Episodes

  • Explorers and Optimisers: a short overview with Arron Judson

    Explorers and Optimisers: a short overview with Arron Judson
    May 19 2025
    I saw a LinkedIn post from Arron Judson on the topic of different people having different skill sets and the framing of 'Explorers' and 'Optimisers'. This is the short conversation we had where he explained more on this. To find out more the site for Eidotic which is here (but check back later as being built still): Coming Soon EIDOTIC This is the LinkedIn post here that sparked this conversation. 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻. 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗺𝗲. I look at this photo from when I held a senior executive role and realise now I was wearing a costume. Back then, joining the leadership team felt like the summit. It was the next step in my career, a position of influence, where I thought I could drive change. But here’s what I discovered: executive teams are often structured to reduce risk, enforce process, and deliver stability. Meanwhile, my brain was wired for the opposite, to spot opportunities, challenge assumptions, and build unconventional relationships. At first, my approach was welcomed, the “fresh thinking” honeymoon phase. But soon enough, the instinct to control the chaos kicked in. And we didn’t know how to talk about it. The result? I got shut down. Like the disruptive kid being sent out of the classroom. They thought I was moving too fast. I thought they were slowing everything down. They were wired to protect the business. I was wired to reimagine it. Even though I’d followed the “successful” path, I felt disconnected. Frustrated. Alone. Then I met Brooke and Andy, and they introduced me to the 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - a framework that changed everything. The core idea is simple: humans are wired as either 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀 (curious, creative, future-oriented) or 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘀 (structured, process-driven, risk-aware). And to truly make progress, we don’t need everyone to be the same, we need to complement each other. I realised I’d spent most of my career as an Explorer in an Optimiser costume, performing well enough to pass, but never really thriving. Suddenly, my entire career made sense, especially why I’ve always been drawn to the chaos and opportunity of early stage startups. I looked back at the ventures I’d built and I could see where we’d succeeded, and where we’d stalled. The missing link? The people. Or more specifically the alignment of people to the right phase of the venture. That’s what led to the creation of Eidotic - a framework for understanding how people naturally think, and how to align that thinking with the needs of a growing business. We believe 90% of startups don’t have to fail. But if we keep mismatching people and timing, they will. Since launching Eidotic, I’ve had so many conversations with people who say, “I thought it was just me.” You’re not alone, you might just be in the wrong costume.
    Show More Show Less
    13 mins
  • Seán Barnes on becoming an Impact Professional, writing a book and hosting podcasts

    Seán Barnes on becoming an Impact Professional, writing a book and hosting podcasts
    May 16 2025

    Seán has written a book on being an Impact Professional and we hear all about it on this episode of seeds as well as his life story. For more episodes visit www.theseeds.nz

    Seán's book site https://www.impactprofessional.nz

    Impact Professional podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/6liZrE1y3BN6Q31z0rHTrG

    Also check out the 232 Degrees podcast on books from Seán Barnes and Carl Davidson https://open.spotify.com/show/6saaVGG8LhNtGLSH9FrdOR

    Earlier episode of that show on Seeds regarding Dr Seuss! https://theseeds.nz/podcast/on-dr-seuss-and-his-legacy-featuring-an-episode-by-sean-barnes-and-carl-davidson-of-the-232-degrees-podcast/

    More content at www.theseeds.nz

    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • Shamubeel Eaqub on Social Cohesion

    Shamubeel Eaqub on Social Cohesion
    May 12 2025

    This is the converstion I just had with Shamubeel Eaqub about the report on Social Cohesion that he has recently co-authored.

    It is a wide ranging conversation where we cover:

    • How to foster Social Cohesion, one positive step each day
    • The negative side and reality of poverty in Aotearoa New Zealand
    • Whether some issues like education, health and housing need to be removed from the political cycle
    • Superannuation and what higher contribution rates might unlock
    • The role of arts, sport, spiritual and community groups in building cohesion

    It was a wide ranging interview and I would love to hear feedback on what stands out to you?

    The Report is here https://helenclark.foundation/support-our-work/social-cohesion/

    440+ more interviews and content is at www.theseeds.nz

    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • Housing, Partnerships, Green Shoots and Challenges: Panel with Ali Hamlin-Paenga, Paul Gilberd, Cate Kearney and Steven Moe

    Housing, Partnerships, Green Shoots and Challenges: Panel with Ali Hamlin-Paenga, Paul Gilberd, Cate Kearney and Steven Moe
    May 7 2025

    In this panel discussion we get to hear on Housing in Aotearoa New Zealand from the following speakers at the New Zealand Green Building Council Housing Summit held on 7 May 2025 (more on NZGBC is here):

    Ali Hamlin-Paenga - Chief Executive of Te Matapihi (Site: https://www.tematapihi.org.nz)

    Cate Kearney - Chief Executive of Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust (Site: https://www.ocht.org.nz)

    Paul Gilberd - Chief Executive of Community Housing Aotearoa (Site: https://communityhousing.org.nz)

    Steven Moe – Chair of Community Housing Funding Agency (Site: https://chfa.co.nz)

    Thanks to Bernard Hickey for the questions at the end as well. Listen to his "When the Facts Change Podcast" and follow his work here https://thekaka.substack.com

    Description of the session: "Partnering for a better result on housing supply

    Housing supply is more important than ever. With Community Housing Providers a vital, growing part of the solution, how are they stepping up to support mitigating the housing crisis? How will they be financed? Join Steven Moe from the Community Housing Funding Agency as he leads our panel talking strategic partnerships, the funding mechanisms, and the challenges in rolling out best practice in community housing initiatives."

    Thanks to the NZGBC team for all the work in putting the conference on!

    For more on seeds visit www.theseeds.nz

    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • Ali Adams on Revitalised Ōtautahi Christchurch and the power of Community

    Ali Adams on Revitalised Ōtautahi Christchurch and the power of Community
    Apr 17 2025

    Ali Adams shares about the revitilised city of Ōtautahi Christchurch as well as her life lessons and journey to becoming the CEO of ChristchurchNZ.

    Seeds is a long term project with more than 440 conversations with inspiring people, most of whom are based in Christchurch. Find out more and listen to other conversations at www.theseeds.nz

    Ōtautahi ChristchurchNZ website https://www.christchurchnz.com

    Earlier interview from 2019 with Joanna Norris which we mention on this episode https://theseeds.nz/articles/transforming-christchurch-into-an-innovation-hub/

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Two Life Lessons shared by Ali Adams

    Two Life Lessons shared by Ali Adams
    Apr 11 2025

    A very short excerpt of a long and rich conversation with Ali Adams the CEO of ChristchurchNZ where she shared two key life lessons.

    Be watching for the full interview out next!

    ChristchurchNZ website https://www.christchurchnz.com

    For more content visit www.theseeds.nz

    Show More Show Less
    3 mins
  • Sir Maarten Wevers on a life of diplomacy, learning languages and staying curious

    Sir Maarten Wevers on a life of diplomacy, learning languages and staying curious
    Apr 5 2025

    This was a rich and deep conversation with Sir Maarten Wevers who shared about his life journey on this episode of seeds podcast. From being born in the Netherlands to moving to New Zealand with his family age 1, growing up with different cultural influences and then how he got into the diplomatic world, travelling the World, his learning Japanese to serve as Ambassador to Japan and then working with multiple Prime Ministers through pivotal moments in the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s. From 1985 to 1987 he was private secretary to then Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, David Lange. He was also the Chief Executive of the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet from 2004-2012. He has been involved in a lot more including currently as deputy Chair of the Fred Hollows Foundation.

    We really do cover a lot in this conversation and I learned so much from his life and the stories he told. I hope you enjoy it - if you do, why not post the link to it and tag me in so I can like and comment and it will benefit your networks too.

    Thanks to Craig Fisher for suggesting this conversation as well!

    More conversations are at www.theseeds.nz

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 24 mins
  • Lewis Patterson on Sustainable Brands and the Value of Purpose

    Lewis Patterson on Sustainable Brands and the Value of Purpose
    Mar 30 2025

    Enjoyed the chance to talk with Lewis Patterson about his life story, growing up on a farm towards in the South of the South Island as well as his move overseas, desire to learn Korean, what it was like to live in Korea and then move back to New Zealand. We also talk about his upcoming event on "The Value of Purpose" which will be held in mid May 2025 - see link below for information.

    Relevant links:
    Sustainable Brands "The Value of Purpose" event website: Sustainable Brands
    Sustainable Brands global website: Sustainable Brands
    LinkedIn profile: Lewis Patterson | LinkedIn
    Show More Show Less
    50 mins