At Work with The Ready
495 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago - ★★★★★ - 152 ratingsRodney Evans and Sam Spurlin have helped teams around the world adopt more modern ways of working and on At Work with The Ready they’re sharing the inside scoop with you, too. Whether you’re struggling with a carousel of ineffective meetings, annual strategy sessions that go nowhere, or decision-making churn that never ceases, they’ve seen it all and are here to help. In each episode, they'll break down common workplace challenges and show you the moves—both big and small—to start making real, lasting change. (Formerly “Brave New Work” with Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans)
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Episodes
71. Basecamp and politics in the workplace
May 10, 2021 13:00 - 37 minutesIn the past two weeks, Basecamp—a software company with a general track record of outspoken, progressive values—has lost a sizable chunk of its workforce. The reason? A memo from the company's CEO that banned "societal and political discussions" in workplace channels. In this episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans break down what this all means—the (impossible) concept of "separating politics from work," and the privilege inherent in assuming that's possible. Apply to work ...
Basecamp and politics in the workplace
May 10, 2021 13:00 - 37 minutesIn the past two weeks, Basecamp—a software company with a general track record of outspoken, progressive values—has lost a sizable chunk of its workforce. The reason? A memo from the company's CEO that banned "societal and political discussions" in workplace channels. In this episode, we break down what this all means—the (impossible) concept of "separating politics from work," and the privilege inherent in assuming that's possible. Apply to work at The Ready: In the United States: http://th...
This and that
May 04, 2021 13:00 - 45 minutesWe're opening up the mailbag. In this episode, we tackle the topics of some of your most fascinating questions, from gossip to peer feedback to all-hands meetings. Apply to work at The Ready: In the United States: http://theready.com/team In Europe: http://theready.com/team Our book is available now at bravenewwork.com We want to hear from you. Send your thoughts and feedback to [email protected] Looking for some help with your own transformation? Visit theready.com
70. This and that
May 04, 2021 13:00 - 45 minutesWe're opening up the mailbag. In this episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans tackle the topics of some of your most fascinating questions, from gossip to peer feedback to all-hands meetings. Apply to work at The Ready: In the United States: http://theready.com/team In Europe: http://theready.com/team Our book is available now at bravenewwork.com We want to hear from you. Send your thoughts and feedback to [email protected] Looking for some help with your own transformat...
70. AUA No. 3 - This And That: Peer Feedback, All Hand, and Prioritization
May 04, 2021 13:00 - 45 minutesWe're opening up the mailbag. In this episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans tackle the topics of some of your most fascinating questions, from gossip to peer feedback to all-hands meetings. In this episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans dive into our mailbag and answer some of the top questions we're hearing from our listeners. Questions featured in this episode: Is back channeling good or bad in the workplace? How to get colleagues comfortable giving e...
69. Learning From a Vanishing Way of Life in Asia with Kevin Kelly
April 26, 2021 15:00 - 44 minutesKevin Kelly, the founding editor of WIRED Magazine, has spent years documenting and photographing life in the furthest corners of the Asian continent—and in the process, he's recorded a way of living that is quickly disappearing in the face of the continent's bracing visions for the future. In this episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans talk to Kevin about what we, in our work, can learn from the varied and disparate cultures he's spent much of his life experiencing. Learn ...
Vanishing Asia w/ Kevin Kelly
April 26, 2021 15:00 - 44 minutesKevin Kelly, the founding editor of WIRED Magazine, has spent years documenting and photographing life in the furthest corners of the Asian continent—and in the process, he's recorded a way of living that is quickly disappearing in the face of the continent's bracing visions for the future. In this episode, we talk to Kevin about what we, in our work, can learn from the varied and disparate cultures he's spent much of his life experiencing. Learn more about Kevin's upcoming photobook, "Vanish...
69. Vanishing Asia w/ Kevin Kelly
April 26, 2021 15:00 - 44 minutesKevin Kelly, the founding editor of WIRED Magazine, has spent years documenting and photographing life in the furthest corners of the Asian continent—and in the process, he's recorded a way of living that is quickly disappearing in the face of the continent's bracing visions for the future. In this episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans talk to Kevin about what we, in our work, can learn from the varied and disparate cultures he's spent much of his life experiencing. Learn m...
68. Organization Transformation at Scale with Bill Anderson
April 20, 2021 13:00 - 53 minutesChanging the way we work is a difficult task at a company with 150 employees. But what about one with. say, 100,000? In this episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans talk to Bill Anderson, CEO of Roche Pharmaceuticals, about his recent work in reshaping the company's structure and processes, change at such a large scale, and the surprising challenges that come along with such a massive undertaking. Learn more about Bill and his work on LinkedIn. Mentioned references: Roche ...
Transformation at scale w/ Bill Anderson
April 20, 2021 13:00 - 52 minutesChanging the way we work is a difficult task at a company with 150 employees. But what about one with. say, 100,000? In this episode, we talk to Bill Anderson, CEO of Roche Pharmaceuticals, about his recent work in reshaping the company's structure and processes, change at such a large scale, and the surprising challenges that come along with such a massive undertaking. Learn more about Bill and his work here: https://www.roche.com/about/governance/executive_committee/bill_anderson.htm Apply...
68. Transformation at scale w/ Bill Anderson
April 20, 2021 13:00 - 53 minutesChanging the way we work is a difficult task at a company with 150 employees. But what about one with. say, 100,000? In this episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans talk to Bill Anderson, CEO of Roche Pharmaceuticals, about his recent work in reshaping the company's structure and processes, change at such a large scale, and the surprising challenges that come along with such a massive undertaking. Learn more about Bill and his work here: https://www.roche.com/about/governance...
Changing the world of working agreements
April 05, 2021 13:24 - 43 minutesWork is all about agreements—policies, processes, principles, goals, workflows, etc. So if you're starting a company from the ground up, how do you give teams the power to align on all of these things in a clear and inclusive way? What if there's already a company out there that's documented the exact policy you're looking for? And when, inevitably, that agreement needs some tweaking, how do you iterate and grow? In today's episode, we talk about our new software startup, Murmur, which aims t...
67. Changing the world of working agreements
April 05, 2021 13:24 - 43 minutesWork is all about agreements—policies, processes, principles, goals, workflows, etc. So if you're starting a company from the ground up, how do you give teams the power to align on all of these things in a clear and inclusive way? What if there's already a company out there that's documented the exact policy you're looking for? And when, inevitably, that agreement needs some tweaking, how do you iterate and grow? In today's episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans talk about t...
67. Changing The World of Working Agreements with Murmur
April 05, 2021 13:24 - 43 minutesWork is all about agreements—policies, processes, principles, goals, workflows, etc. So if you're starting a company from the ground up, how do you give teams the power to align on all of these things in a clear and inclusive way? What if there's already a company out there that's documented the exact policy you're looking for? And when, inevitably, that agreement needs some tweaking, how do you iterate and grow? In today's episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans talk about t...
The mythic and the mundane w/ Gayle Karen Young
March 29, 2021 16:00 - 44 minutesOne of the most important aspects of organizational change and complexity is embracing fluidity. Rather than be mired in rigid lines and forced structure, we want to be dynamic, adaptive and—in a certain sense—poetic. In this episode, we talk to Gayle Karen Young, an organizational development consultant and former Chief Cultural and Talent Officer at Wikimedia, about how she brings poetry into the workplace, the role of spirituality in her work, and what she calls the mythic and the mundane....
66. The mythic and the mundane w/ Gayle Karen Young
March 29, 2021 16:00 - 45 minutesOne of the most important aspects of organizational change and complexity is embracing fluidity. Rather than be mired in rigid lines and forced structure, we want to be dynamic, adaptive and—in a certain sense—poetic. In this episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans talk to Gayle Karen Young, an organizational development consultant and former Chief Cultural and Talent Officer at Wikimedia, about how she brings poetry into the workplace, the role of spirituality in her work, a...
66. The Beauty of The Mythic and Mundane in Organizational Systems with Gayle Karen Young
March 29, 2021 16:00 - 45 minutesOne of the most important aspects of organizational change and complexity is embracing fluidity. Rather than be mired in rigid lines and forced structure, we want to be dynamic, adaptive and—in a certain sense—poetic. In this episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans talk to Gayle Karen Young, an organizational development consultant and former Chief Cultural and Talent Officer at Wikimedia, about how she brings poetry into the workplace, the role of spirituality in her work, a...
65. The right way to onboard
March 22, 2021 13:00 - 43 minutesWhat's it like to onboard at a company where you don't have a boss? In this episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans talk to The Ready member Alastair Steward about his experience onboarding at the company, the concept of a "prologue," and how to situate yourself effectively in a self-managed organization. You can find Alastair here (https://twitter.com/alastairsteward) and here (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastairsteward/) Apply to work at The Ready: In the United States: ...
The right way to onboard
March 22, 2021 13:00 - 42 minutesWhat's it like to onboard at a company where you don't have a boss? In this episode, we talk to The Ready member Alastair Steward about his experience onboarding at the company, the concept of a "prologue," and how to situate yourself effectively in a self-managed organization. You can find Alastair here (https://twitter.com/alastairsteward) and here (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastairsteward/) Apply to work at The Ready: In the United States: http://theready.com/team In Europe: http://th...
65. A Better Way to Onboard Employees with Alastair Steward
March 22, 2021 13:00 - 43 minutesWhat's it like to onboard at a company where you don't have a boss? In this episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans talk to The Ready member Alastair Steward about his experience onboarding at the company, the concept of a "prologue," and how to situate yourself effectively in a self-managed organization. You can find Alastair here on LinkedIn. Mentioned references: "Oculus boxing game" imposter syndrome "adjacent possibles" "safe to try" "participatory governance": BN...
64. Redesigning The Company Retreat
March 08, 2021 14:00 - 40 minutesIt's a time-honored tradition: the company retreat. But when that conjures the specter of Ramada Inn basements and conference rooms and three-hour presentation blocks, it's clear that an update is in order. In this episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans strategize the most efficient and effective ways to reconnect and recharge with your organizations, as well as ways we might go about planning company retreats in the new age of remote work. Mentioned references: "IDM-ing":...
The company retreat
March 08, 2021 14:00 - 40 minutesIt's a time-honored tradition: the company retreat. But when that conjures the specter of Ramada Inn basements and conference rooms and three-hour presentation blocks, it's clear that an update is in order. In this episode, we strategize the most efficient and effective ways to reconnect and recharge with your organizations, as well as ways we might go about planning company retreats in the new age of remote work. Apply to work at The Ready: In the United States: http://theready.com/team In ...
64. The company retreat
March 08, 2021 14:00 - 40 minutesIt's a time-honored tradition: the company retreat. But when that conjures the specter of Ramada Inn basements and conference rooms and three-hour presentation blocks, it's clear that an update is in order. In this episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans strategize the most efficient and effective ways to reconnect and recharge with your organizations, as well as ways we might go about planning company retreats in the new age of remote work. Apply to work at The Ready: In th...
63. Mastery in the age of self-management
February 22, 2021 14:00 - 46 minutesThe workplace is a wealth of knowledge. Each member of an organization is a master in their own specialized field, and in the 21st-century workplace, we're often exchanging knowledge, teaching and learning by equal measure. But in a future where self-management is key, how do we ensure this is done in a healthy way? In this episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans discuss how to cultivate mastery in a world of knowledge workers. Learn more about Akilah Cadet and her work here...
63. Mastery in the Age of Self-Management
February 22, 2021 14:00 - 46 minutesThe workplace is a wealth of knowledge. Each member of an organization is a master in their own specialized field, and in the 21st-century workplace, we're often exchanging knowledge, teaching and learning by equal measure. But in a future where self-management is key, how do we ensure this is done in a healthy way? In this episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans discuss how to cultivate mastery in a world of knowledge workers. Mentioned references: Second Empire/Mansard r...
Mastery in the age of self-management
February 22, 2021 14:00 - 45 minutesThe workplace is a wealth of knowledge. Each member of an organization is a master in their own specialized field, and in the 21st-century workplace, we're often exchanging knowledge, teaching and learning by equal measure. But in a future where self-management is key, how do we ensure this is done in a healthy way? In this episode, we discuss how to cultivate mastery in a world of knowledge workers. Learn more about Akilah Cadet and her work here: https://www.changecadet.com/theteam Apply ...
Change through experimentation
February 15, 2021 17:00 - 45 minutesLeaders in the workplace often talk about experimenting within the existing structures. But in the excitement and flurry of change, we often forget the goal of experimentation: to make it a real learning practice. In this episode, we discuss how to plan, structure, and assess change experiments with the right intentions, and for the best outcomes. Read the article here: https://medium.com/the-ready/change-through-experimentation-978429cb99fa Apply to work at The Ready: In the United States:...
62. Change through experimentation
February 15, 2021 17:00 - 46 minutesLeaders in the workplace often talk about experimenting within the existing structures. But in the excitement and flurry of change, we often forget the goal of experimentation: to make it a real learning practice. In this episode, we discuss how to plan, structure, and assess change experiments with the right intentions, and for the best outcomes. Read the article here: https://medium.com/the-ready/change-through-experimentation-978429cb99fa Apply to work at The Ready: In the United States:...
62. Real Change Through Experimentation
February 15, 2021 17:00 - 45 minutesLeaders in the workplace often talk about experimenting within the existing structures. But in the excitement and flurry of change, we often forget the goal of experimentation: to make it a real learning practice. In this episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans discuss how to plan, structure, and assess change experiments with the right intentions, and for the best outcomes. Read the article based on this episode here. Mentioned references: Supernatural Foreshadowing Rodn...
62. Change Through Experimentation
February 15, 2021 17:00 - 45 minutesLeaders in the workplace often talk about experimenting within the existing structures. But in the excitement and flurry of change, we often forget the goal of experimentation: to make it a real learning practice. In this episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans discuss how to plan, structure, and assess change experiments with the right intentions, and for the best outcomes. Read the article here: https://medium.com/the-ready/change-through-experimentation-978429cb99fa Our ...
61. The future of the workforce w/ Todd Jick
February 08, 2021 14:00 - 42 minutesIt's one thing to talk about what we'd like the future of work to look like—but what about the people who'll actually make up that workforce? Wha do they want out of their work, and how do they want to shape their organizations? In this episode, we talk to lecturer Todd Jick at the Columbia Business School about his class on Advanced Organizational Change, and what his students want to see for the future of work. Learn more about Todd and his work here: https://www8.gsb.columbia.edu/cbs-direc...
61. The Future of the Workforce with Todd Jick
February 08, 2021 14:00 - 42 minutesIt's one thing to talk about what we'd like the future of work to look like—but what about the people who'll actually make up that workforce? Wha do they want out of their work, and how do they want to shape their organizations? In this episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans talk to lecturer Todd Jick at the Columbia Business School about his class on Advanced Organizational Change, and what his students want to see for the future of work. Learn more about Todd on LinkedIn a...
The future of the workforce w/ Todd Jick
February 08, 2021 14:00 - 41 minutesIt's one thing to talk about what we'd like the future of work to look like—but what about the people who'll actually make up that workforce? Wha do they want out of their work, and how do they want to shape their organizations? In this episode, we talk to lecturer Todd Jick at the Columbia Business School about his class on Advanced Organizational Change, and what his students want to see for the future of work. Learn more about Todd and his work here: https://www8.gsb.columbia.edu/cbs-dire...
60. Solving Our System Problems
February 01, 2021 17:00 - 35 minutesThere's a thing that often happens when we try to add complexity our systems: in an effort to implement procedure and reduce "risk," we often massively overcomplicate the system at its core. It seems the more we try to distance ourselves from the humans working in our systems, the more we ruin what made the systems work well in the first place. In this episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans discuss how to solve our systems problems at the root, and how reducing inefficiency...
Solving our system problems
February 01, 2021 17:00 - 35 minutesThere's a thing that often happens when we try to add complexity our systems: in an effort to implement procedure and reduce "risk," we often massively overcomplicate the system at its core. It seems the more we try to distance ourselves from the humans working in our systems, the more we ruin what made the systems work well in the first place. In this episode, we discuss how to solve our systems problems at the root, and how reducing inefficiency can't be entirely divorced from people. Appl...
60. Solving our system problems
February 01, 2021 17:00 - 35 minutesThere's a thing that often happens when we try to add complexity our systems: in an effort to implement procedure and reduce "risk," we often massively overcomplicate the system at its core. It seems the more we try to distance ourselves from the humans working in our systems, the more we ruin what made the systems work well in the first place. In this episode, we discuss how to solve our systems problems at the root, and how reducing inefficiency can't be entirely divorced from people. Appl...
59. Experimenting Toward a Better Hiring Process with Kelsa Summer Roidt
January 25, 2021 17:00 - 38 minutesIf there's one structure in the modern workplace that feels particularly resistant to change, it's the hiring process. For years, we've followed the same basic structure: whittle down vast pools of potential, qualified candidates down to one lucky winner. But as we consider adapting our workplaces for the future, we might consider tools to reinvent the way we hire, and thus, the way we fill out our organizations for the future. In this episode, we talk to Kelsa Summer Roidt, Chief Operating a...
59. The Hiring Process w/ Kelsa Summer Roidt
January 25, 2021 17:00 - 38 minutesIf there's one structure in the modern workplace that feels particularly resistant to change, it's the hiring process. For years, we've followed the same basic structure: whittle down vast pools of potential, qualified candidates down to one lucky winner. But as we consider adapting our workplaces for the future, we might consider tools to reinvent the way we hire, and thus, the way we fill out our organizations for the future. In this episode, we talk to Kelsa Summer Roidt, Chief Operating a...
The Hiring Process w/ Kelsa Summer Roidt
January 25, 2021 17:00 - 37 minutesIf there's one structure in the modern workplace that feels particularly resistant to change, it's the hiring process. For years, we've followed the same basic structure: whittle down vast pools of potential, qualified candidates down to one lucky winner. But as we consider adapting our workplaces for the future, we might consider tools to reinvent the way we hire, and thus, the way we fill out our organizations for the future. In this episode, we talk to Kelsa Summer Roidt, Chief Operating a...
58. Brave New Work and Capitalism
January 21, 2021 14:00 - 35 minutesYou’ll often hear us talking about collectivism, balance, and sustainability on this show—to the point that you may well wonder, do these socialists even care about growth and profit? We do. But not in the unchecked way that has become normal in the last half century. In this episode, we let our entrepreneurial ambition out to discuss the moral case for sustainable, humane growth, and explore why the discussion around this topic gets so politically charged. Mentioned references: "the Webfl...
Brave New Work and Capitalism
January 21, 2021 14:00 - 35 minutesYou’ll often hear us talking about collectivism, balance, and sustainability on this show—to the point that you may well wonder, do these socialists even care about growth and profit? We do. But not in the unchecked way that has become normal in the last half century. In this episode, we let our entrepreneurial ambition out to discuss the moral case for sustainable, humane growth, and explore why the discussion around this topic gets so politically charged. Apply to work at The Ready: In the...
Working through a crisis
January 13, 2021 17:00 - 40 minutesIt's been quite a week for these United States of America. And as Americans, we tried to do what we always do: keep working. In this episode, we discuss the volatile, unprecedented political situation we now find ourselves in, as well as ways to take a step back and recognize that some things might just be more important than business as usual. Apply to work at The Ready: In the United States: http://theready.com/team In Europe: http://theready.com/team Our book is available now at bravenew...
57. Working through a crisis
January 13, 2021 17:00 - 40 minutesIt's been quite a week for these United States of America. And as Americans, we tried to do what we always do: keep working. In this episode, we discuss the volatile, unprecedented political situation we now find ourselves in, as well as ways to take a step back and recognize that some things might just be more important than business as usual. Apply to work at The Ready: In the United States: http://theready.com/team In Europe: http://theready.com/team Our book is available now at bravenew...
57. Working Through A Crisis
January 13, 2021 17:00 - 40 minutesIt's been quite a week for the United States of America. And as Americans, we tried to do what we always do: keep working. In this episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans discuss the volatile, unprecedented political situation we now find ourselves in, as well as ways to take a step back and recognize that some things might just be more important than business as usual. We want to hear from you. Send your thoughts and feedback to [email protected] Looking for some help wi...
56. The Folly of the Annual Performance Review
December 22, 2020 13:00 - 49 minutesIt's the end of the year! And for many of us, that also means the return of the dreaded performance review. As we strive to make our workplaces and organizations more human, how can we reinvent this outdated tradition into something... actually useful? In this episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans discuss how the standard performance management cycle fails both managers and employees, and how we can work toward a better future for feedback. Mentioned references: "radical...
The folly of the annual performance review
December 22, 2020 13:00 - 48 minutesIt's the end of the year! And for many of us, that also means the return of the dreaded performance review. As we strive to make our workplaces and organizations more human, how can we reinvent this outdated tradition into something... actually useful? In this episode, we discuss how the standard performance management cycle fails both managers and employees, and how we can work toward a better future for feedback. Apply to work at The Ready: In the United States: https://app.beapplied.com/a...
56. The folly of the annual performance review
December 22, 2020 13:00 - 49 minutesIt's the end of the year! And for many of us, that also means the return of the dreaded performance review. As we strive to make our workplaces and organizations more human, how can we reinvent this outdated tradition into something... actually useful? In this episode, we discuss how the standard performance management cycle fails both managers and employees, and how we can work toward a better future for feedback. Apply to work at The Ready: In the United States: https://app.beapplied.com/a...
55. Gaslighting and Other Forms of Epistemic Injustice in the Workplace with Cat Swetel
December 18, 2020 11:00 - 47 minutesWhen we begin to reckon with inequality in the workplace, a useful place to start is the concept of "epistemic injustice"—what we know, how we know, and who gets to decide and influence our reality. This concept goes deeper than simply who is in the room. This is about the stories we bring with us, the ones we build together, and how bias and representation shape the possibility of what can be. In this episode of Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans speak with Cat Swetel, a consultan...
Epistemic Injustice w/ Cat Swetel
December 18, 2020 11:00 - 47 minutesWhen we begin to reckon with inequality in the workplace, a useful place to start is the concept of "epistemic injustice"—what we know, how we know, and who gets to decide and influence our reality. This concept goes deeper than simply who is in the room. This is about the stories we bring with us, the ones we build together, and how bias and representation shape the possibility of what can be. In this episode, we speak with Cat Swetel, a consultant specializing in data-informed coaching and ...
55. Epistemic Injustice w/ Cat Swetel
December 18, 2020 11:00 - 47 minutesWhen we begin to reckon with inequality in the workplace, a useful place to start is the concept of "epistemic injustice"—what we know, how we know, and who gets to decide and influence our reality. This concept goes deeper than simply who is in the room. This is about the stories we bring with us, the ones we build together, and how bias and representation shape the possibility of what can be. In this episode, we speak with Cat Swetel, a consultant specializing in data-informed coaching and ...