55: Invest in Yourself

What is the point of AI, and where is it leading organizations?Pete Behrens poses that question as he welcomes two people he calls AI change agents to the show. Returning guest Eric Kihn, PhD of Hach, and Charlie Fleet of Neumo were both hired to build AI capability across their organizations. Using a Catalyst Canvas to guide the conversation, they describe what they are seeing inside their organizations: why the work matters now, what slows it down, and how they measure progress. They also explain how the move from using AI to redesigning work is changing what leaders are asked to do.

Last episode we talked about why supply chain leadership has to change. This time, we go inside a company that's doing something about it. Schneider Electric is one of our clients — 160,000 people globally, one of the most complex supply chains in the world Paul Stonehouse works inside that organization, not as an external consultant brought in to run a program, but as an internal catalyst trained and licensed through Agile Leadership Journey, embedded in the culture he’s working to shift. What I love about this conversation is Paul's honesty about the tension, and his way of making you see what's usually invisible. He talks about empowerment like a blindfolded walk through an electric fence. About culture like a reef you've been swimming in so long you forgot it was there. About why you can't just cut a flower off someone else's plant and expect it to grow. If you've ever wondered what leadership culture change actually looks like inside a large, complex organization — not in theory, but in practice — this is worth a listen.

Is your leadership keeping pace with your technology? In this episode of Relearning Leadership, host Pete Behrens lifts the hood on the modern supply chain—a "digital marvel" of AI, robotics, and 10-minute "Quick Commerce" deliveries. But beneath the high-def monitors and automated movers lies a sobering reality: a massive leadership gap that is stretching the global workforce to its breaking point.With over 10 million manufacturing positions unfilled globally, the bottleneck isn't the technology—it's the "command-and-control" mindset of the past. Pete explores why operational mastery is no longer enough to navigate a world of geopolitical disruptions, climate events, and compressed time.In this episode, we discuss:The 10-Minute Reality: How "Quick Commerce" in India is redefining customer expectations and putting immense pressure on leadership.The Digital Divide: Why the World Economic Forum estimates a 10-million-person talent gap driven by a lack of digital leadership skills.The Schneider Electric Story: How Chief Supply Chain Officer Mourad Tamoud recognized that technology is only as strong as the people who use it.The 3 Shifts of Catalyst Leadership:Directing to Developing: Investing in human growth over mere task performance.Controlling to Enabling: Gaining control by distributing it to the teams closest to the work.Reacting to Resiliency: Moving from "heroic firefighting" to building organizational muscle and psychological safety.Key Quotes:"Technology is advancing faster than the leadership that manages it... the real bottleneck isn’t the supply chain engine itself. It’s the people responsible for operating it." — Pete Behrens"Our Catalyst Leadership program is in fact an ongoing cultural change effort rather than a series of training events." — Mourad Tamoud, CSCO, Schneider ElectricAbout Pete Behrens:Pete Behrens is a leadership coach, author of Into the Fog, and the founder of the Agile Leadership Journey. He has spent decades helping global industrial leaders move from traditional management to a "Catalyst" mindset capable of navigating complexity and disruption.Next Episode Teaser:Stay tuned for our next conversation with Paul Stonehouse from Schneider Electric, where we dive into the "electric fences" and "ocean reefs" of global cultural transformation.Learn more at: https://relearningleadership.show Visit the Agile Leadership Journey: https://agileleadershipjourney.com#SupplyChain #Leadership #DigitalTransformation #AgileLeadership #SchneiderElectric #QuickCommerce #CatalystLeadership #PeteBehrens

Pete shares one of his compelling stories from his debut book, Into the Fog: Leadership Stories from the Edge of Uncertainty.Peak Leadership lives at the intersection of authority and respect. In the telling of his ski adventures in the mountains of Canada, peak finds a surprising leadership lesson in the guides who ushered their trip.======================================📕  Order Pete Behrens' new book, Into the Fog: Leadership Stories from the Edge of Uncertainty: https://bit.ly/intothefogbook🔊  Listen to the Relearning Leadership podcast: https://www.agileleadershipjourney.com/podcast📰. Sign up to receive the ALJ newsletter: bit.ly/alj-news Follow ALJ on social media:📌  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/agile-leadership-journey📌  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agileleadershipjourney/

In this special episode of Relearning Leadership, host Pete Behrens shares the story behind his new book, Into the Fog: Leadership Stories from the Edge of Uncertainty. Through personal reflection and honest storytelling, Pete reveals how uncertainty, community, and courage have shaped his 20-year leadership journey—from losing his corporate role to founding Trail Ridge Consulting and finally, founding Agile Leadership Journey. Learn how the “fog” became his most enduring metaphor for leadership and why no one makes it through alone.

How will leaders leverage AI, data, and human insight?In this episode of Relearning Leadership, host Pete Behrens welcomes guest Eric Kihn, PhD, who leads AI strategy for the U.S. government in environmental sciences. Dr. Kihn shares insights from his decades-long journey in artificial intelligence and discusses how these technologies are lowering the “cost of curiosity,” uncovering unseen patterns and changing leadership practices. Join Eric and Pete Behrens as they discuss the profound impact AI is having across fields, from weather forecasting to leadership approaches – and the essential mindset shifts leaders must adopt to harness the full power of AI. 

How can you set a transformation team up for success? Dive into the change leadership with this episode of the Relearning Leadership podcast, featuring Alena Keck, head of Vodafone’s Lean-Agile Center of Excellence. Discover the pivotal role of emotions in driving organizational change, the journey of transforming leadership mindsets, and the innovative strategies behind Vodafone's agile evolution. Keck, along with host Pete Behrens, discusses the complexities of leading change, nurturing a culture of agility, and fostering resilience amidst challenges.

How are CEOs viewing the impact of AI? In this episode of (Re)Learning Leadership, host Pete Behrens is joined by Agile pioneer Jim Highsmith to dig deeper into the impact of AI on leadership and organizational dynamics. Drawing from the IBM CEO's Guide to Generative AI report, they explore how Agile principles are increasingly integral to effective AI utilization. Pete and Jim both offer perspectives for leaders aiming to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in a rapidly evolving environment. Whether you're a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, this episode provides crucial insights into leveraging AI for strategic advantage while maintaining a human-centric approach to leadership.

Is there an industry that AI hasn’t touched? Let’s dive into the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence and its implications for leadership with expert Henrik Kniberg.  Known for his transformative work in Agile and organizational change, Kniberg joins Pete Behrens to explore AI's potential to revolutionize leadership, innovation, and personal growth. Through a blend of anecdotes and expert analysis, Henrik and Pete discuss how AI can be a powerful ally for leaders seeking to navigate the complexities of modern organizational dynamics. 

How are you investing in your personal and professional growth?Discover the power of self-investment in leadership on the latest episode of the Relearning Leadership podcast. Host Pete Behrens delves into the journeys of Kasey Rivas, Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships at March of Dimes, and Sonny Mendoza, IT Transformation Manager at Open Dealer Exchange. Kasey and Sonny reveal the profound personal and professional growth they achieved through a comprehensive nine-month leadership program. Listeners will hear how embracing vulnerability, fostering a growth mindset, and investing in oneself can lead to remarkable leadership evolution.