Ep. 35: Fostering Curiosity and Learning to Lead in an Innovative Future with Nathan Paterson
Featuring guest
Nathan Paterson
We explored the transformative power of learning and curiosity with Nathan Paterson, Director at IDEO Tokyo. Throughout our conversation, we discovered how organizations can shift from 'always closing' to 'always curious' mindsets, fostering environments where people thrive through change. Nathan shared his expertise in designing meaningful, personalized learning experiences that go beyond traditional corporate training. We discussed the maturity of learning cultures in Japanese organizations, the importance of authentic organizational rituals, and emerging metrics that focus on 'aha' moments rather than conventional assessments. Nathan's inspiring story of climbing Mount Fuji with his six-year-old daughter provided powerful insights into rethinking organizational learning experiences. We also examined how COVID-19 accelerated flexibility in education and explored what the fabric of organizations might look like in five years, emphasizing community's crucial role in effective learning.
Themes of Inquiry
- Curiosity-driven learning
- Organizational learning culture
- Design thinking in education
- Authentic rituals
- Community-based learning
We explored the transformative power of learning and curiosity with Nathan Paterson, Director at IDEO Tokyo.
Episode Summary
We explored the transformative power of learning and curiosity with Nathan Paterson, Director at IDEO Tokyo. Throughout our conversation, we discovered how organizations can shift from 'always closing' to 'always curious' mindsets, fostering environments where people thrive through change. Nathan shared his expertise in designing meaningful, personalized learning experiences that go beyond traditional corporate training. We discussed the maturity of learning cultures in Japanese organizations, the importance of authentic organizational rituals, and emerging metrics that focus on 'aha' moments rather than conventional assessments. Nathan's inspiring story of climbing Mount Fuji with his six-year-old daughter provided powerful insights into rethinking organizational learning experiences. We also examined how COVID-19 accelerated flexibility in education and explored what the fabric of organizations might look like in five years, emphasizing community's crucial role in effective learning.
The Guest Biography
Nathan Paterson
Nathan Paterson is Director at IDEO Tokyo, where he focuses on client Learning Programs and helps individuals, teams, and organizations navigate change through design, creativity, and play. Prior to his current role, Nathan led the research and design team at Disney Interactive Labs in Los Angeles, crafting immersive experiences with emerging technologies for Disney Guests worldwide. His entrepreneurial experience includes building a design studio in Tokyo and co-founding an online education startup. Nathan's expertise lies in designing meaningful and personalized learning opportunities, with a particular passion for fostering curiosity and developing leaders who can thrive in an innovative future.
Continue the Dialogue
Ep. 36: Evolution of Trading Companies - Past, Present & Future with Jason Ollison
We explored the fascinating world of Japanese trading houses (Sogo Shosha) with Jason Ollison, sparked by Warren Buffett's $6bn investment across Japan's five biggest trading companies. Our conversation revealed these global venture capital and private equity businesses may not be as straightforward as Buffett's investment philosophy suggests. We traced the historical evolution of these trading companies, examining three key revolutions that shaped their development. Jason shared insights on balancing resources with human capital, challenges around foreign talent retention in long-term projects, and the skills required for future trading company talent. We discussed leveraging balance over diversity and explored the current value proposition and future investment opportunities these unique Japanese institutions present in today's global economy.
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