Collective Intelligence

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For thriving leaders, teams, and organisations. Welcome to our most recent podcast series, Collective Intelligence. At a moment when the shape of work is being redrawn, we seek to explore the magic that happens when groups perform at more than the sum of their parts, a theme we researched extensively in our book, The Social Brain, The Psychology of Successful Groups. Our podcast guests are all adept at this magical mathematics of connection.

  1. 22 JUL

    Kindness, Crisis & Collective Wisdom: Leading Through the Unknown | Dr James Mountford

    Leadership lessons forged in extreme uncertainty. In this deeply thoughtful episode, Sam Rockey is joined by Dr. James Mountford — leadership expert, editor-in-chief of BMJ Leader, and former NHS doctor — to reflect on what it means to lead with purpose, kindness, and clarity in moments of crisis. Drawing on his experience launching London’s Nightingale Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic, James shares leadership lessons forged in extreme uncertainty: the power of psychological safety, the value of fast learning cycles, and why kindness is anything but soft. From field hospitals to AI coaching, the conversation explores how we scale compassion, build collective intelligence, and remember what truly matters in a world that’s always changing. “Kindness is not the opposite of strength. It’s the foundation of trust, speed, and transformation.” Whether you’re a leader in healthcare, business, or beyond, this episode is a moving reminder that what makes us human is what makes us great. Follow James on LinkedIn · Douglas Knowledge Partners website · HBR article - 10 Leadership Lessons from Covid Field Hospitals · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

    45 min
  2. Dancing with Uncertainty: Creativity, Leadership & the Power of Art | Margaret Heffernan

    8 MAY

    Dancing with Uncertainty: Creativity, Leadership & the Power of Art | Margaret Heffernan

    Why the future belongs to the imaginative — what leaders can learn from art. In this rich and provocative conversation, Tracey Camilleri welcomes best-selling author, entrepreneur, and professor Margaret Heffernan to talk about her latest book, Embracing Uncertainty: How Writers, Musicians, and Artists Thrive in an Unpredictable World. Together they explore how creativity — long undervalued in our data-obsessed, STEM-centric culture — might just be the most essential leadership skill of all. From the dangers of over-measuring what matters, to what leaders can learn from poets, painters, and protest artists, Margaret makes a compelling case for rediscovering the human capacity for imagination and curiosity in uncertain times. Expect insights on: • Why “efficiency” may be your organisation’s biggest weakness • What drawing someone’s face can teach you about leadership • How to stop being a “dancing bear” in your own life • The deep social intelligence embedded in the arts • And why we should beware the seductive illusion of certainty This is a conversation about reclaiming our agency, attention, and creative courage — in work, in leadership, and in life. ****** The Collective Intelligence podcast is hosted by Tracey Camilleri and Sam Rockey, founders and directors of Thompson Harrison. Contact details in the Links section below. Embracing Uncertainty book · Margaret Heffernan's website · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

    35 min
  3. The Social Brain: Cracking the Code of Human Connection | Robin Dunbar

    10 FEB

    The Social Brain: Cracking the Code of Human Connection | Robin Dunbar

    What Primates, Group Dynamics, and the Dunbar Number teach us about Thriving. How do we create truly connected, thriving teams in an increasingly hybrid world? Join Tracey Camilleri and Robin Dunbar, co-authors of The Social Brain: The Psychology of Successful Groups, as they delve into the science of social connection and organisational dynamics. In this thought-provoking episode, Robin Dunbar shares the fascinating origins of the Dunbar Number — 150, the optimal group size for human connection — and explains how group size impacts everything from information flow to organisational success. Together, they explore: • Why face-to-face interactions still matter in a virtual world • How organisations can design social strategies to foster trust and collaboration • The psychological and physical health benefits of strong social bonds Whether you’re a leader, an HR professional, or simply curious about how relationships shape our workplaces, this conversation offers actionable insights for building better teams and rethinking hybrid work strategies. The Collective Intelligence podcast is hosted by Tracey Camilleri and Sam Rockey, founders and directors of Thompson Harrison. Contact details in the links section below. Fractal structure of human & primate social networks optimises into flow · Connect with Robin on LinkedIn · More about the Social Brain book here · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

    47 min
  4. Laughter is the Best Medicine: the Link Between Comedy and Leadership | John Vlismas

    15 JAN

    Laughter is the Best Medicine: the Link Between Comedy and Leadership | John Vlismas

    Building Community and Connection through Humour. Join Sam Rockey in a captivating conversation with comedian, leader, and educator John Vlismas as they explore the profound intersections of comedy, leadership, and personal growth. In this episode, John shares his transformative journey from a high-energy entertainer seeking adoration to a reflective performer embracing vulnerability, presence, and connection. Dive into topics like the art of audience connection, the shift from exhaustion-driven work ethics to a Buddhist-inspired balance, and the role of gossip in comedy and society. With humour and insight, John discusses generational responsibility, planting seeds for the future, and how leaders can integrate stillness and self-knowledge into their practices. This is more than a conversation, it's an invitation to think deeply about how we connect, laugh, and grow, both on stage and in life. Perfect for anyone curious about the fusion of art, wisdom, and leadership. ****** The Collective Intelligence podcast is hosted by Tracey Camilleri and Sam Rockey, founders and directors of Thompson Harrison. Contact details in the links section below. Connect with John on LinkedIn · OGO Creative website · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

    30 min
  5. Two Heads are Better than One: The Case for Job-sharing Leadership | Annelies Look and Chris White-Horne

    26/11/2024

    Two Heads are Better than One: The Case for Job-sharing Leadership | Annelies Look and Chris White-Horne

    How complementary strengths create a powerful leadership dynamic. In this inspiring episode, we enter the unique world of job sharing with Annelies Look and Chris White-Horne, who together hold the role of Deputy CEO and Chief Delivery Officer at the UK Space Agency. They share how job sharing in such high-level roles has transformed their work-life balance, allowing them to pursue professional excellence while maintaining a healthy personal life. Chris and Annelies reveal how their complementary strengths, likened to a Venn diagram, create a powerful leadership dynamic, where collaboration leads to better decision-making and greater resilience. Key takeaways: • Collective Intelligence: Two leaders working together means combining diverse skills and perspectives to offer more than one person ever could. • Work-Life Balance: Job sharing has allowed both to avoid burnout, maintain other passions, and refresh their thinking. • Retention: The government, by being flexible in the structuring of roles, has retained skills and expertise that might otherwise have been lost. The Collective Intelligence podcast is hosted by Tracey Camilleri and Sam Rockey, founders and directors of Thompson Harrison. Contact details in the links section. UK Space Agency website · Connect with Annelies on LinkedIn · Connect with Chris on LinkedIn · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

    23 min
  6. AI Readiness: A Practice, Not a Project | Karen Silverman

    23/10/2024

    AI Readiness: A Practice, Not a Project | Karen Silverman

    "The Readiness is all..." Hamlet (Act V, Sc ii) This conversation is with Karen Silverman, founder and CEO of Cantellus Group, a global company focused on helping leaders to do the hard work of bringing AI into organisations effectively and responsibly. Karen warns against the wishful thinking that AI will have all the answers and that it will arrive fit for use, like a document management system. Instead, how well it will work is dependent on how well it is used. So, as leaders we must double down on the human capabilities and skills needed to understand and interpret how to use the outputs of these new technologies effectively. AI will open up new, more dynamic dimensions of experience that will enhance the way we learn and teach, how we entertain, and how we understand complex mechanisms with infinite variables – like economies, or the human body. In this more blended world, we must not assume that the responsibility for its positive deployment will be taken care of elsewhere. We have to do the work in our families, our organisations, and societies to ensure that the future involving the collective intelligence of AI’s and human beings is an exciting one. The Collective Intelligence podcast is hosted by Tracey Camilleri and Sam Rockey, founders and directors of Thompson Harrison. Contact details in the links section. Karen's website - Cantellus Group · Connect with Karen on LinkedIn · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

    18 min
  7. The New Frontier for Great Organisations | Reima Shakeir

    05/12/2022

    The New Frontier for Great Organisations | Reima Shakeir

    In this short podcast, Reima Shakeir reflects on the current state of belonging and inclusion in business and academia. Reima sees a shared sense of belonging as the hallmark of advanced societies and communities - and the key to employee retention and happiness. As she says, "People want to be heard and to be seen - and that’s it." She reflects on systems that are still nonetheless designed for exclusion and on those that exclude due to institutional carelessness or lack of awareness on the part of the leadership. In this conversation, we explore what’s working, why and where there is pushback. What are some of the simple things that organisations are doing that make a difference? Reima reflects on the fear of getting things wrong, especially when it comes to language and the need to gather hard data to support changes in the system. Finally, she sees real-world person-to-person connection as the new frontier for great organisations – and brands - where the creation of a sense of belonging makes perfect commercial sense as well. Reima Shakeir is a lecturer at Wharton School of Business and Stern School of Business. Dr. Shakeir teaches Organizational Communication and Business and Society courses at NYU’s Stern School of Business. She also teaches research methodologies as part of the CLO (Chief Learning Officer) executive doctorate program at the University of Pennsylvania. Reima is also a Lecturer at Wharton and a partner at DEI Ready. Research Interests include: Impact Entrepreneurship and Inclusive Economy, Authentic Leadership, Diversity in the Business World, Equity in Higher Education, Impact Investing, Women and Identity Performance in the Public Space, Minority Women’s Lived Experiences in the Corporate World, Gender Studies, and Organizational Sociology. Connect with Reima on LinkedIn · Visit Thompson Harrison's website · Pre-order our book The Social Brain. Publication date: February 2023 · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

    27 min
  8. Toxic Charisma | Jon Stokes

    12/05/2022

    Toxic Charisma | Jon Stokes

    The problem with charismatic leaders. What is charisma, how does it benefit leaders, and how can it be toxic? Why do people follow charismatic leaders, even when it might not be good for them? Why should leaders develop an inspirational leadership style rather than relying on charisma? Jon Stokes is interested in how charismatic leadership can be toxic and the effect that it has on followers. He explores how leaders can inspire growth rather than dependence. He is an a an Associate Fellow at Oxford University's Said Business School and a founder of Stokes Jolly, a leadership consulting and advisory firm. He teaches and writes extensively about leadership, and coaches CEOs and their leadership teams. Email Jon for a copy of his recent paper on charismatic leadership mailto:js@stokesjolly.com Learn more about Jon and his work on the Stokes Jolly website · To learn more about toxic leadership · Connect with Gavin · Thompson Harrison - Helping Leaders Do What Matters Most · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

    37 min
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About

For thriving leaders, teams, and organisations. Welcome to our most recent podcast series, Collective Intelligence. At a moment when the shape of work is being redrawn, we seek to explore the magic that happens when groups perform at more than the sum of their parts, a theme we researched extensively in our book, The Social Brain, The Psychology of Successful Groups. Our podcast guests are all adept at this magical mathematics of connection.

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