Superpowers School - Self-Improvement Podcast for Technology Professionals By cover art

Superpowers School - Self-Improvement Podcast for Technology Professionals

By: Self-Improvement podcast for technology professionals to build superpowers at work and thrive in the age of AI
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  • Summary

  • Do you want to future-proof your technology career? Building human skills (soft skills) that AI can't easily replicate is what makes us unique and stand out. Join Paddy Dhanda for a weekly dose of self-improvement. Each episode focuses on a different human superpower at work, helping you upgrade your soft skills and beat AI anxiety. If knowledge is power, then make learning your superpower!

    www.superpowers.school
    Paddy Dhanda
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Episodes
  • Creative Brainstorming and Fun Games to Boost Innovation - Jennifer Battan - E141

    Creative Brainstorming and Fun Games to Boost Innovation - Jennifer Battan - E141
    Apr 30 2024
    Workplaces today often stress seriousness and productivity at the cost of creativity and innovation. Yet, embracing a more playful approach at work can lead to better problem-solving, enhanced creativity, and an overall more enjoyable work experience. In this blog post, we explore the insights shared by Jennifer Battan, a seasoned business analyst and chief creativity officer, on the importance of play and creative brainstorming in corporate settings.Thanks for reading Superpowers School! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.Contents* Why Play is Important at Work* Warming Up for Brainstorming* Setting the Stage for Brainstorming* Breaking Out of Corporate Culture* Learning from Other Industries* Techniques and Resources* FAQs🎭 Why Play is Important at WorkPurpose Behind PlayThe adage "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" holds a deeper truth in the corporate world than one might think. As children, play is an integral part of development—through play, children create intricate worlds, establish rules, and unleash their creativity. However, as adults, formal corporate roles and the ever-hovering "mask of seriousness" often stifle this childhood creativity.Spending more waking hours at work than at home, it's essential for employees to find joy and fulfilment in their work environments. By incorporating elements of play and creativity at work, we not only enrich our daily lives but also pave the way for innovation and creative problem-solving.Play isn't just about competition; it's about collaboration and exploration.🖊️ Warming Up for BrainstormingOne practical way to catalyse creativity in meetings or brainstorming sessions is to begin with a warm-up activity. Jen suggests a simple yet effective exercise involving a pen:* Participants are broken into small groups, and one member writes out the alphabet on a paper.* Each group has two minutes to come up with unique uses for a pen, with each use starting with a different letter of the alphabet.This activity not only fosters a sense of team synergy but also pushes participants to think outside the conventional frameworks, preparing their minds for divergent thinking.🎬 Setting the Stage for BrainstormingFor brainstorming to be truly effective, establishing a structured yet open-ended environment is crucial. Jen advises using prompts like "If time and money didn't matter, what would you do?" to transcend typical workplace constraints. This approach not only uncovers the real requirements of a project but also sparks ideas that might seem unachievable under normal circumstances.Breaking people’s brains a little is part of learning to brainstorm effectivelyTimeboxing and FacilitationSetting clear boundaries and an agenda helps maintain focus and prevents brainstorming sessions from becoming chaotic. It encourages participants to generate and explore ideas without the pressure of immediate feasibility or ROI concerns.🌟 Breaking Out of Corporate CultureBreaking the mould of traditional corporate culture involves overcoming ingrained fears and stepping out of comfort zones. By actively challenging the norms of seriousness and embracing a bit of "weirdness,” companies can foster a culture where innovation thrives.Giving Permission to Be CreativeCreating a safe space for employees to express unusual or bold ideas is vital. Encouraging divergent thinking without immediate judgment or criticism can lead to groundbreaking innovations and solutions.Thanks for reading Superpowers School! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.🔄 Learning from Other IndustriesBenchmarking and Market AnalysisLooking beyond one's own industry can provide new perspectives and innovative solutions. By adopting best practices from different fields, companies can innovate their processes and offerings more effectively.🛠 Techniques and ResourcesThe Uncommon League, an organisation co-founded by Jen, offers various resources and training programs for enhancing creativity at work. Additionally, websites like Gamestorming provide numerous activities and games that can help teams think more creatively and work more collaboratively.Trying New TechniquesFear of failure or reprimand often holds back innovation. Jen advises trying new methods without always seeking permission—focusing instead on asking for forgiveness if things don’t go as planned.FAQsWhat is creative brainstorming?Creative brainstorming involves generating ideas in a free-form manner, often using exercises or games to inspire innovative thinking.How can play improve work performance?Integrating play into work routines helps in reducing stress, enhancing problem-solving skills, and fostering a happier and more creative work environment.Where can I find resources for creative brainstorming?Websites like Gamestorming and training platforms like The Uncommon League offer numerous resources for creative brainstorming and innovation at work.In conclusion, while...
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    45 mins
  • Getting Started with Cryptocurrency - Kate Baucherel (Crypto Expert)

    Getting Started with Cryptocurrency - Kate Baucherel (Crypto Expert)
    Apr 24 2024
    In this episode, Kate Baucherel shares her journey from an interest in technology to specialising in blockchain and cryptocurrency. She shares her early fascination with tech, transitioning from an accountant to a tech expert, and eventually authoring books, including fiction that integrate her tech knowledge.Kate helps newbies get started with cryptocurrency and blockchain in layman’s terms, addressing misconceptions and highlighting the practical applications of these technologies in various sectors beyond finance, such as supply chain management and decision auditing. The conversation touches on the future integration of blockchain into everyday life, the importance of understanding the technology for professionals, and the potential of central bank digital currencies.Kate’s aspiration for a superpower that abolishes train fares and journey times for a day underscores her value for face-to-face interactions despite appreciating the virtual world's opportunities.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to the Episode01:22 Cryptocurrency: The New Digital Currency01:41 Introducing Kate: A Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Expert02:46 Kate's Journey: From Accountant to Blockchain Expert07:45 The Impact of Blockchain and Cryptocurrency on the World09:46 Understanding Cryptocurrency and Its Value21:58 The Future of Banking and Blockchain Technology25:49 Advice for Technology Professionals on Crypto36:32 Exploring the Book: A Guide to Cryptocurrency and Blockchain38:20 Closing Thoughts and ResourcesKate Baucherel (Crypto Expert)Kate Baucherel BA(Hons) FCMA CGMA is an author, speaker and consultant specialising in emerging technologies, with a focus on the use of blockchain and cryptocurrency. She consults with clients from startup and scaleup businesses to blue chip multinationals and is a member of The Fintech & Payments Advisory Network and several Web3 consulting groups. Kate also teaches part time at the University of Teesside in both the International Business School and the School of Computing, Engineering and Digital Technologies. Her subjects include fintech, blockchain and cryptocurrency, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence and emerging tech in enterprise.Kate graduated in business from Newcastle University and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Kate has held senior technical and financial roles in businesses across multiple sectors including utilities, construction, manufacturing, leisure and software, leading several enterprises through their start-up and growth phases.Her books include Getting Started with Cryptocurrency: An introduction to digital assets and blockchain (BCS Publishing, 2024), Blockchain Hurricane: Origins, Applications and Future of Blockchain and Cryptocurrency (BEP/Harvard 2020), What’s Hot in Blockchain and Crypto (2020, 2021) and the SimCavalier series of cybercrime thrillers. She has spoken at events across the world and online, as keynote, panellist, mentor and chair, and regularly appears on BBC radio as a cryptocurrency expert.Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/katebaucherel/https://www.facebook.com/GaliaDigitalhttps://twitter.com/KateBaucherelhttps://instagram.com/KateBaucherel (but more fiction stuff)https://galiadigital.co.uk/blog-and-news/Books:Getting Started with Cryptocurrency: An introduction to digital assets and blockchain https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CNLWV4JDBlockchain Hurricane: Origins, Applications and Future of Blockchain and Cryptocurrency https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blockchain-Hurricane-Kate-Baucherel/dp/1951527364The SimCavalier series https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07G8QY1HZ⚡️ In each episode, Paddy Dhanda deep dives into a new human Superpower to help you thrive in the age of AI.🎧 Listen now on:👉 Apple👉 Spotify👉 YouTube👉 Newsletter★ BUY ME A COFFEE ★☕️ If you enjoy the podcast, then you can donate a small amount here as a token of your appreciation and BUY PADDY A COFFEE 👉🏽 https://ko-fi.com/paddydhanda This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superpowers.school
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    39 mins
  • How Henrik Kniberg created the Generative AI in a Nutshell Video - Creativity

    How Henrik Kniberg created the Generative AI in a Nutshell Video - Creativity
    Apr 16 2024
    This episode was recorded during a recent Visual Jam Meetup event with special guest Henrik Kniberg. We delve deep into the fusion of creativity, technology, and visual storytelling. Here are the key takeaways from the event:* The Journey from Music to Technology: Kniberg’s transition from an aspiring musician in Tokyo to a tech enthusiast and influential content creator.* Spotify, Lego and working on Minecraft: How Kniberg helped household brands increase their agility.* Generative AI as a Catalyst for Innovation: How we can leverage generative AI in product development.* The Imperative of Human Skills: The importance of human skills in an AI world.* Visual thinking process to go viral: Step-by-step process of Kniberg’s YouTube videos that have gone viral.My superpower is the ability to take complicated things and explain them in a simple way - Henrik Kniberg00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Henrik Kniberg00:54 Discovering Henrik's Superpower and Background01:16 Henrik's Journey: From Tokyo to Tech Innovator03:20 Exploring Henrik's Career: Spotify, Lego, and Minecraft11:34 The Future of Tech and AI: Henrik's Insights13:48 Visual Storytelling: The Power of Simplification21:28 Decoding the Video Creation Process21:49 The Power of PowerPoint in Planning22:49 Crafting the Script: Every Word Counts23:50 Visuals and Drawing: Bringing Ideas to Life25:04 Editing and Final Touches: The Painstaking Process26:41 Tools of the Trade: ScreenFlow and ArtRage28:59 The Viral Video Formula: Content, Drawing, and Human Appeal31:42 Interactive Q&A: Insights and Tools Revealed36:55 Embracing AI: Enhancing Creativity and Efficiency40:15 Closing Thoughts and Audience EngagementHenrik KnibergHenrik Kniberg is Chief Scientist and cofounder of Hups.com and Flitig.ai, and consultant at Crisp. Henrik’s focus is the practical application of Generative AI in product development and other areas. He explores the frontiers of this technology, builds AI-powered products, and teaches courses and workshops on how to use this technology effectively. He made the video ”Generative AI in a Nutshell” and wrote the articles ”Are developers needed in the Age of AI” and ”WhoDunit – Ai product development on steroids”.Henrik’s background is Minecraft gameplay design & development at Mojang, and agile/lean coaching at LEGO and Spotify and other product companies.Henrik is well-known for his books ”Scrum and XP from the Trenches” and ”Kanban and Scrum, making the most of both” and ”Lean from the Trenches”. He is also well-known for viral videos such as ”Agile Product Ownership in a Nutshell” and ”Spotify Engineering Culture” (commonly referred to as the Spotify Model), and silly metaphors like the skateboard metaphor for product development, and ping pong balls to demonstrate the concept of flow. Henrik has also been engaged in climate change – he created the video Friendly Guide to Climate Change and cofounded GoClimate.com.⚡️ In each episode, Paddy Dhanda deep dives into a new human Superpower to help you thrive in the age of AI.🎧 Listen now on:👉 Apple👉 Spotify👉 YouTube👉 Newsletter★ BUY ME A COFFEE ★☕️ If you enjoy the podcast, then you can donate a small amount here as a token of your appreciation and BUY PADDY A COFFEE 👉🏽 https://ko-fi.com/paddydhanda This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superpowers.school
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    43 mins
Career Success Economics Personal Success
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