In our second annual Human on the Inside roundup, we revisit the most insightful quotes from our interviews with industry leaders, innovators and game-changers in 2024. 

People love our Human on the Inside (HoI) series for a very powerful reason: No matter which interview you read, you’ll always find something readily applicable to your life or career. 

As we head into a new year, what better time to revisit some of our favourite conversations and unveil golden nuggets for career starters and leaders alike.

Let’s rewind and relive their best Human on the Inside bits from 2024:

Katie Reid 

Managing Director at Scyne Advisory

“I believe all humans are inherently creative, but it’s something most of us forget as we go through education systems and workplaces designed for efficiency and standardisation over effectiveness.

In the same way digital is becoming something every professional needs to understand and apply to their work — not a separate team or isolated concept — creativity is a critical discipline everyone should be learning to foster in their teams and professions. I think we’ll see this understood and amplified in businesses and government much more in the coming decade.”

How to apply this human skills insight:

Katie isn’t the only one who values creativity – it remains one of the most sought after human skills by global workplaces. As we move into an AI-optimised era, individuals and workplaces must take the time to nurture creativity however they can. 

Emma Evans

Group CEO at CAPI, Lucy Folk & Folk Capital

“I love learning and I will never stop. As I have moved through my career I have continued to learn and support where I have gaps or interests. From books to podcasts, courses or more formal professional development courses, I constantly lean in or seek out information. There was a time for me to focus on technical aspects of learning, but more recently it’s about topics and tools that support me to be the best version of myself.”

How to apply this human skills insight:

Lifelong learning is essential to helping us stay relevant in our careers and happier overall. Continuously look for opportunities to improve yourself to keep your knowledge up to date, your skills in demand, and your self thriving. 

Matt Forman

Founder & Group Managing Director at XPON Technologies

“Be ok with learning and unlearning quickly. With the pace of change in business today, it’s not possible for Uni’s to teach people everything they need to know. What we think we know today may be obsolete tomorrow.”

How to apply this human skills insight:

Matt builds on the theme of learning by highlighting the ever-changing nature of the world and workplace. Be adaptable and curious in your approach to learning. Don’t assume you know enough about anything – there is always more to learn as things evolve. 

Jane Aslanidis

Program Director at the Australian Design Council

“Human skills, such as empathy, communication, and collaboration, are invaluable in the design and innovation sectors. These skills foster a culture of teamwork and creativity, which is essential for developing sustainable solutions. In my role, I see firsthand how the ability to understand diverse perspectives and work collaboratively drives successful outcomes in both business and societal projects.”

How to apply this human skills insight:

Teamwork and collaboration are highly valued in workplaces. Key to these is the ability to keep an open mind and take the time to understand different perspectives. The first step to understanding is to listen. By listening, you'll learn where people are coming from and why they feel like they do. This will help you build stronger, more trusting relationships. 

Bill Maloukis

Managing Director at Construction Specialties (CS) Australia

“[The value of human skills] boils down to having open and candid conversations with people; not only staff but customers about what they are looking for. Open questions are very important and I like to ask the question and let the other person speak openly. I’m always looking to support people on their journey and provide them with resources to make them a better version of themselves.” 

How to apply this human skills insight:

Another champion of listening, Bill understands the value of interpersonal skills. Interpersonal skills, like active listening, showing empathy, and communication, define your ability to build and maintain positive relationships in your personal and professional life. Powering up your interpersonal skills starts with self-awareness. 

Luke Kerr

Director & Founder of Real Time Learning

“I believe the greatest challenge ahead of us all is maintaining “healthy boundaries”. In a world that focuses on scaling everything that can be scaled, the importance of holding boundaries is becoming critical. Mental health will continue to soar, and I’m very curious about how we enable and empower the next generation to lead lives not dominated by stimuli that are making them less resilient. I love that this generation is focused on “making a difference”. Having not been good with boundaries myself, I want to learn how to help others get better at holding boundaries that will ultimately make them stronger and more resilient.”

How to apply this human skills insight:

We often talk about the importance of resilience, and Luke highlights how it remains critical for the next generation as they enter the workplace. Part of this is setting clear boundaries, which means that we focus on what's right for us and choose what we allow in our lives. Take some time to understand your boundaries, so you can implement and protect them. 

Matt Dri

Partner Cyber Response and Forensic Technology at KPMG

“Receiving and providing feedback is a skill I’ve had to continually work on throughout my career. The best teams I’ve been part of continually challenge each other and strive for excellence. It's a culture of learning, understanding and support.”

How to apply this human skills insight:

Feedback – it’s always an awkward thing to give and receive! But without it, we cannot grow and develop our skills. If you're feedback phobic, learn how to give timely, honest and thoughtful feedback as well as receive feedback in a way that will maximise your improvement.

Aminata Conteh-Biger

Founder & CEO of the Aminata Maternal Foundation

“What drives me every single day is that all humans are entitled to the same human dignity. I was brought up by my father who taught me the reason why we exist – to serve others. Because of these values, I live and lead my life with deep principles. I believe I'm here to give to humanity, not because of how much is given, but because I know for sure that wherever privilege we have is meant for helping others.”

How to apply this human skills insight:

Knowing your values can drive a deep sense of purpose in your career, which can make you more passionate and purposeful in your work – just like Aminata. To understand your values, you need to reflect on yourself first. Ask yourself, “What matters most to me?” “What do I strongly believe in?” “What makes me fulfilled?” Maxme’s proprietary app, Hodie, can help you navigate this!

Naomi Driver

General Manager, Marketing for Bupa

“[One of the soft or human skills I have really had to work on over the course of my career is] embracing imperfection. Getting rid of the need to please and being honest with others with where I am at. I’ve loved learning that vulnerability brings out vulnerability in others and allows for some really honest conversations. For a long time I thought allowing myself to be vulnerable or appearing human would be my downfall, but it has been the opposite.”

How to apply this human skills insight:

We couldn’t agree with Naomi more! Being vulnerable can be tough, but it can help you build some incredible relationships, particularly as a leader. Vulnerability in leadership means being open about your own thoughts, feelings, and challenges. It’s intrinsically linked to empathy and helps you create a safe emotional space for employees to share and be seen.

Michael Kennedy

CEO of Snow Australia

“There are no good decisions or bad decisions...just decisions! They all stack up to giving you breadth of experience, and depth of character, which ultimately lead you to who you become as an adult, a professional, a husband and a father. Always try to understand the consequence of each decision, but be prepared to take risks and lean into your passion and opportunities.”

How to apply this human skills insight:

Is there anything more powerful than a growth mindset? We don’t think so! Embracing a growth mindset means having the desire to learn and grow continually. It helps you feel more confident and in control, because you know you can develop and adapt to meet new challenges. Like Michael says, the key to developing a growth mindset is to take on challenges and view every single one as an opportunity to grow. 

Inspired to put these lessons to work? Download the Hodie app to get started today, or explore our broader menu of Maxme Products & Programs for organisations and individuals. 

Prefer to talk through your options? Simply contact us at any time.

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