Conscious Design Podcast™ podcast

The Future of Work in 2025: AI, Fractional, & Culture

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How are AI and fractional leadership reshaping the future of work? 🚀 Host Ian Peterman sits down with Execnow founders Kahlil Dumas & Colin Smith to explore how they’re disrupting executive search, solving culture challenges in startups, and redefining leadership in 2025.


💬 Do you believe AI will actually fix hiring, or just make the problems worse? Let us know below!


💡 What You’ll Learn:

  • Why traditional executive search firms are broken

  • The risks of relying on AI in recruitment

  • Startup culture mistakes (and how to avoid them)

  • Change management strategies that actually work

  • The rise of fractional leadership vs. consulting

  • How to hire and integrate leaders for long-term success


Jump to your favorite parts:

00:59 The Origin Story of Execnow

02:08 Disrupting Executive Search

04:38 Challenges in Talent Acquisition

07:44 The Role of AI in Recruitment

09:29 The Importance of Change Management

14:18 Integrating New Employees

23:32 The Culture Challenge in Startups

26:23 Innovative Design Teams

27:40 Breaking Down Echo Chambers

29:59 Challenges in Traditional Corporate Structures

34:18 The Rise of Fractional Work

36:21 Benefits and Misconceptions of Fractional Work

38:29 Implementing Fractional Leadership

39:11 Fractional Work vs. Consulting

43:24 Future Trends in Fractional Work



About Kahlil Dumas, Colin Smith, & Execnow

Execnow is a next-generation talent partner that helps companies rapidly find and hire top performers. Their new platform, ExecnowOS, enables businesses to instantly identify and connect with top talent. The company was co-founded by Kahlil Dumas and Colin Smith.


🔗 Connect with 𝐊𝐚𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐥 𝐃𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐬, 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡 & 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐧𝐨𝐰:

Website: Execnow.co 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/execnow/ 

LinkedIn (Kahlil): https://www.linkedin.com/in/kahlildumas/ 

LinkedIn (Colin): https://www.linkedin.com/in/execnow/ 


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💬 Do you believe AI will actually fix hiring, or just make bias worse? Comment below!


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