Future Proof with Diana Wu David

Has your work has become an inescapable treadmill of personal sacrifice? Does having the career we want to require us to lose ourselves? We all desire meaningful, sustainable, secure and happy work but how can we have it?

Perhaps we can all have a career packed with meaning, joy, and purpose. Enter Diana Wu David.

In this interview with Diana, she tells how her own career-focused existence shifted after the suicide of a friend, prompting her to realize there was a better way to work. Drawing on real-life stories, arguing for being truly present in life, she shows you how you can use innovation in your career and life—including experimentation, collaboration, reinvention, and recalibrating success—to make your career more resilient, relevant, competitive, and enjoyable in an ever-changing global landscape.

Guest Bio

Diana Wu David is the author of Future Proof: Reinventing Work in the Age of Acceleration, a book and online companion course about how to adopt more agile mindsets and practices to prepare yourself for success in a fast-changing world, across a 100-year life.

A former Financial Times executive, Diana now works at CEO and board level to boost agility and collaboration and build a competitive, resilient workforce. Her clients have included the Credit Suisse, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Wharf Hotel Management Group, Expedia, the World Bank, Asia Development Bank and KPMG. She began her career and leadership education as an assistant to Dr. Henry Kissinger.

Diana is an adjunct professor of leadership at Columbia Business School’s EMBA Global Asia and for the Financial Times Non-Executive Director Diploma for independent board directors. Her company, Sarana Labs, invests in preparing future generations for the future of work.   

Pick up a copy of Future Proof: Reinventing Work in the Age of Acceleration here.

Connect with Diana here. 

Further Reading and Resources 

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Psychology Today: Psychology Today is devoted exclusively to everybody’s favourite subject – Ourselves

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Elite Daily: The Voice of Generation Y

Four Hour Work Week: How to escape the 9-5, live anywhere and join the new rich.

The Minimalists: How to pursue a minimalist lifestyle and be happier.

Mind Hacks: Tips and Tricks for Using Your Brain

Rich Roll: Plantpowered Wellness Advocate

The Art of Charm: Build confidence, feel comfortable and networking differently.

American Psychological Association: The largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United State

The Art of Manliness: Encouraging men to be better husbands, fathers, brothers, citizens.

Tiny Buddha: Simple wisdom for complex lives.

Brain Pickings: An inventory of cross-disciplinary interestingness, spanning art, science, design, history, philosophy, and more.

Mind Body Green: Lifestyle media brand dedicated to inspiring you to live your best life.

Zen Habits: Find simplicity and mindfulness in life.

Creative NonFiction: “true stories well told.” 

Addicted 2 Success: Motivation & Inspiration Website full of quotes and inspiring articles for entrepreneurs.

Barking Up the Wrong Tree: science-based answers and expert insight on how to be awesome at life.

The Positivity Blog: Practical articles on happiness, self-esteem, productivity and social skills.