Accessible Disruption - Strategy Table Pathways

Visit the Tanah Air Project Site: https://tanahairproject.org/Connect with Aish on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aish-mann/In this episode of Accessible Disruption, hosts Anthony Vade and Tahira Endean speak with Aish Mann, founder and executive director of the Tanah Air Project. Following her immigration to Canada, Aish founded the organization to transform how newcomers are seen, supported, and empowered in Canada's climate movement. Aish Mann is an award-winning climate leader and the founder of Tanah Air Project, a newcomer-led initiative positioning belonging as a climate solution.Based in Vancouver and originally from Malaysia, Aish brings experience in climate education, community-building, and policy innovation.Her work bridges newcomers and Indigenous communities, amplifying migrant leadership in climate action and reimagining a more inclusive climate future for Canada.The discussion highlights the importance of human-centered climate solutions and examines how eco-anxiety distinctly impacts immigrants, for whom environmental threats often mean literal survival rather than distant worries.The Tanah Air Project operates on the core philosophy that "belonging is a climate solution". To bridge the gap between skilled immigrants and the environmental sector, the organization focuses on three interconnected streams of action: climate literacy, leadership workshops, and Green Stream immigration advocacy. A central pillar of their work is building Indigenous-immigrant solidarity, which helps newcomers root themselves in the land and co-create a just, thriving future alongside Indigenous Peoples.Throughout the episode, Aish emphasizes the power of "soft leadership," sharing how vulnerability and human connection helped her find mentors and build her community. By challenging colonial frameworks and treating lived experience as expertise, the Tanah Air Project redefines who gets to be a climate leader. The episode serves as a powerful call to action, urging listeners to embrace open leadership, recognize that migration and healing are inseparable, and actively participate in creating a more inclusive climate movement.The Tanah Air Project operates on the core philosophy that "belonging is a climate solution". To bridge the gap between skilled immigrants and the environmental sector, the organization focuses on three interconnected streams of action: climate literacy, leadership workshops, and Green Stream immigration advocacy. A central pillar of their work is building Indigenous-immigrant solidarity, which helps newcomers root themselves in the land and co-create a just, thriving future alongside Indigenous Peoples.Throughout the episode, Aish emphasizes the power of "soft leadership," sharing how vulnerability and human connection helped her find mentors and build her community. By challenging colonial frameworks and treating lived experience as expertise, the Tanah Air Project redefines who gets to be a climate leader. The episode serves as a powerful call to action, urging listeners to embrace open leadership, respect the fact that migration and healing are inseparable, and actively participate in creating a more inclusive climate movement.

This episode of Accessible Disruption features Aga (Agnieszka) Szóstek, an author of "The Umami Strategy" and "Leadership by Design," who shares her journey into experience design and strategic thinking. She describes how her background in user system interaction and industrial research led her to focus on the "experience of things" beyond technical problems. Szóstek highlights the frustration she encountered when businesses viewed experiences as mere add-ons rather than strategic differentiators, prompting her to develop and document "The Umami Strategy" to help companies integrate experience design at a strategic level. A significant part of the conversation revolves around the challenges of change within organizations, particularly the human brain's natural resistance to it due to perceived energy costs and psychological safety concerns. Szóstek emphasizes that in complex systems, especially those involving people, experimentation is the only way to understand what will work in the future, as past successes do not guarantee future outcomes. She advocates for "nano-experiments" in leadership and organizational change, suggesting that small, consistent changes are less daunting and allow for continuous learning and adaptation without triggering strong negative reactions to large-scale transformations. Furthermore, Szóstek discusses the application of experience design to leadership, noting that many leaders lack clarity on the type of leader they aspire to be. Her book, "Leadership by Design," aims to guide leaders through a process of self-reflection and questioning rather than prescribing an ideal leadership style. She stresses the importance of commitment, accountability, and consistent "nano-experiments" for leaders to evolve intentionally. For organizations serious about experience design, she advises a foundational approach that includes a clear strategy, robust processes, and developed competencies to ensure successful and lasting change.

Visit our website for more links and information: www.strategytable.coDavid's Website: David BeckerIn this episode of "Accessible Disruption," hosts Tahira Endean and Anthony Vade engage in a thought-provoking conversation with David Becker, an award-winning tech founder and media strategist. David shares his extensive experience working with startups and early-stage teams, focusing on the vital dynamics that drive successful business development. He discusses the challenges of navigating change within startup environments, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and the need for a clear vision in the face of constant evolution.David reflects on his journey as co-founder and former CEO of zkipster, a leading software for guest list management, and highlights how the pandemic forced rapid pivots in strategy and operations. He emphasizes the importance of understanding market validation and product-market fit, while also recognizing the delicate balance between agility and stability in a fast-paced startup world.Throughout the episode, the conversation touches on key themes, such as the necessity of effective communication among leaders and teams, the significance of aligning company culture with the North Star vision, and the challenges of fostering trust in a dynamic environment. David shares insights into how leaders can best support their teams by modeling desired behaviors and creating an inclusive atmosphere that encourages collaboration and innovation.Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on the art of change management in startups, the role of leadership in shaping culture, and the importance of truly understanding and addressing the needs of users and team members alike. This episode serves as a rich resource for entrepreneurs and organizational leaders looking to navigate the complexities of growth and transformation.Listen on your favourite platform or at:thttps://strategytable.co/accessible-disruption-podcast/

Visit Strategy Table at www.strategytable.coConnect with David: https://www.davidallisoninc.comhttps://valuegraphics.comIn this enlightening episode of the “Accessible Disruption” podcast, hosts Tahira Endean and Anthony Vade welcome David Allison, a renowned expert in understanding human values and the founder of Valuegraphics. The discussion centers around the fundamental role that values play in shaping individual behaviors and corporate cultures, particularly in the context of navigating change. David emphasizes that every person is a values-driven being, and by recognizing and aligning these values, organizations can create more meaningful and impactful experiences.The hosts and David explore the limitations of traditional corporate values, which often consist of generic phrases that fail to resonate with employees on a personal level. Instead, David introduces the concept of Valuegraphics as a way to genuinely understand what motivates people, drawing from extensive data gathered through over a million surveys across various demographics. This approach reveals 56 distinct human values that drive behavior, demonstrating the importance of going beyond surface-level understandings to create environments where individuals feel valued and engaged.Throughout the episode, David shares insights from his work with organizations, illustrating how aligning corporate strategies with employees' intrinsic values can lead to enhanced collaboration, creativity, and overall satisfaction in the workplace. The conversation underscores the necessity of acknowledging and integrating personal values into corporate missions, fostering a culture that drives business success and contributes to a more compassionate world.Listeners are encouraged to rethink their understanding of values and consider how this new perspective can lead to transformative change within their organizations. This episode is a powerful reminder that a shared human experience driven by values is at the heart of every interaction.Listen on your favourite platform or at:thttps://strategytable.co/accessible-disruption-podcast/

Visit us at www.strategytable.coIn this engaging episode of "Accessible Disruption," hosts Tahira Endean and Anthony Vade share a personal and insightful conversation about Anthony’s journey and how his background has shaped his comfort with change. The episode begins with a nostalgic tone, as Tahira and Anthony reminisce about their early experiences and the impact of their childhoods on their current outlooks.Anthony discusses his upbringing in South Australia, highlighting the influence of his immigrant father, who instilled in him a sense of resilience and curiosity. He reflects on the challenges of navigating change, both personally and culturally, as he transitioned from Australia to Canada. Through compelling anecdotes, Anthony illustrates how his father’s experiences as a refugee taught him the importance of embracing change and addressing fears, rather than shying away from them.As the conversation progresses, Anthony shares his diverse career path, which began in community radio and evolved into event production and change management. He emphasizes the connection between storytelling, music composition, and teamwork, drawing parallels between crafting music and facilitating collaboration within organizations. This analogy serves as a powerful metaphor for understanding how to lead teams through change by tuning into their emotions and perspectives.The episode wraps up with Anthony offering valuable insights into the dynamics of leadership and collaboration, encouraging listeners to be attuned to the different melodies that team members may be hearing. This dialogue sets the stage for future episodes, where the hosts will continue to explore impactful change management strategies and the stories that drive them.Join Tahira and Anthony as they embark on this journey of accessible disruption, inviting listeners to reflect on their own experiences and the changes they face.Listen on your favourite platform or at:thttps://strategytable.co/accessible-disruption-podcast/

Visit us at www.strategytable.coIn this episode of "Accessible Disruption," hosts Tahira Endean and Ryan Hill engage in an insightful conversation about personal experiences with change and adaptability. The episode begins with Ryan sharing how his upbringing in a military family shaped his resilience and adaptability. Having moved frequently during his childhood, he reflects on the importance of embracing risk and the unknown, drawing parallels between his early life experiences and his career in change leadership.Tahira and Ryan discuss their shared journey of pursuing a Master's in Creativity and Change Leadership, highlighting their passion for helping organizations navigate change effectively. Ryan elaborates on his military experiences, describing how they taught him to build strong teams under pressure and to foster creativity within organizations.The hosts emphasize the significance of having an "anchor point"—a stable source of support—amid constant change, which can help individuals feel more secure and adaptable. Ryan also addresses feelings of imposter syndrome while recognizing the unique perspectives he brings to their work at Strategy Table. He expresses excitement about the potential to redefine industries and cultivate human capital through effective change management strategies.As the episode concludes, both hosts reflect on their enthusiasm for their collaborative efforts at Strategy Table and the positive impact they aim to have on organizations facing change. This episode serves as a deep dive into Ryan's background and the foundational principles that drive his approach to change leadership, setting the stage for future discussions on accessible disruption.Listen on your favourite platform or at:thttps://strategytable.co/accessible-disruption-podcast/

Visit us at www.strategytable.coIn this captivating episode of "Accessible Disruption," hosts Anthony Vade and Tahira Endean engage in a thought-provoking conversation about resilience, adaptation, and the journey of personal and professional growth. Tahira opens up about her unique upbringing in Haida Gwaii, where she learned the values of resourcefulness and resilience from a young age. With her parents' diverse backgrounds, she developed a deep empathy for others, shaping her approach to leadership and change management.As the discussion unfolds, Tahira shares her transition from a budding hairstylist to a leader in the event management industry, detailing the challenges she faced after undergoing major surgeries that forced her to pivot her career. Embracing change, she pursued a diploma in event and convention management, eventually thriving in a variety of roles that allowed her to harness her creativity and passion for connecting people through events.The conversation also highlights Tahira's commitment to lifelong learning, particularly during the pandemic, when she pursued a Master's in Creativity and Change Leadership. She reflects on how this education enhances her ability to facilitate meaningful change within organizations, emphasizing the importance of understanding human behavior in both small workshops and large-scale events.Listeners will gain valuable insights into the nature of change, the significance of empathy in leadership, and the power of continuous improvement. Join Anthony and Tahira as they explore the intricacies of navigating disruption and making change accessible for all. Don't miss the opportunity to hear more about their experiences and future discussions in the upcoming episodes!Listen on your favourite platform or at:thttps://strategytable.co/accessible-disruption-podcast/