Collective Intelligence

Tuning the Workplace: designing spaces for trust, learning, and performance | Adrian Davidson

Despite billions invested in offices, many workplaces still fail to deliver what matters most: better performance, stronger relationships, and meaningful collaboration. In this episode, Tracey Camilleri and Adrian Davidson unpack why so many offices fall short and what needs to change. They explore the limitations of designing for cost and convenience, and argue for a shift toward environments that reflect how humans truly operate: socially, emotionally, and in teams. From the loss of apprenticeship in hybrid work to the missed opportunity of designing for belonging and trust, this conversation offers a roadmap for creating spaces that people not only use, but genuinely value. JLL website · Connect with Adrian on LinkedIn · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

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Why We're Losing Each Other (and How We Come Back Together) | Charl Bassil

Rebuild shared experiences, brand responsibility, and "create the party". What happens when convenience quietly replaces connection? In our first episode of 2026, Sam Rockey speaks with Charl Bassil, the BBC’s first Chief Brand Officer, about what’s changed in the way we live, work, and belong. Charl argues we haven’t lost our need for connection — we’ve just been seduced by frictionless alternatives: streaming, scrolling, hyper-personalised feeds, and “social” platforms that deliver media with only a thin trace of social. Together they explore the BBC’s public-service role in a fragmented world — truth with no agenda, backing homegrown creativity, and bringing people together — and why shared cultural moments still matter for social cohesion. Charl also shares lessons from iconic global brands on balancing short-term growth with long-term brand equity, the power of aligning values with commercial reality, and why “care” and “kindness” aren’t soft words — they’re strategic. Plus: a moving story of how Charl built a Lebanese community in Cape Town from scratch, and the leadership principle at the heart of it all: don’t wait to be invited — create the party. Charl Bassil on The Leadership Enigma Podcast: Branding the Iconic · Charl Bassil on The Lead Creative: Banning Campaigns and Reimagining Brands · Bridging the Gap with Charl Bassil · Connect with Charl Bassil · Absolut Vodka music video: Khuli Chana: One Source · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

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This Is Absurd (And That's OK) | Antoinette Moriarty

Finding meaning, support, and community in a profession under pressure. “Bring back the real. Bring back the mess. Bring back the colour. When people are allowed to be human, performance doesn’t drop — it rises.” Antoinette Moriarty, of the Law Society of Ireland, joins Sam Rockey to chat about the forces reshaping legal work: the lure of certainty versus the reality of complexity, AI’s threat-and-opportunity, and identity shifts within a status-driven profession. Drawing on psychotherapy, group analysis, and her “This Is Absurd” festival, Antoinette reframes overwhelm as a signal — not a failure — to rebuild community, language, and leadership in law. They talk existentialists, Sisyphus and making meaning amid geopolitical flux, polarisation, and the “anti-fact” moment. Antoinette argues for richer language — kindness, compassion, forgiveness — precisely where business jargon falls short, and shows how leaders can hold ambiguity without rushing to premature certainty. From celebrating the profession’s ethical role to designing joyful, cross-disciplinary gatherings, this conversation offers concrete ways to reduce isolation, renew purpose and restore courage in a system that often asks the impossible. Practical, humane, and hopeful — this episode maps how lawyers can thrive without losing what makes the law matter. Connect with Antoinette on LinkedIn · Law Society of Ireland website · Justice Matters newsletter · Gazette magazine · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

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Laws of Connection: Building Relationships One Conversation at a Time | David Robson

The hidden power of social health, and how connection helps us thrive. Whether you’re leading a team, building community, or simply craving deeper human connection, this conversation offers insights into building more connected, compassionate, and creative teams. What if our social lives are as vital to our health as sleep or exercise? In this episode of Collective Intelligence, Tracey Camilleri speaks with acclaimed science writer David Robson — author of The Intelligence Trap, The Expectation Effect, and The Laws of Connection — about the growing research around social health and its profound implications for how we live and work. Together they explore how our connections shape not just our happiness but our physiology and longevity, and why modern work culture still undervalues this essential “third pillar” of wellbeing. "Time spent forging bonds with others isn’t time away from work — it is the work.” David explains the neuroscience of crating a shared reality — how two brains literally sync when people truly connect — and the traps that hold us back, from the “liking gap” that makes us underestimate how much others enjoy our company, to the fear of asking for help. Tracey and David also bring in practical wisdom: how to become better conversationalists, how to give feedback that lands, how to bridge divides in a polarised world, and why singing, eating, or even walking together can spark what sociologist Émile Durkheim called 'collective effervescence' — that free energy of genuine belonging. ****** The Collective Intelligence podcast is hosted by Tracey Camilleri and Sam Rockey, founders and directors of Thompson Harrison. Contact details in the Links section below. David Robson on LinkedIn · David Robson's website · David's newsletter: 60-Second Psychology · The Laws of Connection book on Amazon · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

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Kindness, Crisis & Collective Wisdom: Leading Through the Unknown | Dr James Mountford

Leadership lessons forged in extreme uncertainty. In this deeply thoughtful episode, Sam Rockey is joined by Dr. James Mountford — leadership expert, editor-in-chief of BMJ Leader, and former NHS doctor — to reflect on what it means to lead with purpose, kindness, and clarity in moments of crisis. Drawing on his experience launching London’s Nightingale Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic, James shares leadership lessons forged in extreme uncertainty: the power of psychological safety, the value of fast learning cycles, and why kindness is anything but soft. From field hospitals to AI coaching, the conversation explores how we scale compassion, build collective intelligence, and remember what truly matters in a world that’s always changing. “Kindness is not the opposite of strength. It’s the foundation of trust, speed, and transformation.” Whether you’re a leader in healthcare, business, or beyond, this episode is a moving reminder that what makes us human is what makes us great. Follow James on LinkedIn · Douglas Knowledge Partners website · HBR article - 10 Leadership Lessons from Covid Field Hospitals · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

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Dancing with Uncertainty: Creativity, Leadership & the Power of Art | Margaret Heffernan

Why the future belongs to the imaginative — what leaders can learn from art. In this rich and provocative conversation, Tracey Camilleri welcomes best-selling author, entrepreneur, and professor Margaret Heffernan to talk about her latest book, Embracing Uncertainty: How Writers, Musicians, and Artists Thrive in an Unpredictable World. Together they explore how creativity — long undervalued in our data-obsessed, STEM-centric culture — might just be the most essential leadership skill of all. From the dangers of over-measuring what matters, to what leaders can learn from poets, painters, and protest artists, Margaret makes a compelling case for rediscovering the human capacity for imagination and curiosity in uncertain times. Expect insights on: • Why “efficiency” may be your organisation’s biggest weakness • What drawing someone’s face can teach you about leadership • How to stop being a “dancing bear” in your own life • The deep social intelligence embedded in the arts • And why we should beware the seductive illusion of certainty This is a conversation about reclaiming our agency, attention, and creative courage — in work, in leadership, and in life. ****** The Collective Intelligence podcast is hosted by Tracey Camilleri and Sam Rockey, founders and directors of Thompson Harrison. Contact details in the Links section below. Embracing Uncertainty book · Margaret Heffernan's website · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

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The Social Brain: Cracking the Code of Human Connection | Robin Dunbar

What Primates, Group Dynamics, and the Dunbar Number teach us about Thriving. How do we create truly connected, thriving teams in an increasingly hybrid world? Join Tracey Camilleri and Robin Dunbar, co-authors of The Social Brain: The Psychology of Successful Groups, as they delve into the science of social connection and organisational dynamics. In this thought-provoking episode, Robin Dunbar shares the fascinating origins of the Dunbar Number — 150, the optimal group size for human connection — and explains how group size impacts everything from information flow to organisational success. Together, they explore: • Why face-to-face interactions still matter in a virtual world • How organisations can design social strategies to foster trust and collaboration • The psychological and physical health benefits of strong social bonds Whether you’re a leader, an HR professional, or simply curious about how relationships shape our workplaces, this conversation offers actionable insights for building better teams and rethinking hybrid work strategies. The Collective Intelligence podcast is hosted by Tracey Camilleri and Sam Rockey, founders and directors of Thompson Harrison. Contact details in the links section below. Fractal structure of human & primate social networks optimises into flow · Connect with Robin on LinkedIn · More about the Social Brain book here · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

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Laughter is the Best Medicine: the Link Between Comedy and Leadership | John Vlismas

Building Community and Connection through Humour. Join Sam Rockey in a captivating conversation with comedian, leader, and educator John Vlismas as they explore the profound intersections of comedy, leadership, and personal growth. In this episode, John shares his transformative journey from a high-energy entertainer seeking adoration to a reflective performer embracing vulnerability, presence, and connection. Dive into topics like the art of audience connection, the shift from exhaustion-driven work ethics to a Buddhist-inspired balance, and the role of gossip in comedy and society. With humour and insight, John discusses generational responsibility, planting seeds for the future, and how leaders can integrate stillness and self-knowledge into their practices. This is more than a conversation, it's an invitation to think deeply about how we connect, laugh, and grow, both on stage and in life. Perfect for anyone curious about the fusion of art, wisdom, and leadership. ****** The Collective Intelligence podcast is hosted by Tracey Camilleri and Sam Rockey, founders and directors of Thompson Harrison. Contact details in the links section below. Connect with John on LinkedIn · OGO Creative website · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

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Two Heads are Better than One: The Case for Job-sharing Leadership | Annelies Look and Chris White-Horne

How complementary strengths create a powerful leadership dynamic. In this inspiring episode, we enter the unique world of job sharing with Annelies Look and Chris White-Horne, who together hold the role of Deputy CEO and Chief Delivery Officer at the UK Space Agency. They share how job sharing in such high-level roles has transformed their work-life balance, allowing them to pursue professional excellence while maintaining a healthy personal life. Chris and Annelies reveal how their complementary strengths, likened to a Venn diagram, create a powerful leadership dynamic, where collaboration leads to better decision-making and greater resilience. Key takeaways: • Collective Intelligence: Two leaders working together means combining diverse skills and perspectives to offer more than one person ever could. • Work-Life Balance: Job sharing has allowed both to avoid burnout, maintain other passions, and refresh their thinking. • Retention: The government, by being flexible in the structuring of roles, has retained skills and expertise that might otherwise have been lost. The Collective Intelligence podcast is hosted by Tracey Camilleri and Sam Rockey, founders and directors of Thompson Harrison. Contact details in the links section. UK Space Agency website · Connect with Annelies on LinkedIn · Connect with Chris on LinkedIn · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

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AI Readiness: A Practice, Not a Project | Karen Silverman

"The Readiness is all..." Hamlet (Act V, Sc ii) This conversation is with Karen Silverman, founder and CEO of Cantellus Group, a global company focused on helping leaders to do the hard work of bringing AI into organisations effectively and responsibly. Karen warns against the wishful thinking that AI will have all the answers and that it will arrive fit for use, like a document management system. Instead, how well it will work is dependent on how well it is used. So, as leaders we must double down on the human capabilities and skills needed to understand and interpret how to use the outputs of these new technologies effectively. AI will open up new, more dynamic dimensions of experience that will enhance the way we learn and teach, how we entertain, and how we understand complex mechanisms with infinite variables – like economies, or the human body. In this more blended world, we must not assume that the responsibility for its positive deployment will be taken care of elsewhere. We have to do the work in our families, our organisations, and societies to ensure that the future involving the collective intelligence of AI’s and human beings is an exciting one. The Collective Intelligence podcast is hosted by Tracey Camilleri and Sam Rockey, founders and directors of Thompson Harrison. Contact details in the links section. Karen's website - Cantellus Group · Connect with Karen on LinkedIn · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

The New Frontier for Great Organisations | Reima Shakeir

In this short podcast, Reima Shakeir reflects on the current state of belonging and inclusion in business and academia. Reima sees a shared sense of belonging as the hallmark of advanced societies and communities - and the key to employee retention and happiness. As she says, "People want to be heard and to be seen - and that’s it." She reflects on systems that are still nonetheless designed for exclusion and on those that exclude due to institutional carelessness or lack of awareness on the part of the leadership. In this conversation, we explore what’s working, why and where there is pushback. What are some of the simple things that organisations are doing that make a difference? Reima reflects on the fear of getting things wrong, especially when it comes to language and the need to gather hard data to support changes in the system. Finally, she sees real-world person-to-person connection as the new frontier for great organisations – and brands - where the creation of a sense of belonging makes perfect commercial sense as well. Reima Shakeir is a lecturer at Wharton School of Business and Stern School of Business. Dr. Shakeir teaches Organizational Communication and Business and Society courses at NYU’s Stern School of Business. She also teaches research methodologies as part of the CLO (Chief Learning Officer) executive doctorate program at the University of Pennsylvania. Reima is also a Lecturer at Wharton and a partner at DEI Ready. Research Interests include: Impact Entrepreneurship and Inclusive Economy, Authentic Leadership, Diversity in the Business World, Equity in Higher Education, Impact Investing, Women and Identity Performance in the Public Space, Minority Women’s Lived Experiences in the Corporate World, Gender Studies, and Organizational Sociology. Connect with Reima on LinkedIn · Visit Thompson Harrison's website · Pre-order our book The Social Brain. Publication date: February 2023 · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

Toxic Charisma | Jon Stokes

The problem with charismatic leaders. What is charisma, how does it benefit leaders, and how can it be toxic? Why do people follow charismatic leaders, even when it might not be good for them? Why should leaders develop an inspirational leadership style rather than relying on charisma? Jon Stokes is interested in how charismatic leadership can be toxic and the effect that it has on followers. He explores how leaders can inspire growth rather than dependence. He is an a an Associate Fellow at Oxford University's Said Business School and a founder of Stokes Jolly, a leadership consulting and advisory firm. He teaches and writes extensively about leadership, and coaches CEOs and their leadership teams. Email Jon for a copy of his recent paper on charismatic leadership mailto:js@stokesjolly.com Learn more about Jon and his work on the Stokes Jolly website · To learn more about toxic leadership · Connect with Gavin · Thompson Harrison - Helping Leaders Do What Matters Most · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

The Dynamics of Power | Robert Rowland Smith

In my conversation with philosopher Robert Rowland Smith, we explore the dimensions of power. If power is the ability to make things happen in accordance with our will, why do some people crave more power than others? What are the real drivers of power? What do the philosophers say about power? Is power part of the human condition? Is power always bad? When can power be a force for good? This conversation takes us from current power struggles through to an unexpected conclusion all the while acknowledging that power is a movable and dynamic force. Connect with Robert · Connect with Sam · Connect with Tracey · Thompson Harrison - Helping Leaders Do What Matters Most · For more on Robert and his work · For more on the work of Prof Paul Gilbert mentioned in the podcast. · For an understanding of the power dynamics playing out in your organisation · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram

AI, Ethics, Oceans, The Metaverse, and Talking with Whales | Bryce Goodman

How Humans can Surprise Themselves Guest: Bryce Goodman, Chief Strategist for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at the Department of Defense’s Innovation Unit. Bryce works at the intersection of developing technologies and emerging societal needs. In this wide-ranging conversation he considers the governance challenges for business leaders as they strive to limit unintended consequences and operate responsible AI systems. He celebrates the work of interdisciplinary teams who bring a range of perspectives and skills to framing the problems to be solved: too often these questions are kicked down the line to programmers and engineers. Bryce is interested not only in the ethics of emerging tech but also in its ethical use – here he tells us how machine learning is being used to prevent illegal fishing, to monitor the health of coral reefs – and most delightful of all – to track the ‘voice’ patterns of whales to understand their grammar and dialect and finally, perhaps, to be able to talk back to them. The Ceti Project: Tracking the communication patterns of whales · The US Defense innovation Unit: tracking illegal ocean fishing · Defense Innovation Unit: Responsible AI Guidelines · Connect with Bryce · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

Weaving Supply Chain Magic | Ramatu Abdulkadir

Dealing with Healthcare Challenges in Nigeria. Ramatu Abdulkadir (Public Health Supply Chain Expert) is someone who well understands the challenges of getting in-date medicines to the right people at the right time in a pandemic. She has spent a lifetime grappling at the hard edge of an under-invested in healthcare system in Nigeria. She compares healthcare to the seamlessness, rigour and innovation of the manufacturing industry - this comparison came home to her as she visited a totally automated forklift factory and returned to ‘still the same old thing’ in a healthcare system that has hardly altered its methods during her whole career. It’s a magical conversation – quite literally so, as she describes how she was able to ‘turn waste into money’. She is an optimist and a staunch believer in investing in the education of a new generation of supply chain experts to lead change into the future: 17 of her mentees graduated as supply chain experts at the end of 2021. ‘We’re just getting started!’, she says. Ramatu is a seasoned Public Servant and a recognized expert in Public Health Supply Chain Management systems. As the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Health Supplies Management Agency (KADHSMA), Ramatu led the transformation of Kaduna State Health Supply Chain systems serving over 10 Million People of the State. In addition, Ramatu coordinated and supervised the upgrading of the first government-owned and operated Pharma-grade warehouse valued at around NGN 250 Million. Connect with Ramatu Abdulkadir · Ramatu's Website · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

A Call to Radical Pragmatism | Enaam Ahmed-Ali

This conversation between Tracey Camilleri and Enaam Ahmed Ali looks at the world through a gendered lens. Who better to do that than Enaam, 2022’s UN Women’s Representative for Climate Change and Technology? Enaam has spent 2021 talking to women around the world about the way in which climate change is impacting their lives, especially in poorer, developing countries. She talks powerfully about freedom for women – whether it’s the freedom to wear the headscarf, to stay at home and bring up children or to take on a leadership role outside the family - in her view it’s the act of choosing that is the crux of feminism, not what is chosen. In the conversation they range over questions like – what prevents more women now from thriving in tech businesses? What sort of leadership does the world need now? And why have all the corporate dollars sunk into D & I only got us so far? As a pragmatist and an entrepreneur – Enaam looks for action not words. In this podcast, she celebrates the small steps being taken by women around the world to build better foundations for the future. Enaam Ahmed Ali is a development economist, intrapreneur, innovation manager, activist, and UN Women Representative 2022 for The Netherlands. Everything she does revolves around making people, organizations, and the planet better. Visit Enaam's website · The Dutch UN Women Website · The Dutch Council of Women · Connect with Enaam · Thompson Harrison, one of London's leading bespoke leadership development consulting firms. · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

The Optimism Addict - a Conversation with Thami Schweichler

Connecting Talent with Opportunity Guest: Thami Schweichler (Makers Unite) In this episode Tracey Camilleri talks to Thami Schweichler, the inspirational founder of Makers Unite, a sustainable clothing manufacturer based in the Netherlands that uses design as the mechanism to connect refugees with local people, businesses and ultimately with opportunity. The starting point for Makers Unite was to provide an environmental and social solution to the problem of exclusion - a 'win, win, win' model as he describes it. An inveterate optimist, Thami believes that everyone has a talent but that they deserve opportunity in order for that talent to flourish. He is in the business of creating those opportunities. He tells powerful stories of what has been achieved since the inception of Makers Unite by the newcomers he has had the privilege to meet and work with along the way. Changing the World is a Phone Call Away - Ted Amsterdam 2020, T Schweichler · Here is the link to Makers Unite · Connect with Thami · Thompson Harrison, one of London's leading bespoke leadership development consulting firms. · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

Re-imagining Leadership | Shruthi Vijayakumar

Building an interconnected and thriving world for all. With our Guest, Shruthi Vijayakumar. In this episode Shruthi shares her own story of courage and change. As a young change-maker, Shruthi's work focuses on re-imagining how society can be designed to ensure a positive social impact for all. Drawing on ancient wisdom and challenging commonly held assumptions and belief systems - Shruthi shares helpful insights and experience that leaders can use to refocus their own personal purpose. Shruthi leaves us with a challenge on how to focus on the interconnectedness between all people, all nature and all living beings. If we look at the world from a point of interconnectedness rather than separation - then there is a chance of thriving for all. Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

Lifelong Learning and Doing | Dr. Alistair Mokoena

Why people don't care how much you know, unless they know how much you care Dr. Alistair Mokoena (Google South Africa Country Director) In this episode, Sam Rockey picks up on a conversation she started with Dr. Alistair Mokoena fifteen years ago that inspired her own work. Drawing on his experience working for some of the leading companies in the world (Cadbury, Mondelez, Unilever, SABMiller, FCB and Ogilvy among them) as well as his academic focus, Ally shares his process for ongoing learning and reminds us that 'leaders who don't read, shouldn't lead.' Ally shares what makes great organisations survive and thrive and talks about the importance of organisations going back to first principles - they exist to solve a need, and serve communities. For big organisations to deliver they need to work in partnership with small enterprises - taking an ecosystem approach ensures ongoing relevance. He warns against the tyranny of complacency and extends that to his own daily practice of putting together research 'cheat sheets'. Ally provides a lens to the future and where true innovation will be coming from in the next decade and encourages us all to look for ways to unleash potential. The books Ally mentions in the podcast are written by Tshilidzi Marwala "Closing the Gap" and "Leading in the 21st Century". Connect with Alistair on LinkedIn · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

The Joys of the 'Not to Do List' | Kathryn Bishop

And Other Strategies for Women Leaders In this episode Kathryn Bishop (Director of Oxford Said Business School's Women Transforming Leadership Programme and The Oxford Women's Leadership Development Programme) talks about her new book 'Make Your Own Map'. The book is designed as a practical strategy guide for aspiring women. Kathryn explains some of the tools that she uses to help women to navigate their way to more satisfying futures. In the conversation with Tracey Camilleri, they reflect amongst other things on imposter syndrome, the particular quality of all-female environments, the masculine/feminine continuum when it comes to leadership styles and questions like - why it is that female voices often go unheard? Kathryn balances research with stories of the real women she has worked with - as well as giving us some gems of practical wisdom - such as the joys of the 'Not to Do List'. Oxford Women's Leadership Development Programme · Women Transforming Leadership Programme (Oxford Said Business School) · Make Your Own Map by Kathryn Bishop · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn