In this episode I interview Caoimhe Keogan, SVP of People at SoundCloud. We talk about what personal resilience means at work, why artificial intelligence (AI) and robots taking over certain types of jobs is a good thing, and why emotional intelligence is no longer an option but a necessity. Aside from her prowess in the business world, Caoimhe counts among her achievements having helped to establish the police force in Northern Ireland after the Good Friday Agreement.
Caoimhe’s ability to exercise personal resilience is challenged every day
We all have to respond to the challenges life and career. As part of fast-moving and fluid company like Soundcloud, Caoimhe has discovered that the need for resilience and adaptability are multiplied. But she believes that her experience so far is only a taste of what is to come. As A.I., robots, and automation take center stage in the not-too-distant future, the role humans play in society is going to change. It’s inevitable. Those who are most resilient are the ones who will thrive. Listen in as Caoimhe shares her thoughts about the future of work and how resilience and adaptability will prove to be key competencies for anyone who wants to succeed in the future.
Turning 39 is hard for some women. For Caoimhe, it opened a door to a new optimism
For many women, turning 39 can be tough, simply because it’s a clear marker of adulthood and the responsibilities and expectations that come with it. When Caoimhe turned 39 she became reflective – and she realized that while much of her past felt as if it had “happened to her,” she could make the decision that her future didn’t have to be that way. That’s one of the main reasons she’s studying the quality of personal resilience and working to strengthen her own character in that area. She wants to make sure that her future is even brighter and more intentional than her past. Listen to this episode to hear how she’s made that mental switch.
Her work with Soundcloud enables Caoimhe to have a unique perspective on the future of work
In a high growth technology company like Soundcloud, things are changing daily. There can be great triumphs and equally great uncertainty all within a week’s time. Adaptability is necessary for everyone on the team and groundbreaking new developments happen around them on an ongoing basis. Caoimhe believes that the types of changes she witnesses daily are harbingers of what is to come as technological developments increase in speed and frequency. What this means for human beings is that the type of work we do is going to change, and we have to be ready for it. You can hear Caoimhe’s recommendations for how to prepare yourself for the future of work, on this episode of NextFem.
What will you do when your workplace or role are changed by technology?
It’s a valid question because the rate at which technological advances are being made guarantees that all of us will face the issue on some level. As A.I. takes over roles historically filled by humans – and it will – personal resilience is what will enable us to move out of task-oriented work and into roles that ONLY human beings can fill. This conversation is an encouraging and hopeful look into Caoimhe’s thoughts on the subject and will inspire you to evaluate your own capacity for resilience so that you can begin building it now – and be one who thrives as the world around you changes.
Episode Highlights
- 1:06 – Introducing Caoimhe Keogan SVP of SoundCloud People, Places and Community
- 3:54 – Caoimhe’s journey to discovering her need for resilience.
- 9:09 – Why turning 39 became an auspicious milestone for Caoimhe’s view of herself and her life
- 16:39 – What it was like for Caoimhe to grow up in Northern Ireland
- 21:12 – The family commitments that have shaped Caoimhe’s life
- 25:24 – How resilience figures into Caoimhe’s work at SoundCloud (and how you can use it too.)
- 29:29 – What do we mean when we talk about “the future of work?”
Resources Mentioned
- Caoimhe on LinkedIn (send her a personalized request mentioning this show)
- SoundCloud
- Clue: Digital Period Tracker
1. Favorite book for women?
- Interstellar Cinderella by Deborah Underwood
2. Favorite self-care hack?
- Loose Leaf Tea (Lemon Love is the one she’s addicted to)
3. Best piece of advice and who gave it to you?
- “It’s always better ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission” – given to her by a former boss.
4. Female CEO or thought leader you’re into right now?
- Eda Tin, CEO of Clue – creators of a period tracking app
5. One piece of advice you’d give your 5 years younger self?
- Be more confident about what you don’t know and understand.
WEBSITE ONLY:
Join 400+ high-powered women and get practical wisdom on love and leadership delivered weekly
Last Time on The NextFem Podcast
Thanks SO MUCH to everyone who took the time to write a review on iTunes! If you write a review this week, send a screenshot to [email protected] and we’ll give you a shout-out!
