DECODING AQ - Adaptability Confidence With Ross Thornley Ross Thornley + Special Guests

Jason spent 20 years as a reporter and editor, with stints at Men's health, Fast Company, Maxim and for the last 7 and a half years Jason has held the role of Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine.

Author of "Build for Tomorrow". An Action Plan for Embracing Change, Adapting Fast, and Future-Proofing Your Career. It is an action plan detailing how to navigate the four phases of change: Panic, Adaptation, New Normal, and Wouldn't Go Back

Jason wants to help us reach our "Wouldn't Go Back" moment.

I’ve seen this happen over and over again — with the small entrepreneurs I meet, and the most successful people in the world — and I’ve studied the patterns. My goal is to help you get there faster.

Here's how I'm doing it:

📖 Entrepreneur magazine, where I’m editor in chief, and share stories of adaptability

🎤 Keynote speaking, which I’d be happy to discuss for your next event

🎧 Build For Tomorrow podcast, a show that debunks the stories we tell ourselves about why change is bad

🎧 Problem Solvers podcast, a show about entrepreneurs who adapt and solve problems in their business

"People don’t need advice. They need *perspective* — and that requires a human touch. Lean into your voice and build their trust."

Ross and Jason talk about The four phases of change, being misunderstood, imposter syndrome, being helpful, new perspectives, having something to say, connecting with people, being an authority, pursuits, entrepreneurship,  vulnerability, experimentation, learning out loud, being afraid, knowing what your good at, catering to people, sharing stories, memorable ways of thinking and talking to audiences. The pair also discuss walking people through experiences, resonating with people, understanding how people think, speaking, navigating moments of disruption, not overloading people with information, helping with understanding, human potential, the industrial revolution, humanness, technology, finding value, navigating change, Scary situations and getting courage.

Timecodes:
00:17 Jason's bio00:44 Jason's book - Build for tomorrow01:28 Wouldn't go back moments05:23 Transforming and adapting12:00 Shifting from journalism to putting it in a book20:01 Jason's favourite way to express himself25:20 AI and revolutions29:23 The last time Jason did something for the first time Connect with Jason:
LinkedInWebsitePodcastsHis awesome newsletter ' one thing better' - one way to improve your work — and build a career or company you love.Connect with Ross:
WebsiteLinkedInMoonshot Innovation 

Sarah Ratekin is Business owner and Chief Happiness Officer  at Happiness Is Courage Inc. An Employee Experience Champion. She is in her happy place when making the complex simple. Especially in Belonging, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity - driving Workplace Transformation and a sort after Keynote Speaker and Author.

Sarah is truly passionate about employee experience across all levels of an organization. She loves building sustainably nurturing environments where people feel valued, respected, and trusted to do and be their best.

The author of "Silver Threads: Living a Life of Gratitude" and the companion Silver Threads positivity and gratitude journal.

As a researcher, she loves data and as a realist, Sarah knows that data almost never tells the complete story - we need the fuller context to make truly good decisions.

We also cannot make our best decisions when we are steeped in stress. We owe it to our colleagues, our customers, and our communities to navigate these challenges in meaningful ways. If we start with the employee experience, we create a strong foundation for well-being and growth.

Ross and Sarah talk about functioning, the economy, common themes at work, being miserable in the workplace, stress, positive impact on organisations, mental health, exploration, the science of happiness, meaningful change, stigmas, ingrained beliefs,  employee satisfaction, meaningful impact, positive relationships, emotional investment, shared misery and trauma bonding. The pair also discuss resilience, good intentions, depending on others, burnout, survival, losing clients, leading by example, buying in, wellbeing, decision making, frank conversations, intentional disruption, organisational inflammation, de-stress, short term goals, holidays, optimising without burnout, changing company culture, employee engagement, trust and curiosity.

Timecodes:
00:21 Sarah's bio02:06 Going from the navy to helping people find organisational happiness05:56 Having a chief happiness officer10:12 Friction points and shifting perceptions15:20 People getting too comfortable being unhappy19:28 Gratitude in stressful situations27:01 Crisis and steps to bring awareness to happiness in organisations32:15 Approaches to re-engineering the perception of work36:55 Moments of pause and reflection40:10 The ideal person in an organisation to integrate a Chief Happiness Officer48:11 The last time Sarah did something for the first timeConnect with Sarah:
WebsiteLinkedInBooksTwitterConnect with Ross:
WebsiteLinkedInMoonshot Innovation 

Currently, Ton-Quinlivan is the CEO of Futuro Health, whose nonprofit mission is to improve the health and wealth of communities by growing the largest network of credentialed allied healthcare workers in the nation. 

In 2013, she was named a White House Champion of Change under the Obama administration in recognition of her notable career in industry, education, and service as a community leader.

Ross and Van talk about government, workforce, money challenges, data, management, creativity, strategies, leadership, dealing with criticism, communities, staying the course, intentionality, staying grounded, unlocking opportunities, unique abilities, caring, goals, perseverance, grit, diversity, pitching, community colleges. The pair also discuss thinking outside the box, flow, productivity, reimagining, adaptability, workforce development, teams, developing talent, competition, commitment,  breaking cycles, growing the workforce, changing traditional pipelines, companies coming together,  Start-up Health, combining music with exercise, fear of failure, commitment and expectations.

Timecodes:
00:19 Welcome and Van's background 02:15 Challenges managing money in the largest education system in the nation05:54 Workforce development and priorities12:01 Knowing and deciding when to stay or shift 16:28 Focusing on care and Futuro25:56 Steps to a functioning diverse pipeline and keeping it relevant34:24 Mind shifts and paradigm shifts with education38:28 The team at 'Start-up Health'42:14 Taking risks43:16The last time Van did something for the fist time

Connect with Van:
LinkedInWebsiteBook
Connect with Ross:
WebsiteLinkedInMoonshot Innovation 

John Sanei is not only revolutionising the way we approach the future, but he is also equipping us with the courage and determination needed to bring about lasting change.

Globally renowned keynote speaker, futures strategist, 5-time bestselling author, Singularity University and Duke CE faculty member, Associate Partner at the Copenhagen Institute for Future Studies, Chief of Tomorrow Board Member, and podcaster at The Expansive –

Book - Who do we become - self evolution

With a unique blend of neuroscience, psychology, quantum science, business strategy, and futurism, John delivers talks, writes books, conducts masterclasses, and serves on boards to guide future-minded leaders who are willing to embrace uncertainty, overcome doubt, and rise to the challenge with courage, clarity, and determination.

Ross and John talk about priorities, change, seeing things differently, teaching, self reflection, meditation retreats, emotional blockages, accessing your genius, achievements, curiosity, dealing with trauma, Elizabeth Gilbert, stress, holding light inside yourself, scaring audiences, the psychology of change, evolving, following systems, uniqueness, making our brains mailable, Einstein, significant jumps in human intelligence, brain states, psychedelics, imagination, education, catastrophising, deadlines, alpha and beta brainwaves, addictions to panic, adaptability, arrogance, bad states, mindset, hyper awareness, energy, mental flexibility, mood, our bodies, deep futures, neuroscience, the future, biases, technology scams, physical 100, responsibility, curiosity, excitement, leaving nobody behind, valuing questions, imagination, slums, education and profound happiness.

Timecodes:
00:35 John's bio02:08 John's spark from transition and mindset to making a greater impact05:01 Practical changes during the transition09:07 Hardware and software upgrades we need as humanity17:04 Following systems22:01 Embracing AI while under pressure from it28:08 Research John is doing right now33:53 Explosions of creativity and living books36:52 Digital dictatorships and blockchain democracies42:14 Hope44:06 The last time John did something for the first timeConnect with John:
LinkedIn
Website
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
hello@johnsanei.com

Connect with Ross:
WebsiteLinkedInMoonshot Innovation 

Peter is an experienced HR executive. Defining the Future of Organizations. As a People Operations and change management Expert, Peter is a sought after international keynote speaker.
He has spent 25 years at the FBI. 4 years as Head of Talent Acquisition - Managing the national recruitment and hiring strategy for the FBI's special agent, intelligence analyst and professional staff employees.

Created new comms/leadership strategies facilitating high performance and accountability in a remote and dispersed workforce.

Peter also was awarded the Human Capital Outstanding Leader of the Year 2021
Issued by Office of the Director of National Intelligence in recognition of leadership that transformed the FBI's hiring strategy, increased diversity, and brought more talented employees into the FBI.

Ross and Peter talk about FBI recruitment, challenges, diversity, driving change, linguistics, FBI vetting, transforming the Bureau, field work, HR, hiring, change, helping people, amazing work, purpose driven organisations, investing in people, adapting, evolving, structural barriers, making mistakes and improving organisations.
The pair also discuss rewards, work changes, retaining employees, human interaction, emotional intelligence, experimentation, learning, growing, discomfort, expectations, imagination, help, role models, coaching, evolving, anxiety, shifting stress, no judgment, embracing learning and emotions.

Timecodes:
00:24 Peter's bio01:51 The process behind winning the 'Outstanding Leader Award'05:53 Peter's journey through the FBI12:03 Diversity drivers transitioning to a national approach 19:57 Brand new hiring compared vs mobility within the organisation25:33 Embracing learning and change during high stakes30:17 How far can we take risks  35:21 Modernising and new AI technology merging with talent42:25 Things people can do to find new skills inside them47:40 Tips for leading teams through change 50:44 The last time Peter did something for the first time52:07 Final ThoughtsConnect with Peter:
LinkedInConnect with Ross:
WebsiteLinkedInMoonshot Innovation 

Patricia Bender is President of Bayley & Bender.

Starting her career in fashion and marketing, Pat then spent a decade at IBM as a high performing sales and regional manage.

In her first year with IBM, she achieved Rookie of the Year by selling 140% of quota and went on to claim top performance awards for the next ten years - a rare accomplishment.

For four consecutive years, Pat was in the top 2% in performance at IBM and was honored with four Golden Circle Awards. Her final year at IBM, Pat earned the distinguished award as the Top Sales Representative in the country.

Over the last 30 years Pat has crafted and honed her unique ability in helping organizations around the world increase their growth, profitability and productivity by helping them hire, develop and retain top performing sales and leadership talent.

Like many of us, we are shaped by our parents, and Pat is no different with the hard work ethic and some core family values instilled from an early age.

Ross and Patricia talk about IBM, parents influence, timekeeping, music, sales, packed agendas, goals, travel, being driven, becoming number 1, loving what you do, sales, re-engineering, drive, seminars, surgery, partners, support, re-developing work, priorities, sacrifice, new approaches, critical moments, new capabilities, asking for help, frustrations, awareness is power and blinds spots. The pair also discuss behavioural styles, power to win, adaptability, motivations, values, trust, change, attitude, leadership excellence, mental toughness, achieving goals, fear, adaptability, strengths, weaknesses, overcoming obstacles, continually learning, giving back and resilience. Then finish on persistence, motivations, mental toughness, resilience, Miro, new technology, reflections, grief and collaborating.

Timecodes:
00:35 Patricia's background01:57 Typing and speed writing 02:48 Values from childhood  08:00 Patricia's Shift to running her own business12:30 Best aspects of motivational speaking14:15 What Patricia learnt from starting her own business27:40 Organisations dealing with Accelerated change 30:15 Help Seeing different perspectives39:11 Steps to training others and what they should be learning47:32 The last time Patricia did something for the first time51:49 Final thoughts and Patricia's late husband BobConnect with Patricia:
Website(Online Academy )LinkedInEmail - AIP@awarenessispower.comConnect with Ross:
WebsiteLinkedInMoonshot Innovation