Hub & Spoken.

What's in this podcast?

In this special edition compilation episode, Jason looks back at conversations with brilliant leaders to uncover the use of data for the good of society, and a more sustainable future for all. Jason explores how leaders and their teams can become more resilient, diverse – and build a more human-centered world.

Listen to this episode on Spotify, iTunes, and Stitcher. You can also catch up on the previous episodes of the Hub & Spoken podcast when you subscribe.

What are your thoughts on how to create a better, more purpose led and resilient future? We’d love to hear from you; join the #HubandSpoken discussion and let us know on Twitter and LinkedIn.

For more on resilience, take a look at our on-demand webinar: Building Resilience

One Big Message

Creating a better future for all through the positive and open use of data requires us to be the change we want to see.

[02:13] Joanna Cruz discusses the need to be human-centered in a world of tech and AI.

[08:28] Pye Nyut talks about his approach to engaging with residents to ensure data is used in ways that are open, transparent, and returning value.

[16:23] Panel discussion about creating a more diverse workforce, the need for influential role models, and creating a culture of openness and inclusivity.

[23:08] Steven Jameson and Maggie Buggie share how to invest energy and time in improving sustainability.

[26:56] Christian Hughes, Caroline Bellamy, and Will Fraser talk about how to create a resilient self and a resilient team.

Impact of technology on our mental health

There’s a conversation among education professionals, and in the broader sector, around the potential negative implications of technology on young people, mental health and wellbeing. There is an interesting representation of this conversation around where tech has not been human-centered, or where there’s a need to realign the focus to make sure that the end-user is considered in the work.

The essence of the conversation is around the empathy of organisations that work in this space, making sure that duration is given in a kind of very human and empathetic way to the lived experience of the people that use their technology. And that requires a discipline for organisations to constantly come back to making the right decision on how to balance human considerations versus commercial considerations.

Data leadership in local government

It’s not just about what your tech architecture looks like. It’s actually about a social worker enabled enough to make the best-informed decisions that they can when they’re looking after a vulnerable person; bringing together data and insight that will help them in their professional judgment – not a substitute for that professional judgment. And, it also means that across the population, asking questions such as, “are we even using data in the right way to measure the things that really matter to our residents?”

Women in data leadership

In the data industry, there are very few visible female role models. It’s an important factor for women progressing in their careers to see like-minded women that they can relate to as their inspiration and their role model. 

When looking at the leadership teams, and what the executive teams look like, consider if there are any women outside of HR and marketing that have a seat at the table or not. It speaks about how there are going to be additional barriers to success beyond the ordinary business challenges if you’re also fighting a culture that’s not used to having strong women running up and operating.

Think big and collaborate

There is an appetite out there that can be tapped into where there are a lot of people who are keen and motivated to do good things who can see the power of business and their ability to actually create a transformational change, whether or not it’s got direct commercial relevance. If you think big and collaborate, it can really help drive some impact.

Authenticity in leadership

It is crucial in a leadership position to have authenticity. No one is an automaton. We’re all humans. That gives permission to an environment, which is really diverse, which allows others to be human as well. If you represent being formidable and perfect all the time then that’s false. Some people fall from grace and it affects how they function. The longer you try and keep the mask up, when actually you’re flagging behind the mask, the worse you’ll feel.

To summarise

The ultimate aim of doing data is to deliver value, create a better, more purpose-led future requires us all to focus on outcomes that truly improve the way we work in our world and our society. Understanding data and how we can use it in a positive way can create a great impact in our community that goes on to build a better future, for all of us. 

If you would like to review the full episodes of the podcasts included in this special episode, you can find them here:

Episode 12, Being Human Centred in a World of Data, Algorithms and Artificial Intelligence with Jo Cruse

Episode 77, Using Data in the Public Sector, with Pye Nyunt

Episode 22, Diversity, Inclusion, and Discrimination in Data, with Roisin McCarthy , Michelle Wong and Allison Nau

Episode 11, Making A More Sustainable And Healthy Planet Using Data And Analytics, with Maggie Buggie and Stephen Jamieson

Episode 51, Personal and team resilience, with Caroline Bellamy, Will Fraser and Christian Hughes