The Edge of Work

Ruth Hickin is Vice President of Workforce Innovation at Salesforce. In this episode, Ruth unpacks her team's efforts around digital labor, and shares how her team is preparing Salesforce's workforce for the age of AI by investing in internal talent through skilling, career mobility, and human-centered design. During our conversation, Ruth unpacks the philosophy behind Career Connect, an AI-powered internal talent marketplace, and how it's enabling employees to explore personalized career paths, skill development, and internal opportunities.Finally, Ruth also shares Salesforce's approach to job redesign, skill-based management, and the rise of agent collaboration in day-to-day roles.LinksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-hickin/Article: https://www.hr-brew.com/stories/2025/03/28/hr-leaders-prioritize-l-and-dArticle: https://www.hr-brew.com/stories/2024/09/04/salesforce-ai-internal-talent-platform 

In this episode, The Edge of Work Podcast host Al Dea provides an informal recap of his time at ATD ICE ‘25 in Washington D.C. During this episode, Al covers the basics of ATD ICE, some of the programming and content themes, highlights from the expo floor and vendors, and some of his reflections from the conversations he had with talent and learning leaders.LinksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsaldea/Website: https://www.al-dea.com/Career Experimentation: https://alsnewsletter.substack.com/p/how-to-help-your-employees-experiment Developing Talent: https://theedgeofwork.com/how-to-turn-leaders-into-developers-of-talent/ATD ICE: https://atdconference.td.org/Uplimit: https://uplimit.com/Tenor: https://tenorhq.com/

Kweilin Ellingrud is a Director of the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) and leads Diversity and Inclusion for McKinsey globally. She is also a senior partner at McKinsey and co-author of The Broken Rung, a groundbreaking report on the challenges women face in career advancement.In this episode, Kweilin joins Al Dea to discuss the concept of the "broken rung" or the first step up to manager that many women are disproportionately denied, and how this early gap significantly impacts long-term career progression. Together, they explore the importance of experience capital, the impact of bold career decisions, and the role of leaders and HR in fostering equitable growth.Kweilin also shares practical insights on strategic networking and recognizing workplace biases, offering listeners tangible strategies to support and advance women in the workplace.LinksLinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kweilinmellingrud/ Book: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-books/the-broken-rung 

Carole Bennett is the Vice President of Talent Management and Development at Sutter Health. In this episode, Carole shares her journey from clinical social work to leading large-scale talent strategy across a major healthcare system. She unpacks how Sutter Health is investing in internal mobility, leadership development, and workforce planning to meet both immediate and long-term needs. Carole also discusses the importance of tying talent strategies to broader business goals, building trust with leaders, and creating career paths that empower employees.LinksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-bennett-phd/

Eric Wong is an Organizational Effectiveness Leader at Adobe, where he oversees executive coaching, leads org development efforts, and facilitates leadership development programs. During this conversation Eric shares lessons from his journey across the leadership development industry, including startups, consulting, and corporate leadership, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Adobe has built and scaled its coaching strategy. Eric also shares his perspective on where coaching has been, how it's evolving, and what companies (and coaches) need to do to stay relevant and impactful. From manager accountability to the role of artificial intelligence  in coaching, Eric provides  insights on driving business results through leadership development, as well as his perspective on how to stay relevant in the coaching industry. 

Samantha Simmons is the Chief People & Internal Operations Officer for the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). In this episode, Sam shares how the LPGA is navigating growth, performance, and culture in a rapidly changing world of sports and work. During this conversation, Samantha shared the people org's strategic priorities and why their team is scaling impact, how the LPGA is investing in manager development and wellness, and why embracing collaboration is key to high-performing teams. Sam also reflects on the evolving employer-employee relationship, the role of autonomy, and the challenges of leading in a mission-driven, global organization.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssimmonsgpc/

Jim Rowan is a Principal at Deloitte Consulting LLP and the Head of the Artificial Intelligence Practice, where he leads the firm's AI strategy across client services, alliances, innovation, and internal transformation. During this conversation, Jim shares his thoughts on the current and future state of Artificial Intelligence in the enterprise. He shares insights from Deloitte's State of Generative AI report, including where organizations are seeing real ROI, why AI agents are generating so much interest, and what leaders should consider as they adopt these emerging technologies. Finally, Jim also reflects on the role of talent in the age of AI, how enterprises can build responsible strategies, the importance of using this time to scenario plan for the future and why the future of work will likely involve teams of humans and agents collaborating side by side.LinksState of Gen AI Report: https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/consulting/articles/state-of-generative-ai-in-enterprise.html Jim's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-rowan1/Carnegie Mellon Study: The Impact of Gen AI on Critical thinking https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/uploads/prod/2025/01/lee_2025_ai_critical_thinking_survey.pdf

Ty Beasley is the Chief Talent Officer at RSM a leading professional services firm. During this conversation, Al and Ty spend time exploreing the evolving world of talent management in professional services. Ty shares stories from his early career and offers insights into RSM's approach to talent strategy—covering internal mobility, performance growth, and the role of skills in employee development. They also dive into the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry today, including how AI is transforming talent management and enhancing the employee experience.LinksLinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ty-w-beasley/

Kelly Jones is the Chief People Officer at Cisco, where she is shaping the future of work and redefining HR in the age of AI. In this episode, Kelly shares insights from her recent blog post on the four transformative trends shaping HR in 2025, including hyper-personalized employee experiences, continuous learning, soft skills as power skills, and well-being as a business imperative. During this conversation, Kelly discusses the evolving role of HR leaders in driving AI adoption, fostering resilient workforces, and redefining leadership in a hybrid world of humans and AI. Finally, Kelly also offers practical advice for HR professionals on how to bring leaders along in change efforts and ensure people remain at the center of transformation.Linkshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kellykjones/https://blogs.cisco.com/news/four-transformative-trends-shaping-hr-in-2025

Heather Dunn is the Chief People Officer at Brex, a modern day financial platform. In this conversation, Heather shares her insights from participating at Transform on the "Next Gen Leader" panel and how Brex is rethinking leadership development, prioritizing mindsets over traditional skill rubrics. During this conversation, Heather shares the company's shift toward simplification, differentiated talent strategies, and how they're supporting high-potential employees through top talent programs. Heather also offers a sneak peek into Brex's evolving talent flywheel, and how the flywheel supports Brex's employee value proposition in both attracting and retaining talent.LinksHeather Dunn's Linkedin Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hedunn/Transform: https://transform.us/

Tina Gupta is the SVP of Talent Management at New York Life Insurance Company, where she leads efforts to transform how employees develop and grow within the organization. In this episode of The Edge of Work, Tina shares insights into New York Life's ongoing transformation and the role of talent in driving change. She discusses the company's Career Hub initiative, which leverages AI to help employees navigate career growth, upskilling, and internal mobility. Tina also highlights the evolving role of managers, the importance of a connected talent strategy, and how AI is shaping the future of work.LinksTina's LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-gupta-4616b49/

Brian Elliott is the CEO of Work Forward and an expert in the workplace strategy space. In this conversation, Brian shares insights from his work with organizations on flexible work, the ongoing return-to-office debate, and how trust impacts productivity and adoption of generative AI. We also explore how companies are intentionally designing in-person gatherings and why aligning on outcomes—not just activity—is essential for success in the modern workplace. A timely, thought-provoking conversation on what it takes to lead and work effectively in 2025 and beyond.LinksNewsletter: https://theworkforward.substack.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belliott/Transform: https://transform.us/

Betsy Summers is a Principal Research Analyst at Forrester Research, covering HR and the future of work. In this episode, Betsy joins host Al Dea to explore the rapidly evolving workplace landscape, from AI's impact on jobs to the shifting role of HR as a strategic driver of business success. They discuss the challenges HR leaders face in adapting to AI, the growing demand for leadership and management skills, and how organizations can better align talent strategies with business needs. Betsy also shares insights from her research on skills intelligence, workforce planning, and the future of coaching in an AI-driven world.Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsyasummers/ Forrester: https://www.forrester.com/analyst-bio/betsy-summers/BIO16384 

Jenny Wood is a former Google Executive and the author of Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It. In this episode, Jenny shares her inspiring journey of launching the groundbreaking "Own Your Career" initiative at Google, a movement that empowered thousands of employees to take charge of their professional paths. During the conversation, Jenny shares some key career advice from the book including, including redefining traits like courage, influence, and authenticity to advance in a competitive workplace. Jenny also shares practical strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome, navigating office dynamics, and standing out through bold actions. LinksWebsite: https://itsjennywood.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennyilles/Book: https://itsjennywood.com/book

This week, we are live in Las Vegas with 4,000 other professionals across the HR and people ecosystem at the Transform Conference. In this episode, we share two of our interviews with leaders across the HR Ecosystem to find out what's on their mind and what's going on in the world of work. Listen in to this conversation to hear perspectives from Kyle Forrest (Principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP) and Rebecca Stern (Senior Director, Leadership Development and Interim CLO, Udemy.)LinksKyle Forrest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyleforrest/Rebecca Stern: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccastern12/Transform: https://transform.us/

In this special episode of The Edge of Work, host Al Dea launches a new segment called Work in Progress. In this episode, he is joined by returning guests Shonna Waters and Angela Cheng-Cimini to explore the intersection of AI and leadership development. Together, they discuss the latest research and insights on how AI is shaping leadership, the challenges of adoption, and the opportunities it presents for developing leaders. From personalized learning to AI-driven coaching, they unpack what's happening now and what's ahead. Plus, they debate the risks of over-reliance on AI and its impact on critical thinking. Don't miss this insightful conversation on the future of leadership in an AI-driven world.LinksAngela's Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-cheng-cimini/Shonna's Profile:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shonna-waters/ Article 1: https://brandonhall.com/how-to-leverage-ai-technology-to-improve-leadership-development-effectiveness/Article 2: https://time.com/charter/7210141/davos-ai-leadership/Article 3: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/uploads/prod/2025/01/lee_2025_ai_critical_thinking_survey.pdf

David 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. Website:https://davidburkus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidburkus/

Conor 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/

Jennifer Petriglieri is the associate professor at INSEAD and author of Couples That Work: How Dual-Career Couples Can Thrive in Love and Work. During this conversation, she joins The Edge of Work to discuss the challenges and strategies that dual-career couples use to navigate their professional and personal lives. She shares insights on the three career models couples adopt, how organizations can better support top talent with partners, and why proactive career conversations are crucial for long-term success. Finally, she offers practical advice for individuals and leaders looking to create sustainable career paths in today's evolving workplace.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpetriglieri/Website: https://www.jpetriglieri.com/HBR Article: https://hbr.org/2018/05/talent-management-and-the-dual-career-coupleHBR Article: https://hbr.org/2019/09/how-dual-career-couples-make-it-work 

In this episode of The Edge of Work podcast, host Al Dea explores the concept of 'lead from anywhere'. Al shares insights from a virtual keynote, emphasizing that leadership isn't only a formal title but an action that everyone can practice. He delves into key principles such as situational awareness, developing organizational IQ, investing in relationships, creating opportunities for others, and being a continuous learner and teacher. This episode is packed with actionable advice to inspire you to cultivate leadership qualities in yourself and others, regardless of your position within an organization. Perfect for individuals in cross-functional or collaborative roles looking to drive impact and lead effectively from any level.LinksWebsite: https://al-dea.com/ Article: https://www.td.org/content/td-magazine/lead-from-anywhere?lid=h4ekw96t966r

Chris Louie is the Head of Talent Development at Thomson Reuters, where he leads initiatives in talent acquisition, learning and development, and diversity and inclusion. During the conversation, Chris shares his journey from finance to talent leadership and offers his perspective on career growth, skills, and the transformative potential of AI in the workplace. He introduces Thomson Reuters' “Grow My Way” program, designed to empower employees with personalized career development opportunities and a skills-first approach. Chris also discusses how AI is reshaping both customer solutions and internal operations, emphasizing the need for experimentation, adaptability, and interconnected systems.LinksChris Louie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislouie/Al Dea: https://www.al-dea.com/

Note: This is a replay of a top performing episode from 2024In today's workplace, career development is critical for attracting, engaging, and retaining talent. Employees expect a job with opportunities for growth and advancement. Managers can shape the employee experience and drive team performance.In this episode, The Edge of Work Founder and Podcast Host, Al Dea shares some of the research that he and the team have been doing around how to promote a culture of career development inside of your organization.In this episode, Al covers:The importance of career development as it relates to performance, agility, and talent attracting and retentionWhat employees are looking for out of managers for supportWhat managers can do to support employee career developmentWhat steps organizations can take to create a culture of career developmentAdditional LinksResearch Highlights: https://theedgeofwork.com/people-growth-equation-career-development-report/ Al's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsaldea/

Note: This is a replay of a top performing episode from 2024Christopher Lind, is a Chief Learning Officer, and the writer of the Future-Focused Newsletter and host of the Future-Focused Podcast. A longtime leader in the learning and development profession, Chris has a keen understanding of the intersection of business, technology and workers, and its implications for the learning profession.In this conversation, Chris discusses the importance of finding purpose in any job, the changing landscape of learning and development, the role of a Chief Learning Officer, and the impact of artificial intelligenceI on work. Christopher emphasizes the need for intentional relationship building, self-reflection, and understanding the context of employees' work experiences. He also encourages leaders to recognize the value and potential of every individual in their organization.Links:LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherlind/Website: https://christopherlind.substack.com/ 

Note: This is a replay of a top performing episode from 2024Adam Hickman is the Vice President of Learning and Org Development at Partners Federal Credit Union, a Walt Disney Company. In addition to this role, Adam is an author and professor and writes and speaks regularly on topics related to management and leadership.During our conversation, Adam dove into some of the changes in the workplace and the implications of those changes (ex: technology) for what companies need out of their people managers so that they can have engaged and productive employees. Adam also shared some of his team's strategy and approach at his organization around manager effectiveness, the approaches they are taking in redesign the role of the manager and develop good managers, and his own  to recruit and empower effective managers, and some of his own thoughts on how you can create a better world of work through better managers.

In this solo episode, host Al Dea explores five key themes shaping the workplace in 2025. From the power of "People Smarts" and enhancing social capital to making talent development a core leadership capability, Al highlights the critical strategies leaders need to thrive in a changing world. He also discusses artificial intelligence as a catalyst for reimagining work and the importance of practice in building new skills and capabilities. LinksAl's Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsaldea/Al's Website: https://www.al-dea.com/

Andrew Barry is the CEO of Curious Lion, a Leadership Development Consulting Firm. During this conversation, Andrew discusses how leaders can embrace uncertainty and adapt to a fast-changing workplace. Andrew shares personal insights from navigating challenges in his own business, highlighting the importance of vulnerability, collaboration, and learning through ambiguity. During this chat, which was recorded live at ATD' 24 in New Orleans, they delve into the evolving role of leadership development, focusing on empowering middle managers through cohort-based learning and creating "aha moments" that challenge mindsets and assumptions. Finally, Andrew emphasizes the power of shared experiences and perspectives in driving innovation and problem-solving. LinksWeb: https://curiouslionlearning.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AndrewBarryCuriousLionLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/realandrewbarry/

Note: This is a replay of a top performing episode from 2024Dr. Michael Arena is an author, researcher, and co-founder of Connected Commons and former talent executive at companies including General Motors, Bank of America and Amazon. With a passion for research in the studies of collaboration, social connection and organizational dynamics, Michael has a keen sense and understanding of the state of today's workplace, and ideas for what organizations can do to create opportunities for their people to work productively and collaboratively.During our conversation, Michael spoke about key topics including the importance of social capital, the power of intentional collaboration and what organizations can do to maximize the impact of the work of their teams. Michael also shared his thoughts on the true impact of serendipity, the importance of creating the right conditions for collaboration, and his own thoughts on how to create a better world of work.LinksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-arena-21b6164/Articles: https://www.hrexchangenetwork.com/contributor/michael-arenaBook: Adaptive Space: 

Note: This is a replay of a top performing episode from 2024Herminia Ibarra is a Professor at London Business School and the author of Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career. Herminia's book came out over 20+ years ago, and helped pioneer a new way of thinking about career reinvention, and since then, has gone on to help and inspire many professionals looking to transition into new careers by tapping into their multiple selves. It was recently updated, and the second edition was published in the fall of 2023.During our conversation, Herminia spoke about what's changed in the workplace and how we think about career reinvention since she first published her book in 2003, as well as what still remains. She also shared her perspective on why career reinvention is so hard, why we expect more out of our work and our careers, and how using exploration and experimentation can help us iterate, reinvent and evolve amidst a changing world of work.Links:Linkedin Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herminia-ibarra-4455411a/ Herminia's Book: https://herminiaibarra.com/working-identity-book/

Nicole Forward is an executive development leader with extensive experience in building and scaling coaching inside of organizations. During this conversation. Nicole shares her journey of building coaching functions from the ground up and provides a crash course on how companies can operationalize coaching strategically and sustainably. Nicole also spoke about the history and future of coaching, including the impact of AI on coaching practices, the importance of aligning coaching with organizational goals, and how to measure its impact. Finally, also discusses the rise of transformational coaching, integrating mind-body approaches, and navigating the challenges of democratizing coaching inside organizations today.Nicole's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleforward/ David Goldsmith and 7PathsForwardNYU Summit for Coaching & Technology: Rebecca Rutschmann and Viva La CoachingStrozzi InstituteScaling Development vs. Scaling Coaching and Michael Hudson's white paperJonathan PassmoreNick Petrie and the work at AdeptionJennifer Garvey BergerBill TorbertStaci HainesCoaches RisingAmanda BlakeEPOG Academy  and Tim HarrisonNicky TerblancheThe Body Keeps the ScoreThomas HublDr. Gabor MateStephen PorgesDeb DanaDr. David DrakeEthan MollickSam IsaacsonWorldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms

In this episode, Stefani Okamoto, Director of Manager Excellence at ServiceNow, shares her journey in transforming leadership and management practices. Drawing on her experience spearheading manager excellence at leading organizations such as Microsoft and now at ServiceNow, Stefani explains what manager excellence is and why it matters to growth-oriented companies. Stefani also shares the importance of rolling out manager excellence in a a systemic, culture-driven approach. Additionally, Stefani also talked about the importance of listening tours, creating clear expectations for managers, and enabling them through tailored learning solutions. Finally, Stefani shared her vision for the future, including leveraging AI for coaching and fostering courageous conversations. LinksStefani's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefani-okamoto-1376039/Al Dea: https://al-dea.com/leadership-offerings/

Anthony Stephan is the Chief Learning Officer at Deloitte. With responsibility for developing over 180,000 employees globally, Anthony has spent the past two years in his role embarking on transforming the learning business at Deloitte to evolve the organization to continue to deliver and drive business impact.During our conversation, Anthony shared insights from his first two years in the role, including how a 100-day listening sprint shaped his strategy. He delves into the launch of Project 120, a $1.4 billion investment in skills development, the shifts in the strategy and ways of working the L&D business has made at Deloitte as well as  Deloitte's innovative use of AI-powered tools for their Human Potential Leadership Offerings.Finally, Anthony also explores the future of apprenticeship and milestone programs, emphasizing both "hot skills" (technical) and enduring skills (human skills) that they are focused on at Deloitte.- Anthony Stephan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyrstephan/- Al Dea: https://www.al-dea.com/- Article: 100 Conversations in 100 days; https://www.hrdive.com/news/deloittes-chief-learning-officer-leadership-insight/700847/

In 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.Al Dea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsaldea/Al's Website: https://www.al-dea.com/

Dani 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 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/#

Lisa Christensen is the Director of Learning Design at McKinsey & Company. Drawing from her research, Lisa discusses how McKinsey uses apprenticeship as a key element of its culture, focusing on how it serves as a powerful mechanism for transferring skills and fostering collaboration. During this conversation, Lisa shares insights from her work on apprenticeship, emphasizing its importance in developing talent within the professional services environment. They also explore how apprenticeship can be applied beyond traditional hierarchical models, and the potential for integrating AI into the future of apprenticeship.Linkshttps://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/people-in-progress/embracing-apprenticeship-as-a-way-of-life-a-new-definition-for-an-old-idea https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/apprenticeship-gets-a-makeover https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/reviving-the-art-of-apprenticeship-to-unlock-continuous-skill-development 

Ana Maria Sencovici is the Chief Talent Officer at Royal Caribbean Group. In this role, she oversees talent management, career development, and leadership strategies for the organization. During this conversation, she shares her approach to career development, focusing on empowering employees through a systemic approach to career development that goes beyond traditional roles and promotions. Ana Maria discusses how Royal Caribbean's 'My Career Journey' platform enables employees to take ownership of their growth by emphasizing skills, feedback, and personal aspirations. She also explores the evolving nature of careers, stressing the importance of adaptability and the development of career 'meta skills' to navigate today's dynamic work environment. Finally, Ana Maria offers insights into how leaders can create a culture of development that supports meaningful employee growth and engagement.LinksLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asencovici/Al: https://al-dea.com/leadership-offerings/

This is an episode that features 4 interviews from key leaders and speakers at SIOP's Leading Edge Consortium in late October 2024. In this episode, we speak with four key leaders including Shonna Waters, Trish Vassar, Sophia Lamuraglia, and Richard Chambers.During the conversation, we explore key topics including what it means for leaders to lead effectively in a changing workplace, the role of AI in leadership development, and what's top of mind for those in the organizational psychology profession in today's workplace. This episode also explores key leadership development practices, including AI-driven coaching tools, simplified competency models, and the critical role of learning agility in preparing leaders for an uncertain future. LinksSIOP Leading Edge Consortium: https://www.siop.org/Leading-Edge-ConsortiumTrish Vassar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trish-vassar-phd-96aab1/Richard Chambers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-chambers-phd-aa680a56/Shonna Waters: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shonna-waters/Sofia Lamuraglia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofialamuraglia/

In this special episode, we traveled to Nashville to attend the Guild Opportunity Summit.This episode features conversations with Matthew Daniel, Talent Strategist at Guild, Terrence Cummings, Chief People & Opportunity Officer at Guild, and Katie Giles, VP of Associate Experience at Gentiva and Board Member at AMPED Louisville. During each interview, they explore key themes such as skills-based organizations, the impact of AI on talent development and the workforce, and creating equitable opportunities for all those who have been underserved.LinksGuild Opportunity Summit: https://events.guild.com/opportunitysummit2024Guild Website: https://guild.com/ AMPED Louisville: https://ampedlouisville.org/ Work with Al Dea: https://al-dea.com/leadership-offerings/

Jennifer Buchanan is the VP of Walmart Academy at Walmart. In her role, Jennifer is responsible for a learning ecosystem that supports millions of Walmart associates with the development resources they need to be effective today while setting them up for success and opportunities for development in the future.During the conversation, Jennifer spoke about the Manager Academy, a program aimed at developing leadership skills through purpose-driven training focused on culture, values, and empathy for thousands of Walmart's store manager. Jennifer also highlighted Walmart's investment in their associates' growth, including the global expansion of the Manager Academy and the introduction of programs like Live Better U. along with the company's commitment to fostering a learning culture.Links:https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/8-ways-we-improved-one-nations-largest-training-walmart-buchanan-vmzic/?trackingId=oZtVrrRlRSiw7UkxPeJUZA%3D%3D Jennifer's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferabuchanan/

Sarah Franklin is the CEO at Lattice. After starting her career as a chemical engineer, Sarah spent 15 years at Salesforce and along the way has spent a lot of time collaborating and partnering with different C-Suite roles on using technology and AI to enhance the employee experience. Now, in her role as CEO of an HR software company, Sarah spends her time talking with Chief People Officers and has a keen understanding of how they navigate the strategic and operational challenges in today's work environment.During this conversation, Sarah shares her reflections on the evolving role of HR, the CEO-CPH relationships, and the role of and how companies can foster manager effectiveness to drive performance and employee engagement. Sarah also shares insights on the role of AI in HR, balancing technology with human skills and strategies for creating high-performing teams in today's dynamic workplace.LinksSarah Franklin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahfranklin/Lattice: www.lattice.comLattice & YouGov Research: https://lattice.com/library/lattice-research-reveals-what-employees-really-think-about-hrs-impact-on-cultureV2MOM Background: https://www.salesforce.com/blog/how-to-create-alignment-within-your-company/Al Dea: https://al-dea.com/contact/

Rob Cross is an SVP of Research at the i4cp. A longtime expert, researcher, and author on the collaboration, teams, and organizational network analysis, Rob and his colleagues at the i4cp have recently conducted research to unearth the leading practices of how leaders collaborate effectively in today's workplace. During this conversation, Rob Cross discusses the challenges of collaboration overload in the workplace. He explains that the explosion of collaborative work is drowning people today, leading to stress and burnout. He emphasizes the need for organizations to be intentional and precise in their collaboration efforts, rather than simply throwing meetings and teams at everything. Rob also highlights additional findings from The Team Network Effective, including the importance of effective talent practices and leadership behaviors in driving precision collaboration, what gets in the way of productive collaboration, and how leaders can make time to collaborate in intentional and precise ways.Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crossrob/Web: https://www.i4cp.com/Research: The Team Network Effect: https://go.i4cp.com/teams

Note: This is a replay from a LinkedIn Live Podcast with Lindsey PollakLindsey Pollak is a Career and Workplace Expert, Best-Selling Author and Keynote Speaker.In this conversation, Al and Lindsey discuss the evolution of career development strategies as outlined in Lindsay's latest book, 'Getting From College to Career.' They explore the significant changes in the job market, the impact of technology and AI, the importance of flexibility in work-life integration, and the need for a supportive environment for first-time professionals. Lindsay emphasizes actionable advice for job seekers, the value of networking, and the necessity of a growth mindset in navigating career transitions.LinksLindsey Pollak: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindseypollak/Lindsey's Website: https://lindseypollak.com/ 

We've got a special episode! This week, we're in Las Vegas for the HR Tech Conference hosted by HR Executive. During the week, we spoke with a handful of leaders from various parts of the HR ecosystem to better understand what's new and next at the intersection of technology, talent, and the workplace, including Jason Averbook (Mercer,) Carina Cortez, (Cornerstone) Kyle Forrest (Deloitte Consulting) and Thomas Stone (I4CP.)This episode features unique insights into key trends in the broader HR/technology landscape, including key insights into the role of AI, agents, and HR, the potential opportunity for collaboration between humans and machines, the intersection of tech solutions for improving company culture, and the opportunities for AI-powered learning and talent development.LinksHR-Tech: https://www.hrtechnologyconference.com/Jason Averbook, Senior Partner, Mercer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonaverbook/ Carina Cortez, Chief People Officer, Cornerstone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carinacortez/Kyle Forrest, Principal & Chief Marketing Officer, Human Capital, Deloitte Consulting LLP: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyleforrest/Thomas Stone, Senior Research Analyst, I4CP: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomrstone/

Katya Laviolette is the Chief People Officer at 1Password. A fully remote organization since its inception in 2005, 1Password has undergone significant growth over the past few years as it's moved up to the enterprise, and has had to adapt and evolve its people and talent strategy to meet the needs of an evolving business and market.During our conversation, Katya spoke about some of the approaches she and the team have taken to strategically build a robust set of programs that provide intentional support and scaffolding to enable their workforce to be effective and engaged. Katya also spoke about the importance of leaders establishing clear guidelines and engaging in productive conflict, as well as how the company's remote-first environment has supplemented its focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).LinksKatya's LinkedIn Profile:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/katya-laviolette-6907b726/ Katya's Previous Episode on The Edge of Work: https://theedgeofwork.buzzsprout.com/2046865/14679777-live-from-transform-mutual-mentorship-with-katya-laviolette-cpo-1password

Jolen Anderson is the Chief People and Community Officer at BetterUp. In her role, Jolen is not just responsible for leading the talent and people strategy at BetterUp, but she also connects and speaks with numerous HR leaders and other members of the broader HR ecosystem. During the conversation, Jolen spoke about the challenges and opportunities facing HR leaders today, and the complex nature of the role, especially in navigating both technology topics (ex: Artificial Intelligence) as well as human topics (ex: politics) Jolen also spoke about the importance of developing managers and leaders with skills in resilience, empathy, and coaching, so they can help elevate the performance of each individual employee.Links:Jolen Anderson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolen-anderson-5616762/BetterUp: Pilots vs Passengers: https://grow.betterup.com/pilots-passengers 

Charlene 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/

Dr. Alison Fragale is a Professor at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, a Keynote Speaker, and Author. She is the author of the newly released book Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve. A longtime researcher and expert in negotiations, influence and power dynamics, Alison's book takes aim at helping women understand both the science and stories behind these topics to help women achieve their goals.During our conversation Alison  explores the complex dynamics of power, status, and gender in the workplace. She also shares  practical strategies for navigating these challenges, enhancing influence, and becoming both assertive and warm—a “likeble badass.” Links:Website: www.alisonfragale.comNewsletter: https://alisonfragale.substack.com/Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/712677/likeable-badass-by-alison-fragale-phd

Christopher Lind, is a Chief Learning Officer, and the writer of the Future-Focused Newsletter and host of the Future-Focused Podcast. A longtime leader in the learning and development profession, Chris has a keen understanding of the intersection of business, technology and workers, and its implications for the learning profession.In this conversation, Chris discusses the importance of finding purpose in any job, the changing landscape of learning and development, the role of a Chief Learning Officer, and the impact of artificial intelligenceI on work. Christopher emphasizes the need for intentional relationship building, self-reflection, and understanding the context of employees' work experiences. He also encourages leaders to recognize the value and potential of every individual in their organization.Links:LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherlind/Website: https://christopherlind.substack.com/ 

Megha Bansal Rizoli is a Senior Director at Jobs For the Future (JFF). In her role, Megha spends her time working with employers to help them build and adopt new and inclusive talent practices that create quality jobs and career mobility for more workers. During our conversation, Megha dissected what makes an Impact Employer and why they are so critical in today's workplace. Megha also spoke about the Impact Employer Model that she and her team at JFF have developed to help organizations build more inclusive talent practices, including sharing details of the building blocks that Impact Employers can focus on, examples of inclusive talent practices, as well as insights into how Megha and her team at JFF using the Impact Employer Model to help organizations invest in their talent to grow their business.LinksJFF Impact Employer Website: https://www.jff.org/idea/impact-employer-model/ Impact Employer Summit: https://horizons.jff.org/iesMegha's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpbrizoli/

Sarah Tilley is the SVP of Talent Acquisition and Management at ServiceNow. With an organization that has over 24,000 employees across 74 different countries, Sarah and her team are focused on delivering a holistic talent strategy that supports employees across the entire talent lifecycle.During our conversation, Tilley spoke about how she and her team are thinking about a holistic and integrated talent strategy ranging from talent acquisition through succession planning and mobility. Tilley also shared how she and her team are thinking about delivering a talent strategy with respect to key trends around artificial intelligence and skills, as well as the importance of supporting employee career development through enabling strong people managers. 

In this episode, Al Dea sits down with Emily Lin, Chief Learning Officer at MasterCard, and Shannon Custard, Global Head of Learning for IKEA, to discuss the latest research from CLO Lift, an organization of Learning leaders from global organizations focused on advancing the learning and development (L&D) profession. During the conversation, Emily and Shannon share their aspirations for collaborating on CLO LIFT, as well as digging into their research on securing and demonstrating the value of time, and navigating the evolving landscape of skills. Emily and Shannon share practical insights and strategies to help L&D leaders drive organizational impact and foster a culture of continuous learning in today's fast-paced work environment.LinksEmily Lin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyylin/Shannon Custard's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannoncustard/The Learning Forum: https://thelearningforum.org/CLO Lift Research: https://learningforum.substack.com/

Bruce Feiler is Best-Selling Author of multiple books. Today, he joins Al on The Edge of Work to talk about his most recent book The Search: Finding Meaningful Work in a Post Career World. During this conversation, Bruce shares his own perspective on how the world of work is changing, and how the very definition of a career is changing in a world of work that is non-linear. Bruce also shares his perspective on the importance of finding meaningful work, the various types of “jobs” people have and why most people actually have more than one job, and his own perspective on the role that leaders play in fostering a work environment that unlocks the potential and purpose of each employee.Links:Website: https://www.brucefeiler.com/Newsletter: https://brucefeiler.substack.com/