.

He is American by birth, Norwegian by choice, and the world’s only computer programmer turned opera singer turned professor turned comedian turned co-founder of Inclusive Creation. He co-created the Inclusion Game and the mind behind the 4 Fundamental Principles of Universal Design. He is a lifetime diversity and inclusion advocate, a beloved mentor and reverse mentor, and the winner of numerous awards, including from the United Nations, for his inclusive innovations.

He is the author of 50 scientific articles and the founder of the EQUALS-EU network for gender-inclusive innovation, which represents over 24 countries. He has received over 13 million euros worth of research and innovation grants, and as you can imagine, he was the last picked for gym class.

Website: https://inclusiveleadership.solutions

This podcast session with Paul Littlejohn, Founder of Wingman Executive, will explore and discuss how, as a startup, once you secure funding to scale, you face a crucial decision—do you want to continue innovating, developing your business, and thriving in what you love doing, or be burdened by the challenges of managing your team and making the wrong hires?

Who you hire, how they align with your vision, and how you infuse your values, purpose, mission, and well-being ethos into your team play pivotal roles in ensuring your startup's success during the scaling phase.

 

Podcast overview:

[55 sec] How Paul has merged his learnings from being a fighter pilot in the Royal Marines into his work heading operations in a large multinational organization and into launching Wingman Executive.

[7:30] What Paul learned from the military about inspired leadership and how you incorporate this into your role in a startup.

[8:30] Building agility and momentum into startups and early-stage companies as they grow.

[17:00] How to embed decentralized leadership into your culture so people come to you with solutions rather than challenges.

[21:20] The role of diversity in leadership and how it plays in creating dynamic teams that can innovate and thrive. How to unleash the potential of every team member and give them the power to influence what we do.

[25:15] How to inspire and motivate diversity to flourish by building a culture that encourages diverse people to work for and stay with you..

[31:42] What books, podcasts, films inspire Paul’s current thinking.



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Dynamic and transformative leader with over a decade of diverse operational excellence, I combine high-stakes military acumen with corporate innovation to drive growth across global markets. My journey from being a fighter pilot to a C-suite executive has instilled in me resilience, agility, and a distinct approach to navigating complex business landscapes.At the core of my leadership philosophy is the empowerment of teams to achieve remarkable results. I believe in fostering collaborative environments and leveraging strategic insights to solve unique challenges. My track record speaks volumes about my commitment to operational efficiencies, cost savings, and turning visions into actionable strategies.My roles have always encompassed an internal consultancy element, allowing me to thrive in environments where I lead and shape high-performing teams to deliver business objectives. Whether optimizing sales at Meeting Point International or transforming operations at Emirates Group, my focus has always been on creating value and unlocking opportunities.In 2023, I founded Wingman Executive Consulting, leveraging my blend of military and corporate experience to transform leadership practices. My approach is centered on empowering leaders to inspire proactive, engaged, and solution-driven teams, ultimately fostering organizational excellence.I'm also a passionate mentor, transforming struggling teams into high achievers, and a management consultant, guiding leaders towards operational brilliance. My diverse training and experience in startups and AI sectors have enriched my perspective, allowing me to offer tailored solutions to unique challenges.



Connect with Wingman Executive on Linkedin Here

Connect with Wingman Executive on Instagram Here.

To spark innovation and challenge the norm, we must, as suggested by ⁠⁠Vijay
Raju⁠⁠, co-founder of The Propel Labs, pose the question: "What am I Designed For?"



During this podcast, we will discuss this and more and cover:

[2:15] What inspired Vijay to embark on his journey towards driving responsible growth and innovation.

[4:29] How innovation and industry can thrive when we tap into our creativity, and how to nurture and let go of the fear of judgment and failure that hinders the innovation process.

[10:56] Letting go of the external image and the fear of failure that hampers the innovation process.

[15:31] Balancing the messy creative innovation process and leaping into emergence, taking inspired action.

[21:20] How innovation happens outside of frameworks and creating a safe space to allow people to feel safe to adopt this messy mindset, along with the business value of this approach.

[21:20] Moving into democratic leadership and leveraging collective intelligence to accelerate innovation and growth.

[30:01] Asking what intelligence is in the context of artificial intelligence and how this will prompt us to explore new depths and unlock new dimensions of intelligence.

[36:30] The books and podcasts that are currently inspire Vijay’s thinking.

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About Our Guest Speaker:

Vijay Raju - Leading Growth through Responsible Innovation at Propel Labs

Vijay partners with leading businesses, foundations and philanthropies to drive growth and impact through responsible innovations. Vijay is also the author of an upcoming book on entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs who are moving the planet towards #NetZero.Previously, Vijay was the Head of Strategy for the global #growth companies at WEF where he worked with CXOs of 300+ hypergrowth companies and unicorns on topics of sustainability #transformation and responsible use of advanced new technologies. He designed & launched a climate innovation challenge for Statkraft of Norway and led 5 editions of the 'Shaping the Better Future' social innovation challenge in partnership with Coca Cola. Several award winning ventures such as Kabaddiwalla Connect were created as an outcome of these innovation challenges.Vijay was also the Deputy Head of the Global Shapers Community where he led Shape #Sustainability, a movement launched in collaboration with UN to take the #SDG narrative from the country to the community level through a social media campaign and local actions in more than 100 cities. Vijay also designed Shaping Davos, an innovative format to bring in city level local voices into #Davos conversations.Prior to that, Vijay was a Venture Director at Innosight, an innovation strategy consultancy co-founded by Clay Christensen, the world's most influential management thinker. Vijay incubated Razor Rave, funded by P&G and was part of the core incubation team that launched several ventures including the Edison award winning 'Healthy Heart for All' for Medtronic. His innovation & venture work have been featured in books like Lean #Startup, First Mile & Little Black Book of #Innovation.

Earlier, Vijay led Pet Alien, India's first Disney style animation series that aired in Cartoon Network. Vijay led a team of 120 artists and engineers to successfully deliver 52 episodes in 14 months and laid the foundation for the successful indian animation industry. His work has won several awards including national awards and daytime animation Emmy nominations.Vijay holds a Masters in Global #Leadership offered by WEF along with INSEAD, Wharton, Columbia, London Business School & CEIBS, China. Vijay also holds an MBA from the International University of Japan with a prestigious Monbukagakhusho scholarship from Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Govt of Japan. Vijay holds a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering. Vijay has spoken at WEF Davos, Cannes Lions, TEDx and has written for WEF Agenda, Al Arabiya, Huffpost and Forbes.

Welcome to the inaugural podcast of Fluid Labs' "Visionary Founders Mindset Mastery" series where we will be joined by Marjan Najafi, so-founder of QYRO as we delve into the interconnectedness between well-being and building successful, purpose-driven companies through our ability to take inspired action.

We dissect 13th-century Persian poet Rumi's teachings to identify three key themes that are critical for us to take inspired action:


Embracing the Flow of Life 🌊
Cultivating Positive Thoughts and Emotions 😊
Practicing Patience and Reflective Listening 👂

 

Episode Highlights:

- Defining Well-being: We'll dive into the meaning of
well-being and why it's a vital component of our entrepreneurial journey.
Discover how inner peace and balance fuel creativity and innovation.

- Prioritizing Founders' Well-being: As founders, innovators
and changemakers nurturing our well-being is essential. We'll unveil the tools
and mindset required to lead ourselves and our teams effectively.

 

We explore the significance of well-being and its crucial role in developing these skills, influencing our entrepreneurial and innovation journey.


Key Takeaways:

1. Well-Being Practices: Gain a deeper understanding of
well-being practices, from stress management to relaxation techniques.

2. Shifting from Survival to a Creative Mindset: Equip yourself to navigate challenges with clarity and composure by adopting tools and practices that enhance your clarity, creativity, ease, and flow.

3. Holistic Well-Being: Discover the interconnectedness of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

 

By listening you'll again a practical toolkit, enhance self-awareness, and connect with a supportive community. These resources will empower you to prioritise and boost your well-being, positively impacting both your personal life and your business.



Meet Our Guest Speaker

Marjan Najafi, CEO & Co-founder of QYRO Ltd

With over 14 years of hands-on experience in the financial industry as a private banker and wealth manager, I've honed a unique approach to business success for sales professionals.

My mission? Empower sales professionals with the right tools and techniques to fuel their journey to excellence. I help my clients increase their customer´s wallet share and outperform in the market.

Having weathered the financial world's stormy seas, I've realized that consistent growth in both business and life hinges on a growth mindset – especially during turbulent times. Today, I collaborate with leading experts to deliver cutting-edge training solutions to high-performing sales executives worldwide.

Combining my expertise with the latest research and techniques has helped many achieve transformative personal and professional growth.

As a certified executive, agile coach, and ICF member, I'm a lifelong learner who loves working with people and teams. I'm dedicated to offering multidisciplinary and holistic guidance to help clarify goals, create strategies for growth, unlock potential, and enhance resilience - no matter what challenges life throws at you.

Connect With Marjan on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjan-najafi/

Connect with QYRO ltd on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/qyro/

This session is the introductory chapter to "Well-Being to Well-Doing: The Visionary Founder's Playbook" and delves deeply into a fundamental question: "How can we become the change we aspire to see in the world?"

When we rigidly adhere to a one-size-fits-all definition of success that doesn't align with our true selves, it can profoundly affect our ability to drive change, inspire, lead, and innovate.

How can we create new businesses and nurture innovation when our inner well-being and creativity are compromised?

🚀 We discuss the tendency to overlook our inner well-being as we strive to effect external transformation and unravel the intricate link between personal well-being and our external impact.

Through interviews, personal stories, and exercises for self-reflection, will support you to recognise how by focusing on your inner well-being you can take inspired action as an magnetic leader and that well-being is deeply interwoven with well-doing. Through the upcoming nine sessions you'll learn to build resilient, sustainable teams, create a company culture that fosters both personal and financial growth, and become a force for transforming society for the better.

In the realm of marketing, "purpose" is often tossed around, yet it's frequently misunderstood. Many brands misuse it as an empty promise to boost sales, while others mistakenly think it means trying to cater to everyone. These misconceptions hold numerous brands back from making a genuinely positive impact in the world.

 

True purpose possesses the transformative ability to foster love, trust, and connection. It serves as the linchpin for elevating a brand's value, expanding its reach, and magnifying its influence. However, the opposite holds true as well. When brands lack authenticity in their actions, consumers are quick to call out their "purpose-washing" attempts, resulting in a loss of trust from their loyal followers.

Purpose isn't merely about CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) or ESG (Environmental & Social Governance). Instead, it's rooted in the solutions a brand can offer to its community. Purpose drives positive change, contributes to the well-being of all stakeholders, and propels society forward by challenging the status quo, leading the way for others to follow suit.

In this conversation cafe, we welcome Christina Bouglass, the founder of The Butterfly Movements, as we delve into the intricacies of embedding purpose into the brands and

businesses we create!

 

Talking Points:

🌍 How brands can prioritize the well-being of people and the planet alongside profits in practical terms.

🤝 How brands can authentically create purpose in today's world, fostering trust and connection with their customers.

🚀 How solepreneurs and startups, even with limited resources, can embark on the journey of becoming purpose-driven brands.

📊 How to measure the success of purpose-driven brands and quantify their positive change and societal impact, moving beyond traditional ROI metrics.

 

Learn more about Christina Bouglass, founder of The Butterfly Movements

Christina Bouglass is a brand building expert and founder of The Butterfly Movements. She is passionate about the opportunity and responsibility of marketing in creating the wellbeing economy in which the measure of success is the long-term wellbeing of all people and planet.

She has over 20 years’ experience as a marketing executive in big multinationals (P&G, Coty, The Wella Company) and has worked across both big global brands as well as small challenger brands that are looking to break through the clutter and make an impact.

She left the corporate world with the desire to contribute her skills towards creating a better world and has since studied Sustainable Marketing with the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership (CISL) as well as trained as a B Leader with B Lab Switzerland. She is also a marketing lecturer at the Haute Ecole de Gestion (HEG) in Geneva.

Beyond marketing, she loves reading and writing and is currently writing a book about her ”pivot to purpose” experience when leaving the corporate world and how it shifted her vision of marketing.


Christina's References from the Podcast:

 

Book: "Reinventing Organizations" – Probably one of the few management books I actually completed! It delves into how organizations can evolve with purpose at their core and explores the role of the CEO in these organizations as "the guardian of the company purpose."

 

Documentary: "Century of Self" (BBC) – Reveals how marketing taps into our unconscious desires to sell more products. It's fascinating, given that it was Freud's nephew who first employed these techniques!

 

Podcast: "Can Marketing Save the Planet?" Featuring some excellent guests who are already working on purpose-led brands or rethinking marketing approaches.



 Learn more about Christina's work at www.thebutterflymovements.com