Podcasts

How curious were you 10 minutes ago? That might be a hard question to answer – but our guest Stefaan van Hooydonk, founder of the Global curiosity institute, invites you to try anyway.

Stefaan defines curiosity as: ‘The intentional mindset to challenge the status quo, explore, discover and learn.’ To him the revelation of the effects curiosity has on people and their learning behavior was enough to quit his job and start his own movement, the Global Curiosity Institute. He found that the average learning hours increased from 25 to 43 hours when people applied intentional curiosity.

Stefaan explains there are three types of curiosity:

• Intellectual curiosity
• Empathic curiosity
• Intra personal curiosity

In this episode you can hear all about how you can grow your own curiosity in order to stay ahead in your field! And another thing to be curious about: what is Stefaan’s ‘gift to our listeners’?

When we feel stress or anxiety our reptilian brain is activated. It blocks creative thinking and makes us stick to what we know. But what we don’t know can be more relevant! Enter reverse thinking.

What is reverse thinking? Robert Schulte, international coach and trainer with Senaro explains: “It’s a technique, a tool, to get into a more joyful or playful mindset. State the question in reverse – for example: ‘How can we get more listeners for our podcast?’ – becomes: ‘How can we get people to dislike our podcast?’ This frees us to more creative opportunities.”

Robert’s four easy steps to reverse thinking:

1. Clearly state the problem or challenge
2. Brainstorm what the problem or challenge is not
3. Review ideas on the not-statement and see if there is a new perspective
4. Select interesting ideas and flip the results to the original problem or challenge

So, let's ask ourselves the question: why would you not listen to this episode?

 

Working in blended learning, colleagues Ben and Theo call it a dream come true. Why do they feel this way? How can blended learning become the dream for your organization? ‘When you are having fun, you’re learning!’ This episode is full of tips such as gamification, flip the classroom, competition and buddy teams.

‘The future is now, not tomorrow!’ According to Ben and Theo, including tech in your learning journeys is no longer a question, it’s what learners need – especially because learning needs to be available on demand, mobile and personalized. At the end they give you a very good tip to invigorate your learning program.

You can find their 'Invigor-8'checklist below!

 

 

Is your training portfolio 2022 proof?

Ask yourself the following 8 questions and see how Relevance can help you reinvigorate your learning journeys.

Invigor-8 checklist

1. Is it a blended mix of online and classroom learning?
We offer learners the content online, and reserve most face to face time for practice and application. The result is confident learners who are able to quickly apply theory in practice.

2. Is there transfer and application to your workplace?
We use personal cases and relevant practical assignments throughout the program. You will see learners purposely apply new behavior on the work floor.

3. Is it easily accessible and mobile?
Our platform seamlessly links to your existing LMS and the content is also available in an app. You can see participants learn in any place at any time suitable for them.

4. Are your learners motivated to stay invested?
We let learners formulate their own learning goals, which enables personal investment and creates a sense of urgency. Learners speak about the training and look forward to continue learning.

5. Is it full of social learning moments?
With regular feedback and nudges from other participants, managers and the trainer, both online and offline, we facilitate a feeling of togetherness. You will see an increase of trust, cooperation, people learning from each other and best practice sharing.

6. Is there gamification?
When appropriate, we use scoring points, badges and leaderboards that generate extrinsic motivation. You see friendly competition between learners and enthusiasm to finalize a program.

7. Is there an online facilitator available at all times?
Our certified trainers facilitate both on the online platform and in the classroom. Learners feel confident because they have sufficient support when and where they need it.

8. Do you evaluate your program’s effectiveness?
We can assist you in deciding what you want to know about the training’s effectiveness, and we offer multiple ways of evaluation; including 360 degree feedback. Resulting in a clear view on the learning journeys impact on your strategic objectives.

Change management - Podcast Episode #6

Change is the only constant, but often hard to deal with. That’s why this episode, Camiel Gielkens shares his vision on change management. ‘We need to touch people and their hearts,’ he says. For change to work, you need to include people in your vision. Make them understand why this is needed and how this is done.

Open mindedness is crucial in change management. Emotions and ideas arise and differ, which makes it even more important to talk about them. When hearts and minds are open, it’s time to work: with open hands. Change is about experimenting and allowing room for failure. Every journey starts with the first step. After taking the plunge, magic can happen!

 

 

 

 

 

Intrapeneurship - Podcast Episode #5

In the fifth episode of The Learning Company Podcast, Roderick van der Meulen discusses intrapreneurship. We are all familiar with entrepreneurship: setting up a business. However, Roderick stresses the importance of intrapreneurs. These are the changemakers within organizations, people who challenge the status quo of the companies they work for.

Through these mavericks, in the most positive sense, organizations thrive. Because change brings opportunities and possibilities. However, in order for intrapeneurs to blossom, organizations need to reinforce an open and safe learning culture. Intrapeneurship seems like a great collaboration between organizations and their employees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Talent Development - Podcast Episode #4

When thinking of talent development, many think of a specific population: the younger generation. A white canvas to paint on. However, Relevance colleagues Esmée Tijs and Richard Bertou identify a shift in the employment of talent development programs.

These used to be just for the ‘lucky few’. Fortunately, today, talent development is for everyone. Do you want to reconnect with your ambitions and talents? Find a new passion? Make an impact in another part of your organization? In this episode Esmée and Richard confirm: you’re never too old to learn! Talent development is not about skills, but personal growth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Talking (creative) leadship - Podcast Episode #3

Are leaders leading? Marcely Thierry, Relevance’s Lead consultant and facilitator in leadership, poses the question in this episode of The Learning Company Podcast. Leaders are everywhere. Not only at the top of an organization. At Relevance, we believe that leaders are present in every organizational layer and department. Organizations flourish when they scale leadership in every side of the company. Marcel explains this by discussing reactive and creative leadership.

But what makes a good leader? Marcel: “A leader’s main task is to grow other leaders.” In this episode, we discuss what this means and how you can become an inspiring leader.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inclusion is a choice - Podcast Episode #2

Jim Morris, Senior facilitator and consultant at Relevance, shares his view on Diversity & Inclusion. He explains the difference and importance of the two. Because while every company is diverse in one way or another, not every company is inclusive: “Diversity is a fact, inclusion is a choice.”

Organizations need to do more to increase inclusion. What kind of challenges surface in doing this? And why is this of importance? Jim: “We live in space age times with stone age minds.” In this episode we shed light on these questions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introducing Relevance - Podcast Episode #1

Being and staying relevant is key in today’s rapidly changing world. Cue our new brand name: Schouten Global becomes Relevance! In the first episode of The Learning Company Podcast Anke Baak, Camiel Gielkens and Samer Rashid introduce the new company name.

They also share their own ways of maintaining their own relevance. Because we all need to adapt to our fast-pacing industry and society. Relevance supports you in doing so by our blended approach: learning is online, at any time and place. We invite you to join in on the fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grow your Mental Fitness through our podcast

We all know the feeling: nagging fears and insecurities get in the way of our performance. We self-sabotage our personal development. Best-selling American author Shirzad Chamine developed Positive Intelligence (PQ) to help you with identifying these saboteurs, improving your performance and increasing your sense of happiness. Schouten & Nelissen publishing house THEMA produced a podcast to discuss the insights of Chamine’s book The Positive Intelligence Podcast. They invited Relevance’s Anke Baak, VP Customized Solutions, and Marcel Thierry, Lead Consultant, to share their knowledge about Positive Intelligence. Both Anke and Marcel are certified PQ coaches, which makes them the ideal experts to learn from.

“Mental Fitness is the ability to respond to life’s challenges with a positive rather than a negative mindset and make changes in a sustainable way."

Shirzad Chamine

In six podcast episodes, Anke and Marcel introduce you to the Positive Intelligence and the PQ method, discuss the possible Saboteurs you might have and how to do deal with them. In short, they help you to train your brain in order to feel and perform better. Are you ready to improve your mental fitness? Then take a listen below!

 

 

 

 

It starts with awareness

After becoming familiar with PQ and aware of your own areas of improvement, why not try and get to know your own mental Saboteurs? You can do the free online Saboteur assessment on the Positive Intelligence website.

Taking clear headed action

Would you like to dive deeper into Positive Intelligence or explore the opportunities a high mental fitness can bring to your employees and organization? Have a look at these other resources:

• The Positive Intelligence Book. Available in English and Dutch
• Positive Intelligence Program (Incompany)

Relevance Incompany Positive Intelligence Program

Give your employees the gift of increased mental fitness, happiness and high performance. This program facilitates their power skills.

• Kick off by Relevance facilitator
• 6 weeks duration – weekly 1 hour of group coaching
• Watch 1-hour weekly video
• 15 minutes/day of practice on the app
• Read the first 8 chapters of the Positive Intelligence book
• Through the app: Shirzad is your mental fitness coach for an entire year

If you are interested in the program or have any further inquiries, please don’t hesitate to contact us!