The Edge of Work

JD Dillon is a Speaker, Technologist, and Author of The Frontline Enablement Playbook, a new book focused on helping organizations better support frontline and deskless workers. In this conversation, JD shares why frontline managers are some of the most important and overlooked people in the workplace. He unpacks the challenges they face every day, from constant unpredictability to limited support, and explains why traditional leadership development often misses the mark. Finally, JD also explores what organizations can do differently to better enable frontline teams, build stronger workplace communities, and create environments where people can thrive. LinksJD’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jddillon/JD’s Book: https://jddillon.com/frontlinebook/

Dani Johnson is Co-Founder and Principal Analyst at RedThread Research, and returns to the show to unpack how learning and development is being reshaped in real time. Drawing on new research, she offers a different perspective on the centralized vs decentralization org structure and staffing model, and instead argues for more intentional, decision-based design. Dani also shares why Learning and Development’s pursuit of having a “Seat at the table” may be fading and why that might not be a bad thing. From the rise of workflow-based learning to the growing importance of data and change management, she outlines what it means to be tactically strategic. Linkshttps://redthreadresearch.com/redthread-summit-2026https://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-johnson/

Mohit Jiwnani is the Director of Talent Development at Okta. In this episode, he shares how AI is reshaping leadership development and why traditional programs may no longer be enough as the nature of work changes. During this conversation, Mohit explores how organizations can shift from teaching leadership in classrooms to enabling leaders in the flow of work by redesigning workflows, clarifying what work humans should own versus AI, and helping teams operate differently. Mohit also discusses practical approaches to AI adoption and empowering internal champions to drive change. Finally, he reflects on how leaders can embed AI into everyday moments like decision-making, coaching, and performance conversations.LinksMohit’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohitjiwnani/

Greg Pryor is a Founding Member of Connected Commons and a longtime leader in human capital and talent strategy. In this episode of Greg joins the podcast to discuss why social capital, the relationships and networks that connect people, plays such a major role in career success and organizational performance. He shares stories from his work in management consulting, talent leadership, and research on networks to explain how relationships shape influence, learning, and opportunity. They also explore how organizations can identify key influencers, lead change more effectively, and avoid collaboration overload. The conversation closes with a discussion about how AI is changing the workplace and what it means for collaboration and leadership.LinksGreg’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-pryor-907920/

Elizabeth McSavaney is the Chief People Officer of Zurich Canada, where she leads talent strategy in a highly technical, rapidly evolving industry. In this live episode from the 2026 Transform Conference, Elizabeth shares how Zurich Canada is rethinking learning and development by focusing less on training activity and more on solving real business problems. She explains how initiatives like “Day to Invest” create space for growth, why capability and not completion should be the true measure of learning, and how HR teams can build credibility by driving measurable outcomes. Elizabeth also discusses preparing early-career talent, embedding AI into everyday work, and why empathy remains a critical human skill in insurance and beyond.LinksElizabeth’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-mcsavaney-chrl-bsc-371377/ 

Kyle Forrest is a Principal and the Future of HR Leader at Deloitte Consulting, where he helps organizations navigate the rapidly evolving intersection of Humans and AI. In this live episode from the Transform Conference in Las Vegas, Kyle breaks down two of the key trends from Deloitte’s 2026 Global Human Capital Trends Report. During our conversation, he explores how organizations can stay relevant amid constant change, why traditional change management is falling short, and what it means to become “changeful.” Kyle also dives into the rise of orchestration—where leaders must align human and machine capabilities—and what it takes to unlock real productivity gains in an AI-powered workplace.LinksKyle’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyleforrest/Deloitte Human Capital Trends 2026: https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/talent/human-capital-trends.html 

Aneesh Raman is Chief Economic Opportunity Officer at LinkedIn and Co-Author of Open To Work: How to Get Ahead in the Age of AI. In this episode of The Edge of Work, Aneesh shares his perspective on how AI is reshaping careers, leadership, and the very nature of work itself. He explains why many professionals feel overwhelmed and unprepared, and why that anxiety is also an opportunity to rediscover uniquely human strengths like curiosity, creativity, and compassion. Finally, Aneesh shares why the traditional career ladder is breaking down, how individuals can adapt using a “climbing wall” mindset, and what organizations must do to redesign work for a more human-centered future.LinksAneesh Raman’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aneeshraman/Open to Work Book: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/open-to-work-ryan-roslanskyaneesh-raman 

In this solo episode of The Edge of Work, Al Dea explores how to grow your career in a time when AI, automation, and constant change are reshaping the workplace. He shares why traditional career paths and milestones are becoming less reliable, and why it is more important to focus on direction instead of fixed destinations. Al offers practical guidance on taking agency of your development, building adaptable skills, and staying relevant even when the future feels uncertain. He also explains how employees can shift their mindset from waiting for clarity to actively creating career opportunities for themselves in a rapidly evolving world of work.LinksAl Dea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsaldea/Al Dea’s Website: https://www.al-dea.com/

Michael Bungay Stanier is the Author of The Coaching Habit and Host of the Change Signal podcast. In this episode of The Edge of Work, Michael joins Al Dea to challenge conventional thinking around change management and introduce the concept of change mastery. Drawing on insights from his podcast and decades of experience, Michael explains why most change initiatives fail and what leaders must do differently in a world defined by constant disruption. He shares the three pillars of change mastery, distributed agency, organizational capacity, and technical excellence—and why successful change depends less on process and more on people. LinksMichael’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbungaystanier/ Change Signal Podcast: https://thechangesignal.com/ 

In this solo episode of The Edge of Work, Al Dea explores why one of the most important responsibilities of leaders today is becoming a developer of talent. With leaders stretched thin and expectations constantly growing, Al makes the case for why developing people cannot be optional if organizations want better performance, engagement, and adaptability. He introduces the idea of practices of development, (aka PODs) small, practical actions leaders can embed into everyday work to help employees grow without relying on formal programs. LinksAl Dea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsaldea/Al Dea’s Website: https://www.al-dea.com/

Ariel Leonard is the SVP of Talent at Frontier Communications, where she is helping lead a large-scale transformation of the company’s workforce and talent strategy. In this episode of The Edge of Work, Ariel shares how Frontier is shifting from traditional HR processes to a more skills focused, business aligned approach to talent. She explains how her team is rethinking workforce planning, internal mobility, and leadership development to support long term growth. Ariel also discusses the importance of building trust, creating clearer career pathways, and helping employees see new opportunities inside the organization. LinksAriel’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arielleonard/Harvard Business Review Article: https://hbr.org/2025/10/your-transformation-cant-succeed-without-a-talent-strategy 

Matthew Duncan is the Head of Future of Work & AI Thought Leadership at Microsoft, where he helps organizations understand how AI is reshaping work, leadership, and organizational design. In this episode, Matthew explains what it means to build a frontier firm that is human led and agent operated. He shares why intelligence is becoming an on demand resource, how agents are changing the role of managers and early career talent, and why simply adding AI tools is not enough. The conversation also explores the mindset shifts leaders must make, what holds organizations back from adoption, and why this moment represents a major opportunity for those willing to rethink how work gets done.LinksMatthew’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewloysduncan/Microsoft WorkLab: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/

Dominik Rus is the Global Head of Learning and Development Innovation and Technology at TTEC, where he sits at the intersection of learning science, AI, and business performance. In this episode of The Edge of Work, Dominik shares how his team approaches learning innovation with a clear philosophy of science first, AI second. He explains why scaling bad learning with new technology creates more problems than it solves, and how TTEC is using evidence based design, AI enabled practice, and agent driven tools to improve real world performance. The conversation also explores how learning roles are changing, what skills based and adaptive learning really mean, and what L&D leaders need to rethink as AI reshapes how work and learning get done.LinksDominik’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominikrus/TTEC Case Study: https://writer.com/blog/ttec-customer-story/Article on TTEC’s Learning Wizards: https://writer.com/blog/ttec-customer-story/ Dominik’s Paper on Science First, AI Second: https://leonardo.institute/SPARK/September2025/ Dominik’s Blog on AI and Learning Design: https://www.ttec.com/author/dominik-rus-global-head-learning-science-innovation-and-technology 

In this solo episode of The Edge of Work, Al Dea shares practical guidance for leaders who are navigating constant, overlapping change. Drawing from his work with organizations, conversations with podcast guests, and real world experience, Al breaks down why change feels so difficult at work and what leaders often miss about the human side of it. He explores common reactions to change, including fear, loss of control, and identity threats, and offers five pragmatic practices leaders can use to drive meaningful progress. LinksAl Dea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsaldea/Al Dea’s Website: https://www.al-dea.com/

Rebecca Hinds is the Head of the Work AI Institute at Glean. In this episode of The Edge of Work, Rebecca joins Al Dea to unpack why meetings have become one of the biggest barriers to effective collaboration and how leaders can redesign them to actually get work done. Drawing from her research at Stanford, her experience leading innovation labs, and insights from her book Your Best Meeting Ever, Rebecca explains why meetings are often a symptom of broken collaboration systems. The conversation explores meeting overload, calendar “doomsdays,” asynchronous work, and the growing role of AI in meetings and leadership. Rebecca also shares lessons from the Work AI Institute on how organizations can navigate AI transformation with more intention and evidence-based leadership.LinksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hinds/Website: https://www.rebeccahinds.com/Book: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Best-Meeting-Ever-Principles/dp/166806748X

Kit Krugman is the SVP of People and Culture at Foursquare, where she is leading a significant shift in how the company approaches culture, performance, and organizational speed. In this episode of The Edge of Work, Kit shares how Foursquare redesigned its people systems to increase product velocity, reduce layers, and strengthen cross-functional teamwork.She explains why performance management became the starting point for culture change, how team-based performance and organizational network analysis provide better signals of impact, and how AI is beginning to reshape coaching, feedback, and learning—and what that means for the future of people leadership.LinksKit’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kitkrugman/Kit's Blog Link: https://foursquare.com/resources/blog/culture/building-for-speed-why-culture-change-starts-with-performance/

Sandra Loughlin is the Chief Learning Scientist at EPAM Systems and one of the leading voices on skills, talent data, and learning science. In this episode of The Edge of Work, Sandra unpacks why so many skills and AI initiatives fall short, what organizations misunderstand about learning and behavior change, and why HR is at an inflection point. During the conversation, they explore the realities of building skills-based organizations, the role of tasks and context in workforce decisions, and how AI is reshaping talent, L&D, and strategic workforce planning. Sandra also shares why training alone rarely drives change, what real learning requires, and how organizations can make better people decisions by treating skills as a data problem rather than a buzzword.Linkshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sandraloughlin/

Note: This is a replay of a previous popular episodeDavid Burkus is a Leadership and Teamwork expert, keynote speaker, and author of Best Team Ever. During this conversation, David shares key insights from his book Best Team Ever on what makes teams thrive in today’s workplace. We explore the science behind high-performing teams, the critical role of psychological safety, and why work is increasingly about collaboration. Plus, David breaks down practical strategies for leading cross-functional teams, building social capital, and fostering a culture where everyone contributes their best. LinksWebsite: https://davidburkus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidburkus/

Note: This is a replay of a previous popular episodeThe Edge of Work has been exploring the role of the manager as well as the emphasis on manager development throughout its three seasons. During this episode, Al breaks down the role of the people manager in today’s world of work. During this episode, Al will cover:Why the manager is back in the spotlightThe challenges that managers face in today’s workplaceHow to Reimagine The Role of the ManagerSome best practices for developing managers fit to lead in today’s workplaceLinks:https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/stop-wasting-your-most-precious-resource-middle-managersKameko Leung and Aspiring Managers: https://podcasts.apple.com/cz/podcast/the-changing-landscape-of-talent-development/id1378433981?i=1000626064591&l=cs HBR Article: https://hbr.org/2023/11/reimagine-your-managerial-pipeline

Note: This is a replay of a previous popular episodeConor Grennan is the Dean of Students at NYU Stern and the Co-Founder and CEO of AI Mindset, an AI consulting firm. In this episode, Conor shares his insights on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the workplace, leadership, and talent development. With a unique perspective from both academia and the corporate world, he discusses why AI adoption is more about mindset than technical skill, the role of HR and talent leaders in AI transformation, and how leaders can navigate this shift.LinksWebsite: https://www.ai-mindset.ai/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conorgrennan/

Note: This episode is a recording of a live virtual webinar.As 2025 comes to a close, Al Dea is joined by Kyle Forrest (Principal, Deloitte Consulting), Ana Maria Sencovici (Chief Talent Officer, Royal Caribbean Group), and Brian Elliott (CEO, Work Forward) for a special end-of-year conversation on The Edge of Work. Together, they reflect on a year defined by uncertainty, AI-driven change, and growing tension in the workplace. Moving beyond hype, they explore what leaders got wrong, what’s beginning to shift, and why the future of work depends less on efficiency and more on redesigning work, rebuilding trust, and leading with clarity and hope in an AI-enabled world.LinksKyle’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyleforrest/Ana Maria’s LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asencovici/Brian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belliott/Brian’s Newsletter: https://theworkforward.substack.com/Kyle’s Podcast: https://action.deloitte.com/topic/184/capital-h-podcast?rcrand=1 

In this solo episode, Al Dea reflects on the biggest themes he has been exploring throughout the fall as leaders continue navigating rapid workplace and technology change. He shares what he has learned from helping organizations adopt AI more effectively, the mindset shifts required to rethink how work gets done, and why thinking before doing matters when it comes to using artificial intelligence tools in our work. He also discusses lessons from moderating a panel on influence and impact and highlights the four human skills that will matter most in an AI-powered world. LinksAl Dea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsaldea/ The Edge of Work Live: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OdBSLzC-R4mLhVNnRK5dcw 

Lucrecia Borgonovo is the Chief Talent and Organizational Effectiveness Officer at Mastercard, where she leads a global team focused on building a future-ready workforce. In this episode, Lucrecia shares how Mastercard evolved its culture through The Mastercard Way, a framework designed to connect 35,000 employees across 80 countries through shared behaviors and values. She discusses how the company embeds culture into leadership, performance, and talent systems, ensuring that principles like agility, candor, and inclusion come to life every day. Lucrecia also explores how artificial intelligence, continuous learning, and systemic thinking are shaping the future of talent and leadership at Mastercard.LinksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucrecia-borgonovo-44225310/

Natalie Tincher is the General Manager of Talent, Skills and Performance Management at Delta Air Lines and has led Delta’s ambitious journey to build a companywide skills strategy from the ground up. In this episode, Natalie shares how Delta developed its “Talent Hub” to empower employees to own their growth, foster internal mobility, and create clearer career paths across the organization. She also discusses the challenges of change management, the importance of keeping things simple when transforming HR processes, and the role of AI in shaping the future of skills-based talent management. LinksNatalie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-d-katz/Skills Strategy Discussion Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12994338/ 

Andy Storch is an Author, Podcast Host, and Keynote Speaker who joins Al Dea to explore the power of personal branding in today’s fast-changing world of work. Drawing from his new book, Own Your Brand, Own Your Career, Andy shares why building an authentic personal brand is essential for career growth, how leaders can use it to attract and retain top talent, and how authenticity and visibility can work hand in hand. He also explains why human connection and storytelling matter more than ever in the age of AI, offering practical advice for professionals who want to take ownership of their careers and stand out in a noisy world.LinksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andystorch/?originalSubdomain=esWebsite: www.andystorch.com Book: ​​https://www.amazon.com/Own-Your-Brand-Career-Accelerates/dp/1736020986 

In this episode of The Edge of Work, host Al Dea joins leaders live from the Guild Opportunity Summit in San Diego to explore the future of talent, career mobility, and skills transformation.The episode features conversations with Matthew J. Daniel, Senior Principal of Talent Strategy and Mobility at Guild; and Marquita Williams, Executive Director of Organizational Learning and Development at AdventHealth. Together, they discuss how leading organizations are aligning career growth with business outcomes, and key insights from Guild and Lightcast’s Talent Resilience Index, a benchmark for understanding career mobility and critical workforce skills shaping today’s workplace.LinksMatthew Daniel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewjdaniel/Marquita Williams: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marquita-williams-764b244b/Talent Resilience Index: https://guild.com/report/talent-resilience-index?utm_source=press&utm_medium=refe[

Anna Tavis is the Department Chair of Human Capital Management at NYU and co-author of The Digital Coaching Revolution. In this episode, Anna explores how technology is transforming coaching from exclusive executive perks into scalable, everyday growth tools for all employees. Anna shares insights from her research and her work with advising digital coaching companies, offering a glimpse into AI-powered, embedded coaching that personalizes learning, feedback, and performance in real-time. Together, they discuss what hybrid human and AI coaching means for organizations, managers, and the future of leadership and employee development.LinksNYU Coaching and Technology Summit: https://www.sps.nyu.edu/about/events/human-capital-management-department-events/coaching-and-technology-summit.html Dr. Tavis' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annatavis/Book: https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Coaching-Revolution-Employee-Development/dp/1398612510 Tenor: https://tenorhq.com/

Dr. Serena Gonsalves-Fersch is the Global Head of Talent at SoftwareOne. Drawing from her doctoral research on workforce development in technology-driven environments, Serena explains how traditional learning models no longer fit the pace of change in modern organizations. She outlines how SoftwareOne reimagines learning through contextual business partnerships, a T-shaped team model, and a focus on human skills like empathy, curiosity, and critical thinking. Finally, they explore how AI will reshape, not replace, the learning function and why the future of talent lies in blending data, human insight, and deep organizational context.LinksSerena’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-serena-gonsalves-fersch-flpi-a23589/Research: https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/download/36ed76c7176aaafc4f36877bcb9f9ce69b891385e73b311500e597e67e249bcd/12681644/SGonsalvesFersch%20thesis.pdf 

Muriel Wilkins is the Author of Leadership Unblocked: Break Through the Beliefs That Limit Your Potential. In this episode, Muriel shares how even the most accomplished leaders can unknowingly hold onto beliefs that keep them stuck, and what to do to move beyond them. Drawing from over 20 years of executive coaching, she unpacks common “hidden blockers” like perfectionism, urgency, and overinvolvement, and explains how leaders can shift from default thinking to conscious leadership. Muriel and Al also explore how intergenerational tension, constant change, and  uncertainty challenge leaders today, and why self-awareness and perspective are the keys to unblocking potential at every level of leadership.LinksMuriel’s Website: https://www.murielwilkins.com/ Muriel’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/murielwilkins/ Muriel’s Book: https://www.murielwilkins.com/book/leadership-unblocked

In this solo episode of The Edge of Work, Al Dea unpacks what’s top of mind for talent and learning leaders this fall. Drawing from more than 40 interviews across Fortune 1000 organizations, Al explores the biggest themes shaping the profession, from navigating constant change to managing “two timelines” of near-term needs and future AI-driven transformation. He highlights how leaders are adapting their mindsets, practices, and roles to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving world of work.LinksReport: https://theedgeofwork.com/report/Al’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsaldea/

Stephanie Kramer is the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at L’Oréal North America. In this episode, Stephanie shares how L’Oréal is shaping a “people-first leadership culture” across its global organization. During our conversation, she spoke about the “magic triangle” between HR, managers, and employees, and how this model empowers people leaders to drive engagement, development, and performance at scale. Stephanie also talks about the importance of consistent feedback through quarterly “connect” conversations, the role of data in creating insights (not dashboards), and how HR can sustain impact through empowerment. LinksWebsite: https://www.carrystrongproject.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemaekramer/

Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic is the Author of Don't Be Yourself: Why Authenticity Is Overrated (and What to Do Instead). In this episode, Tomas challenges the conventional wisdom that authenticity is always a virtue, especially in leadership. He explains why showing up as your “whole self” can backfire, and why striving to bring your best self is a more powerful approach. Along the way, Tomas connects these ideas to his broader research on technology, AI, and the future of work.LinksWebsite: https://www.drtomas.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtomaschamorro/Book: https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Be-Yourself-Authenticity-Overrated/dp/1647829836HBR Article: https://hbr.org/2025/07/why-leaders-should-bring-their-best-self-not-their-whole-self-to-work 

Caleb Gatlin and Becca Anzalone work at The Google School for Leaders. During this conversation, they discuss how Google is reshaping leadership development by embedding research and user feedback directly into learning design. Caleb and Becca share insights from the Learning Advisors program, a global network of managers and employees who provide real-time input to shape programs and tools. They explore how feedback is often misunderstood, why trust is the foundation of effective career conversations, and what it takes to design learning experiences that reflect the diverse realities of work inside a global organization. LinksCaleb’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calebgatlin/Becca’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becca-anzalone-493aaa/ Article 1: https://www.hrgrapevine.com/us/content/article/2025-08-12-revealed-googles-research-program-for-developing-better-managersArticle 2: https://rework.withgoogle.com/intl/en/guides/learning-development-managers

Alexis Fink is a Principal at Propeller Insight. In this episode of The Edge of Work, Alexis Fink (formerly VP People Analytics & Workforce Strategy, Meta),  joins Al Dea to explore some of the biggest headlines on talent, HR  AI, and the future of work. Together, they discuss how AI is exposing the “BS economy” of meaningless work, what the future of HR could look like as the function reimagines its role, and why so many corporate AI pilots are failing to deliver results.From rethinking how we define substance at work, to exploring HR’s opportunity to become more strategic, to understanding the gap between AI hype and reality, Alexis brings insights grounded in her experience as an organizational psychologist, people analytics leader, and researcher helping organizations navigate change.LinksAlexis’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexisfink/Al’s Website: https://www.al-dea.com/ ArticlesArticle 1: https://www.fastcompany.com/91391631/how-ai-is-exposing-the-bs-economy-ai-work-productivityArticle 2: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/future-work-2025-why-hr-holds-pen-rewrite-playbook-john-golden-ph-d--jyobc/?trackingId=b4LDN4PbD9CiHuae%2B5l%2BtQ%3D%3DArticle 3: https://fortune.com/2025/08/18/mit-report-95-percent-generative-ai-pilots-at-companies-failing-cfo/

In this Work in Progress segment of The Edge of Work, Al Dea is joined by Dr. Shonna Waters, CEO and Co-Founder of Fractional Insights, to explore the intersection of AI, leadership, and the future of work. Together, they assess the possibility of “BS Jobs," debate what a “decline in conscientiousness” really means, and examine why CEO narratives about AI adoption don’t always match reality.LinksShonna’s Website: https://www.fractionalinsights.ai/ Shonna’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shonna-waters/Al’s Website: https://www.al-dea.com/ Articles:Article 1: https://grimoiremanor.substack.com/p/no-conscientiousness-hasnt-collaped?r=un33&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=trueArticle 2: https://fortune.com/2025/07/02/ai-work-salesforce-benioff-nadella-microsoft-pichai-google/Article 3: https://www.fastcompany.com/91391631/how-ai-is-exposing-the-bs-economy-ai-work-productivityArticle 4: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/shonna-waters_the-ai-adoption-journey-doesnt-start-with-activity-7363567159911882752-yJpG/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAE3zicBfrtScfTifWDhDOVxFn_o6oUna5o

Greg Shove is the CEO of Section AI, a company helping enterprises and teams become truly AI-enabled. In this episode of The Edge of Work, Greg shares his journey of pivoting Section from an online business school to an AI-powered transformation partner. He discusses why most companies are struggling to adopt AI, the mistakes leaders make when rolling it out, and why the challenge is less about technology and more about change management. Greg also explains how AI is reshaping knowledge work, what employees and leaders need to do to stay relevant, and why the future of learning will look more like personalized coaching than traditional training.LinksNewsletter: https://personalmath.substack.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregshove/Website: https://www.sectionai.com/ 

Greg Satell is the Author of Cascades: How to Create a Movement That Drives Transformational Change. In this episode of The Edge of Work, Greg joins Al Dea to explore why most organizational change efforts fail and how leaders can spark lasting transformation. Drawing from his front-row experience during Ukraine’s Orange Revolution and 15 years of research, Greg shares the power of “small groups, loosely connected, united by a shared purpose” to drive cultural and behavioral change. He explains why top-down, big-bang launches often trigger resistance, how to find early adopters, and the keys to creating the right conditions for change to spread.LinksWebsite: https://gregsatell.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregsatell/Book: https://gregsatell.com/cascades/

Meg Bear is the Co-Host of The Meg and Amy Show. In this episode of The Edge of Work, Meg joins Al Dea to unpack the biggest workplace and technology headlines shaping the future of work. Together, they explore the implications of AI Pilots failing to deliver results, what automation and AI could mean for consulting firms, the potential for a “white collar gig economy” and the evolving nature of the employer-employee contract. From AI pilots failing to deliver results, to what automation means for consulting firms, and the growing conversation around the white-collar gig economy, Meg offers candid insights grounded in her experience as a tech executive, and now Co-Host of The Meg and Amy Show. Article Links:https://www.google.com/url?q=https://fortune.com/2025/08/18/mit-report-95-percent-generative-ai-pilots-at-companies-failing-cfohttps://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenwolfepereira/2025/07/03/ceos-said-youre-replaceable-prepare-for-the-white-collar-gig-economy/https://www.msn.com/en-ca/money/career/at-t-just-made-it-official-workplace-loyalty-is-dead/ar-AA1K4ro4? Other LinksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megbear/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMegandAmyShow

In this solo episode of The Edge of Work, Al Dea explores what it really takes to lead change in today’s fast-moving workplace. Drawing from over 25 interviews with senior talent and learning leaders, Al shares six practical, people-centered practices to help leaders guide change more effectively. Whether it's launching a new initiative, navigating a transformation, or adapting to constant disruption, Al walks through a handful of tactical ways to lead with empathy, clarity, and confidence to lead change during uncertain times.LinksAl Dea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsaldea/Work With Al Dea: https://al-dea.com/speaking/

Tasha Eurich is a Principal of The Eurich Group, a New York Times bestselling author, and an executive coach to top leaders around the world. In this episode of The Edge of Work, Tasha joins Al Dea to discuss her latest book, Shatterproof: How to Thrive in a World of Constant Chaos and Why Resilience Alone Isn’t Enough. They explore why the traditional notion of resilience falls short in today’s workplace, how grit gaslighting holds high performers back, and why self-awareness and purpose are critical for navigating constant change. Tasha also introduces the “shatterproof” framework, a science-backed, four-step roadmap for not just surviving chaos, but growing through it.LinksWebsite: https://www.tashaeurich.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tashaeurich/Book: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/tasha-eurich/shatterproof/9780316566551/

Jayney Howson is the Senior Vice President and Head of Global Learning & Development at ServiceNow, where she leads ServiceNow University, an innovative, AI-powered learning platform designed to unlock skill development at scale. In this episode Jayney joins Al Dea to discuss how learning is evolving in the age of AI, why human transformation is essential to business transformation, and how ServiceNow is reimagining learning across its entire ecosystem of employees, customers, and partners.LinksJayney Howson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayney-howson-05677a23/Al Dea: https://www.al-dea.com/ ServiceNow University: https://learning.servicenow.com/now/lxp/home

In this solo episode of The Edge of Work, Al Dea shares early insights from his summer research interviews with 20+ senior talent and learning leaders at Fortune 1000 companies. He reveals four key themes shaping their top priorities today: leadership and manager development, AI-driven enablement, change and transformation, and systemic talent and learning. Al also shares insights into what leaders explores what leaders wish they could prioritize and what outdated practices they’re ready to sunset. LinksAl Dea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsaldea/Work With Al Dea: https://al-dea.com/speaking/

Note: This is a replay of one of our most popular episodes from this yearDani Johnson is the Co-Founder and Principal Analyst at RedThread Research. During this conversation, Dani shares some of her observations and insights from some of her recent conversations and research on the topic of L&D Strategy, the shifting role L&D has within organizations and the implications for learning and talent leaders. Dani also shares some of her thoughts on the potential implications of AI, the ever-present but evolving conversation about the importance of aligning learning to business needs, and the potential impact of AI on learning and the workplace. Finally, Dani also shares some of her thoughts on what’s new and next within the learning tech startup ecosystem.LinksRedthread Research: https://redthreadresearch.com/homeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-johnson/Dani’s LinkedIn Post: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7249051389455138816/#

Note: This is a replay of one of the most popular episodes of 2025Conor Grennan is the Dean of Students at NYU Stern and the Co-Founder and CEO of AI Mindset, an AI consulting firm. In this episode, Conor shares his insights on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the workplace, leadership, and talent development. With a unique perspective from both academia and the corporate world, he discusses why AI adoption is more about mindset than technical skill, the role of HR and talent leaders in AI transformation, and how leaders can navigate this shift.Website: https://www.ai-mindset.ai/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conorgrennan/

Note: This is a replay episode of one of our most popular episodes of 2025In this solo episode of The Edge of Work podcast, host Al Dea introduces a new approach to leadership: becoming developers of talent. Al explores how managers and leaders can embrace their roles in fostering employee growth and development in the day-to-day workflow, beyond formal training programs. By offering practical strategies, lightweight tools, and actionable insights, this episode provides listeners with a fresh perspective on embedding development into their management style, empowering their teams, and boosting organizational performance. Discover how small moments can create big impacts in talent development and retention.LinksAl’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsaldea/Article: https://alsnewsletter.substack.com/p/turning-leaders-into-developers-of

Note: This is a replay episode of one of the most popular episodes from the past yearCharlene Li is an Entrepreneur, Consultant, Best-Selling Author and Keynote Speaker. As a longtime expert in studying emerging technologies and their impacts on society, business and leadership, Charlene has a keen eye for what’s new and next and it’s implications for business.In this episode, Charlene shares her insights on AI, emphasizing its role in commoditizing knowledge and fostering innovation. They delve into the challenges of digital transformation, comparing it to past shifts driven by social media. Charlene also offers insight into where she is seeing organizations make progress in incorporating AI into their work, and highlights the importance of how leaders can think about leading during uncertain and evolving times. LinksLinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleneli/Website: https://charleneli.com/

In this solo episode of The Edge of Work, Al Dea unpacks a critical skill for today’s workplace: cultivating influence. Whether you're leading a bold change initiative or simply trying to align your team around a shared goal, your ability to influence others—without formal authority—is essential. Drawing from his experience as a facilitator and consultant, Al shares a practical framework of four principles: earning trust, demonstrating credibility, navigating organizational dynamics, and engaging with empathy. LinksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsaldea/Website: https://www.al-dea.com/

Maya Razon drives Learning & Leadership Development at the Google School for Leaders. In this episode of The Edge of Work, Maya shares how her team designs transformative learning experiences for Google’s global leaders. She explores how the “inner game” of leadership, physical space, and AI integration are reshaping how leaders learn and grow in a rapidly changing world. From leveraging neuroaesthetics in learning environments to adapting leadership programs for social impact innovators, Maya discusses Google’s human-centered, research-informed approach to developing leaders.Links:Maya’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maya-razon-a894343/ReWork Article: https://rework.withgoogle.com/en/guides/learning-development-using-science-to-enhance-learning-outcomes 

In this solo episode of The Edge of Work, host Al Dea explores how leadership development can evolve in the age of Artificial Intelligence. Drawing from his keynote presentations and conversations with talent and business leaders, Al shares now is the time to reimagine how we think about leadership development in a rapidly changing world of work. During this episode, Al offers 4 principles for how leadership development professionals can think and working differently to reshape and take advantage of opportunities in this new world of work. LinksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsaldea/Website: https://www.al-dea.com/

In this month’s “Work in Progress” segment, Al Dea is joined by Steve Hunt and Phil Kirschner to unpack three timely topics related to the intersection of talent and the workplace: Moderna’s decision to merge HR and IT, an experiment AI + teamwork experiment from P&G, and whether AI is wiping out the first rung of the career ladder. Together, they explore the implications of AI on job design, team dynamics, early career talent, and the future of work,and what leaders can do to prepare.Links:Steve’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steventhunt/Steve’s Book: https://talenttectonics.com/Phil’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philkirschner/Phil’s Newsletter: https://www.flexos.work/the-worklineArticles MentionedModerna: IT and HR: https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-moderna-merged-its-tech-and-hr-departments-95318c2a?st=YTw4p4&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalinkP&G and Teams: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5188231 Aneesh Raman NY Times Op Ed: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/19/opinion/linkedin-ai-entry-level-jobs.html