In this conversation, I sit down with Nikki Tugano, Founder & CEO of SeenCulture, to talk about how work can be redesigns to open doors, not quietly close them.

We explore practical ways leaders can surface unseen potential, write inclusive role descriptions, and use positive psychology and job crafting to lift performance and wellbeing.

Nikki’s story, from feeling unseen as a child to building a company that helps individuals and teams get truly recognised offers a rare blend of evidence, empathy and action.

If you care about equity, flexible job design and building teams that deliver impact without burning people out, this one’s for you.

What we cover

• The definition of “unseen potential” and how to make it visible

• Writing senior role descriptions that open doors (not quietly close them)

• Autonomy, connection, mastery: the psychology behind motivation and performance

• How to use AI responsibly to de-bias job ads and widen candidate pools

• Practical prompts for 1:1s that reveal strengths you’re not using yet

  
  

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Scene Culture and Its Mission

04:50 Defining Unseen Potential

05:58 Leadership's Role in Uncovering Potential

07:49 Innovative Job Design in Recruitment

08:57 Positive Psychology in Job Design

12:24 AI and Job Design Considerations

15:10 Supporting Single Parents in Leadership

17:59 Hope for Equity and Opportunity

19:34 Key Takeaways for Leaders

21:45 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Find out more about SeenCulture and Nikki's amazing work

• Access a free individual profile to start mapping your strengths and uncover your unseen potential: https://seenteams.com/

  Learn more about SeenCulture’s work: https://www.seenculture.com/

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  Music Credits

  The Ambition & Life podcast is produced by Karis Dorrigan — intentionally designed to amplify real stories about ambition, care, and the systems that shape our lives.

  Track: Brother Brother
  Artist: BENSON
  Licensed by: Soundstripe, Inc.
  License Type: Master Recording & Synchronization License
  License ID: #22026995
  Usage Rights: Worldwide, in perpetuity, across web, podcast, and social platforms
  © BENSON / Soundstripe, Inc. — All rights reserved.

  Used with permission under a perpetual license.

  
  
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