Why Human-Centered Systems Outperform Technology Alone

Guests: Scott Dresser & Sandy Gordon, Amazon VPs As organizations race to adopt AI and automation, many leaders are asking the wrong question. The challenge isn't how to deploy better technology. It's how to build human-centered systems that allow people and technology to thrive together. In this special episode, Maureen Metcalf speaks with two Amazon executives responsible for making one of the world's most complex organizations work at extraordinary scale. Sandy Gordon, Vice President of Global Operations Employee Experience & Relations, shares how Amazon builds trust, develops talent, and creates systems that empower more than one million employees. Scott Dresser, Vice President of Amazon Robotics, explains how robotics, AI, and automation are designed to improve safety, increase capability, and support—NOT replace—the human workforce. Together, these conversations reveal that sustainable innovation isn't driven by technology alone. It depends on thoughtful leadership, continuous learning, and a commitment to keeping people at the center of organizational transformation. Whether you're leading AI initiatives, organizational change, digital transformation, or simply trying to build a stronger organization, you'll discover practical leadership lessons that extend far beyond Amazon…applying to any organization preparing for the future of work. Other episodes you'll enjoy: - With Great Success Comes Great Responsibility with Holly Sullivan - Building the Systems (and People) That Sustain Growth with Carla Morelli - AI, Your Story, & the Professional Identity Crisis with Christopher Washington For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. RESOURCES:   To learn more about the Career Choice program Sandy discussed, check https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/workplace/career-choice-free-education-for-amazon-employees.   For more about the robotics developments Scott talked about, read the stories at https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/tag/robotics.   Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8. The audiobook version is now available at  https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.   Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here.    -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan Sponsorship Sales Manager: Kristine Gross ([email protected]) Booking Producer: Jenna Reik ([email protected]) Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay.   CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guests:   This episode brings together two leaders responsible for different (but deeply connected) parts of Amazon's global operations. Sandy Gordon leads the employee experience systems that support more than one million frontline employees, while Scott Dresser leads the robotics and AI systems that power Amazon's fulfillment network. Together, they offer complementary perspectives on a single leadership challenge: how organizations can scale technology without losing sight of the people who make that technology successful.   Sandy is Vice President of Global Operations Employee Experience & Relations at Amazon; her organization focuses on employee engagement, workplace experience, leadership communications, career development, and policies that help create a safe, inclusive, and high-performing work environment. She also oversees initiatives such as Amazon's Career Choice program, which invests in employee education and workforce development.   Scott is Vice President of Amazon Robotics. His organization designs autonomous mobile robots, robotic manipulation systems, AI-driven automation, and intelligent warehouse technologies that improve safety, operational efficiency, and customer delivery performance. He has been instrumental in the development and deployment of technologies including Proteus, Sequoia, Sparrow, Robin, and Amazon's next generation of AI-enabled robotics.

Guest: Mats Alvesson If your organization is full of smart people, why does it keep making bad decisions? In this thought-provoking episode, Maureen Metcalf and Christopher Washington are joined by Professor Mats Alvesson, one of the world's leading organizational scholars and author of The Stupidity Paradox. Alvesson introduces the concept of “functional stupidity”—the tendency for intelligent individuals and organizations to stop questioning assumptions, rely on familiar routines, and prioritize conformity over critical thinking. Mats explores how bureaucracy, excessive processes, organizational rituals, and the desire to preserve social harmony can unintentionally suppress good judgment and slow organizational learning. Alvesson also offers practical ideas for creating cultures that encourage reflection, initiative, and thoughtful challenge without sacrificing organizational effectiveness. This episode offers valuable insights into how organizations can become smarter by questioning more, and doing less of what no longer serves them.   Other episodes you'll enjoy: - How Inner Work Transforms Your Leadership: Tools for Growth with Jonathan Reams - How to Avoid the Bad Leader Trap with Harvard fellow Barbara Kellerman - Navigating the Global Storm with Cynthia Cherrey For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. RESOURCES:   Mats’ book, The Stupidity Paradox, is available in paperback at https://amzn.to/3SaNWzU. The other book he mentioned, The Art of Less: How to Focus on What Really Matters at Work, is available in hardback at https://amzn.to/4a7yOt9 and on Kindle at https://amzn.to/4eANySA. Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8. The audiobook version is now available at  https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.   Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here.    -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan Sponsorship Sales Manager: Kristine Gross ([email protected]) Booking Producer: Jenna Reik ([email protected]) Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay.   CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   Professor Mats Alvesson is a Swedish management scholar and Professor of Organizational Studies at Lund University. Widely regarded as one of the most influential thinkers in organization and management studies, his work focuses on leadership, organizational culture, identity, power, critical management studies, and organizational irrationality. He is best known for developing the concept of functional stupidity: the tendency of organizations to suppress critical thinking and reflection despite employing highly intelligent people. Alvesson has authored more than 30 books and hundreds of scholarly publications, including The Stupidity Paradox, The Art of Less, Changing Organizational Culture, and Constructing Research Questions. He was elected an International Fellow of the British Academy in recognition of his contributions to management and organization studies.

Guests: Brian Ahearn Chief Influence Officer   Many leaders believe their job is to deliver results, not to be liked. But what if that assumption is limiting their effectiveness?   In this episode, Maureen Metcalf welcomes back Brian Ahearn to explore the leadership power of liking and reciprocity. Drawing on decades of research in influence, Brian explains why people are more willing to support leaders they trust, how small acts of generosity create lasting professional relationships, and why fear-based leadership is increasingly ineffective in today's workplace.   It all reveals the underlying, surprising business value of genuine human connection. Through practical examples and real-world leadership stories, Brian demonstrates how leaders can build stronger cultures, improve performance, and create workplaces where people genuinely want to contribute.   Whether you lead a team of five or an organization of five thousand, this conversation offers insights for becoming a more influential, trusted, and effective leader.   Other episodes you'll enjoy: - How Great Leaders Influence (without Manipulating) with Briah Ahearn - How Influence Leads to Great Influence with Brian Ahearn - How AI Preserves Humanity with Ancestry CEO Howard Hochhauser For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. RESOURCES:   The website for Brian’s company, Influence People, is https://influencepeople.biz/. He has a regular blog there at https://influencepeople.biz/blog/.   Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8 . The audiobook version is now available at  https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.   Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here.    -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan Booking Producer: Jenna Reik Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay. CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership    Loved this episode? Like and subscribe!  -----------------------   About Our Guests:   Brian Ahearn is the Chief Influence Officer at Influence PEOPLE and a faculty member at The Cialdini Institute. An international keynote speaker and TEDx presenter, Brian is an expert in the science of influence, certified in the Cialdini Method for Persuasion and Pre-suasion. Brian is the author of "Influence PEOPLE" and "Persuasive Selling for Relationship Driven Insurance Agents." His insights have reached over 700,000 people through his LinkedIn courses and more than a million views on his TEDx Talk. Brian’s latest work, "The Influencer: Secrets to Success & Happiness," weaves these teachings into an engaging business parable.

Guest: Holly Sullivan, Amazon VP of Worldwide Economic Development What happens when leadership decisions affect not just an organization, but entire communities? In this episode, Maureen Metcalf speaks with Holly Sullivan, Vice President of Worldwide Economic Development at Amazon. Holly oversees initiatives that influence billions of dollars in investment, workforce development, infrastructure, and community partnerships across the United States and beyond. Their conversation explores how organizations can create lasting value while balancing growth, responsibility, and community impact. Holly shares lessons from Amazon's investments in rural communities, workforce development programs, affordable housing initiatives, disaster relief efforts, and efforts to expand economic opportunity through education and broadband access. Together, they discuss what it means to lead responsibly at scale, why trust and community engagement matter, how organizations can become better corporate citizens, and the role leaders play in creating opportunities that extend far beyond their own businesses. This episode offers practical insights on building stronger communities while creating sustainable growth. Other episodes you'll enjoy: - Building Communities within Your Business with Alice Yoo LeClair - Inside Amazon’s Big Bets: Leading on Climate and Delivery with Kara Hurst and Sarah Matthew - Four Key Lessons on Trust & Safety with Catherine Teitelbaum, Amazon’s Head of Family Trust For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. RESOURCES:   Learn more about the community development work Holly oversees for Amazon at https://bit.ly/Amazon-Community.   The study on the impact of distribution centers on their local communities is at https://www.oxfordeconomics.com/resource/the-socioeconomic-impacts-of-amazon-investments-on-local-communities/.   Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8. The audiobook version is now available at  https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.   Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here.    -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan Sponsorship Sales Manager: Kristine Gross ([email protected]) Booking Producer: Jenna Reik ([email protected]) Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay.   CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   Holly Sullivan is Vice President of Worldwide Economic Development at Amazon, where she leads global economic development strategy and investment initiatives focused on job creation, workforce development, and community impact. During her tenure, she spearheaded Amazon's search for its second headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, led development of the company's Nashville operations hub, and helped drive expansion across North America's technology footprint. Prior to joining Amazon, Holly served as President and CEO of the Montgomery Business Development Corporation in Maryland. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Tennessee and is widely recognized for her work at the intersection of economic growth, community development, and corporate investment.

Guests: Christopher & Sheila Cooke Today's leaders face a paradox: the problems confronting organizations are increasingly complex, yet the leadership approaches we've relied on for decades are producing diminishing returns. In this episode, Maureen Metcalf is joined by Christopher and Sheila Cooke, founders of Five Deep and pioneers in the study of human emergence, developmental leadership, and systems awareness. Together, they explore why meaningful transformation requires more than new strategies; it requires access to human capacities we already have (but haven’t fully developed). Through examples ranging from organizational change initiatives to community transformation efforts in Africa, Christopher and Sheila demonstrate how leaders can create the conditions that allow innovation, adaptability, and sustainable change to emerge naturally. They discuss: • Why people cannot absorb solutions they are not ready to receive • The hidden capacities that enable leaders to navigate complexity • How systems awareness leads to better decisions and better outcomes • Why forcing change often creates resistance while creating conditions for change unlocks possibility, and • The relationship between leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and human potential. If you've ever wondered why some transformation efforts succeed while others stall, this conversation offers a powerful new lens. "The change has already happened. You're just learning to grow into it." Other episodes you'll enjoy: - Growing Up and Out: Development for Modern Leaders with Mike Morrow-Fox - Becoming a Better Leader: Daily Leadership Development with Ron Riggio - Amplifying Human Potential with Seth Casden   For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. RESOURCES:   Learn more about 5 Deep, the company Christopher founded, at https://www.5deep.net/.   Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8 . The audiobook version is now available at  https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.   Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here.    -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan Booking Producer: Jenna Reik Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay. CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  Instagram: @innovativeleader    Loved this episode? Like and subscribe!  -----------------------   About Our Guests:   Sheila Cooke holds an MBA in International Business and a BA in Sociology/Anthropology. She spent approximately 20 years in international business, including five years as a general manager in Japan, before moving into facilitation, education, and organizational development. She is a qualified trainer with the Institute of Cultural Affairs and has designed and facilitated programs for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome. Today, Sheila serves as Director and lead consultant within 5 Deep Limited and leads 3LM (Land and Livestock Management for Life), the Savory Institute hub for the United Kingdom and Ireland. As a Savory Institute Accredited Educator and Field Professional, she advises farmers, organizations, and business leaders in Holistic Management and regenerative agriculture, helping them develop decision-making capabilities that align economic, ecological, and social outcomes.   Christopher Cooke is the founder of 5 Deep Limited, a consultancy focused on human development, leadership, cultural transformation, complexity, and change. He has worked internationally for nearly three decades as a consultant, coach, mentor, trainer, and change-management specialist.   Prior to founding 5 Deep, Christopher worked in the United Kingdom water industry, where he participated in major transformation efforts associated with privatization and organizational change. Through 5 Deep and 3LM, he has focused on helping individuals, organizations, and communities increase their capacity to navigate complexity through integrative and holistic approaches to human behavior, culture, leadership, and decision-making. His work spans business, agriculture, community development, and regenerative land management across multiple continents.

Guest: Howard Hochhauser, CEO, Ancestry Many organizations are rushing to embrace AI, launch new initiatives, and pursue growth. But in the process, they’re losing sight of the very things that made them successful in the first place: their mission, their customers, and their identity. In this episode, Maureen Metcalf sits down with Howard Hochhauser, CEO of Ancestry, to explore how he helped return the company to growth by refocusing on its core customers, clarifying its mission, and using artificial intelligence to deepen human connection rather than replace it. Howard shares leadership lessons from his experiences working with legendary entrepreneurs such as Martha Stewart, explains why he uses his mother as a decision-making North Star, and discusses how Ancestry is transforming billions of historical records into meaningful family stories. The conversation also explores ethical AI, organizational focus, customer-centered leadership, and the power of understanding where we come from. This episode offers practical insights on how to innovate without losing the soul of your organization. Topics include: Customer-centered leadership • Strategic focus in the age of AI • Ethical and human-centered AI • Organizational culture and transparency • Building customer loyalty and trust • Family history, resilience, and legacy • Mission-driven growth • Leadership lessons from transformation. Other episodes you'll enjoy: - Looking Back to Look Ahead: Leadership, Tech, & Knowing Your Roots with Deb Liu - The Leadership Skill AI Can’t Replace: Super Creativity with James Taylor - How Great Leaders Influence (without Manipulating) with Brian Ahearn For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. RESOURCES:   There’s a wealth of information on Howard’s company at https://www.ancestry.com/. You can also follow him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-hochhauser-5791b810/.   Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8. The audiobook version is now available at  https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.   Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here.    -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan Sponsorship Sales Manager: Kristine Gross ([email protected]) Booking Producer: Jenna Reik ([email protected]) Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay.   CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   Howard Hochhauser was named President & CEO of Ancestry, the global leader in family history and consumer genomics, in February 2025. Howard joined Ancestry in 2009 as Chief Financial Officer and in February 2012 added the position of Chief Operating Officer. Howard also served as interim CEO of Ancestry from October 2017 to May 2018 while the Board conducted a comprehensive search for a permanent CEO.  During his tenure, Howard has helped lead the company’s initial 2009 public offering, its go-private transaction in 2012, multiple acquisitions, and all of its public equity and debt financings. He was part of the team that grew the company from approximately $200 million in revenue in 2008 to more than $1.3 billion in revenue in 2024, a compound annual growth rate of 12.5.  Prior to joining Ancestry, Howard served as Chief Financial Officer of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, and earlier in his career was a Vice President of Equity Research at Bear Stearns & Co. and a Staff Accountant at KPMG Peat Marwick.

Guest: Brian Ahearn, Chief Influence Officer Most leaders assume their biggest challenge is strategy. In reality, the greater challenge is getting people to willingly move with you. In this episode, Maureen Metcalf speaks with persuasion expert Brian Ahearn about the psychology of persuasion and why ethical influence has become one of the defining leadership capabilities of our time. Drawing on the work of Dr. Robert Cialdini, Brian explores the six principles of influence and explains how leaders can build trust, create buy-in, strengthen relationships, and communicate more effectively without relying on manipulation or positional authority. The conversation examines: the difference between persuasion and manipulation why reciprocity and trust matter in leadership how leaders create voluntary alignment the role of social proof and credibility why influence is fundamentally tied to human psychology and how leaders can practice persuasion ethically in everyday interactions. This episode is especially relevant for executives navigating organizational change, stakeholder alignment, cultural complexity, and leadership communication in high-pressure environments.   Other episodes you'll enjoy: - How Influence Leads to Great Leadership with Brian Ahearn - Super Creativity: The Leadership Skill AI Can’t Replace with James Taylor - Agape Capitalism: Can Ethics & Profit Coexist? With Jim & Tom Grote For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. RESOURCES:   The website for Brian’s company, Influence People, is https://influencepeople.biz/. He has a regular blog there at https://influencepeople.biz/blog/.   Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8. The audiobook version is now available at  https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.   Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here.    -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan Sponsorship Sales Manager: Kristine Gross ([email protected]) Booking Producer: Jenna Reik ([email protected]) Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay.   CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   Brian Ahearn is the Chief Influence Officer at Influence PEOPLE and a faculty member at The Cialdini Institute. An international keynote speaker and TEDx presenter, Brian is an expert in the science of influence, certified in the Cialdini Method for Persuasion and Pre-suasion. Brian is the author of "Influence PEOPLE" and "Persuasive Selling for Relationship Driven Insurance Agents." His insights have reached over 700,000 people through his LinkedIn courses and more than a million views on his TEDx Talk. Brian’s latest work, "The Influencer: Secrets to Success & Happiness," weaves these teachings into an engaging business parable.

Guest: James Taylor, Supercreativity author In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with global creativity and innovation expert James Taylor to explore one of the defining leadership questions of our time: As AI automates more routine work, what becomes uniquely human — and uniquely valuable? James introduces the concept of “super creativity”: the amplification of human creativity through collaboration with both people and intelligent machines. Together, Maureen and James unpack why creativity, curiosity, imagination, and psychological safety are rapidly becoming core executive capabilities in the AI era. They explore: The rise of one-person billion-dollar companies The hidden cultural barriers quietly derailing AI adoption Why organizational values may become the most important AI governance framework, and Why the future belongs to leaders who amplify human potential rather than simply automate labor. This conversation is especially relevant for CEOs, boards, senior executives, innovation leaders, and anyone navigating the intersection of leadership, technology, and organizational transformation. James also shares practical frameworks leaders can use immediately to: foster creativity, redesign work, identify hidden talent, and build cultures capable of thriving through accelerating disruption. If you’ve been asking, “What is the role of human leadership in the age of AI?” this episode is for you. Other episodes you'll enjoy: - The Creative Mindset: Mastering Skills that Empower Innovation with Jeff DeGraff - Cultivating WONDER: Unleashing Innovation in Your Business with Theo Edmonds - Greater than Fact: The Power of Leading with Stories with Paul Smith For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. RESOURCES:    Learn more about James on his website at https://www.jamestaylor.me/. His book, Supercreativity, is available at local booksellers and on Amazon at https://amzn.to/4fhIioW.   Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8. The audiobook version is now available at  https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.   Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here.    -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan Sponsorship Sales Manager: Kristine Gross ([email protected]) Booking Producer: Jenna Reik ([email protected]) Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay.   CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   James Taylor is an award-winning keynote speaker and internationally recognized authority on creativity, innovation, and artificial intelligence. He started his career managing high-profile rock stars and has since become a global thought leader in business creativity and AI-driven innovation. James is on a mission to help individuals and organizations unlock their creative potential, accelerate innovation, and build a sustainable future. Believing that the greatest competitive advantage comes from creative collaboration between humans and technology, he champions strategies to future-proof businesses in this age of disruption. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Guest: William Smoyer, MD Healthcare is approaching a breaking point: costs are rising faster than inflation, outcomes remain inconsistent, and the current model is no longer sustainable.   In this episode, Dr. William Smoyer, Vice President for Clinical and Translational Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, shares a breakthrough approach called “Learn from Every Patient.” Instead of separating research from care, this model integrates them, turning every patient interaction into a source of insight that improves future treatment.   The results are compelling: in a pilot program, this approach reduced hospital visits and cut total healthcare costs by 25%, while improving patient outcomes.   This conversation explores: Why traditional clinical trials only capture 1–3% of patients…and what happens when that becomes 100% How data from everyday care can drive faster, more effective evidence-based medicine The leadership challenge of implementing disruptive change in high-stakes environments Why physician resistance is rational, and how to align it with transformation, and What it will take to scale this model across health systems nationally, if not globally.   For leaders inside and outside healthcare, this episode offers a powerful lens on how to redesign complex systems, use data more intelligently, and lead change when the stakes are high.   Other episodes you'll enjoy: - High-Performance Medicine: Healthcare’s Lessons for Your Elite Teams with Brian Ferguson - Pets, Purpose, & Power: The Animal Science of Leadership with Rustin Moore - From Data to Dialogue: Why Leaders Need More than Numbers with Rens van Loon For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. RESOURCES:   Bill invites physicians and others in the healthcare industry to learn more about the Learn from Every Patient program by emailing him at [email protected].   Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8. The audiobook version is now available at  https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.   Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here.    -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan Booking Producer: Jenna Reik Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay. Sponsorship Manager: Kristine Gross   CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  IWebsite: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   William Smoyer, MD, is a member of the Section of Nephrology and Hypertension at Nationwide Children's Hospital, vice president and director for the Center for Clinical and Translational Research at the Abigail Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Robert Kidder chair in Clinical and Translational Research, and a professor of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Prior to joining Nationwide Children’s Hospital, he served as both the Pediatric Nephrology Division Director and Fellowship Program Director at the University of Michigan, which also included extensive mentoring of both fellows and junior faculty members regarding career and research program development.

Guest: Maria Angel Ferrero, CEO, Makia Labs Most organizations are investing heavily in AI, but very few are seeing meaningful results   In this episode, Maria Angel Ferrero challenges one of the most dangerous assumptions leaders are making today: that adopting AI tools is enough to drive transformation. It isn’t.   As Maria makes clear, tools don’t change organizations; systems driven by people do. We explore why companies are stuck in AI experimentation without measurable impact, and what’s actually missing: a clear problem-first strategy, governance and accountability, and the human-centered design required to drive adoption.   You’ll learn: Why most AI failures are human, not technical How to close the gap between AI investment and business outcomes What “human-in-the-loop” really means for leadership and risk Why starting with the problem, not the tool,is critical to success,and How to move from scattered experimentation to scalable innovation.   If you’re responsible for AI strategy, transformation, or performance outcomes, this conversation will challenge how you think…and how you lead.   Other episodes you'll enjoy: - AI, Your Story, & the Professional Identity Crisis with Christopher Washington - Leading When We’ve Stopped Thinking: AI’s Red Flag with Srini Koushik - AI at Work: The Human Side of Tech Transformation with Neil Sahota   For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. RESOURCES:   Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8. The audiobook version is now available at  https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.   Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here.    -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan Sponsorship Sales Manager: Kristine Gross ([email protected]) Booking Producer: Jenna Reik ([email protected]) Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay.   CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   Maria Angel Ferrero is an innovation and responsible AI strategist, entrepreneur, and academic. She is the founder and CEO of Makia Labs, where she works with organizations to design AI-driven innovation ecosystems that integrate technology, people, and purpose. She is also a PhD, researcher, and professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Montpellier, with a background in design thinking and user-centered innovation.   Ferrero’s work focuses on helping leaders move beyond AI experimentation to measurable impact, emphasizing governance, human-centered adoption, and ethical AI integration.   In addition to her advisory work, she creates educational content on AI and innovation across platforms, including LinkedIn and social media, where she shares practical guidance on applying AI in professional and academic contexts.