The Better Work Project Podcast by SoftEd
What happens when you unleash emotions in the workplace? In this podcast, we're joined by Jeremy Dean, founder of riders&elephants, to talk about engagement. We discuss why emotions are so scary to talk about at work, why we should do it anyway, and how we might build workplaces that perform at both a human and business level.
- Talking about emotions in the workplace is scary for the majority of people, but it's only scary because they are so misunderstood.
- The emotional culture deck is a prompt for better conversations that was born out of seeing a more cynical approach to culture work.
- Research out of Wharton and George Mason University has highlighted that most companies are less concerned with how people are feeling, or should be feeling at work, and more about a stated set of values and behaviours.
- Research over the past 20...
R&E Games Around the World β April Bright Spots
Here's a selection of R&E game highlights from around the world in April.
All these leaders using our games to humanise their workplaces fill us with gratitude and joy. We hope they inspire you to start using our games or give you the confidence to use them in new ways. 
These kids hacked The Emotional Culture Deck!
This story of how Lotty's kids use The ECD (and their own custom-designed ECD cards) is truly remarkable.
Lotty is one of our Specialist Elephant Riders and has used The ECD with her kids recently with profound impact.
Her kids also had fun designing new ECD cards and suggesting a few additional feelings cards!
If you want more inspiration on how to use The ECD with kids and families click here now.
How to be a successful Emotional Culture Deck Facilitator
– This article was originally written and posted by Lotty Roberts here
Earlier today I had a fantastic conversation with Steve Hargreaves. Steve is a fellow 'Emotional Culture Deck' Specialist, founder of 'The Compassionate Leadership Company' and an all-around good bloke who has become a good friend.
Steve and I love to geek out over all things Emotional Culture Deck related, usually joined by Mr ECD and founder of 'The Emotional Culture Deck' himself, Jeremy Dean.
Today it was just Steve and me - our reason for catching up was to discuss our insights and tips for how to get started facilitating Emotional Culture Deck workshops.
The conversation was part of a Podcast series we are recording for the newly formed 'Emotional Culture Club' that launched today. Although it's not available wider at the moment we decided to share the love, by crafting the top tips we discussed here, in this article.
So if you've recently done the ECD Masterclass, or are thinking about signing...
The Emotional Culture Deck Masterclasses βΒ March 2021 Highlights
Elephant Rider Gatherings, April 2021
[Watch the highlights from our November Elephant Rider Gathering in Auckland, NZ]
Wow, we're humbled to introduce our incredible Panelists for our upcoming Elephant Rider Gatherings in Auckland and Wellington in April!
Our Elephant Rider Gatherings are 'meetup style' events for anyone who's interested in The Emotional Culture Deck and our community.
If you're also on a mission to humanise the workplace. Or want to be inspired by and learn from leaders who are on this mission already – then you're welcome to join us at one of our upcoming Gatherings in New Zealand.
You don't need any experience or knowledge of The ECD to come along and be part of our Gatherings. At our Gatherings you'll mingle with Elephant Rider ECD Practitioners, ECD Certified Facilitators aka Pro Elephant Riders, others who are using the #emotionalculturedeck and people who are new to our universe of -F-word games.
To join us just sign up below:
> Wellington Elephant Rider Gathering –...
Wellington & Auckland In-person ECD Masterclasses β Enrol now
Enrolments are now open for our Wellington & Auckland Emotional Culture Deck Masterclasses – March 16 & 18.
Click here to learn more and enrol today!
I've poured my heart and soul over the past five years into The Emotional Culture Deck. After running over 15 of these live In-Person Masterclasses around the world, I know the difference this course can make in your work and life.
That's why I created this course - so people could get real training that helps them develop as a leader and a human being.
The most humbling thing is that we now have 396 people worldwide in over 21 countries who have completed our ECD Masterclass course and become an official #elephantrider. When you complete the course, we invite you to join this global community of human and empathetic leaders!
I feel incredibly fortunate that we're in a position to run in-person events like this. So can't wait to get back in the room with those who want to come on the journey.
Hope to see you on the...
Our newest Specialist Elephant Rider β Mat Kearney
Congratulations to Mat Kearney who has officially reached Specialist Elephant Rider Status.
Mat just joined a tiny and elite bunch of people in the world at our second most experienced Emotional Culture Deck Facilitator level alongside @lottyroberts and @stevehargreaves.
I'm incredibly proud and humbled by this achievement because Mat attended the very first every Emotional Culture Deck Masterclasses back in 2018. Since then he's gone on to use The ECD to have a real impact on numerous leaders, community groups he's part of and organisations around New Zealand.
On his journey to becoming our latest Specialist Elephant Rider, he's run over 25 Emotional Culture Deck workshops and numerous 1:2:1 ECD sessions and various Meetups. He's also been on a mission to help fellow leaders learn how to use The Emotional Culture to create more human and empathetic workplace cultures.
We asked Mat what it means to him to become a Specialist Elephant Rider:
Steve Hargreaves β Specialist Elephant Rider
We're thrilled to announce Steve Hargreaves just become our second Emotional Culture Deck Specialist Elephant Rider (this is our second highest ECD Certified Facilitator level – only Master Elephant Rider to go Steve!)
Last July in London Steven Hargreaves completed our Emotional Culture Deck Masterclass Course.
Now just over 18 months later, Steve has become one of the most experienced #emotionalculturedeck facilitators in the world.
Since that London Masterclass 18 months ago, he's gone onto facilitate over 40 workshops and dozens of 1:2:1 ECD conversations.
The impact Steve has had on the people he's worked with using The ECD blows me away.
It's been an honour working with Steve over the past 18 months. We've learned so much from him and his approach to compassionate leadership. Congrats Steve! You are truly a world-class facilitator and coach.
It's exciting to see Steve put himself out further into the world with the start...
