Superpowers School - Self-Improvement Podcast Like Diary of a CEO Self-Improvement podcast for technology professionals to build superpowers at work, and thrive in the age of AI

I discuss who is the greatest leader in history with historian Matthew Lockwood. We discuss the profound impact and historical significance of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, whom Matthew nominated in a BBC poll as the greatest leader in world history. We explore Ranjit Singh's unifying leadership, multicultural administration, and remarkable modernizing efforts. We address themes of tolerance, leadership, and the historical connections that resonate with today's world.
00:00 Introduction
03:04 Special Guest Matthew Lockwood: A Deep Dive into History
05:41 Exploring the Legacy of Maharaja Ranjit Singh
06:57 The Global Impact of Ranjit Singh's Leadership
29:00 The Personal Journey of Maharaja Duleep Singh
38:14 Reflecting on Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Contributions and Legacy
44:39 Future Projects and Closing Thoughts
⚡️ In each episode, Paddy Dhanda deep dives into a new human Superpower to help you thrive in the age of AI.
🎧 Listen now on:
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👉 Spotify
👉 YouTube
👉 Newsletter
★ BUY ME A COFFEE ★
☕️ If you enjoy the podcast, then you can donate a small amount here as a token of your appreciation and BUY PADDY A COFFEE 👉🏽 https://ko-fi.com/paddydhanda


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superpowers.school

In this episode, we discuss strategies on how to avoid 'death by PowerPoint'.
I'm joined by Danielle Hennis a presentation expert. We explore:
👉 How we can focus on audience needs
👉 Simplify presentations to one idea per slide
👉 Support presentations with visuals rather than text
Danielle shares her journey and how she transitioned from graphic design to presentation coaching, driven by witnessing ineffective presentations.
Practical advice is shared on how to prepare for presentations, including structuring content and utilizing visuals effectively. The conversation also touches on the importance of storytelling in business, managing presentation anxiety, eliminating filler words, and the role of AI as a tool in presentation preparation.
Danielle also provides recommendations for resources on data visualization, storytelling, presentation anxiety, and general presentation skills.
The episode wraps up with tips for gradually improving presentation skills by seeking feedback and starting with lower-stakes opportunities.
00:00 The Journey from Graphic Design to Presentation Mastery
04:19 Unlocking the Secrets of Effective Presentations
06:02 Harnessing Attention in the Age of TikTok
10:04 Crafting Engaging Presentations: Tips and Strategies
18:45 Overcoming Presentation Anxiety: Strategies for Confidence
31:34 Leveraging AI for Enhanced Presentations
34:41 Eliminating Workplace Silos for Creative Synergy
36:07 Resources and Final Thoughts
Danielle Hennis is a Raleigh, NC native who has travelled around the world only to settle back down in Durham, NC. She is a graphic designer and presentation specialist. She loves helping businesses, groups or individuals tell their message. She is the owner of Make It Memorable, LLC.
Email: drhennis@gmail.com
⚡️ In each episode, Paddy Dhanda deep dives into a new human Superpower to help you thrive in the age of AI.
🎧 Listen now on:
👉 Apple
👉 Spotify
👉 YouTube
👉 Newsletter
★ BUY ME A COFFEE ★
☕️ If you enjoy the podcast, then you can donate a small amount here as a token of your appreciation and BUY PADDY A COFFEE 👉🏽 https://ko-fi.com/paddydhanda


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superpowers.school

A deep and insightful conversation with Myriam Hadnes, a self-described facilitation evangelist and the host of the 'Workshops Work' podcast. Myriam shares her journey from an academic background in behavioral economics to embracing facilitation as her superpower, aiming to help others learn and apply it effectively.
She highlights her experiences living and working in different parts of the world, emphasizing the role of travel in gaining insights into diverse cultures, which she finds crucial in her work.
The conversation delves into the essence of facilitation, contrasting it with coaching, and explores its application in making group processes easy and engaging.
Myriam also shares practical tips and strategies for effective facilitation, including dealing with disruptive participants and designing workshops that create a safe and inclusive environment for all participants.
The episode concludes with resources and ways to connect with Miriam for those interested in learning more about the art and science of facilitation.
00:00 The Journey of a Facilitation Evangelist
04:03 Embracing the Digital Shift in Facilitation
05:20 Cultural Nuances in Facilitation
08:02 The Essence and Impact of Facilitation
10:40 Navigating Group Dynamics as a Facilitator
16:13 Designing Effective Workshops
18:50 Managing Disruptive Participants
22:41 Exploring Facilitation Techniques and Ground Rules
24:00 The Art of Icebreakers and Energizers
27:49 Engagement and Attention Span in Meetings
28:25 Effective Session Lengths and Participant Engagement
30:16 Innovative Facilitation Techniques and Tools
33:03 Virtual Facilitation and Preferred Platforms
36:46 The Power of Listening and Authenticity in Work
38:07 Connecting with the Facilitation Community
39:05 Personal Insights and Closing Thoughts
Myriam Hadnes
Facilitation Evangelist: "An expert in the field of facilitation who actively promotes its importance and benefits. This person is passionate about the power of effective group collaboration and aims to spread the word, advocating for the adoption of facilitation techniques in various settings.
https://workshops.work/
⚡️ In each episode, Paddy Dhanda deep dives into a new human Superpower to help you thrive in the age of AI.
🎧 Listen now on:
👉 Apple
👉 Spotify
👉 YouTube
👉 Newsletter
★ BUY ME A COFFEE ★
☕️ If you enjoy the podcast, then you can donate a small amount here as a token of your appreciation and BUY PADDY A COFFEE 👉🏽 https://ko-fi.com/paddydhanda


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superpowers.school

Creative Brainstorming and Fun Games to Boost Innovation
Workplaces today often stress seriousness and productivity at the cost of creativity and innovation. Yet, embracing a more playful approach at work can lead to better problem-solving, enhanced creativity, and an overall more enjoyable work experience. In this blog post, we explore the insights shared by Jennifer Battan, a seasoned business analyst and chief creativity officer, on the importance of play and creative brainstorming in corporate settings.
Thanks for reading Superpowers School! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Contents
* Why Play is Important at Work
* Warming Up for Brainstorming
* Setting the Stage for Brainstorming
* Breaking Out of Corporate Culture
* Learning from Other Industries
* Techniques and Resources
* FAQs
🎭 Why Play is Important at Work
Purpose Behind Play
The adage "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" holds a deeper truth in the corporate world than one might think. As children, play is an integral part of development—through play, children create intricate worlds, establish rules, and unleash their creativity. However, as adults, formal corporate roles and the ever-hovering "mask of seriousness" often stifle this childhood creativity.
Spending more waking hours at work than at home, it's essential for employees to find joy and fulfilment in their work environments. By incorporating elements of play and creativity at work, we not only enrich our daily lives but also pave the way for innovation and creative problem-solving.
Play isn't just about competition; it's about collaboration and exploration.

🖊️ Warming Up for Brainstorming
One practical way to catalyse creativity in meetings or brainstorming sessions is to begin with a warm-up activity. Jen suggests a simple yet effective exercise involving a pen:
* Participants are broken into small groups, and one member writes out the alphabet on a paper.
* Each group has two minutes to come up with unique uses for a pen, with each use starting with a different letter of the alphabet.
This activity not only fosters a sense of team synergy but also pushes participants to think outside the conventional frameworks, preparing their minds for divergent thinking.
🎬 Setting the Stage for Brainstorming
For brainstorming to be truly effective, establishing a structured yet open-ended environment is crucial. Jen advises using prompts like "If time and money didn't matter, what would you do?" to transcend typical workplace constraints. This approach not only uncovers the real requirements of a project but also sparks ideas that might seem unachievable under normal circumstances.
Breaking people’s brains a little is part of learning to brainstorm effectively

Timeboxing and Facilitation
Setting clear boundaries and an agenda helps maintain focus and prevents brainstorming sessions from becoming chaotic. It encourages participants to generate and explore ideas without the pressure of immediate feasibility or ROI concerns.
🌟 Breaking Out of Corporate Culture
Breaking the mould of traditional corporate culture involves overcoming ingrained fears and stepping out of comfort zones. By actively challenging the norms of seriousness and embracing a bit of "weirdness,” companies can foster a culture where innovation thrives.
Giving Permission to Be Creative
Creating a safe space for employees to express unusual or bold ideas is vital. Encouraging divergent thinking without immediate judgment or criticism can lead to groundbreaking innovations and solutions.
Thanks for reading Superpowers School! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

🔄 Learning from Other Industries
Benchmarking and Market Analysis
Looking beyond one's own industry can provide new perspectives and innovative solutions. By adopting best practices from different fields, companies can innovate their processes and offerings more effectively.
🛠 Techniques and

In this episode, Kate Baucherel shares her journey from an interest in technology to specialising in blockchain and cryptocurrency. She shares her early fascination with tech, transitioning from an accountant to a tech expert, and eventually authoring books, including fiction that integrate her tech knowledge.
Kate helps newbies get started with cryptocurrency and blockchain in layman’s terms, addressing misconceptions and highlighting the practical applications of these technologies in various sectors beyond finance, such as supply chain management and decision auditing. The conversation touches on the future integration of blockchain into everyday life, the importance of understanding the technology for professionals, and the potential of central bank digital currencies.
Kate’s aspiration for a superpower that abolishes train fares and journey times for a day underscores her value for face-to-face interactions despite appreciating the virtual world's opportunities.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Episode
01:22 Cryptocurrency: The New Digital Currency
01:41 Introducing Kate: A Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Expert
02:46 Kate's Journey: From Accountant to Blockchain Expert
07:45 The Impact of Blockchain and Cryptocurrency on the World
09:46 Understanding Cryptocurrency and Its Value
21:58 The Future of Banking and Blockchain Technology
25:49 Advice for Technology Professionals on Crypto
36:32 Exploring the Book: A Guide to Cryptocurrency and Blockchain
38:20 Closing Thoughts and Resources
Kate Baucherel (Crypto Expert)
Kate Baucherel BA(Hons) FCMA CGMA is an author, speaker and consultant specialising in emerging technologies, with a focus on the use of blockchain and cryptocurrency. She consults with clients from startup and scaleup businesses to blue chip multinationals and is a member of The Fintech & Payments Advisory Network and several Web3 consulting groups. Kate also teaches part time at the University of Teesside in both the International Business School and the School of Computing, Engineering and Digital Technologies. Her subjects include fintech, blockchain and cryptocurrency, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence and emerging tech in enterprise.
Kate graduated in business from Newcastle University and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Kate has held senior technical and financial roles in businesses across multiple sectors including utilities, construction, manufacturing, leisure and software, leading several enterprises through their start-up and growth phases.
Her books include Getting Started with Cryptocurrency: An introduction to digital assets and blockchain (BCS Publishing, 2024), Blockchain Hurricane: Origins, Applications and Future of Blockchain and Cryptocurrency (BEP/Harvard 2020), What’s Hot in Blockchain and Crypto (2020, 2021) and the SimCavalier series of cybercrime thrillers. She has spoken at events across the world and online, as keynote, panellist, mentor and chair, and regularly appears on BBC radio as a cryptocurrency expert.
Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katebaucherel/
https://www.facebook.com/GaliaDigital
https://twitter.com/KateBaucherel
https://instagram.com/KateBaucherel (but more fiction stuff)
https://galiadigital.co.uk/blog-and-news/
Books:
Getting Started with Cryptocurrency: An introduction to digital assets and blockchain https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CNLWV4JD
Blockchain Hurricane: Origins, Applications and Future of Blockchain and Cryptocurrency https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blockchain-Hurricane-Kate-Baucherel/dp/1951527364
The SimCavalier series https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07G8QY1HZ
⚡️ In each episode, Paddy Dhanda deep dives into a new human Superpower to help you thrive in the age of AI.
🎧 Listen now on:
👉 Apple
👉 Spotify
👉 YouTube
👉 Newsletter
★ BUY ME A COFFEE ★
☕️ If you enjoy the podcast, then you can donate a small amount here as a token

This episode was recorded during a recent Visual Jam Meetup event with special guest Henrik Kniberg. We delve deep into the fusion of creativity, technology, and visual storytelling. Here are the key takeaways from the event:
* The Journey from Music to Technology: Kniberg’s transition from an aspiring musician in Tokyo to a tech enthusiast and influential content creator.
* Spotify, Lego and working on Minecraft: How Kniberg helped household brands increase their agility.
* Generative AI as a Catalyst for Innovation: How we can leverage generative AI in product development.
* The Imperative of Human Skills: The importance of human skills in an AI world.
* Visual thinking process to go viral: Step-by-step process of Kniberg’s YouTube videos that have gone viral.
My superpower is the ability to take complicated things and explain them in a simple way - Henrik Kniberg
00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Henrik Kniberg
00:54 Discovering Henrik's Superpower and Background
01:16 Henrik's Journey: From Tokyo to Tech Innovator
03:20 Exploring Henrik's Career: Spotify, Lego, and Minecraft
11:34 The Future of Tech and AI: Henrik's Insights
13:48 Visual Storytelling: The Power of Simplification
21:28 Decoding the Video Creation Process
21:49 The Power of PowerPoint in Planning
22:49 Crafting the Script: Every Word Counts
23:50 Visuals and Drawing: Bringing Ideas to Life
25:04 Editing and Final Touches: The Painstaking Process
26:41 Tools of the Trade: ScreenFlow and ArtRage
28:59 The Viral Video Formula: Content, Drawing, and Human Appeal
31:42 Interactive Q&A: Insights and Tools Revealed
36:55 Embracing AI: Enhancing Creativity and Efficiency
40:15 Closing Thoughts and Audience Engagement
Henrik Kniberg
Henrik Kniberg is Chief Scientist and cofounder of Hups.com and Flitig.ai, and consultant at Crisp. Henrik’s focus is the practical application of Generative AI in product development and other areas. He explores the frontiers of this technology, builds AI-powered products, and teaches courses and workshops on how to use this technology effectively. He made the video ”Generative AI in a Nutshell” and wrote the articles ”Are developers needed in the Age of AI” and ”WhoDunit – Ai product development on steroids”.
Henrik’s background is Minecraft gameplay design & development at Mojang, and agile/lean coaching at LEGO and Spotify and other product companies.
Henrik is well-known for his books ”Scrum and XP from the Trenches” and ”Kanban and Scrum, making the most of both” and ”Lean from the Trenches”. He is also well-known for viral videos such as ”Agile Product Ownership in a Nutshell” and ”Spotify Engineering Culture” (commonly referred to as the Spotify Model), and silly metaphors like the skateboard metaphor for product development, and ping pong balls to demonstrate the concept of flow. Henrik has also been engaged in climate change – he created the video Friendly Guide to Climate Change and cofounded GoClimate.com.
⚡️ In each episode, Paddy Dhanda deep dives into a new human Superpower to help you thrive in the age of AI.
🎧 Listen now on:
👉 Apple
👉 Spotify
👉 YouTube
👉 Newsletter
★ BUY ME A COFFEE ★
☕️ If you enjoy the podcast, then you can donate a small amount here as a token of your appreciation and BUY PADDY A COFFEE 👉🏽 https://ko-fi.com/paddydhanda


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superpowers.school