The People Assured Podcast

A career in consulting & the power of active listening, with guest, Peter Siggins: Episode #5

Welcome to the People Assured podcast where I discuss core skills for work and life.  I’m your host, Ian Foster, and in this episode (#5,  23 minutes) I interview Peter Siggins about his 23 year career in consulting, and the power of active listening.   We discuss:  * Why consulting?  * Consulting roles and skills  * What clients look for * Creating a win-win * The power of active listening … and how to get better at it!  I hope you enjoy it.  Please share and subscribe! Best wishes, Ian Email: ianfoster@peopleassured.com LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianfosterpeopleassured/ Background: Peter enjoyed a 23 year international career with PA Consulting Group (www.paconsulting.com) and is now an advisor to start ups and scale ups.  He’s also a self-described motorcycle addict. At PA, based at different times out of the UK and US, he rose to partner, practice leader and Americas Region Head.  Since “retiring” he now works with startups and scale ups that are focused on growth and pioneering a brighter future. Bibliography (links): Peter Siggins LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-siggins/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-siggins/] The Trust Equation: https://hbr.org/2008/05/how-trustworthy-are-you [https://hbr.org/2008/05/how-trustworthy-are-you] The Trusted Advisor: https://www.amazon.com/Trusted-Advisor-David-H-Maister/dp/0743212347 [https://www.amazon.com/Trusted-Advisor-David-H-Maister/dp/0743212347]

Creativity & The Innovation Mindset: Episode #4

Welcome to the People Assured Podcast, where I discuss skills for work and life.  I’m your host, Ian Foster and in this 5-minute episode (#4) I discuss Creativity and The Innovation Mindset — how organizations need to embrace diversity, be open to change, and build a culture of creativity. I hope you enjoy it! Please share and subscribe. Best wishes, Ian Email: ianfoster@peopleassured.com LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianfosterpeopleassured/ Links to references https://www.ericsson.com/en/blog/2018/5/5-key-steps-to-creating-an-innovation-mindset [https://www.ericsson.com/en/blog/2018/5/5-key-steps-to-creating-an-innovation-mindset] https://www.ericsson.com/en/blog/2019/10/innovation-design-and-di-creativity-through-diversity [https://www.ericsson.com/en/blog/2019/10/innovation-design-and-di-creativity-through-diversity] https://coonoor.medium.com/design-thinking-the-scientific-method-for-innovation-f5912e721063 [https://coonoor.medium.com/design-thinking-the-scientific-method-for-innovation-f5912e721063] https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/importance-of-creativity-in-business [https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/importance-of-creativity-in-business] https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/how-do-you-respond-to-a-new-idea/ [https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/how-do-you-respond-to-a-new-idea/] https://www.acceptmission.com/blog/innovation-mindset/ [https://www.acceptmission.com/blog/innovation-mindset/] https://www.mjvinnovation.com/blog/innovation-mindset-in-your-business/ [https://www.mjvinnovation.com/blog/innovation-mindset-in-your-business/] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hackathon [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hackathon] https://hbr.org/2008/10/creativity-and-the-role-of-the-leader [https://hbr.org/2008/10/creativity-and-the-role-of-the-leader]https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/6848-creativity-vs-innovation.html [https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/6848-creativity-vs-innovation.html] https://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles/Eight-Ways-to-Develop-an-Innovative-Mindset [https://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles/Eight-Ways-to-Develop-an-Innovative-Mindset] https://www.wbtsystems.com/learning-hub/blogs/10-traits-association-innovation-mindset [https://www.wbtsystems.com/learning-hub/blogs/10-traits-association-innovation-mindset] https://www.forbes.com/sites/janinemaclachlan/2021/07/21/how-an-innovative-mindset-can-take-you-somewhere-unexpected/?sh=7b5d4d1c37a0 [https://www.forbes.com/sites/janinemaclachlan/2021/07/21/how-an-innovative-mindset-can-take-you-somewhere-unexpected/?sh=7b5d4d1c37a0] https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/the-eight-essentials-of-innovation [https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/the-eight-essentials-of-innovation]

Critical Thinking: Episode #3

Welcome to the People Assured podcast, where I discuss skills for work and life.  I’m your host, Ian Foster and in this 6-minute episode (#3) I discuss Critical Thinking — the ability to collect and analyze data and information, in an unbiased and disciplined way, in order to form a judgement.  I hope you enjoy it! Please share and subscribe. Best wishes, Ian Email: ianfoster@peopleassured.com LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianfosterpeopleassured/ Links to references: https://www.igi-global.com/dictionary/critical-thinking/6233 [https://www.igi-global.com/dictionary/critical-thinking/6233] https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/critical-thinking-vs-problem-solving [https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/critical-thinking-vs-problem-solving] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_thinking [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_thinking] https://www.dalecarnegie.com/en/resources/critical-thinking-the-essential-skill-for-navigating-the-future [https://www.dalecarnegie.com/en/resources/critical-thinking-the-essential-skill-for-navigating-the-future]? https://www.yahoo.com/amphtml/entertainment/number-of-decisions-we-make-daily-revealed-102938055.html [https://www.yahoo.com/amphtml/entertainment/number-of-decisions-we-make-daily-revealed-102938055.html] https://drexel.edu/graduatecollege/professional-development/blog/2019/October/Critical-thinking-versus-problem-solving/ [https://drexel.edu/graduatecollege/professional-development/blog/2019/October/Critical-thinking-versus-problem-solving/] https://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/our-mission/405 [https://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/our-mission/405] https://helpfulprofessor.com/critical-thinking-examples/ [https://helpfulprofessor.com/critical-thinking-examples/] https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/1650916/decisions-choices-change-mind [https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/1650916/decisions-choices-change-mind] https://www.macmillandictionary.com/us/dictionary/american/critical-thinking [https://www.macmillandictionary.com/us/dictionary/american/critical-thinking] https://www.betterup.com/blog/intellectual-curiosity [https://www.betterup.com/blog/intellectual-curiosity] https://guides.lib.uw.edu/research/faq/reliable [https://guides.lib.uw.edu/research/faq/reliable] https://www.scribbr.co.uk/research-methods/inductive-vs-deductive-reasoning/ [https://www.scribbr.co.uk/research-methods/inductive-vs-deductive-reasoning/] https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/critical-thinking/#ExamNonExam [https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/critical-thinking/#ExamNonExam] https://www.iidmglobal.com/expert_talk/expert-talk-categories/leadership/leadership_skill/id45293.html [https://www.iidmglobal.com/expert_talk/expert-talk-categories/leadership/leadership_skill/id45293.html] https://blogs.gartner.com/hank-barnes/2021/10/12/what-ever-happened-to-intellectual-curiosity-critical-thinking-and-perspective-taking/ [https://blogs.gartner.com/hank-barnes/2021/10/12/what-ever-happened-to-intellectual-curiosity-critical-thinking-and-perspective-taking/] https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-improve-critical-thinking [https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-improve-critical-thinking] https://hbr.org/2019/05/3-simple-habits-to-improve-your-critical-thinking [https://hbr.org/2019/05/3-simple-habits-to-improve-your-critical-thinking] https://homeschooladventure.com/blog/logical-thinking-vs-critical-thinking/ [https://homeschooladventure.com/blog/logical-thinking-vs-critical-thinking/]

What Nature can teach us about leadership, with guest, Jonathan Manley: Episode #2

Welcome to the People Assured podcast where I discuss core skills for work and life. I’m your host, Ian Foster, and in this episode (#2, 18 minutes) I discuss what Nature can  teach us about leadership with wildlife advocate and multi-time CIO, Jonathan Manley.  I hope you enjoy it! Please share and subscribe. Best wishes, Ian Email: ianfoster@peopleassured.com LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianfosterpeopleassured/ Background: Jonathan is a lifelong advocate for Nature through both the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and RSPB in the UK, and as President of the Friends of Bosque del Apache, a not-for-profit supporting this National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico.  He began his career in shipping, in the UK and Singapore, then as consulting partner with Ernst & Young. He’s been a multi-time CIO at leading brands including Estee Lauder, Universal Music, The John Lewis Partnership, and Harrods, and a non-executive director. He is currently Chair of DigiDistruptor, a digital transformation startup. Bibliography (links): Jonathan Manley LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-manley-716913/?originalSubdomain=uk [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-manley-716913/?originalSubdomain=uk] Venkat Venkatraman, Questrom school of business, Boston University https://www.bu.edu/questrom/profile/n-venkatraman/ [https://www.bu.edu/questrom/profile/n-venkatraman/]

Adaptability: Episode #1

Welcome to the People Assured podcast where I discuss core skills for work and life.  I’m your host, Ian Foster, and in this 3-minute episode (#1) I discuss adaptability — an ability to adjust and a willingness to change to meet different conditions in an ever-changing world. Thanks for listening. Enjoy! Contact Ian: ianfoster@peopleassured.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianfosterpeopleassured/ Bibliography (links):  https://your.yale.edu/learn-and-grow-what-adaptability-workplace [https://your.yale.edu/learn-and-grow-what-adaptability-workplace] https://www.theforage.com/blog/skills/adaptability [https://www.theforage.com/blog/skills/adaptability] https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffboss/2015/09/03/14-signs-of-an-adaptable-person/?sh=7b226b4d16ea [https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffboss/2015/09/03/14-signs-of-an-adaptable-person/?sh=7b226b4d16ea] https://drexel.edu/graduatecollege/professional-development/blog/2019/september/4-ways-to-boost-your-adaptability-skills/ [https://drexel.edu/graduatecollege/professional-development/blog/2019/september/4-ways-to-boost-your-adaptability-skills/] https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/adaptability [https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/adaptability] https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/adaptability-1-idea-3-facts-5-tips/ [https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/adaptability-1-idea-3-facts-5-tips/] https://www.aigroup.com.au/resourcecentre/resource-centre-blogs/hr-blogs/why-adaptability-skills-are-hot-on-the-hiring-list/ [https://www.aigroup.com.au/resourcecentre/resource-centre-blogs/hr-blogs/why-adaptability-skills-are-hot-on-the-hiring-list/] https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-books/author-talks-into-the-unknown [https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-books/author-talks-into-the-unknown] https://magazine.wharton.upenn.edu/digital/holding-on-and-letting-go/ [https://magazine.wharton.upenn.edu/digital/holding-on-and-letting-go/] https://highlandspringsclinic.org/the-benefits-and-importance-of-a-support-system/ [https://highlandspringsclinic.org/the-benefits-and-importance-of-a-support-system/] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/habits-capabilities-successful-business-partners-ian-foster/ [https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/habits-capabilities-successful-business-partners-ian-foster/] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/habits-successful-business-partners-part-2-what-do-leaders-ian-foster/ [https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/habits-successful-business-partners-part-2-what-do-leaders-ian-foster/]