Nick Shackleton-Jones: Finding Work That Actually Fits

S4:E1

In this episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Julia and Valerie are joined by Nick Shackleton-Jones, award-winning learning strategist, author and speaker, known for shaking up traditional thinking in learning and development.

Nick shares his unconventional career journey from psychology lecturer to leading roles at Siemens, the BBC, BP and Deloitte, reflecting on how questioning the norm and embracing being a self-described “nuisance” shaped his path. He discusses what happens when your values no longer fit the corporate mould, why he believes success isn’t about scaling up, and how “holding hands” is essential when driving meaningful change.

This is a candid and thought-provoking conversation about challenging conventions, finding work that truly fits and redefining what success can look like.

Key Takeaways
Success doesn’t always mean scaling up – Nick challenges the obsession with constant growth, arguing that success can mean building a career and life that prioritise adventure, fulfilment and alignment with personal values over expansion for its own sake.

Meaningful change in organisations requires “holding hands”  Driving change isn’t about racing ahead with big ideas. It’s about bringing people along, showing them the vision, moving at a sustainable pace and building trust so the change actually lasts.

Guest Information:

Shackleton Consulting
nick@shackleton-consulting.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shackletonjones/

 Just to let our listeners know — we’ve just won Podcast of the Year at the Women’s Business Awards 2025

Chapters

• 2:57 Introduction
• 4:19 Curiosity and questioning the corporate norm
• 9:02 From corporate life to reluctant entrepreneur
• 11:33 Success beyond growth
• 13:53 The “holding hands” approach
• 17:32 Learning In the Flow of Work