Challenging Outdated Work Paradigms with Nancy Lyons of Clockwork

In this episode of Mindful Management: Creating a Trauma-Informed Work Environment, host Shenandoah Chefalo speaks with Nancy Lyons, founder and CEO of Clockwork.

Join them as they explore:

The future of work
Prioritizing empowerment and genuine connection over outdated practices
Transforming workplace culture
How true engagement goes beyond attendance
Intentionality and collaboration
Fostering a supportive and resilient workplace

Nancy Lyons is the Founder and CEO of Clockwork, an experience design and technology consultancy that solves complex problems for the enterprise. They build enterprise websites, software platforms, and mobile applications that help businesses solve sizeable problems. Nancy is also the Founder of Tempo by Clockwork, the Secretary of the Board of Directors at Innovate Marquette SmartZone, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation.

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Episode Highlights:

[02:42 - 03:30] Empowerment and Agency in the Workplace - Nancy argues that the future of work should revolve around the ways in which employees feel valued and appreciated. Workplace culture is too often mistaken for superficial gimmicks (such as “fun” team building exercises), whereas in fact it is about creating an environment where employees have agency. Furthermore, Nancy notes that this empowerment is crucial for a productive workplace. She believes that discussions around technology, AI, and automation distract from people doing their best work.
[04:18 - 05:53] Outdated Industrial-Era Perspectives - Nancy challenges the historical, industrial-era divide between employer and employee. She concedes that the relationship has improved since then, but highlights how it still influences current expectations and behaviors, such as the lack of evolution relative to the emotional part of work. By recognizing this legacy, leaders can begin to evolve beyond such hierarchical structures. This will then lead to a more collaborative and engaged workforce.

[08:18 - 10:56] The Importance of Inclusivity and Diverse Perspectives - One way in which workplaces can improve products and service is to embrace diversity. By welcoming diverse voices (that may challenge the status quo), a varied customer base can be better catered for. Nancy is clear that fostering diversity and moving away from familiar cliques requires intentional effort. She believes that organizations must create space for a genuine exchange of ideas, and move away from habits that might limit growth and understanding.
[24:37 - 26:11] - Hiring Strategies - Nancy recommends a peer-based hiring system, as opposed to the traditional HR-oriented approach. She says this is because these are important decisions that should reflect the needs of the organization. Furthermore, it’s vital that people are hired on the basis of their unique perspectives, rather than conformity with existing team dynamics. One strategy to achieve this is to create a profile of the ideal traits, while also recognizing that valuable contributions can also come from those with alternative viewpoints who may provoke interesting discussions.