Speak to the human Mon, 08 Jun 2026 06:47:07 -0400 https://www.acteoncommunication.com en-gb © 2026 Speak to the human yes 8ebc8ffd-2711-55b3-9e07-6b889aaffd39 Acteon episodic false Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.


Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations.

 

www.acteoncommunication.com

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Behavioural insights, Leading change, L&D, Communication and learning, Organisational culture Acteon https://storage.buzzsprout.com/cx8u9rp5fu6ka1ie4s32shz5bb1d?.jpg Speak to the human https://www.acteoncommunication.com Jamie Bartlett: How do you stay in control of AI at work? Jamie Bartlett: How do you stay in control of AI at work? Millions of us use AI at work every day without really knowing what we’re doing.

Mostly we’re just figuring it out as we go – often without feeling in control.

It can be hard to know if it’s going to change your life – or end the world.

But what can you actually do about that? That’s what this episode explores.

Jamie Bartlett writes and broadcasts on technology and its impact on the rest of us. His books include The Dark Net and The People vs Tech, longlisted for the 2019 Orwell Prize, and he wrote and presented the global hit podcast The Missing Cryptoqueen.

His new book, How to Talk to AI (And How Not To), is for all of us who feel out of our depth. It’s out now, published by Penguin.

In this episode James and Jamie talk about:

  • Why this isn’t really about technology – it’s about communication
  • How AI breaks our ability to rely on fluency as a sign of competence
  • How your human biases affect what you get from AI
  • Why it’s wise to be sceptical when AI agrees with you
  • Simple exercises to try – like deliberately making AI lie to you, so you spot when it happens by accident
  • Why generating more stuff isn’t the same as getting more done
  • The value of asking “do I even need AI for this?” before “how do I get AI to do it for me?”
  • Where Jamie thinks AI could genuinely change things for the better

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Millions of us use AI at work every day without really knowing what we’re doing.

Mostly we’re just figuring it out as we go – often without feeling in control.

It can be hard to know if it’s going to change your life – or end the world.

But what can you actually do about that? That’s what this episode explores.

Jamie Bartlett writes and broadcasts on technology and its impact on the rest of us. His books include The Dark Net and The People vs Tech, longlisted for the 2019 Orwell Prize, and he wrote and presented the global hit podcast The Missing Cryptoqueen.

His new book, How to Talk to AI (And How Not To), is for all of us who feel out of our depth. It’s out now, published by Penguin.

In this episode James and Jamie talk about:

  • Why this isn’t really about technology – it’s about communication
  • How AI breaks our ability to rely on fluency as a sign of competence
  • How your human biases affect what you get from AI
  • Why it’s wise to be sceptical when AI agrees with you
  • Simple exercises to try – like deliberately making AI lie to you, so you spot when it happens by accident
  • Why generating more stuff isn’t the same as getting more done
  • The value of asking “do I even need AI for this?” before “how do I get AI to do it for me?”
  • Where Jamie thinks AI could genuinely change things for the better

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Buzzsprout-19207654 Fri, 22 May 2026 06:00:00 +0100 2667 2 2 full false How do you really get people using AI well at work? How do you really get people using AI well at work? Most organisations are treating AI as a technology challenge. But the real impact depends on people: how they use it, what they use it for – and whether they engage with it at all.

In this episode, social psychologist Dr Guy Champniss shares findings from his new research into what he calls “adoption quality” – a framework for understanding why organisations are struggling to realise AI’s potential, the impact it has on how employees feel and behave, and what leaders can do to respond.

Based on a survey of more than 1,200 employees in the UK and US, the research found that only 41% are in a good position to use AI effectively. The biggest barriers aren’t technical – they’re psychological. And the most powerful barrier of all is something people rarely talk about: the threat to their professional identity.

James and Guy discuss:

  • Why AI adoption is a behaviour change challenge, not just a technology challenge
  • The factors that shape adoption quality – and why many organisations are focusing on the wrong ones
  • Psychological barriers to AI use, including the hidden role of professional identity and social belonging
  • How getting this wrong affects happiness, motivation and connection at work
  • What organisations can do to make AI use identity-enhancing rather than identity-threatening
  • How individuals can take a more critical, mindful approach to AI in their own work

Guy’s full report, Unlocking High Quality AI Adoption in the Workplace, is available to download from his website: https://www.meltwater-consulting.com/aqs-report

This is the first episode hosted by James Woodman. Episodes 1–23 were hosted by Sarah Abramson.

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Most organisations are treating AI as a technology challenge. But the real impact depends on people: how they use it, what they use it for – and whether they engage with it at all.

In this episode, social psychologist Dr Guy Champniss shares findings from his new research into what he calls “adoption quality” – a framework for understanding why organisations are struggling to realise AI’s potential, the impact it has on how employees feel and behave, and what leaders can do to respond.

Based on a survey of more than 1,200 employees in the UK and US, the research found that only 41% are in a good position to use AI effectively. The biggest barriers aren’t technical – they’re psychological. And the most powerful barrier of all is something people rarely talk about: the threat to their professional identity.

James and Guy discuss:

  • Why AI adoption is a behaviour change challenge, not just a technology challenge
  • The factors that shape adoption quality – and why many organisations are focusing on the wrong ones
  • Psychological barriers to AI use, including the hidden role of professional identity and social belonging
  • How getting this wrong affects happiness, motivation and connection at work
  • What organisations can do to make AI use identity-enhancing rather than identity-threatening
  • How individuals can take a more critical, mindful approach to AI in their own work

Guy’s full report, Unlocking High Quality AI Adoption in the Workplace, is available to download from his website: https://www.meltwater-consulting.com/aqs-report

This is the first episode hosted by James Woodman. Episodes 1–23 were hosted by Sarah Abramson.

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Acteon Buzzsprout-19019453 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0100 2579 2 1 full false Nadine Anderson on building trust to achieve positive outcomes Nadine Anderson on building trust to achieve positive outcomes Listening – really listening – to people who work at the ‘chalk face’ is the most powerful way to build trust and achieve positive outcomes for an organisation. Nadine Anderson’s story is a brilliant illustration of this. As an expert in organisational development, and the People, Culture and Engagement Lead at Westminster City Council, she has applied a people-first approach to shape a values-driven strategy grounded in what staff actually think and need.

In this episode, Nadine shares how she created a meaningful employee listening exercise within Westminster’s Housing service, and how she used this to make a real difference. Westminster is a diverse borough with complex needs – affluence alongside deprivation – and with housing officers who care deeply about their work. By enabling employees to share ideas, reflect on how organisational values could best be realised, and be properly involved in shaping future strategy, Nadine has built a more trusting culture and achieved better outcomes for residents of the borough.

Sarah and Nadine discuss:

  • How Nadine developed an employee listening exercise.
  • How to align organisational values with real lived experiences.
  • Why apparently small or simple changes – such as replacing carpets, or having cover on reception desks – can make a huge difference.
  • How Nadine used Copilot to process a huge volume of feedback, identifying themes, grouping comments, and supporting prioritisation of action points.
  • Nadine’s next steps – how she’s running colleague-led ‘activation workshops’ to connect people across functions and improve collaboration and outcomes.

Since the podcast was recorded, new research shows that life expectancy differs by 15 years - not 18 - in some Westminster neighbourhoods.  

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon, a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com. 

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Listening – really listening – to people who work at the ‘chalk face’ is the most powerful way to build trust and achieve positive outcomes for an organisation. Nadine Anderson’s story is a brilliant illustration of this. As an expert in organisational development, and the People, Culture and Engagement Lead at Westminster City Council, she has applied a people-first approach to shape a values-driven strategy grounded in what staff actually think and need.

In this episode, Nadine shares how she created a meaningful employee listening exercise within Westminster’s Housing service, and how she used this to make a real difference. Westminster is a diverse borough with complex needs – affluence alongside deprivation – and with housing officers who care deeply about their work. By enabling employees to share ideas, reflect on how organisational values could best be realised, and be properly involved in shaping future strategy, Nadine has built a more trusting culture and achieved better outcomes for residents of the borough.

Sarah and Nadine discuss:

  • How Nadine developed an employee listening exercise.
  • How to align organisational values with real lived experiences.
  • Why apparently small or simple changes – such as replacing carpets, or having cover on reception desks – can make a huge difference.
  • How Nadine used Copilot to process a huge volume of feedback, identifying themes, grouping comments, and supporting prioritisation of action points.
  • Nadine’s next steps – how she’s running colleague-led ‘activation workshops’ to connect people across functions and improve collaboration and outcomes.

Since the podcast was recorded, new research shows that life expectancy differs by 15 years - not 18 - in some Westminster neighbourhoods.  

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon, a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com. 

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Acteon Buzzsprout-18539195 Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000 3250 1 23 full false Ben Sawyer on facing fear and understanding risk Ben Sawyer on facing fear and understanding risk Working in frontline bomb disposal and special operations in the British Army for nearly two decades has given Ben Sawyer a vivid, profound perspective on how to face and manage fear, and what risk really means. 

Having moved into the corporate world, now Head of Continuous Improvement at British Gas, Ben brings a blend of insights into operational strategy, empowerment and leadership.

In this conversation, we explore what fear looks like in real life, from extreme sports to bomb disposal, and how our brains interpret risk depending on whether we feel in control. Ben shares experiences from bomb disposal and army training that shed light on human responses to fear and risk.

We discuss;

  • What fear is (both physiological and emotional). 
  • Why perceived risk can feel as powerful as actual risk, and the role of control.
  • How exposure and training can help build confidence over time, including the concept of ‘fear inoculation’.
  • The sense of belonging, identity and culture that exists in a military environment, and the experience of transitioning to a civilian, corporate role.
  • Building a culture of continuous improvement through mindset and empowerment.
  • A brief foray into the concept of ‘moral injury’ – what it is and how people experience it.

We refer to a chapter by Ben Sawyer and Liz Sawyer in the book Paradox and Power in Caring Leadership.

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon, a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com. 

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Working in frontline bomb disposal and special operations in the British Army for nearly two decades has given Ben Sawyer a vivid, profound perspective on how to face and manage fear, and what risk really means. 

Having moved into the corporate world, now Head of Continuous Improvement at British Gas, Ben brings a blend of insights into operational strategy, empowerment and leadership.

In this conversation, we explore what fear looks like in real life, from extreme sports to bomb disposal, and how our brains interpret risk depending on whether we feel in control. Ben shares experiences from bomb disposal and army training that shed light on human responses to fear and risk.

We discuss;

  • What fear is (both physiological and emotional). 
  • Why perceived risk can feel as powerful as actual risk, and the role of control.
  • How exposure and training can help build confidence over time, including the concept of ‘fear inoculation’.
  • The sense of belonging, identity and culture that exists in a military environment, and the experience of transitioning to a civilian, corporate role.
  • Building a culture of continuous improvement through mindset and empowerment.
  • A brief foray into the concept of ‘moral injury’ – what it is and how people experience it.

We refer to a chapter by Ben Sawyer and Liz Sawyer in the book Paradox and Power in Caring Leadership.

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon, a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com. 

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Buzzsprout-18506030 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000 3770 1 22 full false Clym Stock-Williams on helping people make decisions Clym Stock-Williams on helping people make decisions How do decisions get made in organisations? And what does it look like to support the decision-making process really effectively? And how might human behaviour be accounted for?

Clym Stock-Williams is Head of Operational Excellence in the Offshore Wind Division at the renewable energy company Vattenfall. In this episode, Clym explains how effective decision systems align people, data, processes and technology with organisational strategy. And we explore how to design for human thinking and behaviour. 

Sarah and Clym discuss:

  • How Clym’s background gives him a way to combine different approaches in supporting decision-making: thinking about human behaviour alongside data, technology and engineering processes. 
  • What operational excellence means – delivering outcomes by aligning resources, people, processes, incentives and technology with the organisational strategy.
  • Designing systems by starting from the value you’re trying to create, then mapping backwards to consider what needs to happen for that value to be realised.
  • How to provide decision-makers with the appropriate level of detail for different types of decisions.
  • The concept of ‘black box’ services – how much do people actually need to know?
  • The role of trust and transparency in building systems that work.
  • How behavioural science is shaping Clym’s approach to systems design and operational excellence.

Clym is expressing his own views, rather than representing the position of Vattenfall.

Episode Resources

Find Clym at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clym-stock-williams-68007212/ 

During the discussion, we refer to the following:

Joseph Paris / Operational Excellence:

Joseph Paris, State of Readiness

Operational Excellence Collection

David Rock / SCARF:

Rock, David (2008) "SCARF: a brain-based model for collaborating with and influencing others", NeuroLeadership Journal, 1

Rock, David and Cox, Christine (2012) "SCARF® in 2012: updating the social neuroscience of collaborating with others", NeuroLeadership Journal, 4

Scarf Model Motivate Your Employees

Scarf Assessment

Susan Michie, UCL / The Behaviour Change Wheel:

The Behaviour Change Wheel

UCL Behaviour Change/ Training

Human Behaviour Change Project / Webinars

Progressive Disclosure / Design Principles:

Progressive Disclosure

User Centred Design

Nonviolent communication:

What is NVC

Paul Gibbons:

The Science of Organizational Change

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon, a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com. 

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> How do decisions get made in organisations? And what does it look like to support the decision-making process really effectively? And how might human behaviour be accounted for?

Clym Stock-Williams is Head of Operational Excellence in the Offshore Wind Division at the renewable energy company Vattenfall. In this episode, Clym explains how effective decision systems align people, data, processes and technology with organisational strategy. And we explore how to design for human thinking and behaviour. 

Sarah and Clym discuss:

  • How Clym’s background gives him a way to combine different approaches in supporting decision-making: thinking about human behaviour alongside data, technology and engineering processes. 
  • What operational excellence means – delivering outcomes by aligning resources, people, processes, incentives and technology with the organisational strategy.
  • Designing systems by starting from the value you’re trying to create, then mapping backwards to consider what needs to happen for that value to be realised.
  • How to provide decision-makers with the appropriate level of detail for different types of decisions.
  • The concept of ‘black box’ services – how much do people actually need to know?
  • The role of trust and transparency in building systems that work.
  • How behavioural science is shaping Clym’s approach to systems design and operational excellence.

Clym is expressing his own views, rather than representing the position of Vattenfall.

Episode Resources

Find Clym at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clym-stock-williams-68007212/ 

During the discussion, we refer to the following:

Joseph Paris / Operational Excellence:

Joseph Paris, State of Readiness

Operational Excellence Collection

David Rock / SCARF:

Rock, David (2008) "SCARF: a brain-based model for collaborating with and influencing others", NeuroLeadership Journal, 1

Rock, David and Cox, Christine (2012) "SCARF® in 2012: updating the social neuroscience of collaborating with others", NeuroLeadership Journal, 4

Scarf Model Motivate Your Employees

Scarf Assessment

Susan Michie, UCL / The Behaviour Change Wheel:

The Behaviour Change Wheel

UCL Behaviour Change/ Training

Human Behaviour Change Project / Webinars

Progressive Disclosure / Design Principles:

Progressive Disclosure

User Centred Design

Nonviolent communication:

What is NVC

Paul Gibbons:

The Science of Organizational Change

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon, a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com. 

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Buzzsprout-18479092 Wed, 14 Jan 2026 05:00:00 +0000 3800 1 21 full false Martyn Sibley on how societies thrive when everyone is included Martyn Sibley on how societies thrive when everyone is included What if preconceptions about disability could be turned upside down… to create much better ways to enable inclusion, tap into people’s talents, and open up opportunities? 

Martyn Sibley is an entrepreneur, activist, and founder of Purple Goat marketing agency, and The Purple Collective. He is a brilliant thinker, who prompts interesting questions about what we might all be overlooking by not enabling genuine inclusion.

Purple Goat is uniquely a disability-led, disability-focused marketing agency, with a mission to represent and empower the disabled community, and to drive innovative, inclusive marketing. It supports companies in opening up commercial opportunities with a market in front of them that is often overlooked – with the ‘Purple Pound’ potentially worth up to £300 billion.

Martyn’s perspective is incredibly thought-provoking. Sarah and Martyn discuss:

  • The personal story behind Martyn’s work.
  • Understanding the social model of disability – that it’s about barriers which create exclusion: Environmental barriers (such as steps for a wheelchair user); Attitudinal barriers (bias, assumptions, etc); and Procedural barriers (such as inaccessible recruitment processes).
  • Challenging the stereotypes of disability – from pity to ‘superhero’ narratives – instead advocating for person-centred thinking.
  • Inclusion as a commercial opportunity – not just being the ‘right thing’ to do but also with market growth among a huge potential consumer base.
  • Innovative approaches such as Martyn’s plans for Inclusion Solution Labs through The Purple Collective, bringing together brands and innovators too co-create new solutions.

Episode Resources:

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com. 

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> What if preconceptions about disability could be turned upside down… to create much better ways to enable inclusion, tap into people’s talents, and open up opportunities? 

Martyn Sibley is an entrepreneur, activist, and founder of Purple Goat marketing agency, and The Purple Collective. He is a brilliant thinker, who prompts interesting questions about what we might all be overlooking by not enabling genuine inclusion.

Purple Goat is uniquely a disability-led, disability-focused marketing agency, with a mission to represent and empower the disabled community, and to drive innovative, inclusive marketing. It supports companies in opening up commercial opportunities with a market in front of them that is often overlooked – with the ‘Purple Pound’ potentially worth up to £300 billion.

Martyn’s perspective is incredibly thought-provoking. Sarah and Martyn discuss:

  • The personal story behind Martyn’s work.
  • Understanding the social model of disability – that it’s about barriers which create exclusion: Environmental barriers (such as steps for a wheelchair user); Attitudinal barriers (bias, assumptions, etc); and Procedural barriers (such as inaccessible recruitment processes).
  • Challenging the stereotypes of disability – from pity to ‘superhero’ narratives – instead advocating for person-centred thinking.
  • Inclusion as a commercial opportunity – not just being the ‘right thing’ to do but also with market growth among a huge potential consumer base.
  • Innovative approaches such as Martyn’s plans for Inclusion Solution Labs through The Purple Collective, bringing together brands and innovators too co-create new solutions.

Episode Resources:

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com. 

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Buzzsprout-18330733 Tue, 16 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0000 2747 1 20 full false Charlotte Bolton on helping people through change Charlotte Bolton on helping people through change How do you help people navigate change at work? The success of any change – large or small – comes down to what people feel, think and do. So, understanding and responding to those human needs and voices is indispensable.

In this episode, our host Sarah Abramson talks to Charlotte Bolton, a learning, development and culture consultant and coach, about the human side of transformative change. Charlotte shares insights from her experience leading global L&D initiatives and supporting organisations through mergers and change projects.

Charlotte explores practical ways leaders and teams can create space to listen to perspectives, build trust, and influence decision makers. If you’re managing change in your organisation, or helping others through it, this conversation is all about how to make the journey more human.

We cover:

  • Creating psychological safety: Why consistency, honesty, and listening matter. 
  • Fight, flight, freeze, or fawn? Understanding emotional responses to change and how they show up at work. 
  • The leader’s role: Building habits for self-awareness and regulation to lead others effectively. 
  • Influencing at the top: How to speak the language of decision makers and align with strategic priorities. 
  • Culture and transformation: How to engage people during mergers and big shifts, and why clarity and role modelling are key. 
  • L&D’s contribution: Shifting behaviours and creating space for unlearning and new habits.

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com. 

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> How do you help people navigate change at work? The success of any change – large or small – comes down to what people feel, think and do. So, understanding and responding to those human needs and voices is indispensable.

In this episode, our host Sarah Abramson talks to Charlotte Bolton, a learning, development and culture consultant and coach, about the human side of transformative change. Charlotte shares insights from her experience leading global L&D initiatives and supporting organisations through mergers and change projects.

Charlotte explores practical ways leaders and teams can create space to listen to perspectives, build trust, and influence decision makers. If you’re managing change in your organisation, or helping others through it, this conversation is all about how to make the journey more human.

We cover:

  • Creating psychological safety: Why consistency, honesty, and listening matter. 
  • Fight, flight, freeze, or fawn? Understanding emotional responses to change and how they show up at work. 
  • The leader’s role: Building habits for self-awareness and regulation to lead others effectively. 
  • Influencing at the top: How to speak the language of decision makers and align with strategic priorities. 
  • Culture and transformation: How to engage people during mergers and big shifts, and why clarity and role modelling are key. 
  • L&D’s contribution: Shifting behaviours and creating space for unlearning and new habits.

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com. 

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Acteon Buzzsprout-18130613 Wed, 19 Nov 2025 05:00:00 +0000 2393 1 19 full false Christine Armstrong on the danger of missing human connections: the real productivity gap Christine Armstrong on the danger of missing human connections: the real productivity gap Why does the drive for productivity so often miss the point? The relentless focus on rules, compliance and systems risks a disconnect from the experience of real people.

In this episode, Sarah is joined by Christine Armstrong of Armstrong and Partners. Christine works with business leaders to help them understand trends in the world of work, within their organisations and beyond, through research and practical strategies.

We explore why strategies fail when organisations don’t put people at the heart of them. Christine shares research and stories about hybrid working, burnout, and the surprising ways AI is reshaping confidence and power inside organisations.

It’s a conversation about finding joy, rediscovering human connection and making work better.

We cover…

  • Why productivity initiatives often crush the human energy they’re meant to harness.
  • Why joy and human connection aren’t ‘nice-to-haves’ but the real engine of better work.
  • Attitudes and trends around hybrid working, and why ‘flexibility’ and ‘predictability’ both matter to people.
  • How AI is shifting traditional power structures inside organisations.
  • The surprising value of deep listening, and how three minutes of attention can transform relationships.

Episode resources:

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com. 

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Why does the drive for productivity so often miss the point? The relentless focus on rules, compliance and systems risks a disconnect from the experience of real people.

In this episode, Sarah is joined by Christine Armstrong of Armstrong and Partners. Christine works with business leaders to help them understand trends in the world of work, within their organisations and beyond, through research and practical strategies.

We explore why strategies fail when organisations don’t put people at the heart of them. Christine shares research and stories about hybrid working, burnout, and the surprising ways AI is reshaping confidence and power inside organisations.

It’s a conversation about finding joy, rediscovering human connection and making work better.

We cover…

  • Why productivity initiatives often crush the human energy they’re meant to harness.
  • Why joy and human connection aren’t ‘nice-to-haves’ but the real engine of better work.
  • Attitudes and trends around hybrid working, and why ‘flexibility’ and ‘predictability’ both matter to people.
  • How AI is shifting traditional power structures inside organisations.
  • The surprising value of deep listening, and how three minutes of attention can transform relationships.

Episode resources:

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com. 

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Acteon Buzzsprout-18110724 Tue, 04 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0000 3391 1 18 full true Jeremy Bassinder on weaving people and digital minds Jeremy Bassinder on weaving people and digital minds AI is changing work fast, but the story is still about people. So what are the opportunities for everyone, from personal development to boardroom strategy? And why does imagination, curiosity and play matter more than ever? 

Sarah is joined by Jeremy (Jez) Bassinder, Partner and GenAI Consulting Lead for UK and Ireland at IBM. Jez is excited by the opportunities that GenAI is opening up, but he’s also clear that the very things that make us human matter more than ever. 

He shares why and how organisations need to bring together different people with experience across technology, strategy, learning and more to develop cross-functional ways of thinking about AI-enabled organisational change.

Together we explore:

  • The story of the Luddites and what it reveals about human attitudes and fear of change.
  • How imagination, play and inclusivity can help us weave AI into the fabric of work – without losing what makes us human.
  • How organisational strategy needs cross-functional teams, from the top level down, to bring together technical insight with strategic thinking.
  • Why confidence and culture are so critical.
  • Helping people become more confident in their own use of the tools and technologies.
  • Implications of AI for inclusivity and democratisation of technology.
  • What learning and development teams can do to help people experiment safely.
  • What education might look like in an AI-enabled world.

Resources:

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com. 

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> AI is changing work fast, but the story is still about people. So what are the opportunities for everyone, from personal development to boardroom strategy? And why does imagination, curiosity and play matter more than ever? 

Sarah is joined by Jeremy (Jez) Bassinder, Partner and GenAI Consulting Lead for UK and Ireland at IBM. Jez is excited by the opportunities that GenAI is opening up, but he’s also clear that the very things that make us human matter more than ever. 

He shares why and how organisations need to bring together different people with experience across technology, strategy, learning and more to develop cross-functional ways of thinking about AI-enabled organisational change.

Together we explore:

  • The story of the Luddites and what it reveals about human attitudes and fear of change.
  • How imagination, play and inclusivity can help us weave AI into the fabric of work – without losing what makes us human.
  • How organisational strategy needs cross-functional teams, from the top level down, to bring together technical insight with strategic thinking.
  • Why confidence and culture are so critical.
  • Helping people become more confident in their own use of the tools and technologies.
  • Implications of AI for inclusivity and democratisation of technology.
  • What learning and development teams can do to help people experiment safely.
  • What education might look like in an AI-enabled world.

Resources:

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com. 

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Buzzsprout-17982061 Fri, 10 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0100 3053 1 17 full false Ross Stevenson on making sense of AI in learning Ross Stevenson on making sense of AI in learning What are the implications of GenAI for learning and development? What’s really happening at the moment… and how do we make sense of it, while staying grounded in something that feels like human reality?

In this episode, Sarah talks with Ross Stevenson, founder and Chief Learning Strategist of Steal These Thoughts. Ross has spent nearly 20 years in L&D, and helps organisations bridge future skills and new technology adoption. He’s known for his no-nonsense approach, sharp insights and regular newsletter that unpicks technology trends in the L&D space.

Ross combines a reassuring understanding of the tech itself alongside pragmatic, human-centred thinking. Together we explore:

  • How the role of L&D is evolving – and doing so differently in different contexts.
  • Why most teams are still experimenting rather than embedding AI.
  • How psychology, confidence and culture shape adoption of GenAI.
  • Why we need to start with business problems which GenAI can help us solve, rather than starting with solutions in search of problems.
  • Keeping - and elevating - human creativity and critical thinking as we develop better ways to use GenAI.

Resources:

Steal These Thoughts https://stealthesethoughts.com/ 

Find Ross on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rstevensonuk/ 

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com. 

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> What are the implications of GenAI for learning and development? What’s really happening at the moment… and how do we make sense of it, while staying grounded in something that feels like human reality?

In this episode, Sarah talks with Ross Stevenson, founder and Chief Learning Strategist of Steal These Thoughts. Ross has spent nearly 20 years in L&D, and helps organisations bridge future skills and new technology adoption. He’s known for his no-nonsense approach, sharp insights and regular newsletter that unpicks technology trends in the L&D space.

Ross combines a reassuring understanding of the tech itself alongside pragmatic, human-centred thinking. Together we explore:

  • How the role of L&D is evolving – and doing so differently in different contexts.
  • Why most teams are still experimenting rather than embedding AI.
  • How psychology, confidence and culture shape adoption of GenAI.
  • Why we need to start with business problems which GenAI can help us solve, rather than starting with solutions in search of problems.
  • Keeping - and elevating - human creativity and critical thinking as we develop better ways to use GenAI.

Resources:

Steal These Thoughts https://stealthesethoughts.com/ 

Find Ross on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rstevensonuk/ 

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com. 

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Acteon Buzzsprout-17884043 Tue, 23 Sep 2025 05:00:00 +0100 3535 1 16 full true Anna Ploszajski on when stories are the missing element Anna Ploszajski on when stories are the missing element How do we find and tell stories that capture imagination and shape how we share ideas? And what happens when you try using storytelling in unexpected areas – like academic science? Anna Ploszajski, founder of Storyology, is challenging conventions and helping people communicate with miles more impact.

Anna Ploszajski is a materials scientist. She’s also a storyteller, author, podcaster, business founder, stand-up comedian, trumpeter, channel swimmer and more. 

She’s clearly willing to think differently, and to resist confining herself (or anything else) into a single neat box. She makes connections. And she has a sort of infectious curiosity. As a result, she’s a compelling communicator, with a talent for catching the imagination and making sense of complicated ideas.

Through her own experiences as a researcher, Anna realised how much opportunity there is for improving communication in academic science, including through storytelling techniques, and has founded ‘Storyology’ to help upskill scientists in communication and storytelling. She’s breaking down unhelpful conventions, and helping people to benefit from the impact of communicating much more effectively – which has massive potential within academia, and is something we can all learn from, whatever sphere we’re working in.

Anna’s a really fun, eloquent and thought-provoking interviewee, with (as you’d expect) loads of stories and insights to share. 

In this conversation, we explore:

  • What led Anna to think differently about science communication, including her journey through stand-up comedy.
  • What the barriers can be for ‘experts’ – whether in academic or business – to improve their communication, and how to start to challenge those barriers. 
  • How storytelling can help us rethink and share ideas.
  • Examples of how Anna uses stories in materials science, including drawing on her own experiences to bring things to life.
  • How to develop a ‘story’ – including exploring structure, story arcs, characters and more.
  • How to get started with using stories in any form of communication 

Resources

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com. 

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> How do we find and tell stories that capture imagination and shape how we share ideas? And what happens when you try using storytelling in unexpected areas – like academic science? Anna Ploszajski, founder of Storyology, is challenging conventions and helping people communicate with miles more impact.

Anna Ploszajski is a materials scientist. She’s also a storyteller, author, podcaster, business founder, stand-up comedian, trumpeter, channel swimmer and more. 

She’s clearly willing to think differently, and to resist confining herself (or anything else) into a single neat box. She makes connections. And she has a sort of infectious curiosity. As a result, she’s a compelling communicator, with a talent for catching the imagination and making sense of complicated ideas.

Through her own experiences as a researcher, Anna realised how much opportunity there is for improving communication in academic science, including through storytelling techniques, and has founded ‘Storyology’ to help upskill scientists in communication and storytelling. She’s breaking down unhelpful conventions, and helping people to benefit from the impact of communicating much more effectively – which has massive potential within academia, and is something we can all learn from, whatever sphere we’re working in.

Anna’s a really fun, eloquent and thought-provoking interviewee, with (as you’d expect) loads of stories and insights to share. 

In this conversation, we explore:

  • What led Anna to think differently about science communication, including her journey through stand-up comedy.
  • What the barriers can be for ‘experts’ – whether in academic or business – to improve their communication, and how to start to challenge those barriers. 
  • How storytelling can help us rethink and share ideas.
  • Examples of how Anna uses stories in materials science, including drawing on her own experiences to bring things to life.
  • How to develop a ‘story’ – including exploring structure, story arcs, characters and more.
  • How to get started with using stories in any form of communication 

Resources

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com. 

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Buzzsprout-17351358 Tue, 24 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0100 3959 1 15 full false Lesley Woods on finding human connection under pressure Lesley Woods on finding human connection under pressure In pressured situations, human connection is more needed than ever. Military leader and media strategist Lesley Woods excels at forging those connections. In this episode, she shares her experiences of reaching across divides to build bonds, crafting communications to tell the stories of her military colleagues, and how she has learned the leadership skill of lifting up those around her.

Lesley Woods is a military leader and media strategist, leading communications for the MoD, as well as a serving senior officer in the Royal Air Force reserves.

As you’ll hear, her career has taken her around the world, and into situations which range from the life threatening to the life affirming, from hostile to humanitarian. She has seen and experienced first-hand how humans respond under extreme pressure.

In this conversation Lesley shares:

  • Her insights into how to build bridges across cultures and language differences, how to comfort people when they fear for their lives, how to encourage personal messages from people who might not want to let their guard down, and how to help yourself and others get their emotional reactions under control.
  • Different ways to tell stories, including combining words and images, and how stories and messages are formulated and crafted.
  • Learning to tell your own story, including Lesley’s practice of keeping a notebook to jot down thoughts and reflections as they happen.
  • Growing as a leader, to gain the confidence to lift up those around you and spot those times when you can support less experienced colleagues or people to take an opportunity.

This is a window into a world most of us haven’t experienced, but which sheds light on the same human connections that we’re all familiar with.

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com. 

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> In pressured situations, human connection is more needed than ever. Military leader and media strategist Lesley Woods excels at forging those connections. In this episode, she shares her experiences of reaching across divides to build bonds, crafting communications to tell the stories of her military colleagues, and how she has learned the leadership skill of lifting up those around her.

Lesley Woods is a military leader and media strategist, leading communications for the MoD, as well as a serving senior officer in the Royal Air Force reserves.

As you’ll hear, her career has taken her around the world, and into situations which range from the life threatening to the life affirming, from hostile to humanitarian. She has seen and experienced first-hand how humans respond under extreme pressure.

In this conversation Lesley shares:

  • Her insights into how to build bridges across cultures and language differences, how to comfort people when they fear for their lives, how to encourage personal messages from people who might not want to let their guard down, and how to help yourself and others get their emotional reactions under control.
  • Different ways to tell stories, including combining words and images, and how stories and messages are formulated and crafted.
  • Learning to tell your own story, including Lesley’s practice of keeping a notebook to jot down thoughts and reflections as they happen.
  • Growing as a leader, to gain the confidence to lift up those around you and spot those times when you can support less experienced colleagues or people to take an opportunity.

This is a window into a world most of us haven’t experienced, but which sheds light on the same human connections that we’re all familiar with.

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com. 

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Buzzsprout-17188263 Fri, 30 May 2025 05:00:00 +0100 3024 1 14 full false Richard Etienne on noticing the real person Richard Etienne on noticing the real person Richard Etienne is a filmmaker and founder of The Introvert Space. 

His career has been shaped by a genuine passion for telling the stories of other people, and a curiosity about human nature. He was the official videographer at 10 Downing Street for the UK Prime Minister Theresa May, and for the Commonwealth Heads of Government, interviewing numerous heads of state. Despite working in these circles, he brings a calm humility, care, and an eye for noticing the details that reveal the human side of anyone.

We discuss what introversion means, why our culture and workplaces commonly celebrate and reward extroversion, and what might be lost when it’s only loudest voices in the room that get heard.

In this conversation, we explore:

  • Film-making as a form of storytelling and communication.
  • Richard’s own trajectory, from being a job seeker to working in 10 Downing Street.
  • How he works with leaders to bring out personality and authenticity in films.
  • The perspective from behind the camera.
  • His work with The Introvert Space to help organisations be more inclusive in gaining perspectives from everyone, and gain diverse input from different personality types.
  • Tips for how to include introverts more in meetings.
  • How to make ‘networking’ a more comfortable experience.

Links

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com. 

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Richard Etienne is a filmmaker and founder of The Introvert Space. 

His career has been shaped by a genuine passion for telling the stories of other people, and a curiosity about human nature. He was the official videographer at 10 Downing Street for the UK Prime Minister Theresa May, and for the Commonwealth Heads of Government, interviewing numerous heads of state. Despite working in these circles, he brings a calm humility, care, and an eye for noticing the details that reveal the human side of anyone.

We discuss what introversion means, why our culture and workplaces commonly celebrate and reward extroversion, and what might be lost when it’s only loudest voices in the room that get heard.

In this conversation, we explore:

  • Film-making as a form of storytelling and communication.
  • Richard’s own trajectory, from being a job seeker to working in 10 Downing Street.
  • How he works with leaders to bring out personality and authenticity in films.
  • The perspective from behind the camera.
  • His work with The Introvert Space to help organisations be more inclusive in gaining perspectives from everyone, and gain diverse input from different personality types.
  • Tips for how to include introverts more in meetings.
  • How to make ‘networking’ a more comfortable experience.

Links

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com. 

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Buzzsprout-17019518 Tue, 29 Apr 2025 05:00:00 +0100 4215 1 13 full false Hannah Williams on visual communication Hannah Williams on visual communication Illustration is a powerful and engaging form of communication – and visual expression reveals a lot about how we think.

Hannah Williams is a live illustrator, and founder of her own business, Scribble Inc. She uses visual storytelling to create illustrations as people speak – a skill that she uses to create illustrations at events and workshops.

Hannah’s ability to capture the key ideas from a presentation and turn them into a visual record obviously takes artistic skill – but as you’ll hear, it goes much deeper than that, revealing how we process and communicate ideas.

We talk about: 

  • How Hannah realised her skill has value for helping people share ideas, and how she has turned this into a business.
  • What she’s learned from being a ‘fly on the wall’ at so many different events.
  • How visualisation can reveal different understandings of apparently shared ideas between people – when you think you’ve understood something in the same way but looking at a visual representation helps you realise there are different meanings.
  • What happens when things don’t work out how you expect, and a ‘mistake’ or ‘failure’ can lead to a better alternative. 
  • Hannah’s tips for how we could all use these types of skills in ways that are easy to do.

Check out the Scribble Inc. website: https://scribbleinc.co.uk/ 

Check out Scribble Inc. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scribbleincltd/ 


Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com. 

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Illustration is a powerful and engaging form of communication – and visual expression reveals a lot about how we think.

Hannah Williams is a live illustrator, and founder of her own business, Scribble Inc. She uses visual storytelling to create illustrations as people speak – a skill that she uses to create illustrations at events and workshops.

Hannah’s ability to capture the key ideas from a presentation and turn them into a visual record obviously takes artistic skill – but as you’ll hear, it goes much deeper than that, revealing how we process and communicate ideas.

We talk about: 

  • How Hannah realised her skill has value for helping people share ideas, and how she has turned this into a business.
  • What she’s learned from being a ‘fly on the wall’ at so many different events.
  • How visualisation can reveal different understandings of apparently shared ideas between people – when you think you’ve understood something in the same way but looking at a visual representation helps you realise there are different meanings.
  • What happens when things don’t work out how you expect, and a ‘mistake’ or ‘failure’ can lead to a better alternative. 
  • Hannah’s tips for how we could all use these types of skills in ways that are easy to do.

Check out the Scribble Inc. website: https://scribbleinc.co.uk/ 

Check out Scribble Inc. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scribbleincltd/ 


Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com. 

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Buzzsprout-16868698 Wed, 09 Apr 2025 05:00:00 +0100 3796 1 12 full false Owen Rose on behaviours and habits Owen Rose on behaviours and habits What do we mean by ‘speak to the human’?  

In this episode, Sarah  takes the mic inhouse to chat with Acteon partner Owen Rose, exploring a ‘human-centred’ approach – why it matters, what it means, and how to do it. 

Leading change or communicating effectively depends on connecting with the people we’re trying to engage with. And to do that well, we need to try to understand what shapes their responses, motivations and behaviours.  

We talk about: 

  • How ‘training’ and ‘learning’ in workplaces have changed over time, and what this means for how to engage people and embed changes into people’s daily work. 
  • Why effective communication and engagement is about finding ways to connect with people on an emotional level. 
  • How ideas and approaches from behavioural science can be used in practice to address organisational challenges.   
  • Why it’s best not to assume we humans make rational choices all the time. 
  • What we mean by ‘habits’, and how simple habit-forming can be used to shift small behaviours across large groups of people. 
  • The vital insights ‘discovery’ and bringing together different perspectives at the start of a project can provide on things that might otherwise be wrongly assumed or missed. 
  • How to make the case for doing things differently, and why culture is pivotal in achieving change. 
  • Why the ideas and people that get the most ‘cut through’ are those that have the most compelling messages and stories – and attach those messages to current and relevant needs. 

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com.

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> What do we mean by ‘speak to the human’?  

In this episode, Sarah  takes the mic inhouse to chat with Acteon partner Owen Rose, exploring a ‘human-centred’ approach – why it matters, what it means, and how to do it. 

Leading change or communicating effectively depends on connecting with the people we’re trying to engage with. And to do that well, we need to try to understand what shapes their responses, motivations and behaviours.  

We talk about: 

  • How ‘training’ and ‘learning’ in workplaces have changed over time, and what this means for how to engage people and embed changes into people’s daily work. 
  • Why effective communication and engagement is about finding ways to connect with people on an emotional level. 
  • How ideas and approaches from behavioural science can be used in practice to address organisational challenges.   
  • Why it’s best not to assume we humans make rational choices all the time. 
  • What we mean by ‘habits’, and how simple habit-forming can be used to shift small behaviours across large groups of people. 
  • The vital insights ‘discovery’ and bringing together different perspectives at the start of a project can provide on things that might otherwise be wrongly assumed or missed. 
  • How to make the case for doing things differently, and why culture is pivotal in achieving change. 
  • Why the ideas and people that get the most ‘cut through’ are those that have the most compelling messages and stories – and attach those messages to current and relevant needs. 

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com.

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Acteon Buzzsprout-16791963 Tue, 25 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000 3746 1 11 full false Ruth Steinholtz on culture and values Ruth Steinholtz on culture and values How does the culture of an organisation affect its ability to survive and thrive? And how is that culture is really created and experienced by colleagues? Ruth Steinholtz helps organisations to build a better understanding of their existing culture, and to evolve values-driven leadership towards ethical practices, focused on more successful outcomes for the long-term business strategy. 

Ruth is an expert in business ethics and culture. She is an author and speaker and leads her own consultancy business, AreteWork, helping organisations to develop insights into their cultures and how to nurture sustainable, ethical practices which are based on genuine values.  

In this conversation, we discuss:  

  • How, in order to succeed over the long term, organisations need to navigate culture change. 
  • What values-driven leadership means. 
  • How an organisation can harness values in order to thrive.  
  • The methods Ruth uses to reveal insights into the real culture - the lived experience of people at all levels of an organisation. 
  • Ruth’s background, and how she got into this area of work, including developing the approach of working with ethics ambassadors. 

We also talk, later in the podcast, about Ruth’s passion for cycling. She draws thought-provoking lessons about culture and values that we can learn from professional cycling. 

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com.

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> How does the culture of an organisation affect its ability to survive and thrive? And how is that culture is really created and experienced by colleagues? Ruth Steinholtz helps organisations to build a better understanding of their existing culture, and to evolve values-driven leadership towards ethical practices, focused on more successful outcomes for the long-term business strategy. 

Ruth is an expert in business ethics and culture. She is an author and speaker and leads her own consultancy business, AreteWork, helping organisations to develop insights into their cultures and how to nurture sustainable, ethical practices which are based on genuine values.  

In this conversation, we discuss:  

  • How, in order to succeed over the long term, organisations need to navigate culture change. 
  • What values-driven leadership means. 
  • How an organisation can harness values in order to thrive.  
  • The methods Ruth uses to reveal insights into the real culture - the lived experience of people at all levels of an organisation. 
  • Ruth’s background, and how she got into this area of work, including developing the approach of working with ethics ambassadors. 

We also talk, later in the podcast, about Ruth’s passion for cycling. She draws thought-provoking lessons about culture and values that we can learn from professional cycling. 

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com.

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Buzzsprout-16636795 Tue, 18 Feb 2025 07:00:00 +0000 3384 1 10 full false Heather Urquhart on overcoming fear of failure Heather Urquhart on overcoming fear of failure Why are we afraid of mistakes, and seek to avoid risks? How do we challenge ourselves outside of our comfort zones? Improviser Heather Urquhart helps us explore our innate fear of failure, and the value of being more open to creative risk.

Heather is a talented actor and musician, and uses her skills not only to entertain, but also to open up people’s thinking, their willingness to try new things, to develop ideas, and to get comfortable with mistakes. 

She is a regular improv actor in Showstoppers, the West End improvised musical, and runs her own company, AndAlso Improv (https://andalsoimprov.com/), leading improv workshops and classes. She works with teams and leaders in organisations, bringing them a completely different way of exploring risk, trust, control and creativity – and to have fun at the same time. 

We talk too how improvisers learn to tune in so closely to their fellow performers as well as adapting to different team or leader roles in the moment. There’s something we can all learn from that kind of collaboration. 

In the episode, we cover:

  • How Heather uses improv to help people open up and think differently.
  • Why embracing mistakes is important, and often lead to something better than you’d planned.
  • How improvisers tune in to and support each other, adapting their roles in the moment.
  • What we can learn about listening, giving people space and support, building trust and enabling people to speak up.
  • Using ‘yes and…’ as a positive way to build ideas and collaboration.
  • Why everyone is creative, if they practice. And some tips for how to do this!

Episode resources

Find Heather at AndAlsoImprov: https://andalsoimprov.com/  

Her Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherurquhartimproviser/ 

Find Showstoppers The Musical: https://showstopperthemusical.com/ 


Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com.

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Why are we afraid of mistakes, and seek to avoid risks? How do we challenge ourselves outside of our comfort zones? Improviser Heather Urquhart helps us explore our innate fear of failure, and the value of being more open to creative risk.

Heather is a talented actor and musician, and uses her skills not only to entertain, but also to open up people’s thinking, their willingness to try new things, to develop ideas, and to get comfortable with mistakes. 

She is a regular improv actor in Showstoppers, the West End improvised musical, and runs her own company, AndAlso Improv (https://andalsoimprov.com/), leading improv workshops and classes. She works with teams and leaders in organisations, bringing them a completely different way of exploring risk, trust, control and creativity – and to have fun at the same time. 

We talk too how improvisers learn to tune in so closely to their fellow performers as well as adapting to different team or leader roles in the moment. There’s something we can all learn from that kind of collaboration. 

In the episode, we cover:

  • How Heather uses improv to help people open up and think differently.
  • Why embracing mistakes is important, and often lead to something better than you’d planned.
  • How improvisers tune in to and support each other, adapting their roles in the moment.
  • What we can learn about listening, giving people space and support, building trust and enabling people to speak up.
  • Using ‘yes and…’ as a positive way to build ideas and collaboration.
  • Why everyone is creative, if they practice. And some tips for how to do this!

Episode resources

Find Heather at AndAlsoImprov: https://andalsoimprov.com/  

Her Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherurquhartimproviser/ 

Find Showstoppers The Musical: https://showstopperthemusical.com/ 


Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com.

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Acteon Buzzsprout-16293155 Tue, 17 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000 3252 1 9 full false Eleanor Gooding on managing redundancies in a human-centred way Eleanor Gooding on managing redundancies in a human-centred way How could employers make the painful process of redundancies more sympathetic, thoughtful, supportive, and well… human? Eleanor Gooding shares how she was able to build on foundational work on culture, values and a ‘People Manifesto’, to stay human-centred while managing restructuring and redundancies.

In this episode, we’re joined by Eleanor Gooding, People & Culture Director at Boost Drinks.

We’re tackling the topic of redundancies and how to manage them well by keeping humans at the heart of everything.

We hear from Eleanor about the innovative and valuable work she did to nurture a positive culture at Boost, including implementing a People Manifesto. She explains how this foundational work was vitally important when the company was bought out and redundancies were made.

Obviously going through redundancies is incredibly difficult, both for people being made redundant, but also for leaders and managers. But Eleanor and her leadership colleagues found a way to approach the whole process in a way that was sympathetic, considered and supportive, keeping humans at the centre.

She shares valuable insights and advice on a topic that is tricky and emotional, and often one that people avoid talking or thinking about very much.

We cover: 

  • How to develop a positive culture in your organisation. 
  • What a People Manifesto is, how to implement one, and why implementing one can be beneficial to the whole organisation. 
  • Why doing the work on values and culture is important for managing difficult situations well. 
  • How to manage redundancies well by keeping humans at the heart of everything.
  • The importance of asking 'why wouldn't we do it?'. 

Resources:
Find Eleanor on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-gooding/

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com.

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> How could employers make the painful process of redundancies more sympathetic, thoughtful, supportive, and well… human? Eleanor Gooding shares how she was able to build on foundational work on culture, values and a ‘People Manifesto’, to stay human-centred while managing restructuring and redundancies.

In this episode, we’re joined by Eleanor Gooding, People & Culture Director at Boost Drinks.

We’re tackling the topic of redundancies and how to manage them well by keeping humans at the heart of everything.

We hear from Eleanor about the innovative and valuable work she did to nurture a positive culture at Boost, including implementing a People Manifesto. She explains how this foundational work was vitally important when the company was bought out and redundancies were made.

Obviously going through redundancies is incredibly difficult, both for people being made redundant, but also for leaders and managers. But Eleanor and her leadership colleagues found a way to approach the whole process in a way that was sympathetic, considered and supportive, keeping humans at the centre.

She shares valuable insights and advice on a topic that is tricky and emotional, and often one that people avoid talking or thinking about very much.

We cover: 

  • How to develop a positive culture in your organisation. 
  • What a People Manifesto is, how to implement one, and why implementing one can be beneficial to the whole organisation. 
  • Why doing the work on values and culture is important for managing difficult situations well. 
  • How to manage redundancies well by keeping humans at the heart of everything.
  • The importance of asking 'why wouldn't we do it?'. 

Resources:
Find Eleanor on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-gooding/

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com.

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Acteon Buzzsprout-16192670 Thu, 05 Dec 2024 05:00:00 +0000 3744 1 8 full true Anthony Tasgal on storytelling Anthony Tasgal on storytelling Stories are a fundamental part of what makes us human. 

They help us make sense of the world, remember things, share information, bring ideas to life, and communicate better with others. Stories capture meaning and emotion, reveal injustice or challenge our perspectives in ways which can change our minds or shape our behaviour. And stories bond us together, helping us identify with the groups, tribes or organisations we belong to. 

In this episode, we’re joined by Anthony Tasgal (known as Tas), a storytelling expert, author and international speaker. 

We discuss how storytelling can be used by organisations – by any of us – to get our messages through more effectively.

We cover:

  • How storytelling is hardwired into our human brains.
  • The connection with behavioural economics, understanding what humans respond to.
  • What makes a good story.
  • Why there doesn’t need to be a disconnect between data-driven and quantitative information, and our need for stories to interpret and share ideas at work.
  • Why organisations often miss opportunities for better communication, and how to encourage more impactful (and less boring or cautious) ways to reach people.
  • Tips for how to use storytelling techniques in simple ways in your work.

Episode resources

You can find Tas on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tastasgal/

His books are listed at https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Anthony-Tasgal/author/B00QUG86MM

His TEDx talk is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQhkeQ7NfQM&t=705s


Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com.

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Stories are a fundamental part of what makes us human. 

They help us make sense of the world, remember things, share information, bring ideas to life, and communicate better with others. Stories capture meaning and emotion, reveal injustice or challenge our perspectives in ways which can change our minds or shape our behaviour. And stories bond us together, helping us identify with the groups, tribes or organisations we belong to. 

In this episode, we’re joined by Anthony Tasgal (known as Tas), a storytelling expert, author and international speaker. 

We discuss how storytelling can be used by organisations – by any of us – to get our messages through more effectively.

We cover:

  • How storytelling is hardwired into our human brains.
  • The connection with behavioural economics, understanding what humans respond to.
  • What makes a good story.
  • Why there doesn’t need to be a disconnect between data-driven and quantitative information, and our need for stories to interpret and share ideas at work.
  • Why organisations often miss opportunities for better communication, and how to encourage more impactful (and less boring or cautious) ways to reach people.
  • Tips for how to use storytelling techniques in simple ways in your work.

Episode resources

You can find Tas on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tastasgal/

His books are listed at https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Anthony-Tasgal/author/B00QUG86MM

His TEDx talk is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQhkeQ7NfQM&t=705s


Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com.

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Acteon Buzzsprout-16111960 Mon, 18 Nov 2024 09:00:00 +0000 2768 1 7 full false Jasmine Rose & Tee Moyo on inspiring young people Jasmine Rose & Tee Moyo on inspiring young people Inspiring young people: double meaning intended.

Firstly, young people are inspiring. Gen Z are full of inspiration for employers if we give them space and voice. The energy, fresh ideas and innovative thinking, different attitudes to work, technology, and the diversity of thinking all bring massive potential for organisations to better imagine the future.

So how could organisations better harness this potential, and reach and develop that talent?

Secondly, how do we inspire young people into careers they love?

For young people there are high barriers to entry into the workforce. In the UK, the unemployment rate in 2024 is around 4.2%. But for 16-24 year-olds that goes up to 14%, a gap which disturbingly is growing each year rather than improving. For Black and Asian young people, unemployment rates rocket up to around 27%.

This is a problem for everyone. Social and economic barriers need addressing. It’s obviously not a simple challenge, but programmes like Apprentice Nation (https://apprenticenation.co.uk/) are at the forefront of breaking down some of these barriers and engaging young people.

In this episode, we’re joined by Jasmine Rose and Tee Moyo from Apprentice Nation, a programme created by the organisation RockCorps (https://www.rockcorps.com/) to inspire and support young people into careers and particularly to reach those from diverse or disadvantaged backgrounds. 

Jasmine is Head of Learning Innovation at RockCorps and leads the Apprentice Nation programme. Her passion for the work is absolutely contagious. 

Tee is a social media content producer, presenter and upcoming journalist who has come through the Apprentice Nation programme herself and now provides mentoring support for others entering the programme. She’s an outstanding ambassador for young people entering the workplace.

We explore topics including social engagement through live events, and why music is such a powerful medium for communication. We also discuss the opportunities and barriers for young people entering employment and how they can be supported to overcome challenges.


Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com.

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Inspiring young people: double meaning intended.

Firstly, young people are inspiring. Gen Z are full of inspiration for employers if we give them space and voice. The energy, fresh ideas and innovative thinking, different attitudes to work, technology, and the diversity of thinking all bring massive potential for organisations to better imagine the future.

So how could organisations better harness this potential, and reach and develop that talent?

Secondly, how do we inspire young people into careers they love?

For young people there are high barriers to entry into the workforce. In the UK, the unemployment rate in 2024 is around 4.2%. But for 16-24 year-olds that goes up to 14%, a gap which disturbingly is growing each year rather than improving. For Black and Asian young people, unemployment rates rocket up to around 27%.

This is a problem for everyone. Social and economic barriers need addressing. It’s obviously not a simple challenge, but programmes like Apprentice Nation (https://apprenticenation.co.uk/) are at the forefront of breaking down some of these barriers and engaging young people.

In this episode, we’re joined by Jasmine Rose and Tee Moyo from Apprentice Nation, a programme created by the organisation RockCorps (https://www.rockcorps.com/) to inspire and support young people into careers and particularly to reach those from diverse or disadvantaged backgrounds. 

Jasmine is Head of Learning Innovation at RockCorps and leads the Apprentice Nation programme. Her passion for the work is absolutely contagious. 

Tee is a social media content producer, presenter and upcoming journalist who has come through the Apprentice Nation programme herself and now provides mentoring support for others entering the programme. She’s an outstanding ambassador for young people entering the workplace.

We explore topics including social engagement through live events, and why music is such a powerful medium for communication. We also discuss the opportunities and barriers for young people entering employment and how they can be supported to overcome challenges.


Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com.

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Acteon Buzzsprout-15929232 Fri, 18 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0100 2773 1 6 full false Fraser Simpson on game-changing ethics engagement Fraser Simpson on game-changing ethics engagement Why would a puppet work for getting colleagues to pay attention to a new Code of Ethics? And how could we all think differently, creatively, and perhaps more bravely about ways to help people ‘do the right thing’?

In this episode we hear from Fraser Simpson about some of the creative campaigns that have broken the mould by taking a totally unexpected and different approach, including Connie the puppet who embodies people’s conscience.

Fraser is Associate General Counsel - Ethics, Governance and Compliance at the Wellcome Trust. We explore what risk really means in an organisation, how to bring decision makers with you with doing things differently, and how and why it’s so meaningful to create emotional connections that speak to the human.

We cover:

  • An overview of the work of the Wellcome Trust – a global charitable foundation supporting science to support urgent health challenges.
  • Fraser’s role leading on ‘integrity behaviours’ – building a culture where colleagues are equipped to make good decisions in the moments that matter, and showing them that they are trusted to do so.
  • About ‘Connie’ the pink haired puppet representing your conscience – and why a dose of fun as been so popular.
  • What it takes to drive behaviour change in an organisation, and how having room to do things creatively is game-changing for shifting mindsets.
  • How linking everyday actions to overall purpose is vital for motivating people.
  • How to design campaigns that work for people in different roles, work environments, and thinking about how to be inclusive across cultures, languages and accessibility needs.
  • What we mean by ‘risk’, how we balance risks, and the opportunities presented by risk.
  • Tapping into human creativity, imagination and humour for more effective outcomes.

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com.

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Why would a puppet work for getting colleagues to pay attention to a new Code of Ethics? And how could we all think differently, creatively, and perhaps more bravely about ways to help people ‘do the right thing’?

In this episode we hear from Fraser Simpson about some of the creative campaigns that have broken the mould by taking a totally unexpected and different approach, including Connie the puppet who embodies people’s conscience.

Fraser is Associate General Counsel - Ethics, Governance and Compliance at the Wellcome Trust. We explore what risk really means in an organisation, how to bring decision makers with you with doing things differently, and how and why it’s so meaningful to create emotional connections that speak to the human.

We cover:

  • An overview of the work of the Wellcome Trust – a global charitable foundation supporting science to support urgent health challenges.
  • Fraser’s role leading on ‘integrity behaviours’ – building a culture where colleagues are equipped to make good decisions in the moments that matter, and showing them that they are trusted to do so.
  • About ‘Connie’ the pink haired puppet representing your conscience – and why a dose of fun as been so popular.
  • What it takes to drive behaviour change in an organisation, and how having room to do things creatively is game-changing for shifting mindsets.
  • How linking everyday actions to overall purpose is vital for motivating people.
  • How to design campaigns that work for people in different roles, work environments, and thinking about how to be inclusive across cultures, languages and accessibility needs.
  • What we mean by ‘risk’, how we balance risks, and the opportunities presented by risk.
  • Tapping into human creativity, imagination and humour for more effective outcomes.

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com.

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Buzzsprout-15628057 Wed, 28 Aug 2024 05:00:00 +0100 2487 1 5 full false Katryn Wright & James Elfer - ‘But is it actually working?’ Katryn Wright & James Elfer - ‘But is it actually working?’ ‘Why are we doing it this?’ and ‘How do we know if it’s working?’ are questions that too often go unanswered when organisations roll out a new approach.  

In this episode, Katryn Wright and James Elfer from MoreThanNow share how they bring a scientific, rigorous approach to behavioural strategies for organisations. They explain how they both became fascinated with behavioural science: helping companies identify the small and concrete behaviours that address real business challenges, and how to influence people to use those behaviours. But also, crucially, understanding whether the efforts to change behaviours are actually working.

Katryn and James discuss how to use behavioural experiments, measuring and evaluating whether different interventions and training (or lack of them) are having the desired results. And the importance of taking a long-term view, building a picture over time to assess, evaluate, adapt and improve approaches.

Katryn also provides insights into her specialism of human rights, health equity and diversity and inclusion, and James discusses his deepening interest in leadership behaviours. 

We cover:

  • The challenges of helping organisations to question and measure the change interventions they use.
  • How to identify the specific behaviours that a strategy depends on. 
  • How to adapt behavioural approaches to the cultural context of an organisation.
  • Why experimentation is so valuable, and how to do it well – including what we mean by randomised control trials in this context.
  • How to measure absence of a problem or behaviour. 
  • Times when an intervention can actually make things worse than not doing anything.
  • Measuring effectiveness over a period of time to see if results stick, and to respond to the outcomes of change programmes.
  • The “fresh start effect” – points in time when it’s easier to shift behaviour.  
  • Goal setting – both for individuals and across a large group of people.

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com.

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> ‘Why are we doing it this?’ and ‘How do we know if it’s working?’ are questions that too often go unanswered when organisations roll out a new approach.  

In this episode, Katryn Wright and James Elfer from MoreThanNow share how they bring a scientific, rigorous approach to behavioural strategies for organisations. They explain how they both became fascinated with behavioural science: helping companies identify the small and concrete behaviours that address real business challenges, and how to influence people to use those behaviours. But also, crucially, understanding whether the efforts to change behaviours are actually working.

Katryn and James discuss how to use behavioural experiments, measuring and evaluating whether different interventions and training (or lack of them) are having the desired results. And the importance of taking a long-term view, building a picture over time to assess, evaluate, adapt and improve approaches.

Katryn also provides insights into her specialism of human rights, health equity and diversity and inclusion, and James discusses his deepening interest in leadership behaviours. 

We cover:

  • The challenges of helping organisations to question and measure the change interventions they use.
  • How to identify the specific behaviours that a strategy depends on. 
  • How to adapt behavioural approaches to the cultural context of an organisation.
  • Why experimentation is so valuable, and how to do it well – including what we mean by randomised control trials in this context.
  • How to measure absence of a problem or behaviour. 
  • Times when an intervention can actually make things worse than not doing anything.
  • Measuring effectiveness over a period of time to see if results stick, and to respond to the outcomes of change programmes.
  • The “fresh start effect” – points in time when it’s easier to shift behaviour.  
  • Goal setting – both for individuals and across a large group of people.

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com.

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Acteon Buzzsprout-15439471 Tue, 23 Jul 2024 05:00:00 +0100 2846 1 4 full false Malcolm Taylor on taking a human-focused approach to learning Malcolm Taylor on taking a human-focused approach to learning How can we rethink ‘learning and development’ to be more focused on the things people need to do and how best to support them with that? And how can the business case for a different approach be made successfully to leaders?

Malcolm Taylor is a pioneer in taking different and often disruptive approaches in learning and development. He is Head of Capability at the UK Health Security Agency, having recently moved from a role as Senior People Development Manager at the Met Office.

In this episode, we explore how organisational culture affects attitudes to learning and compliance, how to make a business case for change, and the power of communities of practice for social learning.

We chat beyond professional contexts too, talking about the power of sport for motivation, belonging and resilience.

We cover:

  • How ‘learning’ needs to adapt to organisational culture and the characteristics of internal audiences.
  • A shift away from formal learning, and the ‘sage on the stage’, towards a performance-based approach (Malcolm references the 70/20/10 model).
  • Opportunities to disrupt – moving from a traditional pedagogical approach towards a performance-based one.
  • Making the business case for a different approach, including discussion of gathering evidence and data about impact and value.
  • Communities of practice – what, why and how!
  • Malcolm’s own interest in ultrarunning and how it’s given him resilience and connection.

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com.

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> How can we rethink ‘learning and development’ to be more focused on the things people need to do and how best to support them with that? And how can the business case for a different approach be made successfully to leaders?

Malcolm Taylor is a pioneer in taking different and often disruptive approaches in learning and development. He is Head of Capability at the UK Health Security Agency, having recently moved from a role as Senior People Development Manager at the Met Office.

In this episode, we explore how organisational culture affects attitudes to learning and compliance, how to make a business case for change, and the power of communities of practice for social learning.

We chat beyond professional contexts too, talking about the power of sport for motivation, belonging and resilience.

We cover:

  • How ‘learning’ needs to adapt to organisational culture and the characteristics of internal audiences.
  • A shift away from formal learning, and the ‘sage on the stage’, towards a performance-based approach (Malcolm references the 70/20/10 model).
  • Opportunities to disrupt – moving from a traditional pedagogical approach towards a performance-based one.
  • Making the business case for a different approach, including discussion of gathering evidence and data about impact and value.
  • Communities of practice – what, why and how!
  • Malcolm’s own interest in ultrarunning and how it’s given him resilience and connection.

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com.

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Acteon Buzzsprout-15261171 Wed, 26 Jun 2024 06:00:00 +0100 3027 1 3 full false Christian Hunt on bringing behavioural science to risk management Christian Hunt on bringing behavioural science to risk management Why are humans the largest risk facing organisations, and why do the efforts to impose rules and controls on human behaviour often fail?

Christian Hunt has wide experience in a range of executive roles, including MD and Head of Behavioural Science at UBS, and now runs Human Risk, a Behavioural Science-led Consultancy. 

In this episode, Christian brings to life the concept of human risk, and talks about “how to get people to do what you want without pissing them off” with a plethora of examples from different contexts – including chemical weapons inspectors, rogue traders, and pickpockets in a German train station.

In this episode we cover:

  • Why and how consideration of actual people is so often missing in corporate strategies which attempt to mitigate risk and enforce compliance.
  • The counterproductive effect of making people do training that isn’t relevant to them.
  • Excellent examples ‘from the wild’ about attempts to influence behaviour – with greater or lesser success.
  • The trust contract that exists in different relationships – between regulator/regulatee, employer/employee, company/customer.
  • Experiences of public speaking and how event speakers are likely to thrive and be more connected with the audience when they are trusted instead of controlled by organisers.

Christian's website: https://www.human-risk.com/
Humanizing Rules book: https://www.human-risk.com/humanizing-rules-book
Human Risk Podcast: https://www.humanriskpodcast.com/
Find Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humanrisk/

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com.

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Why are humans the largest risk facing organisations, and why do the efforts to impose rules and controls on human behaviour often fail?

Christian Hunt has wide experience in a range of executive roles, including MD and Head of Behavioural Science at UBS, and now runs Human Risk, a Behavioural Science-led Consultancy. 

In this episode, Christian brings to life the concept of human risk, and talks about “how to get people to do what you want without pissing them off” with a plethora of examples from different contexts – including chemical weapons inspectors, rogue traders, and pickpockets in a German train station.

In this episode we cover:

  • Why and how consideration of actual people is so often missing in corporate strategies which attempt to mitigate risk and enforce compliance.
  • The counterproductive effect of making people do training that isn’t relevant to them.
  • Excellent examples ‘from the wild’ about attempts to influence behaviour – with greater or lesser success.
  • The trust contract that exists in different relationships – between regulator/regulatee, employer/employee, company/customer.
  • Experiences of public speaking and how event speakers are likely to thrive and be more connected with the audience when they are trusted instead of controlled by organisers.

Christian's website: https://www.human-risk.com/
Humanizing Rules book: https://www.human-risk.com/humanizing-rules-book
Human Risk Podcast: https://www.humanriskpodcast.com/
Find Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humanrisk/

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com.

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Acteon Buzzsprout-15039120 Tue, 14 May 2024 06:00:00 +0100 3282 1 2 full false James Woodman on curiosity and human behaviours James Woodman on curiosity and human behaviours How do you use behavioural science to translate boardroom strategies into the actions that people take every day?

In our first episode, Sarah talks with Acteon Director and Partner James Woodman, to explore what we mean by ‘speak to the human’: building connections with people, and thinking about the humans at the other end of organisational communications and change initiatives.

They discuss how behavioural science can reveal insights that help shape more effective approaches and engage people more meaningfully.

James shares how his sense of curiosity has shaped his career and keeps him fascinated in why people do what they do.

In this episode we cover:

  • James’s background as a broadcast journalist and producer with ITN, creating stories (including an explosive adventure).
  • Why meaningful change is about building emotional connections with people, often through stories. 
  • Thinking about organisations as collections of people, and thinking about those individual humans and their actions as the sum of what happens in an organisation.
  • How to bridge the gap between organisational strategy in the boardroom and the actions that people take every day.
  • Using behavioural approaches to influence ‘moments that matter’, including the behavioural drivers of capability, motivation and opportunity.
  • Making sure communication campaigns fit into an organisation’s culture, to build engagement and connect with a sense of ‘belonging’ for people.
  • Why it doesn’t work to write a policy, post it on an intranet, and expect things to change!

More about James: https://bit.ly/3U2QcHH

Follow him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-woodman-04102b48/

Read more about Wellcome’s Code of Conduct campaign here: https://bit.ly/43GYubH

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com.

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> How do you use behavioural science to translate boardroom strategies into the actions that people take every day?

In our first episode, Sarah talks with Acteon Director and Partner James Woodman, to explore what we mean by ‘speak to the human’: building connections with people, and thinking about the humans at the other end of organisational communications and change initiatives.

They discuss how behavioural science can reveal insights that help shape more effective approaches and engage people more meaningfully.

James shares how his sense of curiosity has shaped his career and keeps him fascinated in why people do what they do.

In this episode we cover:

  • James’s background as a broadcast journalist and producer with ITN, creating stories (including an explosive adventure).
  • Why meaningful change is about building emotional connections with people, often through stories. 
  • Thinking about organisations as collections of people, and thinking about those individual humans and their actions as the sum of what happens in an organisation.
  • How to bridge the gap between organisational strategy in the boardroom and the actions that people take every day.
  • Using behavioural approaches to influence ‘moments that matter’, including the behavioural drivers of capability, motivation and opportunity.
  • Making sure communication campaigns fit into an organisation’s culture, to build engagement and connect with a sense of ‘belonging’ for people.
  • Why it doesn’t work to write a policy, post it on an intranet, and expect things to change!

More about James: https://bit.ly/3U2QcHH

Follow him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-woodman-04102b48/

Read more about Wellcome’s Code of Conduct campaign here: https://bit.ly/43GYubH

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com.

Everything an organisation achieves comes down to what its people actually do. Speak to the Human explores how people think, behave, and make decisions at work.

Through real stories and practical conversations, each episode investigates the human behaviours that drive outcomes – and how organisations can respond.

Hosted by James Woodman from Acteon, a Cambridge-based consultancy specialising in communication, learning, and behaviour change in organisations. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com

]]> Buzzsprout-14812842 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0100 2661 1 1 full false