The workplaces of today are vastly different from only a decade ago.
We’re in the age of employee experience now, friends.
Yet despite the arrival of a new era heralding a shift in relationships and expectations, many organisations have failed to evolve. The result? Leaders have been left asking how to gain attention, engage and influence the people they work with. What they’re really asking, though, is how to speak human.
How to Speak Human takes a practical approach to dealing with the communication challenges faced by today’s workplaces. Although speaking human should come as naturally as nudity in nature — somehow it doesn’t. Somewhere along the way, amidst the busyness, the business, the technology and the professionalism, it became harder to connect with the people around us. Harder to speak human, to get attention, to influence, to engage. We’re up against a constantly changing and complex business landscape, the competition for talented people, a workforce comprising five very different generations and the looming spectre of artificial intelligence.
This comprehensive how-to hurtles headlong and enthusiastically into the fascinations of science and theories of human-centred communication. It draws on over a decade of award-winning work with savvy leaders from organisations around the world to share 11 strategies and 23 practical ideas for application, illustrated by real world stories.
- Use the science of connection to create compelling communication
- Discover how to translate mind-numbing complexity into captivating simplicity
- Learn the shortcuts to hijacking attention, engaging and influencing others
Gone are the days of stiff, impersonal workplaces painted various shades of beige. Here and ahead lies a profound shift towards human, a fast-approaching future where people are celebrated. Not just customers or shareholders, but the vast majority of folk inside our organisations — the people who keep things moving.
Whether you're at the helm of a global organisation; a leader in a business looking to stay relevant; or a member of a small team, hungry to advance — this is a how-to for forward thinkers like you.
About the Authors
Dougal draws on a background in design and branding to bring a unique approach to a corporate landscape typically starved for creativity. He holds an unwavering belief in the power of ideas, and human-centered design and communication as a tool to connect with people at all levels of an organisation.
With partner, Jen, he helms Jaxzyn — building a global reputation as a employee experience company that goes beyond typical. With the team, he’s worked with leaders and influencers of Fortune 500 and ASX listed organisations.
Dougal sets creative strategy at Jaxzyn, writes the Jaxzyn quarterly publication, One Slash Four (oneslashfour.jaxzyn.com), and satisfies a love of the outdoors through surfing, snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, travelling, and writing for The Monday Mountaineers (themondaymountaineers.com).
Jen Jackson is the owner and director of award-winning, employee experience company, Jaxzyn. She heads up an amazing team of strategic, creative, business-savvy individuals, to help pioneering leaders go beyond mediocrity in the workplace. She considers herself lucky to have worked with leaders and influencers of Fortune 500 and ASX listed organisations.
Jen is a regular keynote speaker at conferences and industry events. She’s also frequently invited to join panel discussions and podcasts where she brings a fresh perspective. She has facilitated strategic offsites with leadership teams in the USA and UK, as well as around Australia. She is a regular presenter and facilitator at organisational conferences and workshops, sharing insights from her work around the world.
Jen is a realistic idealist. She balances business objectives, strategy and performance with a deep understanding of how to connect. She champions human and will always fight for work that considers people first and foremost.
