Culture Shock: Why Leaders Miss What Matters Most | Laura Hamill | Episode 356

Leadership is rapidly evolving as artificial intelligence becomes deeply integrated into how organizations operate and make decisions. In a world where volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity are the norm, leaders are being challenged to not only understand the role of AI—but also to harness it in ways that enhance what makes leadership truly human. This episode dives into why leaders can no longer afford to treat AI as a separate technical domain, but rather as a strategic partner that augments decision making, stretches creativity, and humanizes leadership itself. As generative AI rapidly advances, the question is not whether leaders should use these tools, but how to do so thoughtfully, ethically, and effectively. This conversation explores how leaders can remain at the center, leverage augmentation, and make deliberate choices that will define competitive advantage and organizational health in the next decade. The episode also emphasizes the necessity of skepticism, risk awareness, and the cultivation of skills—like “human calming”—that will set exceptional leaders apart in an AI-rich world. Timestamped Overview [00:05:27] Introduction to AI and Leadership: Exploring why AI is now essential to leadership development and future success.[00:07:00] The Human Core of Leadership: Discussing the enduring need for human-centered leadership—augmented, not replaced, by technology.[00:08:34] Evolution of Leadership Skills: How classic leadership skills stand the test of time, but require a generative AI lens.[00:09:34] Rethinking “Cyborg Leadership”: Moving beyond science fiction to practical digital augmentation for leaders.[00:11:46] Developing the 10 AI-Augmented Leadership Skills: Why these skills matter and the unique place of “human calming.”[00:15:06] The Role of Human Calming: Centering leaders’ intention and composure in an AI-driven world.[00:17:36] The Value of Skepticism: Why questioning, challenging, and stretching assumptions is vital in adopting new technology.[00:19:17] Embracing vs. Rejecting AI: Strategies for experimenting, learning, and building organizational trust with emerging tools.[00:24:00] Facing Risks and Unknowns: Assessing current and future risks—including cyber threats and over-focusing on efficiency.[00:30:03] Effectiveness vs. Efficiency: Shifting the leadership focus toward innovation, not just automation.[00:34:03] All Hands on Deck: Why AI is a human and organizational story—not just a technical one.[00:35:12] Future-Back Thinking: Blending human and machine, and why leaders must choose to play and prototype.[00:39:44] Managing the Noise: How scalable foresight and intentional augmentation can help leaders cut through information overload.[00:43:35] Practical Takeaways: Real-life examples of how leaders can use AI tools to augment creativity and effectiveness.[00:46:22] Embracing Skeptical Foresight: Encouraging leaders to challenge assumptions and stretch their strategic thinking.[00:50:02] Don’t Get Discouraged: The learning curve of AI and the importance of hands-on experimentation. For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/357

Every leader eventually grapples with the question: what truly shapes long-term, sustainable success? The answer, more often than not, lies beneath visible strategies and surface-level metrics—it’s the invisible force of organizational culture. Culture isn’t just a backdrop; it’s the water in which every member swims. It quietly shapes mindsets, behaviors, engagement, and ultimately execution on strategy. Unfortunately, culture is often misunderstood, neglected, or reduced to generic values on a wall, leaving organizations unaware of its potential to make or break growth. Leaders who ignore or underestimate the profound power of culture risk systemic underperformance and widespread disengagement. In contrast, those who understand, measure, and actively shape their culture can align their teams, realize their business strategy, and nurture workplaces where people thrive. This episode explores the science of culture—why it’s hard to define and shift, how leaders see it differently than frontline members, and tactical steps for identifying and closing the critical gap between aspirational values and day-to-day reality. Timestamped Overview [00:05:42] Why Culture? Exploring why culture, not just engagement or well-being, became Laura’s core focus—and why it matters for leaders.[00:07:49] The Challenge of Studying Culture: Why culture is difficult to define, measure, and manage across different organizations.[00:09:11] Invisible Forces: The “goldfish in water” metaphor—why leaders and employees experience culture differently and may not recognize its influence.[00:11:50] Leadership Perception Gap: How and why leaders usually have a rosier view of culture than employees, with insights from acquisition research and psychological ego dynamics.[00:17:17] Systems vs. People: Why system-level thinking is critical, and how culture and strategy must be aligned for organizational effectiveness.[00:20:29] Measuring and Understanding Culture: Practical advice for leaders on getting honest feedback, identifying recurring problems, and surfacing gaps between values and reality.[00:22:24] The Values Disconnect: A simple exercise for revealing the difference between posted values and real behaviors—and how to use that gap as a starting point.[00:28:47] Activating, Embodying, and Embedding Culture: The three core phases of building a meaningful, sustainable culture beyond slogans and parties.[00:31:09] Leadership Ownership vs. HR Delegation: Why culture cannot be outsourced to HR, and must be championed by CEOs and top leadership for true impact.[00:33:29] Where to Begin: Guidance for leaders confronted with an unhealthy culture; how to diagnose what’s holding the team back and prioritize the first steps for change. For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/356

Accountability is often misunderstood and even dreaded in many workplaces, largely because it has been associated with blame and punishment instead of empowerment and ownership. For leaders striving to create high-performing teams, understanding and promoting true accountability is critical. This episode explores how accountability, when properly defined and modeled, shifts team dynamics from finger-pointing to taking ownership of results and supporting each other to achieve continuous improvement. Listeners will discover why traditional approaches to accountability are holding leaders and organizations back—and how adopting practices rooted in responsibility for results, not just tasks, forms the bedrock of a resilient and successful culture. By reframing accountability as a leadership asset rather than a threat, this conversation provides essential insights for anyone seeking to build trust, drive performance, and unleash the full potential of their teams. Timestamped Overview [00:04:52] Why Accountability Has a Bad Rap: The pitfalls of associating accountability with blame and punishment.[00:07:04] Redefining Accountability: Distinguishing true accountability from mere responsibility for tasks, and emphasizing ownership of results and future improvement.[00:10:23] Practical Leadership Application: An inside look at how leaders can embody and communicate this mindset, with tangible examples from military and organizational contexts.[00:12:17] The Blame Game—And Why We Play It: Psychological and biological roots of finger-pointing, including the "fundamental attribution error."[00:18:48] Why We Struggle with Self-Examination: How the self-enhancement bias shapes our reluctance to look in the mirror and claim our own mistakes.[00:23:42] Building Teams that "Have Each Other's Back": Steps to replace blame with ownership, psychological safety, and team cohesion.[00:25:07] Modeling Accountability as a Leader: The importance of openly acknowledging your contribution to problems and making it safe for others to do the same.[00:28:04] The Moral Authority to Hold Others Accountable: Earning trust and credibility by going first and taking responsibility.[00:29:34] Final Insights for Leaders: The superpower of requesting specific feedback and advice from your team to build self-awareness, growth, and a culture of accountability.[00:32:02] Additional Resources and Where to Learn More: Recommendations for going deeper with Michael Timms’s materials. For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/355

Clear, honest, and effective communication is the cornerstone of high-performing leadership. Yet, despite communicating constantly, many leaders and teams struggle to connect, align, and truly collaborate. At the heart of the challenge are unconscious habits and patterns—often inherited from families, cultures, and early experiences—that keep conversations stuck in autopilot, limit understanding, and erode trust. Timestamped Overview [00:04:22] Why Communication Goes Wrong: Exploring the challenges of human conversation and why so many leaders struggle with it.[00:06:20] The Blueprint for Better Conversations: Introduction to the need for practical frameworks and new distinctions in how we talk.[00:09:13] The Four Types of Conversations: Overview—storytelling, collaborative, creative, and commitment conversations.[00:09:59] Storytelling Conversations: Understanding how personal narratives shape our interactions and create conflict.[00:12:01] Moving from Closed Fists to Open Hands: How to transition from ego-driven debates to open, collaborative exchanges.[00:13:34] Real-Life Example: Patterns of communication and the impact of ego on conversation flow.[00:20:29] Leveraging Team Members’ Stories: How leaders can recognize and work with the stories their team members hold.[00:22:26] The Four Archetypal Questions: Desires, concerns, power, and standards—tools for unpacking judgments and opening dialogue.[00:30:05] Vulnerability and Humility in Leadership: The courage to share what’s under the surface and model new ways of interacting.[00:30:38] Using Questions to Open Others Up: How to help team members articulate their thinking and move beyond stuck positions.[00:32:21] The Link to Psychological Safety: Creating the conditions where people feel safe to contribute and challenge.[00:37:41] The Commitment Conversation: The importance of clear requests, counteroffers, and following through on promises.[00:42:51] The Creative Conversation: Making space for possibility and collaborative idea generation.[00:46:18] Avoiding Conversational Bypass: The risk of skipping collaboration and creativity in favor of action.[00:51:17] Tracking Your Communication Patterns: How leaders can develop awareness and shift out of unhelpful habits. For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/354

Today’s business landscape is defined by continual disruption—whether from the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence, rising economic and political uncertainty, or shifting demands on how leaders and teams connect in a digital-first world. For leaders, this means grappling with complex questions: How do you train and empower junior talent in the age of AI? How can organizations foster psychological safety and trust amid ongoing change? And how do leaders ground their decisions in authentic core values when faced with tough choices? This episode explores these pivotal themes, offering practical wisdom on building resilient, value-driven organizations. Dive in for actionable insights on leveraging technology thoughtfully, sustaining trust in your team, and using core values as your compass, no matter how turbulent the environment becomes. Timestamped Overview [00:05:58] How AI is Transforming Work and Training: Examining the impact of AI on the professional services and the challenges it poses for developing junior talent.[00:10:14] Navigating Economic and Political Uncertainty: Strategies for leaders to cope with rapid changes in business conditions, from tariffs to global events.[00:11:11] The Shift to Remote and Hybrid Work: How technology has increased productivity by reducing unnecessary travel and broadening client reach.[00:13:04] Building Resilience and Psychological Safety: Practical advice for leaders to foster trust and open communication within their teams.[00:16:11] The Power of Core Values in Decision-Making: Why uncovering and living by genuine organizational values is essential, especially during crises.[00:20:27] From Slogans to Action: Making sure values are truly lived out, not just displayed on company materials.[00:23:34] Real-World Example: Leading Through a Client Crisis: A powerful story illustrating how living core values can guide difficult business decisions.[00:27:54] Organizational Systems for Value-Driven Leadership: How to prepare your business to withstand setbacks while remaining true to your mission.[00:31:14] Navigating Change with Confidence: Using values as a north star during times of uncertainty and disruption.[00:32:29] Just Get Started: Final actionable advice for leaders on overcoming paralysis by analysis and embracing action. For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/353

In an era where artificial intelligence and digital solutions are rapidly reshaping the business landscape, leaders are confronted with both exciting opportunities and significant challenges. Leveraging AI isn't just about adopting flashy new tools or automating mundane tasks; it's about reimagining leadership itself. Today’s leaders must transition from simply managing people to mastering the art of leading with technology—using AI as a collaborative partner to boost efficiency, foster innovation, and build adaptable, future-ready teams. Understanding and embracing AI is no longer optional. It is the new leadership literacy—akin to financial literacy in decades past. Leaders who develop this skill set can cultivate a culture of curiosity, resilience, and proactive problem-solving, all while keeping humanity at the core of their organizations. This episode dives deep into actionable strategies for AI adoption, ways to champion a positive culture amidst technological change, and future trends that every leader needs to track. Timestamped Overview [00:05:03] The Everyday Reality of AI: Why AI isn’t something to fear—everyone is already using it, often without realizing.[00:07:10] AI as Leadership Literacy: Reframing AI as the essential skill set of today’s leaders and how to use it collaboratively.[00:09:38] Adopting a Learning Mindset: Practical first steps for leaders to overcome overwhelm and build AI fluency.[00:11:06] The Power of Small Steps: How to identify and pilot quick-win AI projects as a team.[00:16:19] Prioritization and Incremental Gains: Strategies to pick the right AI initiatives to drive engagement and foster confidence.[00:18:43] Breaking Down Big Projects: The importance of chunking large automation efforts into manageable phases to avoid analysis paralysis.[00:22:46] Fostering a Culture for AI Adoption: Building adaptability, psychological safety, and collaborative mindsets in teams facing technological change.[00:25:40] Training AI Like a New Hire: Why successful integration requires treating AI as a “smart intern” and setting it up for success.[00:31:20] The Future of AI in Leadership: Insights into emerging AI trends, multi-step intelligent agents, robotics integration, and what leaders can expect next.[00:36:04] Learning Across Industries: The importance for leaders to look beyond their own sector for innovative applications of AI.[00:40:48] Final Mindsets for Leaders: Curiosity, adaptability, and treating technological change as an adventure rather than a threat. For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/352

Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a buzzword or looming concept—it's a rapidly evolving force that’s fundamentally transforming the landscape of business, society, and leadership itself. For leaders, AI presents both revolutionary opportunities and profound threats, disrupting traditional models of value creation, workforce engagement, and even redefining what it means to lead. The convergence of AI technology with cultural, economic, and geopolitical factors creates an unprecedented level of complexity and potential impact on humanity. Effective leaders must grapple with questions about short-term efficiency versus long-term human value, the delicate balance between productivity gains and workforce well-being, and the ethical implications of deploying intelligent agents in business and society. This episode explores the depth of these challenges, offering practical frameworks for leaders to navigate this accelerating change while remaining firmly anchored in human-centric values and organizational purpose. Timestamped Overview [00:05:08] The urgency for leaders to engage with AI—and why it's not "just another technology"[00:05:42] Multidisciplinary impacts: AI, culture, economics, geopolitics, and humanity[00:08:22] The limits of our understanding: What do we really know about AI today?[00:09:42] Technology and potential: Opportunities in health care, security, and research[00:12:31] Outsourcing humanity: Risks and the gradual loss of human agency[00:13:54] The dark side: Psychological impacts, AI personas, and vulnerable populations[00:15:30] Economic implications: Automation, agentic AI, and workforce displacement[00:16:06] The need for regulation and transparency—and lessons from Europe[00:18:17] Human impact: The dangers of psychological isolation and erosion of empathy[00:21:26] Detachment and conflict: The shifting nature of work, war, and leadership[00:24:02] The leader's dilemma: Balancing business pressures and ethical responsibilities[00:27:19] The future of value: Purpose, self-actualization, and productivity beyond profit[00:29:43] The leader’s call to action: Building legal and moral frameworks for AI[00:31:47] Rethinking measurement: From efficiency to real human impact[00:33:57] A plea for human-centric, purpose-driven leadership[00:36:05] The hidden cost: Automation, social skills, and the decline of empathy[00:39:25] The rise of hybrid teams: Managing both human and AI agents[00:42:30] Action steps: Asking bigger questions and advocating for collective well-being[00:45:53] Automation and its limits: Contextualizing novelty versus genuine human connection[00:50:40] Where the opportunity lies: Leveraging AI to solve real-world challenges[00:55:21] The ultimate responsibility: Deciding the future of humanity together For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/351

n today’s unpredictable world, leaders are constantly faced with the challenge of managing uncertainty. Whether driven by a lack of key information, insufficient understanding, or wavering trust within teams, uncertainty can erode confidence, stall decision-making, and impact organizational outcomes. For leaders, the ability to effectively navigate uncertainty marks the divide between reactive management and proactive, high-performance leadership. This episode goes beyond simply acknowledging uncertainty, offering a comprehensive framework for diagnosing its sources and actionable strategies for turning ambiguity into opportunity. By understanding how to close gaps in information, knowledge, and trust, leaders can foster greater resilience, empower their teams, and achieve better results in even the most volatile environments. Timestamped Overview [00:00:01] Framing the Problem: Why Uncertainty is Unavoidable—and So Impactful[00:02:08] What Causes Uncertainty? The Three Drivers: Information, Knowledge, and Trust[00:04:54] The Impact of Uncertainty on Leaders: Gaps and Their Consequences[00:09:40] Strategies to Overcome Information Gaps: Asking Better Questions and Seeking Clarity[00:10:27] Tools for Rapid Information Gathering: Frameworks, Dashboards, and Metrics[00:11:24] Turning Information Into Knowledge: Translating Facts to Meaningful Insights[00:11:55] Building Decision-Making Confidence: Addressing Imposter Syndrome and Skill Development[00:12:51] Building Trust Within Teams: Empowerment, Delegation, and Accountability Practices[00:13:16] How to Take Action: Integrating Practical Strategies and Seeking Coaching Support For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/350

Every leader, no matter their level of experience, encounters an inner skeptic—a doubting voice that questions whether they’re hearing genuine input or simply what others think they want to hear. This internal tension can erode trust, create isolation, and hinder clarity in decision-making. Understanding how to distinguish between genuine feedback and filtered information is essential for fostering a culture of psychological safety and truth-telling in any team or organization. Leaders must also contend with evolutionary psychological mechanisms, such as imposter syndrome, past betrayals, and the isolating effects of authority, all of which can amplify these doubts. Today’s episode dives into the practical strategies leaders can use to crush that inner skeptic. By building honest feedback loops, asking smarter questions, and trusting both yourself and your team, leaders can create high-performing cultures where truth is valued over comfort. This episode is packed with actionable insights for leaders seeking to move from suspicion and self-doubt to understanding and empowered leadership. Timestamped Overview [00:00:00] Introduction to leadership challenges and the importance of honest feedback for leaders[00:01:59] Announcing an upcoming leadership book inspired by real-world lessons and guest interviews[00:04:05] Exploring the struggle between what leaders want to hear and what they need to hear[00:05:03] The roots of inner skepticism: evolutionary psychology, imposter syndrome, and isolation[00:06:28] Understanding the power dynamic: why people filter information, and the leader’s role in decoding it[00:07:14] When skepticism is a helpful signal: identifying genuine gaps in communication[00:08:45] When skepticism becomes harmful: overanalyzing, eroding trust, and corroding relationships[00:09:30] Four ways to defeat the inner skeptic: building a culture of truth-telling and psychological safety[00:10:46] The importance of never shooting the messenger and modeling transparent communication[00:11:37] Asking better, open-ended questions to elicit honest and actionable feedback[00:13:08] Leveraging trusted third parties, coaches, or confidants for objective input[00:13:55] The leader’s gut check: questioning your own suspicions to foster genuine trust[00:14:30] Training the inner voice and leading with clarity and trust[00:15:06] Closing thoughts and reminders on the importance of trust in peak performance leadership For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/349

The evolving landscape of artificial intelligence is reshaping how organizations operate, presenting fresh challenges and unprecedented opportunities for leaders. In today’s episode, the discussion centers on how leaders can leverage AI as a powerful tool to enhance performance and operational efficiency—without losing sight of the irreplaceable value of human connection and empathy. The episode delves into the crucial aspects of leadership in this digital age: using AI responsibly, the necessity of self-care, fostering psychological safety, and empowering teams through mentorship and coaching. This conversation is vital for leaders seeking to future-proof their organizations and personal success while navigating increasing complexity and rapid technological change. Timestamped Overview [00:05:37] Exploring the Role of AI in Leadership: Initial thoughts on balancing people-centered leadership with AI advances.[00:07:17] Inspiration Behind "Professional A": Why Tony wrote his book and his mission to support young professionals in an AI-driven world.[00:08:36] Leadership Mistakes and Wisdom: The importance of humane decision-making, relationship-building, and work-life balance.[00:10:17] The Five-Factor Model for Self-Care: Key elements of self-care for leaders, including rest, sleep, compassion, resilience, and breathing techniques.[00:13:42] Overcoming Barriers to Self-Care: Accountability, habit formation, and the critical role of mentorship in leadership development.[00:16:31] Building Psychological Safety and Peer Mentorship: Why organizations must intentionally create safe, supportive mentorship environments.[00:19:18] Investing in Leadership Growth: Emotional intelligence, self-awareness, humility, and how leaders can seek feedback to grow.[00:23:08] Embracing the Digital Age: Practical strategies for leaders to govern and train teams on AI tools and digital transformation.[00:26:44] The Do’s and Don’ts of Digital Leadership: Responsible implementation, transparency about workforce changes, and upskilling team members.[00:29:32] Navigating AI-Driven Workforce Shifts: Historical perspective on technology and jobs, and how leaders can help teams adapt.[00:33:00] The Future of AI in Coaching and Feedback: The emergence of real-time, AI-powered personal assistants for leadership development.[00:33:57] Where to Learn More: Resources for further personal and professional growth. For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/348