Dan Rust returns to the conversation with Paul to delve into the skills people need to thrive as work evolves, but as individuals and leaders. Paul and Dan share their thoughts on using AI in the workplace, including how to balance productivity and quality, and the psychological impacts of reliance on such technologies. They also explore what really constitutes career success, highlighting the significance of adaptability, capturing evidence of achievements, and the importance of...

Why is it so difficult to be motivated in today's world of work, and what can we do to make sure that we get and sustain motivation even as AI and robotics become more prevalent? In today's episode, Matt and Paul discuss how motivation is more than just an initial burst of inspiration or positivity; it involves understanding the reality of your situation, knowing what matters to you, and making consistent progress. They examine the difference between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation, noting...

Learning and Development leader and host of the podcast Leadership Disrupted joins Paul to discuss critical factors that can determine your success or failure in the workplace of today and tomorrow. They tackle questions such as: Knowing When to Leave an OrganizationHow to Recognize the Root Cause of Workplace StrugglesHow to Navigate Workplace CulturesThe Role of Luck in a Person's Career00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:50 Getting to Know Dan Rust 01:58 Discussion Format and Q...

In this episode, Paul and Matt tackle the concept of balance within the modern work-life environment. They discuss how managing energy across various life domains—work, family, friends, and personal interests—is more crucial than merely dividing time between work and personal life. They differentiate between traditional work-life balance and the current need for energy balance, addressing the intertwining of work and non-work activities in today's world. They highlight challenges like hyperre...

Paul hosts Stephan Meier, author of 'The Employee Advantage' and chair of the management division at Columbia Business School. Paul and Stephan discuss the new book, and the benefits and challenges associated with creating human-centric workplaces. They delve into the core themes of employee engagement, the importance of listening to workers, and the concept of treating employees as valuable assets. Stephan shares insights from his book, including examples of successful employee-centric com...

In this episode, Paul and Matt delve into the concept of control in the workplace. They define control as the ability to manage one's environment, knowing when to take command and when to step back. They discuss how remote work and the use of AI tools have shifted the dynamics of real-time collaboration, emphasizing the importance of situational awareness and adaptability. The conversation touches on leadership styles, the impact of micromanagement, and the psychological underpinnings of cont...

In this episode, Paul sits down with Shannon Plumb, Founder and CEO of PURL Advisors, globally recognized mentor, leadership advisor, and creator of the Real T newsletter. Shannon is known for helping leaders stop pretending to be someone else—and start winning as themselves. They unpack: What authentic leadership actually means beyond the buzzwordThe difference between polish and presenceWhy vulnerability builds trust (but performative vulnerability breaks it)The real emotional work behind e...

In this episode, Paul and Matt dive into one of the most misunderstood durable skills: organization. It’s not just about tidy desks or color-coded inboxes—it’s the human ability to make sense of the world. They explore why some of us are natural filers while others are pilers, how AI tools are reshaping our need for structure, and what “just right” organization looks like in modern work. From ancient libraries to Gmail, and from personal comfort to shared systems, this conversation uncovers w...

In this episode, Paul sits down with Michele Volpi - author of The Career Remix: Build a Future That Fits You — Pivot. Grow. Thrive., to explore how professionals can reinvent themselves in an era of disruption. Together, they unpack what it takes to stay adaptable, purposeful, and fulfilled when careers no longer follow a single, linear path. They discuss the mindset shifts needed to thrive amid constant change, how to balance reinvention with stability, and why embracing experimentat...

In this episode, Paul and Matt tackle what they call the “North Star” of durable skills—adaptability. They explore what it really means to adapt as the world changes daily, how it differs from resilience, and why it’s the single most important skill for staying relevant in work that refuses to stand still. Five Key Learnings: Adaptability is the ability to adjust as the world around you changes—it’s the North Star of durable skills.Resilience supports adaptability—it’s the ability to emotiona...

In this episode, Paul and Matt explore what readiness really means at work—and why it’s not the same as wellbeing or wellness. They unpack why traditional wellness programs often fail to resonate with everyone, introduce the idea of “focused energy,” and explain how daily practices can recharge your “brain battery” to stay effective in an unpredictable world. Five Key Learnings: Readiness is the ability to consistently bring focused energy to your work—not just feeling well, but being able to...

Changes are coming to Humanity Working. In this episode, Paul and Matt share what’s next: a new format designed for the way we all actually listen and learn. Every Tuesday, we will be dropping "Quick Fixes"—short, focused episodes that tackle one idea at a time, from mentoring and networking to resilience and adaptability. Continue to look out for interviews as bonus episodes from time to time, but Quick Fixes will keep you learning in a fast, practical, and built-for-real-life format.Five K...

Mentoring is everywhere—but not all of it works. In this episode, Paul and Matt separate hype from reality, covering what actually drives value for mentees, mentors, and organizations. They also place mentoring in a broader context. Five Key Learnings: Mentoring demand is surging, but impact varies widely.Programs often fizzle when urgent tasks crowd out the important.Mentees can accelerate value by finding fit, keeping momentum, and using the relationship.Great mentors balance challenge with...

Networking doesn’t have to mean awkward small talk or transactional card-swapping. Paul and Matt reframe networking as relationship-first, exploring how to create authentic connections, design better event formats, and balance depth with breadth in your network. Five Key Learnings: Intentional, authentic connections beat performative mingling.Even 30 minutes at an event can yield real relationships with the right design.Depth builds fastest through shared tasks, co-creation, or thoughtf...

Go Slow to Go Fast We live in a culture that prizes speed—but sometimes moving slower is what actually accelerates results. In this episode, Paul and Matt explore when deliberate pauses pay off, how to test “slow-downs” safely, and how leaders can set the right cadence without losing urgency when it matters most. Five Key Learnings: Slowing down can reduce rework, surface hidden costs, and sharpen decisions.Smart slow-downs (like reflection or structured breaks) often boost creativity and cla...

In this episode, Paul and Matt dig into the history—and the myths—around the Eisenhower Matrix. Was it really invented by Eisenhower? Did he even talk about this stuff? And how can a tool this simple be both game-changing and misleading at the same time? They explore how to apply it without over-engineering, how to spot when your team is maturing from reactive to proactive, and why “schedule” is the most powerful word in the framework. Five Key Learnings: Eisenhower never drew the Matrix—Step...

Heavy ChatGPT use may help short-term tasks—but it can quietly weaken your brain. In this episode, Paul and Matt unpack a new MIT Media Lab study and explain how durable skills act like muscles: neglect them, and they atrophy. They close with a blueprint to keep yours sharp with a few minutes a day. Five Key Learnings: MIT study found weaker brain activity and “cognitive debt” after ChatGPT use. Overreliance on AI dulls critical thinking and originality. Durable sk...

If health underpins great work, why do so many workplaces treat it like a perk? In this episode, Paul and Matt examine the gap between surface-level wellness offerings and real employee needs—then share how to shift toward readiness and resilience without overhauling everything. Five Key Learnings: Lived experience (burnout, caregiving, fatigue) doesn’t match company messaging. Health is still treated as “individual responsibility,” not a team design issue. Small m...

The highly political nature of the new South Park series has been making all the headlines, but it also has something else squarely in it’s sights - Generative AI. This week, Paul and Matt discuss a theme from a recent episode, the sycophantic nature of ChatGPT, and what that might be doing to our productivity…and our brains.Resources mentioned in this episode: Sickofancy South Park Episode Description: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sickofancy# Humanity Working is brought to you by Bill...

The word “wellbeing” might be fading at work—but not because people are thriving. In this episode, Paul and Matt dig into why the concept is being tuned out (especially by men), and how reframing it as “readiness” helps reclaim its importance without turning it into a lifestyle brand. Five Key Learnings: Wellbeing language can alienate—especially in high-pressure cultures. Framing it as “readiness” keeps the focus on performance, not perfection. 80-hour weeks don’t...