DECODING AQ - Adaptability For The Future Of Work With Ross Thornley

Hosted by Ross Thornley + Special Guests

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Episodes

166

Latest episode

Feb 2026

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EN-US

About the show

DEVELOPING A NEW PLATFORM FOR CHANGE IN AN EXPONENTIAL WORLD. Conversations with special guests on their stories of adaptability. From resilience, grit and motivation, to stress, mindset and support from those around us. We explore the science and real-life experiences of adaption. Helping HR leaders, coaches and consultants learn the tools, mindsets, and actions to thrive in an ever-changing world. **New Episode Every Second Tuesday**

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February 3, 2026Episode 16755 min

Decoding AQ with Ross Thornley Feat. Dr. Frank Gonzalez - Cultural Architect

Dr. Frank Gonzalez is a culture and talent leader known for turning people strategy into business strategy. With over 20 years of cross-industry leadership, he has shaped large-scale learning ecosystems, redesigned organizational culture, and delivered thousands of learning experiences worldwide. A Chief Culture Officer, and deeply human-centered leader, Frank blends data, empathy, and design to build organizations where people and performance grow together. Ross and Dr Frank talk about 4 day work week, nurturing your time, caring about people, human behaviour, what push and pulls us, building capability, cultural architecture, leadership, how you show up, guiding words, fun building, coaching with fun, aligning, one word for a business, framing, feeling words, filtering decisions, mindset, fears, C.A.R. & C.A.B. - Competency Autonomy Relationships/ Belonging. The pair also discuss resistance to change, routine seeking, trust in organisations, simplification, AQ before AI, pre-hiring, thought leadership, capability building, behavioural models, friction between functions, bicultural, human connection, people being left behind, efficiency , ethics, influences, AI workflows, AI assistance, clapping & enthusiasm, coaching youngsters, workshops and energy. Timecodes: 00:18 Intro to Dr Frank 02:43 The definition of love 05:03 Frank's new role 09:53 Culture anchors 17:14 Adapting to ensure relevance 27:34 Merging humans and AI 34:43 Different operating systems collaborating 39:51 Healthcare and humanoid robots 47:18 Exciting things Dr Frank is currently working on 48:22 AI simplifier - www.ai-simplifier.com 49:34 The last time Dr Frank did something for the first time Connect with Ross: Website LinkedIn Moonshot Innovation Connect with Dr Frank LinkedIn TikTok Instagram

December 30, 2025Episode 16645 min

Decoding AQ with Ross Thornley Feat. Anthony Kenneth Spark - Serial Entrepreneur, Money Coach, Philanthropist, Author, and Personal Development Specialist

Anthony Kenneth Spark is a life and business strategist known for helping people break financial ceilings, rewrite limiting beliefs, and build a life aligned with their God-given purpose. With nearly two decades of coaching individuals and families toward financial independence and personal transformation, he blends values, discipline, and proven earning strategies to create real, lasting change. Ross and Anthony talk about working young, working long hours, chance meetings, entrepreneurship, retiring young, finding what's important, coaching, overcoming limiting beliefs, evolving, ethics, being authentic, honesty, integrity, fighting for people, prisoners of lifestyle, financial prisoners and positions of strength. The pair also talk about flexibility, identity, off-boarding, nothing to gain, limiting beliefs, relationship with money, vision, accountability, family first, priorities, mechanisms for timekeeping, being selective, efficiency, Book - The Middle Passage, purpose, relentless intentionality, Tony Robins, Joe Polish, Building environments for optimal performance, compassion, no limitations, challenging yourself, mindset, fear and singular focus. Book mentioned in podcast: James Hollis - The Middle Passage: From Misery to Meaning in Midlife Timecodes: 00:15 Intro to Anthony 01:47 Anthony's shift to finding purpose 07:07 Compassionate capitalism 13:12 Testing ethics and difficult circumstances 24:12 What is Anthony passionate about 27:47 Day to day and managing schedules 35:32 The last time Anthony did something for the first time Connect with Ross: Website LinkedIn Moonshot Innovation Connect with Anthony: LinkedIn Spark a Change Coaching Tel - 6313272241

December 23, 2025Episode 16548 min

Decoding AQ with Ross Thornley Feat. Hannah Louise Shelton - Global Commercial Engagement & Knowledge Lead - dentsu

Hannah Shelton is a global people operations and learning-development leader, expert at turning disengagement into driving force. With deep experience shaping talent strategy, employee experience, and organizational learning for multinational firms, she influences how companies design workforces that learn, adapt, and thrive. Ross and Hannah talk about thirst for curiosity, negotiating, everyday approaches, thinking differently, approaching things differently, personal transformation, The Strengths Profile, better appreciation, leadership, curiosity, doubt, potential, judgment, value, change management, elevating, personalised knowledge scaling, coaching, supporting the community, building trust, learning from other people, new phases, self service, learning, adaptability, the future of work, variety, engagement, redundancy, advocacy, DIY and Chat GPT. Timecodes: 00:17 Intro to Hannah 01:05 Chris Voss 03:30 Learning and self development 06:26 Triggers to evolving and leadership 10:43 How Hannah designs and adapts programmes 14:39 What's exciting Hannah at the moment with dentsu 19:38 Transformation and developing in real time 22:33 Next years plan for Hannah 25:16 Supporting agents with AI and evolution 29:18 Coaching when data is uncertain 34:20 Challenging people and management 37:57 Upcoming challenges 42:01 Sustainability 44:21 The last time Hannah did something for the first time Connect with Ross: Website LinkedIn Moonshot Innovation Connect with Hannah LinkedIn

November 25, 2025Episode 16453 min

Decoding AQ with Ross Thornley Feat. Louise Shipway - Founder & CEO, of CareerMovers

Louise has two and a half decades of experience across the HR, coaching, consulting and training space. A deeply passionate person, Louise loves helping global leaders navigate career transitions, role reinvention, and agile workforce mobility. In her happy place when empowering professionals to imagine, align, believe and create next-chapter careers. Her skills involve Confidence | Empathy | Adaptability | Active Listening | Authenticity | Audience Research | Storytelling Ross and Louise talk about HR, training, career transitions, playing in a orchestra, great experiences, music, choirs, change, executive change, strong foundations, hiring, brand new roles, creating new teams, positive change, good people practices, new programmes, growth, economy, helping people individually, AI layoffs, jobs no longer existing, big shifts, letting go and acceptance. The pair also discuss helping people career change, severance pay, offboarding, upskilling, reskilling, taking our own responsibility, contracts, values, standards, complete change in career, transformations, human elements, putting people first, making people feel better, imagination economy, identity change, collaborations, identity crisis, having value, youth unemployment, gamifying change, unlearning and hope. Timecodes: 00:18 Intro to Louise 01:21 Being a backing violinist for Lisa Stansfield 04:37 Louise's typical clients 06:24 Support Louise received during her own company transitions 10:57 Significant moments during emigrating 15:21 How Louise adapts and navigates 17:08 Tips for employers laying off people due to AI 19:46 The worst way organisations lay people of and how to avoid 23:04 Help for people who have be sacked 27:34 The main problem Louise is trying to solve in companies 32:43 Louie's phrase and framework - Imagine, Align, Believe Create 38:14 A picture of Louise's best year going forward to 2026 42:11 Ideal candidates to collaborate with Louise 43:44 Volunteering 48:40 The last time Louise did something for the first time Connect with Ross: Website LinkedIn Moonshot Innovation Connect with Louise: Linkedin CareerMovers Email - louis.shipway@careermovers.ca

September 16, 2025Episode 16358 min

Decoding AQ with Ross Thornley Feat. Shelley Winner - Restorative Justice

International Keynote | Restorative-Justice, D&I Speaker | TEDx Storyteller | Ex-Microsoft Shelley Winner’s life is proof that second chances create world-class talent. Today she leads Winner’s Circle, a movement equipping justice-impacted people with the skills, mindset, and job placements they need to build thriving careers—while convincing employers that fair-chance hiring is a competitive advantage. Her mission is threefold: Empower with career-focused training and mindset coaching Bridge the gap between talent and companies willing to invest in second chances Shift the narrative around fair chance hiring and drive systemic policy change During her eight-year tenure at Microsoft, Shelley excelled in B2B sales, earning top honours in performance and demonstrating what’s possible when companies bet on potential over the past. Shelley’s powerful message has resonated with audiences across sectors, challenging leaders to move beyond token opportunities and build truly inclusive workplaces. Her work continues to inspire change, helping employers transform hiring mindsets and justice-impacted individuals transform their futures. Ross and Shelley talk about prison, incarceration, rehab, interviews, mastering sales, rewiring, rethinking, success, sales reps, teaching, mindset, turning your life around, prison programmes, fear, forgiveness, outside comfort zone, turning life around, mistakes, digital programmes, personal development, the law off attraction and attracting opportunities. The pair also discuss operating at a higher frequency, energy changing, getting into tech, job readiness programmes, criminal records, proof of rehabilitation, hitting walls, sense of hopelessness, shame, society, trust, new laws, hard interviews, fair chance employment, gratitude, work ethic, loyalty, company policies, scaling, manifesting, doing important work and improv classes improving confidence. Timecodes: 00:16 Intro to Shelley 01:19 Shelley's 'Winner's Circle' Rehabilitation 04:40 Becoming 'categorically whole' 10:17 How rare is recovery and rehab from prison 12:27 Differences in prisons and some being unique 14:58 From prison to Microsoft 19:36 Background checks 26:11 Having job offers rescinded 27:05 Fighting back discrimination & battling Microsoft 35:02 Winning a case and manifestation 39:15 How can companies unlock their potential 45:36 Legacy mindset 46:46 Ways to get involved with 'Winners Circle' 50:12 What would make it Shelley's best year ever 54:50 The last time Shelley did something for the first time Connect with Ross: Website LinkedIn Moonshot Innovation Connect with Shelley: LinkedIn Website Website 2 Email - info@winnerscircleus.com Facebook Instagram

September 9, 2025Episode 16252 min

Decoding AQ with Ross Thornley & Mike Raven Feat. Jason Desentz - Chief Human Resource Officer

Jason Desentz - Chief Human Resources Officer @ Toshiba | Human Capital Advisor | Keynote Speaker Jason has honed his craft turning under-dog divisions into high-performance powerhouses. From towing-tech at Horizon Global to private-equity turnarounds at Glacier Advisory Partners. Today, as CHRO of Toshiba’s North-American operations, he’s steering a century-old brand through AI-driven transformation while championing people-first growth. An analytical coach at heart, Jason brings board-level rigor and shop-floor empathy to every culture he rebuilds. Ross, Mike and Jason talk about guidance, not being alone, everyone is figuring things out, challenges with tech, de-centralisation, auditing, compliance, consultancy, influencing people, building trust, understanding, asking key questions, buying in, pulling solutions from people, un-programming, taking care of employees, leading by example, practice what you preach, employment loyalty changing, pivoting core values, shifting values, building strong connections, incentive programmes, creating value and building purpose. The pair also discuss how we are perceived, support, enabling mistakes, rewards, jobs being offset, shifting learning, readying mindset, dealing with ambiguity, project management skill sets, agility, AI capabilities, curriculum building, learning environments, success, never stop moving forward, pro active teams, safe spaces to work, building trust, influencing people, curiosity, supporting youngsters and don't sweat the small stuff. Timecodes: 00:22 Introducing Jason 01:08 Intro to Mike 01:40 The upcoming Oasis concert 03:18 UNLEASH (HR leaders) conference 05:58 Things which have startled Jason this year 07:35 Jason's 'Listen, Learn & Lead' 13:03 Jason's thoughts on Unlearning 16:34 Unlearning against your values and challenges 20:02 How Jason is preparing the new generation 23:32 Mentoring and coaching 27:46 Humanoid robots and replacement 31:25 Jason's Toshiba University's impact and human skills 34:10 Getting access to Jason's university 37:38 What would make this Jason's best year ever 41:46 Jason's top three fixes (reaffirming values) 44:57 Challenges with buying in and ROI's 47:31 The last time Jason did something for the first time 49:08 Mike's closing thoughts 50:14 Jason's final advice Connect with Jason: LinkedIn Connect with Ross: Website LinkedIn Moonshot Innovation Connect with Mike: LinkedIn

September 2, 2025Episode 16147 min

Decoding AQ with Ross Thornley Feat. Alim A. Dhanji - Chief Human Resources Officer

From the mailroom boy who kept replacing himself with machines, who was the ex-president of adidas Canada, and terms leading roles at scotiabank, and learning the art of diplomacy with 4 years at KPMG. Alim Dhanji is a globally recognized HR leader with over 25 years of experience driving transformation across Fortune 100 companies. Now Alim finds himself as the CHRO at TD SYNNEX, an IT ecosystem powerhouse with 24,000 team members. He shapes high-performance, and inclusive cultures that fuel innovation and growth. A Harvard Business School alum and board advisor, Alim brings a strategic, people-first lens to global business leadership. Ross and Alim talk about optimism, investments compared to cost, purpose, scaling up, preference shifts, accelerating talent, future of work, crisis, rejuvenation, CHRO's, human resources, human inability to adapt, HR becoming CEO's, leadership, transformation, risk tolerance and upskilling. The pair also discuss sacrifice, psychological safety, being vulnerable, confidence, being open, Imposter syndrome, diplomacy, influencing people to support you, servient leadership, custodian's, redesign of work, AI disrupting jobs, learning to learn, AI inspiring people, curiosity, embracing fear and growth. Timecodes: 00:15 Into to Alim 01:26 Surprises from recent leadership event 02:50 Investing in people and the pay off 04:57 Balancing whitespace with over planning 07:01 Key themes Alim is focusing on for leadership 08:36 Leadership challenges 10:30 Practical ways to help leadership initiatives 14:38 Blending IT and people through tech education 16:19 Evolution drivers 18:49 Pressure bringing opportunites 21:59 Diverse networks, adaptability skills and role diversity 23:18 AQai's Model - Ability, Character and Environment 24:48 Unpresidented role changes 28:32 What would make 2025 the best year ever 32:03 Preparation for exhaustion 34:44:12 Investing in learning and growth mindset 36:36 Earn, Learn and Serve 37:41 When Alim interviews for jobs 41:27 The last time Alim did something from the first time 45:02 Final thoughts Connect with Alim: LinkedIn Connect with Ross: Website LinkedIn Moonshot Innovation

August 26, 2025Episode 16049 min

Decoding AQ with Ross Thornley Feat. David H. Rosmarin - Thriving with Anxiety

David H. Rosmarin is a Clinical Psychologist, Harvard Medical School Associate Professor, Founder of Center for Anxiety, Author & Keynote Speaker. His mission is to shift the paradigm around anxiety from something to be feared or avoided, to a trait that can be leveraged for resilience, purpose, and performance. His groundbreaking work has helped individuals and organizations unlock a healthier, more empowered relationship with anxiety. His most recent book, Thriving with Anxiety: 9 Tools to Make Your Anxiety Work for You, draws from over two decades of clinical experience and research. And with over half a million views, on his TEDx talk “How to make anxiety your friend” he really is helping change lives for the better. David's 4 steps. Identify. Share. Embrace. Let GO. Ross and David talk about new conversations, anxiety, building relationships, being nervous, leveraging anxiety, emotions, depression, sadness, increasing awareness, anxiety being helpful, healthy anxiety, thriving, harnessing anxiety, embracing anxiety and emotional resilience. The pair also discuss struggle, internal growth, psychological safety, coaching, not acknowledging anxiety, embracing AI, leadership, feelings, getting things off your chest, embracing anxiety, Dan Sullivan - The impact Theory, taking a Ted X talk and sharing. Timecodes: 00:16 Intro to David 01:34 Surprises from David's book 02:35 What is anxiety? 04:38 The Anxiety Scale 07:28 Performing with anxiety and phyisiology 08:43 Commonality in anxiety and different peoples levels 11:55 David's perfect year goals 14:16 Challenges and struggles 15:40 People who should embrace and engage with David 17:52 Improving over fixing 21:01 The human side of dealing with tech impact 24:25 Tips for effective ways of sharing 29:25 Leader setting the tone and going first 32:04 Make anxetixety work for us and teams over self 35:12 Failure causing anxiety 39:46 Simulation training 42:39 The last time David did something for the first time 47:15 Davids Masterclass Connect with David: LinkedIn Website Masterclass Connect with Ross: Website LinkedIn Moonshot Innovation

August 19, 2025Episode 15952 min

Decoding AQ with Ross Thornley Feat. Kyle M.K. - Talent Strategy Advisor

Kyle M.K. is a best-selling author, executive strategy advisor, and keynote speaker helping organizations become more emotionally intelligent and people-centered. Based in Austin, Texas, Kyle currently serves as Talent Strategy Advisor at Indeed, where he guides employers through the complexities of the future of work. He is the author of The Economics of Emotion: How to Build a Business Everyone Will Love, a book that explores how emotional intelligence can become a core business advantage. His career spans more than a decade of work across startups and enterprises, including Apple and multiple entrepreneurial ventures such as The Heart Company and Human Planet. Kyle’s strategic approach focuses on brand loyalty, leadership development, and transforming customer and employee experiences. His work has been recognized by organizations like the Disney Institute, which invited him to speak about customer experience, leadership, and emotional engagement. Known for blending heart and strategy, Kyle empowers leaders to design businesses that thrive by putting people at the centre. Ross and Kyle talk about cult brands, Apple, hiring, showing interest, Indeed, business around human emotion, work wellbeing, performance, advice for employers, prediction to preparation, optimising data, mindset shifts, skills we've always had, helping people, unlocking human potential, adapting and changing jobs. The pair also discuss company growth, identifying change, empowering environments, reutilising talent, loving work, wellbeing, how people feel, business performance, AQ Index, skills first hiring, emotional intelligence, humancentric, matching jobseekers with employers, long term relationships, matching people, mentors, storytelling, enriching lives, being fulfilled, emotional nutrition and embracing negative emotions. Timecodes: 00:19 Intro to Kyle 01:33 Surprises from Kyles book 02:41 Events leading to Kyles success 05:34 The role of a Talent Strategy Advisor 09:28 Future Kyle's perfect year 12:14 Work moving towards humanity 17:09 De-humanising, robotics and AI in a humane world 21:15 Helping businesses transition 26:52 Internal conflict and overcoming barriers with budgets 32:43 Advice for scaling up projects, hiring and talent strategy 36:52 Current exciting initiatives 42:19 The last time Kyle did something for the first time 46:47 Quantifying feelings Connect with Kyle: LinkedIn Book Connect with Ross: Website LinkedIn Moonshot Innovation

August 12, 2025Episode 15848 min

Decoding AQ with Ross Thornley Feat. Matt Charney - Recruitment and Marketing

Matt Charney is an award-winning marketing and communications executive known for transforming bold content into measurable results. He is currently the Chief Marketing Officer at Employer.com, where he leads brand strategy, messaging, and campaign development to elevate the company’s impact in the HR tech and employer branding space. With over 190,000 LinkedIn followers and a strong track record across roles such as Editor-in-Chief at Recruiter.com and Advisor to multiple HR tech startups, Matt is a leading voice at the intersection of talent and marketing. His career spans high-impact content roles for brands like Symphony Talent and Hootsuite, where his creative vision delivered measurable business outcomes. Matt is known for his authentic, no-nonsense writing style that challenges conventional thinking in recruitment and branding. His thought leadership has been featured across global platforms, and he frequently advises companies on how to cut through the noise with clarity, strategy, and wit. He currently advises several innovative platforms including ExactBuyer, Honeit Talent Solutions, and Symba, helping them scale through sharp messaging and differentiated positioning. Ross and Matt talk about serendipity, conversations, recruitment, monster.com, marketing, branding, standing out, brand affinity, unleashed, AI recruitment, LinkedIn, Reddit, Indeed, Fishbowl app, hiring, candid experience, short vs long game, adaptability, knowing what you want to achieve, Mr Beast, Peoplesoft and generating buzz. The pair also discuss product affinity, entertainment, recruitment, HR, content marketing, Athlete recruitment, learning agility, describing job roles, job interviews, company recruitment, transparency, oculus, repelling the wrong candidates, paths to mastery, growth, flying standby and bravery. Timecodes: 00:15 Intro to Matt 01:09 Matt's Hats 02:43 Matt's early journey 05:54 Humour and professionalism 08:01 What excites Matt 12:11 Community platforms and ROI 14:38 Things people don't know 18:24 Naming AQai in 2019 20:05 Combating pushback to shifts and people buying in 22:39 Earnings to employee ratio and billion dollar business of one 24:41 Replicating businesses and the importance of brand 26:23 Content strategy 31:30 Divergent career paths and transitioning peoples identity in recruitment 35:04 Specific job roles changing in recruitment 39:12 Job role recruitment done well 43:57 The last time Matt did something for the first time 45:53 Reaching out to Matt Connect with Matt: LinkedIn Website Email - Matt@recruiter.com Employer Connect with Ross: Website LinkedIn Moonshot Innovation