The Edge of Work

Caleb Gatlin and Becca Anzalone work at The Google School for Leaders. During this conversation, they discuss how Google is reshaping leadership development by embedding research and user feedback directly into learning design. Caleb and Becca share insights from the Learning Advisors program, a global network of managers and employees who provide real-time input to shape programs and tools. They explore how feedback is often misunderstood, why trust is the foundation of effective career conversations, and what it takes to design learning experiences that reflect the diverse realities of work inside a global organization. LinksCaleb’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calebgatlin/Becca’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becca-anzalone-493aaa/ Article 1: https://www.hrgrapevine.com/us/content/article/2025-08-12-revealed-googles-research-program-for-developing-better-managersArticle 2: https://rework.withgoogle.com/intl/en/guides/learning-development-managers

Alexis Fink is a Principal at Propeller Insight. In this episode of The Edge of Work, Alexis Fink (formerly VP People Analytics & Workforce Strategy, Meta),  joins Al Dea to explore some of the biggest headlines on talent, HR  AI, and the future of work. Together, they discuss how AI is exposing the “BS economy” of meaningless work, what the future of HR could look like as the function reimagines its role, and why so many corporate AI pilots are failing to deliver results.From rethinking how we define substance at work, to exploring HR’s opportunity to become more strategic, to understanding the gap between AI hype and reality, Alexis brings insights grounded in her experience as an organizational psychologist, people analytics leader, and researcher helping organizations navigate change.LinksAlexis’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexisfink/Al’s Website: https://www.al-dea.com/ ArticlesArticle 1: https://www.fastcompany.com/91391631/how-ai-is-exposing-the-bs-economy-ai-work-productivityArticle 2: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/future-work-2025-why-hr-holds-pen-rewrite-playbook-john-golden-ph-d--jyobc/?trackingId=b4LDN4PbD9CiHuae%2B5l%2BtQ%3D%3DArticle 3: https://fortune.com/2025/08/18/mit-report-95-percent-generative-ai-pilots-at-companies-failing-cfo/

In this Work in Progress segment of The Edge of Work, Al Dea is joined by Dr. Shonna Waters, CEO and Co-Founder of Fractional Insights, to explore the intersection of AI, leadership, and the future of work. Together, they assess the possibility of “BS Jobs," debate what a “decline in conscientiousness” really means, and examine why CEO narratives about AI adoption don’t always match reality.LinksShonna’s Website: https://www.fractionalinsights.ai/ Shonna’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shonna-waters/Al’s Website: https://www.al-dea.com/ Articles:Article 1: https://grimoiremanor.substack.com/p/no-conscientiousness-hasnt-collaped?r=un33&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=trueArticle 2: https://fortune.com/2025/07/02/ai-work-salesforce-benioff-nadella-microsoft-pichai-google/Article 3: https://www.fastcompany.com/91391631/how-ai-is-exposing-the-bs-economy-ai-work-productivityArticle 4: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/shonna-waters_the-ai-adoption-journey-doesnt-start-with-activity-7363567159911882752-yJpG/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAE3zicBfrtScfTifWDhDOVxFn_o6oUna5o

Greg Shove is the CEO of Section AI, a company helping enterprises and teams become truly AI-enabled. In this episode of The Edge of Work, Greg shares his journey of pivoting Section from an online business school to an AI-powered transformation partner. He discusses why most companies are struggling to adopt AI, the mistakes leaders make when rolling it out, and why the challenge is less about technology and more about change management. Greg also explains how AI is reshaping knowledge work, what employees and leaders need to do to stay relevant, and why the future of learning will look more like personalized coaching than traditional training.LinksNewsletter: https://personalmath.substack.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregshove/Website: https://www.sectionai.com/ 

Greg Satell is the Author of Cascades: How to Create a Movement That Drives Transformational Change. In this episode of The Edge of Work, Greg joins Al Dea to explore why most organizational change efforts fail and how leaders can spark lasting transformation. Drawing from his front-row experience during Ukraine’s Orange Revolution and 15 years of research, Greg shares the power of “small groups, loosely connected, united by a shared purpose” to drive cultural and behavioral change. He explains why top-down, big-bang launches often trigger resistance, how to find early adopters, and the keys to creating the right conditions for change to spread.LinksWebsite: https://gregsatell.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregsatell/Book: https://gregsatell.com/cascades/

Meg Bear is the Co-Host of The Meg and Amy Show. In this episode of The Edge of Work, Meg joins Al Dea to unpack the biggest workplace and technology headlines shaping the future of work. Together, they explore the implications of AI Pilots failing to deliver results, what automation and AI could mean for consulting firms, the potential for a “white collar gig economy” and the evolving nature of the employer-employee contract. From AI pilots failing to deliver results, to what automation means for consulting firms, and the growing conversation around the white-collar gig economy, Meg offers candid insights grounded in her experience as a tech executive, and now Co-Host of The Meg and Amy Show. Article Links:https://www.google.com/url?q=https://fortune.com/2025/08/18/mit-report-95-percent-generative-ai-pilots-at-companies-failing-cfohttps://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenwolfepereira/2025/07/03/ceos-said-youre-replaceable-prepare-for-the-white-collar-gig-economy/https://www.msn.com/en-ca/money/career/at-t-just-made-it-official-workplace-loyalty-is-dead/ar-AA1K4ro4? Other LinksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megbear/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMegandAmyShow

In this solo episode of The Edge of Work, Al Dea explores what it really takes to lead change in today’s fast-moving workplace. Drawing from over 25 interviews with senior talent and learning leaders, Al shares six practical, people-centered practices to help leaders guide change more effectively. Whether it's launching a new initiative, navigating a transformation, or adapting to constant disruption, Al walks through a handful of tactical ways to lead with empathy, clarity, and confidence to lead change during uncertain times.LinksAl Dea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsaldea/Work With Al Dea: https://al-dea.com/speaking/

Tasha Eurich is a Principal of The Eurich Group, a New York Times bestselling author, and an executive coach to top leaders around the world. In this episode of The Edge of Work, Tasha joins Al Dea to discuss her latest book, Shatterproof: How to Thrive in a World of Constant Chaos and Why Resilience Alone Isn’t Enough. They explore why the traditional notion of resilience falls short in today’s workplace, how grit gaslighting holds high performers back, and why self-awareness and purpose are critical for navigating constant change. Tasha also introduces the “shatterproof” framework, a science-backed, four-step roadmap for not just surviving chaos, but growing through it.LinksWebsite: https://www.tashaeurich.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tashaeurich/Book: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/tasha-eurich/shatterproof/9780316566551/

Jayney Howson is the Senior Vice President and Head of Global Learning & Development at ServiceNow, where she leads ServiceNow University, an innovative, AI-powered learning platform designed to unlock skill development at scale. In this episode Jayney joins Al Dea to discuss how learning is evolving in the age of AI, why human transformation is essential to business transformation, and how ServiceNow is reimagining learning across its entire ecosystem of employees, customers, and partners.LinksJayney Howson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayney-howson-05677a23/Al Dea: https://www.al-dea.com/ ServiceNow University: https://learning.servicenow.com/now/lxp/home

In this solo episode of The Edge of Work, Al Dea shares early insights from his summer research interviews with 20+ senior talent and learning leaders at Fortune 1000 companies. He reveals four key themes shaping their top priorities today: leadership and manager development, AI-driven enablement, change and transformation, and systemic talent and learning. Al also shares insights into what leaders explores what leaders wish they could prioritize and what outdated practices they’re ready to sunset. LinksAl Dea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsaldea/Work With Al Dea: https://al-dea.com/speaking/

Note: This is a replay of one of our most popular episodes from this yearDani 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 some of 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/#

Note: This is a replay of one of the most popular episodes of 2025Conor 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/