Ambition & Life

Unseen Potential: Redesigning Work for Real Inclusion

In this conversation, I sit down with Nikki Tugano, Founder & CEO of SeenCulture, to talk about how work can be redesigns to open doors, not quietly close them. We explore practical ways leaders can surface unseen potential, write inclusive role descriptions, and use positive psychology and job crafting to lift performance and wellbeing. Nikki’s story, from feeling unseen as a child to building a company that helps individuals and teams get truly recognised offers a rare blend of evidence, empathy and action. If you care about equity, flexible job design and building teams that deliver impact without burning people out, this one’s for you. What we cover * The definition of “unseen potential” and how to make it visible * Writing senior role descriptions that open doors (not quietly close them) * Autonomy, connection, mastery: the psychology behind motivation and performance * How to use AI responsibly to de-bias job ads and widen candidate pools * Practical prompts for 1:1s that reveal strengths you’re not using yet Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Scene Culture and Its Mission 04:50 Defining Unseen Potential 05:58 Leadership's Role in Uncovering Potential 07:49 Innovative Job Design in Recruitment 08:57 Positive Psychology in Job Design 12:24 AI and Job Design Considerations 15:10 Supporting Single Parents in Leadership 17:59 Hope for Equity and Opportunity 19:34 Key Takeaways for Leaders 21:45 Final Thoughts and Call to Action Find out more about SeenCulture * Free individual profile to start mapping your strengths: https://seenteams.com/ [https://seenteams.com/] * Learn more about SeenCulture’s work: https://www.seenculture.com/ [https://www.seenculture.com/]

When Work Meets Real Life: Rethinking the System with Jessica Graham

In this conversation, Jessica Graham, Marketing Director at The Search Experience, shares her journey of redefining ambition and work-life balance. She discusses her experience with redundancy, the importance of flexible work arrangements, and how she navigates her role in a way that allows her to prioritise family while achieving professional success. Jessica emphasizes the need for leaders to rethink traditional work structures, particularly the concept of part-time work, and advocates for a focus on outcomes rather than hours worked. The discussion also touches on the evolving landscape of marketing in the age of AI and the importance of trust in team dynamics. Takeaways * Jessica emphasizes the importance of a four-day work week for work-life balance. * Redundancy can be a catalyst for positive change and new opportunities. * Leaders should keep an open mind when hiring and designing roles. * Part-time work should be reframed to focus on outcomes, not hours. * AI is reshaping marketing and creating new opportunities for innovation. * Flexibility in work arrangements can lead to higher performance and satisfaction. * Trusting employees to manage their own schedules can enhance productivity. * Work-life integration is essential for long-term career success. * Employers need to adapt to attract top talent by offering flexibility. * Creating a supportive work environment can lead to better employee retention. Chapters 00:00Introduction to Jessica Graham 02:01 Who is JessicA 03:08 Ambition 05:16 Navigating Redundancy and Embracing Change 08:06 Establishing a New Work Rhythm 09:03 Negotiating Flexibility in Leadership Roles 14:11 Reframing Part-Time Work 15:55 The Future of Marketing in the Age of AI 18:31 Practical Strategies for Work-Life Balance 22:14 Final Thoughts on Ambition and Life Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicagraham/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicagraham/] Learn more about Jessica's company The Search Experience: www.tsetalent.com [http://www.tsetalent.com] Follow Jessica's passion project - Book Trivia Podcast: https://www.booktriviapodcast.com/ [https://www.booktriviapodcast.com/]

The Story Behind Ambition & Life: Redesigning Success

In this deeply personal opening episode, Karis Dorrigan shares the story behind her mission. From leading billion-dollar teams to navigating solo parenthood and why she’s determined to build a world where ambition and care can thrive together. 00:00 Introduction to Ambition and Life Podcast 00:52 Karis Dorrigan's Journey and Motivation 03:01 The Challenges of Solo Parenting 05:25 The Impact of Systems on Parenting and Work 07:21 Redesigning Work for Real Lives 08:18 The Vision for the Podcast