Ways of Working w/ Kholo

Ways of Working #10 - Daniele dell'Erba

In this episode, we sit down with Daniele Dell’Erba — organisational psychologist, management consultant, professor, and musician — to explore what truly drives change in organisations. Daniele has spent over two decades facilitating transformation across global Fortune 500 companies, helping leaders navigate the human side of change. From boardrooms to business schools, his work bridges psychology and management, focusing on how people make sense of disruption — and how we can make that process less stressful, more meaningful, and even creative. We talk about why simplifying change communication matters more than perfect plans, how AI is redefining identity and purpose at work, and why the future of leadership lies in empathy, steady nerves, and adaptability. Daniele also shares how his experience as an improvisational musician shapes his approach to change — reminding us that leadership is often about finding harmony in uncertainty. Talking Points: * Psychology applied to change and cultural transformation. * Why people resist change — and how to help them make sense of it. * What AI means for identity, work, and meaning. * How to build agility in large organisations without losing stability. * What leaders can learn from improvisation and music. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation about change, leadership, and the future of work — from someone who’s been guiding transformation for over 25 years. Do you want to bring these practices into your organisation? Reach out at info@kholo.co or visit kholo.co [https://www.kholo.co] to start the conversation.

Ways of Working #09 - Victor Lopes Mascarenhas

In this episode, we sit down with Victor Lopes Mascarenhas, designer, futurist, and regenerative thinker whose work bridges design, foresight, and systems change. Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Victor has spent his career reimagining how business and society can evolve beyond sustainability toward regeneration. From leading sustainable innovation for global manufacturers to creating his own design studio, Victor’s path has always been guided by one question: how can we design like nature does? He shares the story behind the Regenerative Organisation Canvas, a tool that builds on the traditional business model canvas but redefines success through reciprocity, impact, and long-term resilience. We explore how regenerative principles can transform organisations of every size, from startups and NGOs to large corporations, and how shifting from profit-maximisation to ecosystem thinking can unlock entirely new forms of value. Victor offers vivid examples, from indigenous farming communities to startups in the Amazon, showing how organisations can create positive cycles of learning, collaboration, and renewal. He also reflects on what truly drives change: empathy, ethics, and the courage to believe a regenerative future is not utopian, it’s already possible. Talking Points: * From sustainable design to regenerative systems thinking. * The inspiration and structure behind the Regenerative Organisation Canvas. * How reciprocity and ecosystems redefine value creation. * Case studies: regenerative farming, Amazonian youth innovation, and circular startups. * Why large organisations hold the key to systemic transformation. * How paradigm shifts, not metrics, drive real sustainability. * The role of empathy and action in navigating complexity. Explore the Regenerative Organisation Canvas and Victor’s work on his website [https://victormasca.gumroad.com/l/ROC]. Tune in for an expansive conversation on how we can redesign business, leadership, and impact through the lens of regeneration. Do you want to bring regenerative practices into your organisation? Reach out at info@kholo.co [info@kholo.co] or visit kholo.co [http://kholo.co] to start the conversation.

Ways of Working #08 - Hannah Verrall

In this episode, we sit down with Hannah Verrall, a business architect, analyst, and lifelong problem-solver whose work bridges the gap between people and technology. Hannah has spent nearly three decades helping organisations translate complexity into clarity, designing systems that not only work but make sense for the people who use them. We explore how communication and curiosity lie at the heart of effective technology and why automation, without alignment and purpose, simply speeds up bad outcomes. Hannah shares insights from her career designing software and leading agile teams. Hannah and Sajni reflect on their experience co-creating The Fax Club Experiment [https://thefaxclubexperiment.com/], a global collaborative writing experiment that tested what happens when 32 strangers self-organise to publish a book together. From agile pitfalls and the art of the minimum viable change, to the importance of psychological safety and generosity of spirit, Hannah’s stories show that transformation, whether technological or cultural, always starts small. Talking Points: * Translating complexity: the bridge between technical and human systems. * Why automating the wrong process just gets you to the wrong place faster. * What AI can and can’t replace—and the risk of losing apprenticeship learning. * The strengths and blind spots of agile ways of working. * Lessons from Fax Club: collective creativity, self-organisation, and trust. * How small steps and generous assumptions build resilient teams. Tune in for a grounded and insightful conversation about how we design systems—technical, organisational, and human—that help us work better together. Do you want to bring these practices into your organisation? Reach out at info@kholo.co [info@kholo.co] or visit kholo.co [http://kholo.co] to start the conversation. You can find more information about the Fax Club Experiment Book here [https://thefaxclubexperiment.com/].

Ways of Working #07 - Sam Applebee

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Applebee, festival organiser, social entrepreneur, and technologist, whose journey brings together AI consulting, social innovation, and community-led creativity. Sam shares how early experiments with self-organising systems in a London AI startup shaped his views on leadership and collaboration, and how those lessons now inform his work on Beginnings, a volunteer-led music and arts festival in Portugal. We explore what it takes to build trust-based organisations, why radical transparency can both empower and overwhelm, and how scaling inevitably reshapes the dynamics of collaboration. Sam reflects on “cooking slow and not growing too fast” when it comes to building meaningful communities. The conversation ranges from self-set salaries and peer-reviewed systems to the joy and tension of organising festivals without on-site money. We discuss the deeper questions: How do organisations thrive when AI accelerates automation? What role can creativity and community play in helping us navigate a future where meaning and purpose need new anchors? Talking Points: * Early experiments with self-managing systems and the challenges of scaling. * The creation and evolution of Beginnings, a 500-person community festival. * Why processes can both support and stifle collaboration. * Lessons on slowing down, staying small, and prioritising relationships. * How AI could reshape purpose, productivity, and creativity in organisations. Tune in for a thought-provoking exploration of how communities and organisations can design themselves for meaning, creativity, and resilience in a rapidly changing world. Do you want to bring these practices into your organisation? Reach out at info@kholo.co or visit us at kholo.co [https://www.kholo.co/] to start the conversation.

Ways of Working #06 - Colin Price

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Colin Price, a renowned organisational strategist whose career spans PwC, McKinsey, private equity, and entrepreneurial ventures. Colin begins with a remarkable story of working alongside Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton, and Tony Blair on Robben Island, where even these world leaders admitted to feelings of imposter syndrome. This anecdote sets the tone for a conversation about leadership, transformation, and the human side of organisations. Colin shares his journey from building consulting practices at scale to rediscovering his passion for advising leaders today. We explore how the consulting industry has been reshaped by AI, what agility really means beyond buzzwords, and the timeless human dynamics that continue to challenge organisations. Colin also reflects on servant leadership, the importance of psychological safety, and why creating environments of feedback and trust is key to accelerating performance. Talking Points: * The Robben Island workshop with Mandela, Clinton, and Blair, and what it revealed about leadership. * Colin’s career journey from PwC and McKinsey to private equity and back to consulting. * How AI is transforming consulting, research, and ways of working. * Why agility is more about leadership behaviour than rituals or frameworks. * The role of culture, trust, and psychological safety in enabling transformation. * Servant leadership, candour over charisma, and building feedback-rich environments. * Future trends in productivity, work, and the social impact of technology. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that blends wisdom, real-world stories, and practical insights into what makes organisations thrive in times of complexity and change. Do you like what you hear and are interested in implementing these practices into your organisation? Feel free to reach out to info@kholo.co or check out our website, ⁠⁠⁠kholo.co⁠