“We are wired to want simple” - Jen Gresham

Jennifer Gresham is the executive director of Work for Humanity, an organization that is making bold moves to fundamentally rethink the nature of employment and solve one of the biggest challenges the US economy faces today, rebuilding the middle class. If this sounds like a big, audacious goal, well it is. And you will hear why Jen is the perfect person to tackle it. Jen is a graduate of the Air Force Academy and a scientist with a background in human performance. In this episode we trace her career from her early days as assistant chief scientist in the Air Force to her bold decision to leave the Air Force just a few years short of retirement. We also explore her journey from successful blogger and business coach helping thousands of professionals achieve their career aspirations. Jen shares her ups and downs along the way and what finally led her to found Work for Humanity. In this episode you will learn about why we need to embrace complexity, risk taking and why you should bet on yourself. The future is female, let’s get started!

Have a question or comment? Email us at themanifista@gmail.com.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Embracing complexity and being comfortable not knowing

• We often don't solve a complex problem, we evolve with a complex problem.
• There's untapped human potential, which is something I'm really interested in.
• We need the intellectual and emotional capacity for complexity, because we are so wired to want simple.
• The importance of being comfortable not knowing and having to experiment and find your way. 

Work for Humanity and envisioning a better future 

• Income inequality is the highest it's ever been in 50 years.
• My vision for the future of work is that everyone has a job that enriches them financially, intellectually, emotionally, socially and spiritually.
• We need to upskill the workers and employers in small businesses, so they can start to work together as a strategic team.
• Our system is inhumane by design. We all need to really understand that we are part of that system, and therefore we are part of the problem. 

Resources Mentioned 

Jennifer Gresham (link)
The report: Reimagining Inclusive Economies (link)
Work for Humanity (link)
Peter Diamandis (link)
Winners Take All by Anand Giridharadas (link)
Humanocracy by Gary Hamel and Michele Zanini (link)