{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Episode #603 - ScaleUp Shorts - What two very different founders teach us about leadership, resilience, Al and the future of human connection in business","description":"This week on ScaleUp Radio Shorts, Kevin Brent and Louise Blunt unpack two fascinating conversations with founders operating in completely different worlds \u2014 yet connected by one powerful idea: Business success still comes down to people. On one side is Bob Ferguson \u2014 city councilman, long-standing business owner, and leader of what he calls an \u201call-volunteer army\u201d through his network marketing organisation in Fairfield, Iowa. On the other is Priyanka Rao \u2014 immigrant tech founder and creator of MicroInterns, an innovative platform connecting students with startups through short-term, skills-based micro-internships. Together, their stories reveal extraordinary lessons around: AI and the future of hiring Leadership without ego Mental fitness and resilience Building ecosystems that scale Why culture matters more than credentials The importance of asking for help Interdependence in business growth Key Talking Points AI is changing recruitment \u2014 but not necessarily for the better Priyanka explains how businesses are increasingly using AI to write job descriptions while candidates use AI to create CVs \u2014 leaving \u201cbots talking to bots\u201d. Her solution? Creating \u201ctamper-proof micro-skill passports\u201d through real-world startup projects that prove capability beyond keyword matching. Leadership is about making people want to be there Bob Ferguson shares why traditional command-and-control leadership simply doesn\u2019t work when leading independent teams and volunteers. He explores: Adam Grant\u2019s concept of \u201cother-ish givers\u201d Jim Collins\u2019 \u201cLevel 5 leadership\u201d The importance of creating workplaces where people feel valued and included Resilience forged through adversity Priyanka shares the deeply personal story behind launching MicroInterns \u2014 including the Christmas period where she had just \u00a35.45 left in her bank account while struggling to find work after university. From that experience came her powerful S.A.F.E framework: Start before you\u2019re ready Ask for help Fail fast Experiment Why ecosystems matter Both guests highlight the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, partnerships and communities. Whether it\u2019s: Scottish startup support networks University partnerships Civic ecosystems Peer collaboration Arts and entrepreneurial communities \u2026neither founder believes success happens in isolation. Memorable Quotes From The Episode \u201cYou can\u2019t have bots talking to bots and expect to truly understand people.\u201d \u201cMake your workplace somewhere people want to be \u2014 not somewhere they have to be.\u201d \u201cThe only thing that is certain is change.\u201d \u201cIf you want something, ask for it. The worst they can say is no.\u201d Resources & Mentions Give and Take \u2014 Adam Grant Level 5 Leadership \u2014 Jim Collins Stephen Covey\u2019s concept of interdependence Transcendental Meditation (TM) MicroInterns Smart90\u00ae G90 Summit About ScaleUp Radio ScaleUp Radio brings together founders, entrepreneurs and scale-up leaders to share practical insights, honest experiences and lessons from building ambitious businesses. Produced with the aid of AI This episode and its supporting content were produced with the aid of Artificial Intelligence tools, alongside human research, editing and creative direction.   ","author_name":"ScaleUp Radio","author_url":"http:\/\/scaleupradio.libsyn.com\/website","html":"