Beyond Busy

After a coffee with one of the founders of Tiny Capital, Daniel was invited to join the project management software company Flow, as their CEO. He combined his design and product experience with a desire to help lead teams. Daniel turned a business that was contracting into a growing one, overseeing a new iteration of the product that has gained mass adoption, and focusing the offering around team-based productivity. Repeatably excellent design Daniel talks about being a “designer CEO”, his former job at Apple, joining Square and forming the investment company Blackletter Ventures. 'If you want a team with world-class performers…you need to have a high bar.'Drawing on inspiration from the founder of Visa, Daniel shares his approach to leadership, setting high standards and managing laterally, rather than always from the top down. 'Give yourself the chance to compound.' Both Graham and Daniel open up about suffering from work-related depression, and Daniel shares how he came to realise he was depressed and so

Ray originally wanted to be a doctor, but found an interest in trading during his teens, and as the son of a diplomat, he grew up with an affinity for understanding other cultures and ways of working. Graham and Ray begin by discussing the impact the pandemic has had on the City of London, and how the financial industry has dealt, and continues to deal, with the uncertainty that surrounds it. 'If I had to pick one factor which can really influence and enhance your sleep, it’s the concept of going to bed and rising at the same time, even at weekends.' Working through his framework for productivity, Ray explains how rhythm and regularity in sleep, and getting the right amount of sleep can make us more productive. He also advocates for focusing on gut health, testing gut tolerance, and using that information to improve diet and possibly mood. 'Softer skills matter more than absolute levels of intelligence.' Hard work and humility are two key traits that Ray values and looks for when recruiting. Graham and he dis

Strategic consultant and former rocket-scientist Fred Pelard has worked with brands like Nike, Barclays, the Guardian and more, and is the author of How to be Strategic. Fred lays out the difference between management and strategic consulting, creating space for structured brainstorming, and solving complex problems. 'Being strategic is a skill, and you can learn it.' There are four key ways of solving problems, which Fred has identified as the Expert Way, the Analytical Way, the Creative Way and the Strategic Way. He also outlines the Strategic Rollercoaster, which charts the interactivity between creative and analytical thinking. 'You have to be Tigger before you’re Eeyore.'Graham and Fred discuss W Chan Kim’s successor to the golden rule: “treat others as they would like to be treated”, breaking complex problems down into threes, and the Happy Line. 'There are three different types of jobs: product, process, performance.' Finally, Fred reveals how he’s able to read between 20 and 30 business books in a mon

Jennifer Aaker is a behavioural psychologist and General Atlantic Professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business. Naomi Bagdonas is also a Stanford lecturer, a strategy media consultant, and an improv comedian. Together, they co-authored the book, Humour, Seriously. 'It’s a lot easier and more accessible than people think, to tap into their sense of humour.' The two met when Jennifer asked Naomi to be a guest lecturer at Stanford, where Naomi had the students in hysterics. The conversation kicks off in musical fashion, with Graham put on the spot and asked to sing an intro, and continues with a discussion on the importance of bringing levity into the workplace and preventing us from “dropping off the humour cliff” as we age. Jennifer and Naomi bust the myth that you have to be funny from birth, and offer four options to help you find your humour style: Magnet, Sniper, Standup, or Sweetheart. 'Humour does not exist in a vacuum — it’s all about the context and relationship you have [with the audience].'As we

Social entrepreneur Nand Kishore Chaudhary is no stranger to working from home. He started his career selling shoes in his father’s shop, and declined the offer to join a nationalised bank to strike out on his own. Now he runs a business working with over 40,000 rug weavers, spanning over 700 locations and selling to 60 different countries. NK formed his company, Jaipur Rugs, with a $200 loan from his dad, but was struck by the class system in India that drew strict divisions between his cast and the cast of his weavers. When he began to expand outside of Jaipur, he was advised against working with a Gujarati tribe. 'People can beat you, people can kill you. They are the tribal people, and they are not very welcoming to the outsider.' Undaunted, NK sought advice from a friend and mentor, who encouraged him to work with the tribe, but with love, compassion and empathy to counteract the experiences of exploitation the tribe had faced in the past. NK ended up staying for nine years, training fifteen thousand Guj

Self-described generalist Francis works with the creative consultancy FizzPopBang, helping companies create a sense of relationship and integrity between their brand and their employee experience. He also founded Wise Fool School, bringing together the concepts of embodiment, spiritual development, and wellbeing, to enrich leaders’ skill sets. 'I’ve learned to see the value in the way that I see connections that other people don’t see.' Francis trained as an interfaith minister, helping to remind people of their intrinsic worth, and reframe what they see as failings or flaws in themselves, as an opportunity to become more whole, connected, aware and vibrant. 'Wisdom is cultivated within the span of a lifetime.' Graham and Francis discuss theism in its many forms, how writings of today echo work that has been read for generations, and explore the inevitability of death. Responsibility, presence and integrity are three tenets Francis has taken from his years of interfaith study. In this episode, he expands on t

Eman is an email conversion strategist and copywriter, helping business owners and ecommerce brands boost profit and build relationships. Eman is proof that email is not dead, and in fact has seen an increase in investment in email strategy as more companies go digital. 'People mistake email for being a one-to-many marketing tool, when it’s actually a one-to-one marketing tool.' Eman has great advice for people who want to use email as a more meaningful, personal and intimate marketing tool. She also shares some of her favourite resources and authors, to help business owners write better copy. Eman always wanted to be a writer, but had been led to believe the only way to make money from writing was to become the next JK Rowling. After running the communications department for a charity, Eman felt like she needed to address her work-life balance, so made the move to freelance copywriter at the age of 26. 'I’m only going to have more responsibilities, I’m only going to have more bills to pay, so if I want to s

Stefanie Sword-Williams is the author of the book F*ck Being Humble, and describes herself as the “tough-love agony aunt careers coach”. Her book and business help people combat the social conditioning that prevents them from being able to promote themselves. F*ck Being Humble was born from a moment of creative burnout, and Stef’s desire for more creative control, and the ability to advocate for things she really believed in. 'There was a lot of millennial boss-bitch, “you’ve got this, hon” going around.' Although Stef describes herself as being a confident person and possessed of self-belief, she’s faced risks and challenges that have shaped her journey. She also gives Graham a free sample of the coaching she provides, by workshopping his Instagram profile. 'The more we self-promote, the more confident we get in our skills, our crafts and our abilities.'Both Graham and Stef share their upbringings, and how they differ from the perceptions people have of them as adults. Stef also discusses the age discriminat

Graham talks down-the-line with leadership mentor, and South Carolina city councillor Tameika Isaac Devine. They discuss her upbringing, how her father’s history, growing up in the segregated south encouraged her advocacy, leading through turbulence, and juggling her role on the city council with her full-time job as an attorney in a law firm she founded in 2001. In 2002, at the age of 29, Tameika became the first African American woman to serve on the city council. She still serves on the city council, and has overseen dramatic weather events, civil action (recently in the form of the removal of the confederate flag), and the church shooting that made international headlines. During these events, Tameika has not simply presided over these events, but actively worked within her community to help recover from, or otherwise make sense of them. Graham and Tameika also discuss her take on work-life integration, including defining and managing goals, measuring success, avoiding burnout and saying “no”. Graham Allc

Graham talks to former submarine commander and language engineer David Marquet, about the language of leadership, intent, and starting questions with “why” or “how”. David approaches the statement: “I wish my team were more x”, and encourages leaders to work towards changing their own behaviour in order to facilitate change within their team. Graham Allcott is the founder of time management training company Think Productive. This podcast is produced by Origin.✔ Links:  Subscribe to Graham's Newsletter: https://www.grahamallcott.com/sign-up​​ Buy “How to be a Productivity Ninja”: http://amazon.co.uk/dp/1785784617​​  Our Show Sponsors: Think Productive - Time Management Training:http://www.thinkproductive.com​​ Useful links:https://www.grahamallcott.com/links See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Graham speaks down-the-line with coach, facilitator and speaker David McQueen. They talk about valuing one’s time and experience, telling hard truths, and the prejudices faced by black and other ethnic minority professionals that are often unchallenged. David shares his L4 framework of loving, listening, language and learning for moving conversations forwards, and speaks candidly about his experiences, the way he leverages privilege, and the importance of turning down engagements where only the other party benefits. Graham Allcott is the founder of time management training company Think Productive. This podcast is produced by Origin.✔ Links:  Subscribe to Graham's Newsletter: https://www.grahamallcott.com/sign-up​​ Buy “How to be a Productivity Ninja”: http://amazon.co.uk/dp/1785784617​​  Our Show Sponsors: Think Productive - Time Management Training:http://www.thinkproductive.com​​ Useful links:https://www.grahamallcott.com/links See acast.com/privacy for pri

Graham was a guest on the Happy Startup School's Friday Fireside, discussing productivity during lockdown, and taking questions from the livestream audience. Graham provides tips for prioritising work, managing commitments and boundaries, trust and autonomy. Graham Allcott is the founder of time management training company Think Productive. This podcast is produced by Origin.✔ Links:  Subscribe to Graham's Newsletter: https://www.grahamallcott.com/sign-up​​ Buy “How to be a Productivity Ninja”: http://amazon.co.uk/dp/1785784617​​  Our Show Sponsors: Think Productive - Time Management Training:http://www.thinkproductive.com​​ Useful links:https://www.grahamallcott.com/links See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Graham sits down with authors of How to Go to Work, Lucy Clayton and Steven Haines. They share their experiences helping younger people enter the world of work, dealing with bad bosses, managing holiday and allocating energy. Graham Allcott is the founder of time management training company Think Productive. This podcast is produced by Origin.✔ Links:  Subscribe to Graham's Newsletter: https://www.grahamallcott.com/sign-up​​ Buy “How to be a Productivity Ninja”: http://amazon.co.uk/dp/1785784617​​  Our Show Sponsors: Think Productive - Time Management Training:http://www.thinkproductive.com​​ Useful links:https://www.grahamallcott.com/links See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Graham talks with author Alex Pang about the four day week, creativity, competing in the job market for peace of mind over higher salaries, and how running shorter meetings can translate into better social capital within a more traditional work week. Both Alex and Graham are proponents of the four day work week, and in this episode they challenge some of the misconceptions people have around the way time is spent throughout the week. Graham Allcott is the founder of time management training company Think Productive. This podcast is produced by Origin.✔ Links:  Subscribe to Graham's Newsletter: https://www.grahamallcott.com/sign-up​​ Buy “How to be a Productivity Ninja”: http://amazon.co.uk/dp/1785784617​​  Our Show Sponsors: Think Productive - Time Management Training:http://www.thinkproductive.com​​ Useful links:https://www.grahamallcott.com/links See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Graham speaks with co-founder of career development company Amazing If, Sarah Ellis, about uncertainty, social media’s comparison culture, and the importance of a personal manifesto. They both share personal moments from their time in lockdown and Sarah shares her insights on company values from her time working with Sainsbury’s. Sarah has run Amazing If for six years, going from a side-project alongside her job working in corporate social responsibility for Sainsbury’s, to a full-time commitment during that period, balancing child care and looking after her own fitness and wellbeing. Graham Allcott is the founder of time management training company Think Productive. This podcast is produced by Origin.✔ Links:  Subscribe to Graham's Newsletter: https://www.grahamallcott.com/sign-up​​ Buy “How to be a Productivity Ninja”: http://amazon.co.uk/dp/1785784617​​  Our Show Sponsors: Think Productive - Time Management Training:http://www.thinkproductive.com​​ Useful l

Graham and Grace present their webinar on working from home, from coping with distractions to juggling priorities. As well as delivering a full training session to their virtual attendees, they took questions from the live chat. Graham Allcott is the founder of time management training company Think Productive. This podcast is produced by Origin.✔ Links:  Subscribe to Graham's Newsletter: https://www.grahamallcott.com/sign-up​​ Buy “How to be a Productivity Ninja”: http://amazon.co.uk/dp/1785784617​​  Our Show Sponsors: Think Productive - Time Management Training:http://www.thinkproductive.com​​ Useful links:https://www.grahamallcott.com/links See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Graham speaks with digital change specialist Katz Kiely, about the need for cultural transformation within the health sector, and how operating with compassion is just good business. Katz is leading an initiative to help frontline NHS workers get the personal protective equipment (PPE) that they need to work more safely. You can find out more about the initiative at frontline.live, and if you’re a key worker in need of PPE, you can post a tweet with the following hashtags: * #frontlinemap * your work postcode (eg #SW11AA) * your PPE need (eg #N95masks) You can also submit your PPE needs directly and anonymously. Graham Allcott is the founder of time management training company Think Productive. This podcast is produced by Origin.✔ Links:  Subscribe to Graham's Newsletter: https://www.grahamallcott.com/sign-up​​ Buy “How to be a Productivity Ninja”: http://amazon.co.uk/dp/1785784617​​  Our Show Sponsors: Think Productive - Time Management Training:http://www.thinkpr

Graham talks to author Louai Al Roumani, about acting effectively and compassionately in a crisis. Louai was head of finance and planning at one of the largest banks in Syria, when the war broke out in 2011. He shares his thoughts on leading "from the ground", how to think long-term, and effectively measure success. Graham Allcott is the founder of time management training company Think Productive. This podcast is produced by Origin.✔ Links:  Subscribe to Graham's Newsletter: https://www.grahamallcott.com/sign-up​​ Buy “How to be a Productivity Ninja”: http://amazon.co.uk/dp/1785784617​​  Our Show Sponsors: Think Productive - Time Management Training:http://www.thinkproductive.com​​ Useful links:https://www.grahamallcott.com/links See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Graham talks to entrepreneur, speaker and host of the Unconventionalists podcast, Mark Leruste about authenticity, leadership, and the divide between millennials and Gen-X. Mark also shares his story of creating one of the world’s first, and most successful video CVs, as well as his work with the Movember Foundation. Graham Allcott is the founder of time management training company Think Productive. This podcast is produced by Origin.✔ Links:  Subscribe to Graham's Newsletter: https://www.grahamallcott.com/sign-up​​ Buy “How to be a Productivity Ninja”: http://amazon.co.uk/dp/1785784617​​  Our Show Sponsors: Think Productive - Time Management Training:http://www.thinkproductive.com​​ Useful links:https://www.grahamallcott.com/links See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Graham shares a fireside chat he recorded at the Clore Social Leadership breakfast in December, where he recounts his journey from the charity sector to founding Think Productive, valuing people and treating them with trust and empathy, and turning a crisis on its head. Graham also takes questions from members of the audience, on the culture of meetings, motivating young volunteers, and how you can succeed by being nice to work with. Graham Allcott is the founder of time management training company Think Productive. This podcast is produced by Origin.✔ Links:  Subscribe to Graham's Newsletter: https://www.grahamallcott.com/sign-up​​ Buy “How to be a Productivity Ninja”: http://amazon.co.uk/dp/1785784617​​  Our Show Sponsors: Think Productive - Time Management Training:http://www.thinkproductive.com​​ Useful links:https://www.grahamallcott.com/links See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.