Join co-hosts and authors, DWG’s CEO and Founder, Paul Miller, and Shimrit Janes, Director of Knowledge, as they reflect on this series of rich and diverse discussions, and look to the future.    

Since the publication of their ground-breaking book Nature of Work: The new story of work for a living age, the two have spoken with leaders from across the globe. They’ve discovered how nature’s patterns are influencing the creation of beautiful and varied workplaces, and delved deep into the quietly revolutionary concept that an organization isn’t a machine but a living organism. 

Evolution is certain and the next stage of Nature of Work’s lifecycle now beckons. For those drawn to the concepts and possibilities, there is the upcoming launch of the Nature of Work Forum, which marks the creation of a new community. Further research is planned and an exciting new channel, Rewilding Work, is on the horizon.  

So, to hear highlights from this first year of Nature of Work, as well as insights into how our two authors evolved their writing partnership into co-hosting a podcast, listen today. 

(Show notes, links and transcript for this episode.) 

Book: Nature of Work: A new story of work for a living age

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In this Nature of Work podcast, authors and co-hosts, DWG’s CEO Paul Miller and Shimrit Janes, Director of Knowledge, are joined by Dr Lauren ‘L’ Vargas, a ‘digital dragon wrangler’ who assists organizations with their community and communication strategies.  

Together, they unpack the fundamentals of regenerative practices, including big ideas such as the opportunity to step beyond being human-centred and becoming truly life-centred at work. Within this, every single action we each take can feed or regress regenerative practice. Humans are not the only thing in the ecosystem to be impacted by our actions – and indeed, does nature come first? 

In this passionate discussion, L takes us on a tour of her ‘Take ‘CARE’ to be ‘CALM’’ framework – a collaborative, anticipatory, leaderful and mindful approach she uses to guide digital transformation in a regenerative way.   

From using play and science fiction to unlock conformed realities, through to sharing how individuals can approach introspective work, L draws on her academic and real-life corporate experiences to explain how regenerative practices can really show up. 

Listen now for more about the potential to imagine and realize a more beautiful world of work. 

(Show notes, links and transcript for this episode.) 

Guest speaker:  

Dr Lauren 'L' Vargas, digital dragon wrangler

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For this Nature of Work podcast, authors and co-hosts Paul Miller, DWG CEO, and Shimrit Janes, DWG Director of Knowledge, are joined by thought leader, trusted advisor and author of Leading from the Roots, Dr Kathleen Allen.  

Together, they explore the concept of the organization as an organism, with Kathleen sharing how nature and its patterns have influenced her own leadership practices.  

Being adaptive is a human capacity and the three discuss whether a more ‘growthful’ approach to change could shift dynamics. Indeed, if organizations are considered as living systems, how can their interdependencies and connections be used to help cultivate future direction? And what is the importance of leadership emotional intelligence in helping people to adapt through such change. 

Follow the conversation, which offers new ways to view change through a nature-inspired lens.  

(Show notes, links and transcript for this episode.) 

Guest speaker:  

Dr Kathleen Allen, thought leader, author and trusted advisor 

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Proposing that there is an entirely different way to lead today’s organizations, the group together uncover how connections, living systems and the spaces in between, can create fresh opportunities for

more collective and transformational leadership. 

Is developing a collective capacity to lead the natural next step, and what part do emotional competencies play in this? How can we challenge the traditional aspects of leadership and the leader as a saviour? And what’s possible through new and unusual conversations grounded in liberty, equality and fraternity?  

The paradox and nature of daring to un-lead is brought to life, with Céline offering her own practical advice for those wanting to start such conversations today.

(Show notes, links and transcript for this episode.) 

• Dare to Un-Lead. The Art of Relational Leadership in a Fragmented World.
• Processes of Emergence with Jack Manning Bancroft, Tyson Yunkaporta and Fritjof Capra 
• Thich Nhat Hanh 
• Myron Rogers 
• Stowe Boyd 
• Gilles Deleuze  
• Félix Guattari 
• Margaret Wheatley 

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It’s a year since the book Nature of Work was published. Since then, the ground-breaking ideas shared within it have provoked conversations internationally, on the power of new ways to describe and think about work as a living system. 

In this latest Nature of Work podcast episode, the book’s co-authors, Paul Miller and Shimrit Janes, are joined in conversation by Priya Thummalapalli, Director of People Experience Solutions at software company Intuit. 

The discussion brings to life Priya’s own reflections on some of the 12 elements in practice. She highlights the language of fear often used today and how this can shape everyday experiences, preferring instead to engage with alternative descriptions, a listening culture and approaches to growth and leadership that are reflected in nature.  

This wide-ranging conversation sees the group delve into areas relevant to leaders everywhere. What, for instance, does the concept of anti-fragility (first introduced by Nassim Nicholas Taleb) mean for

us and how should we approach our organizational roles as ancestors of future generations? This episode gives useful insights on reframing the world of work during constant change. 

(Show notes, links and transcript for this episode.)

Book: Nature of Work: A new story of work for a living age

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lucy, Founder of bio-inspired consultancy, workWILD, and Mark, Director of MillerKnoll’s Global Insight Group, are both passionate about improving how and where we work. 

In this episode, Lucy and Mark share their first impressions of the book when it was published last January, offer their reflections on the 12 elements, and outline their visions of where this new ‘movement’ could take us over the next few years. 

To celebrate the first anniversary, you can receive a 30% when you buy the book via natureofwork.com – use BIRTHDAY1 at the checkout. 

Show notes, links and resources for this episode:  

• workWILD 
• MillerKnoll

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The past two years have sharpened our focus on topics such as empathy within the workplace, and helped to accelerate others, such as the physical and mental health of ourselves as well as our colleagues around us. Much has already changed, so what will the next generation of workspaces look like? 

In this episode, Paul and Shimrit are joined by the formidable Christine Kohlert – author, architect and professor. Christine shares her insights from her extensive research and experience, and offers us a glimpse of a more beautiful way to work. 

Aligning with the ‘Habitats’ element from the book Nature of Work, their conversation covers everything from the beauty and power of biophilic design to the functional and clever furniture that can enhance our working lives. This bright and optimistic discussion will leave you dreaming up your ideal workspace. 

Show

notes, links and resources for this episode:  

Space for Creative Thinking: Design principles for work and learning environments, by Christine Kohlert and Scott Cooper   

Digital Workplace Impact episode 19: How and why physical workplaces change the way we

work (with guests Christine Kohlert and Sally Augustin) 

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When you look to nature, do you see lazy trees or lazy animals? No, they simply rest. But turn the lens on to humans and laziness is widely recognized and, in most cases, reviled through prejudices such as fatphobia, ableism and classism.

Dr Devon Price challenges the concept and even the existence of laziness in their new book, Laziness does not exist: A defense of the exhausted, exploited, and overworked. At the core is the ‘laziness lie’, which falsely tells us we are not working or learning hard enough. Dr Price joins Paul and Shimrit, and together they begin to unpack the term, the stigma and the damage caused when we insist on measuring our self-worth in terms of our productivity.

This conversation is a powerful wake-up call to slow down and rethink what we value in life, to shake off workplace guilt and, most importantly, to trust in our colleagues.

Show notes, links, and resources for this episode: 

lazy - Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com

Laziness does not exist: A defense of the exhausted, exploited, and overworked, by Dr Devon Price

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May the force and the latest episode of Nature of Work podcast be with you! In this episode, we are excited to be joined by guests from two iconic creative organizations: Danielle O’Hare, Director of Talent Development, Lucasfilm and ILM, and Tracy Campbell, Director, Production Training & Development, Walt Disney Animation Studios.  

Many childhoods have been shaped by the stories and characters in movies such as The Lion King from Walt Disney Animation Studios and Lucasfilm’s Star Wars. Driving forces behind these legendary films have been the strong roots of these organizations, the culture of innovation within them, and the spirit of rebellion to push boundaries, do the impossible and create something no one has seen before.  

In this powerful and inspiring conversation, Danielle and Tracy share a narrative of roots to regeneration, testifying to the strong roots, identities and legacies of their respective organizations. And yet, these companies are also continually regenerating and reinventing through the blending of art and science, creativity and technology. Both guests speak to the power of knowledge sharing and connection as ways to inform the magical and fantastical worlds created. 

Stories reflect real life, but they also have the power to create new realities. Both Danielle and Tracy reflect on the importance of bringing ever more diverse voices into the room, explaining their companies’ focus on diversity, inclusion and belonging. Representation matters for their employees, their audiences and the world.  

As the nature of work creates a new story of work, listen to be inspired by how the art of storytelling is ever-present at Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Animation Studios – and how they are owning the impact of these stories on the next generation, helping to shape new views. 

Show notes, links, and resources for this episode: 

Book: Nature of Work: A new story of work for a living age 

Nature of Work Live: Nature of Work Live 

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This episode of the Nature of Work podcast is your front-row seat at the first ever Burford Literary Festival.  

Co-authors Paul Miller and Shimrit Janes recall their experience of writing the Nature of Work book, sharing with the festival audience the story and vision behind the whole Nature of Work concept and explaining how walks in the woods inspired not only the content but the writing process as well.  

Taking a different approach to the traditional solitude and ‘hermit-like’ process of writing (as Shimrit describes it), they chose to work on the book collaboratively. Paul and Shimrit discuss the importance of having a team of people involved to help build the vision, to challenge the ideas and to contribute the in-depth research and living examples that bring the story to life.  

The conversation in this episode, including a Q&A with the festival audience, provides listeners with a taste of the writing process, how the book has been received, and what it’s like to self-publish. Listen also to hear more on how the pandemic and movements such as Black Lives Matter and Me Too shaped the story in real-time as it was being written. 

Show notes, links, and resources for this episode: 

Learn more about the book: natureofwork.com

Register for the event: natureofwork.live

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Hybrid working and return-to-office strategies are front of mind for many organizations right now. As we reimagine and redesign our workspaces, balancing the digital and physical, in-person and remote, organizations should be challenged that ‘return to office’ very definitely doesn’t mean just returning to the past.  

The workplace has changed since the pandemic, with a greater emphasis on designing experiences rather than environments. Impressive physical spaces simply don’t meet the brief any more. Workspace design must dig deeper into the culture if it is to fit in this new world of work, seeking to create connection, strengthen relationships and instil a sense of belonging for all those involved from the office to the frontline.  

Drawing inspiration from cocoons and campfires, Sarah Bolas and Deepak Parmar of MCM share insights into the radical shifts occurring in workspaces, exploring how culture- and people-led design is healing the frontline experience by creating healthy, thriving work habitats that enhance well-being and deliver a more beautiful way of working in every way. 

Show notes, links, and resources for this episode: 

Book: Nature of Work: A new story of work for a living age 

Nature of Work Live: Nature of Work Live 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Nature of Work podcast, Paul Miller and Shimrit Janes are joined by Nellie Hayat, Head of Workplace Transformation at VergeSense. Together they share stories from Silicon Valley and reflect on what draws travellers and visitors to the magnificence and wonders of Gaudi’s works, asking what we can learn from this in our quest to create more beautiful workplaces for the future as organizations consider their return-to-office strategies.

What value will physical spaces and offices have in the future of work? Or is the era of the office as we know it now over? Drawing inspiration from nature, the conversation explores the concept of habitat, including how to create environments in which people feel safe, connected, empowered and purposeful about their work, their impact on the world, as well as other emerging trends and examples of how the workplace is being reimagined and changing our relationship with work.

Show notes, links and resources for this episode:

• Get 10% off when you buy the Nature of Work book, using PODCAST21 at the checkout: https://natureofwork.com/order/

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Nature is a profound teacher. From the way gardens grow to how species take their rest when needed, there are many lessons deeply rooted in the structures, patterns and behaviours of the natural world from which organizations can learn as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and start to create the new story of work for a living age.  

Over the past 18 months, business resilience has really been put to the test as organizations have been forced to adapt quickly to the changing shape and nature of work as a result of COVID-19 – just as plant and animal species adapt to the ever-changing natural environment. The concept of resilience is not about bouncing back but rather about embracing change, reinventing and building back stronger. We can apply this concept to the new world of work.     

In this episode, Nature of Work co-authors, Paul Miller and Shimrit Janes, are joined by Abigail Wilmore, Chief People Office at Stella McCartney, and Lucy Colclough, Founder of Work Wild, who share living examples of how they have reinvented traditional organizational structures to be healthy, living systems, using nature as their guide. 

Drawing on the practices of biomimicry that seek to emulate and take inspiration from the power of nature to solve human problems, this episode provides guidance on: the importance of regular pulse checks; the power of introducing a new language of health, rest and growth to coexist with performance and efficiency; and the concept of heart-centred leadership to understand what brings you to life in the workplace, enabling the transformation from organization to organism. 

Show notes, links, and resources for this episode: 

Book: Nature of Work: A new story of work for a living age 

Nature of Work Live: Nature of Work Live

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The essential ingredient is relationships. In this first episode of the Nature of Work podcast, we welcome guests from COOK, a frozen ready-meals company based in the UK, who share the inspiring story of their company’s deeply rooted purpose of creating both nourishing food and nourishing relationships.  

In conversation with Nature of Work authors, Paul Miller and Shimrit Janes, COOK Co-CEO, Rosie Brown, and Chief Creative Officer, James Rutter, discuss the importance of purpose, goodwill, community and relationships in building a flourishing organization. They share examples of how these elements are ingrained in every part of the culture and the story of COOK – from its very origin to recently becoming a B Corporation – and explain why COOK matters in the world. 

Grab a plate and listen to hear about the unique leadership structure at COOK and be inspired by the stories that breathe life into the idea of a living organization. 

Show Notes:

Nature of Work Live: Nature of Work Live

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Join Shimrit Janes and Paul Miller, co-authors of the groundbreaking book Nature of Work: The new story of work for a living age, in conversation with fascinating guests who are evolving workplaces from organizations to organisms. Each episode will inspire change-makers and make-changers to draw on patterns in nature to create and establish the more beautiful worlds of work our hearts and minds know is possible.

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