508. Beyond AI: Humanizing Customer Success

In this episode, host Michael Marchuk interviews customer success advisor, executive coach, and bestselling author Carl Lenocker (A Success Plan for Life) about how AI is reshaping customer success without removing human accountability. Carl argues experienced leaders will be needed to judge AI outputs, while entry-level roles and technical/process-heavy CS work (onboarding, troubleshooting, project management, certifications) are increasingly automatable. He warns against repeating early-2000s outsourcing mistakes that degraded customer experience, stressing AI-driven support must work to build trust, especially for smaller accounts. The conversation covers developing Gen Z communication and face-to-face relationship skills, avoiding over-instrumentation and misguided KPIs, and using strategic human engagement to uncover the “why” behind dashboards. Carl also discusses investing in internal talent development and applying “success plan” thinking to careers and life through discovery, reflection, and time-based planning.- AI Accountability in CS- Preserving Expertise Pipelines- What AI Replaces in CS- Gen Z and Relationship Skills- Designing CS for Judgment- Trust at Scale with AI- Metrics and Over Instrumentation- Human Touch and Renewals- Future of CS and Leadership- Success Plans for Life- Life Phases and Customer CyclesGet Carl's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Success-Plan-Life-Wealth-Direction/dp/B0GHSZ719CVisit us on our socials:🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMXTo ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!