Future‑Ready by Design: Greg Verdino on Building Adaptive Capacity

What does it really take for organizations to thrive in an era of constant disruption and rapid technological change? In this insightful episode of the Tech Humanist Show, host Kate O’Neill sits down with innovation strategist Greg Verdino to explore the critical role of adaptability in modern business. Drawing from their experiences with digital transformation and the development of the ADAPT Manifesto, Greg Verdino shares hard-won lessons on why “always-on” adaptation, curiosity, and investing in future-readiness are more essential than ever. Topics Covered:The origins and goals of the ADAPT Manifesto Why most transformation projects fail The essential values and principles of adaptability Common barriers to organizational adaptation The importance of investing in both technology and people How AI is reshaping organizational structures and workflows The difference between reaction and strategic response Balancing innovation and tradition (“the power of and”) The need for systems thinking in leadership Practical tips for fostering adaptability, curiosity, and unlearning Connect with Greg Verdino:WebsiteLinkedInYouTube“Never Normal: Uncommon Ideas for Leaders Who Won’t Settle for the Status Quo” Episode Chapters00:00:05 – Welcome to The Tech Humanist Show – Kate O’Neill introduces the show00:00:51 – How Kate and Greg met: the “Super Team” and curiosity for new technology 00:02:53 – Why adaptability is the key business skill today 00:03:30 – Why digital transformations fail and the birth of the ADAPT Manifesto 00:06:14 – The ADAPT Manifesto values and principles explained 00:10:01 – “Fund the future”: investing in people, processes, and tech 00:11:36 – Common pitfalls in funding innovation and transformation 00:15:13 – Structuring for change in the era of AI 00:21:33 – What gets in the way of adaptation? 00:25:59 – Transformation vs. innovation and keeping up with change 00:30:31 – The lesson of Jenny’s Ice Cream: balancing novelty and consistency 00:32:01 – “The power of and” and avoiding either/or thinking 00:34:12 – The danger of chasing every shiny object (reaction vs. response) 00:36:31 – Trends shaping the next waves of adaptation 00:41:06 – Practical tips: being curious, unlearning, and hands-on learning 00:47:13 – Personal examples of unlearning 00:52:39 – Where to connect with Greg Verdino 00:53:44 – Show credits and wrap-up