Episode #73: Matt Peacock on Messing With Comfortable Assumptions to Create Change

The Discomfort Practice

In this episode of The Discomfort Practice, I am joined by a rock star in his industry, Matt Peacock. Matt is currently a partner at a London-based strategic and creative advisory firm called Blurred, where he provides specialist counsel to clients on Environment, Social and Governance (ESG), risk, sustainability, social purpose, and corporate transparency.

Together, Matt and I discuss important and relevant topics about how to lead and support others to step away from things that are not working and actually create positive change in your organization and more broadlyin society. Matt sheds light on some mindsets that hold us back and talks about strategies to break free and step into action to make things happen. And Matt gets shit done, I can tell you that. We talked about how important it is now for business communicators and governments to focus on doing things differently, as well as communicate well with each other onthe tricky issues and trends they have to grapple with. We also talk about our responsibility as individuals and communicators in the age of digital and social media ito fact check information and responsibly communicate and connect to others.

In every episode of season three of The Discomfort Practice Podcast, we're focusing on the discomfort of change. So, give this episode a listen and let me know what your steps might be for creating the world you want to live in.

Key Points Discussed:

• Matt’s uncomfortable moments when working with organizations that knew they need to change but don’t (04:12)
• When Matt was a reporter with BBC and faced with ‘absolute evil,’ facing the frustration of listeners who don’t want to listen (06:32)
• ‘don’t-look-up’ syndrome (09:09)
• Unpleasant truths are disruptive (10:03)
• The inexorable momentum syndrome - a false narrative (14:00)
• How to help people step away from things that are not working (16:14)
• What leaders need to be uncomfortable about that they’re not (25:36)
• Businesses making more difference to the world faster than then politicians could (33:26)
• How to exercise the key trait that leaders or everybody must demonstrate over the coming months and beyond (41:47)
• The cult of disempowerment (45:56)
• Making the change happen (52:33)
• How to be wise consumers of information (56:55)
• Stepping into the skin of those who are opposed to you (1:06:08)
• The Net Zero transition (1:08:17)
• Discomfort is a life force (1:13:19)

Resources Mentioned:

• Don’t Look Up
• Matt Peacock Joins Blurred as Partner

Connect with Matt:

• Matt on LinkedIn

Connect with Betsy:

• Betsy on Instagram
• Betsy on Twitter
• Betsy on Linkedin

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