Leadership: Beyond the Facade with Phillip Stenger of Ascent

Leading in the Age of AI: Embracing Dual Transformation

Most companies treat AI as a cost-cutting tool, but the real competitive advantage comes from using it to create new products, services, and capabilities. In this conversation, Pedro Arellano, founder of Wallabi, explains the framework of dual transformation and why business leaders who only optimize existing processes will fall behind. In this episode, you will learn why AI transformation is not a technology project, how to build the data foundation that makes AI actually work, why expertise becomes more valuable in the age of AI, and how leaders across every function can take ownership of the transformation. Whether you lead a legacy organization or a growing company, this discussion provides a practical lens for prioritizing AI investments and bringing your team along on the journey. Key Takeaways * Dual transformation means pursuing efficiency and innovation simultaneously, not choosing one. * Type A transformation (efficiency) is table stakes; Type B (growth and innovation) creates market separation. * Leading companies are three times more likely to use AI for innovation, not just cost cutting. * AI transformation is not a technology project; people, culture, and process come first. * A strong data foundation is required for AI to deliver real results. Garbage in, garbage out. * AI literacy is becoming as essential as knowing how to use email or a computer. * Expertise does not disappear with AI; expertise makes AI output significantly better. * Leaders cannot delegate AI ownership solely to IT. Every executive function plays a role. * The electric motor analogy shows transformation requires rethinking organizations, not just swapping tools. * Leadership choices, not the technology itself, decide whether AI shrinks or grows the workforce. Timestamps 00:31 Meet the guest and topic introduction 00:57 From Silicon Valley to founding Wallaby 01:37 The ChatGPT moment that changed everything 01:58 Why data foundation matters more than AI 03:24 Introducing dual transformation 03:59 Type A versus Type B transformation 05:25 Why efficiency alone is not enough 06:00 Legacy companies versus AI-first competitors 06:12 AI transformation is not an IT project 08:04 The electric motor and organizational change 14:18 Why expertise matters more in the age of AI 16:39 Augmenting people versus replacing them 18:36 Shared ownership across the leadership team Connect with Pedro: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedroarellano/ Thanks for listening to “The Courageous Choice.” Be sure to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss any conversations.  For more information, visit gigtalentagency.com [https://gigtalentagency.com] or email us at podcast@gigtalentagency.com if you have any questions.  #StartupCulture #OrganizationalTransformation #StrategicLeadership

The Courageous Path to Purposeful Leadership

This episode is a heart-to-heart dive into the real, raw relationship between fear and leadership. Barb Krol, Chief People Officer and seasoned coach, shares her transformative journey and powerful insights on how fear shapes us — and how embracing it can make us stronger, more authentic leaders. If you're ready to confront your fears and step into your most courageous self, this episode is your wake-up call. In this episode: * Barb’s personal journey from fear of losing her career to fearless authenticity * How fear manifests in leaders and how to recognize it in ourselves and others * The connection between fear, shame, and grief, and how to navigate these emotions * Practical steps to manage fear through small, courageous actions * The role of vulnerability and candor in leading with confidence * How to transform fear into exponential leadership impact * The importance of continuous inner work and self-awareness for lasting leadership legacy Timestamps: 00:00 – Podcast Intro 00:33 – Introduction of guest Barb Croll, Chief People Officer at Orange County’s Credit Union 01:50 – Exploring the journey of leadership effectiveness and the role of fear 02:54 – Mid-career fear vs. later-career fear: Success vs. Mortality 04:00 – How leaders unknowingly operate from a place of fear and the denial of it 06:50 – The connection between fear, leadership, and shame 08:50 – The “Lion” vs. “CYA”: How fear affects decision-making and risk-taking 10:45 – Careful Candor: Learning to be comfortable being uncomfortable 12:20 – Comparing the “waves” of fear to the process of grief 14:30 – Redefining grief in the workplace: Aging, body changes, and career endings 15:50 – The “Second Act”: Finding boldness and fearlessness late in a career 18:10 – Breaking free from "political shackles" to add real value 19:10 – Can we fix the system? Systemic change vs. individual growth 20:45 – Leadership in the age of AI and rapid technology: Leading with less data 22:45 – The Kaizen Principle: The power of 1% daily improvement over perfectionism 25:20 – Silencing the inner chatter: "Did I do my best today?" 26:30 – Barb’s Final Advice: Do the internal work and "don't get caught in your belly button" Resources & Links: - Daring Greatly by Brené Brown [https://brenebrown.com/book/daring-greatly/] - Kaizen Principle Explained [https://www.lean.org/lexicon-terms/kaizen/] - Orange County’s Credit Union [https://www.orangecountyscu.org/]  Connect with Barb: Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/barb-krol-5868543/] Thanks for listening to “The Courageous Choice.” Be sure to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss any conversations.  For more information, visit gigtalentagency.com [https://gigtalentagency.com] or email us at podcast@gigtalentagency.com if you have any questions.

Leadership: Beyond the Facade with Phillip Stenger of Ascent

Are you tired of trying to win everyone's approval and losing your authenticity in the process? In this episode, Phillip Stenger drops truth bombs about leadership, fear, conflict, and the courage it takes to be real. Get ready to challenge everything you thought leadership should be — because real change begins when you embrace the uncomfortable. In this episode: * The difference between respect and likeability, and why it matters * How fear of not being liked can sabotage your leadership * Building trust through honesty — even in tough decisions * The power of embracing mistakes and vulnerability * Practical tools for courageous leadership on your toughest days * The role of meditation and mental health routines in resilient leadership * Why you should own your wrongs — and celebrate your failures * How to lead with confidence without losing yourself * The concept of "confidence humility" rooted in self-awareness * Moving beyond superficial niceness to real, tough conversations Timestamps 00:00 - Authenticity over approval in leadership 02:05 - First lesson on being liked in finance 06:14 - Respect vs. likeability: what leaders can actually control 08:23 - Building a company while managing external approval 10:42 - Fear, uncertainty, and how experience builds confidence 12:18 - Meditation, mental health, and leadership presence 14:37 - Making unpopular decisions with honesty 19:47 - The danger of “nice” cultures that avoid hard conversations 22:26 - What courageous leadership looks like in the moment 24:39 - Confident humility: strong opinions, open mind 25:10 - Advice for early-career professionals afraid of being disliked 28:35 - The permission slip: leaders can be wrong 30:24 - Building a culture that learns from mistakes Resources & Links: - Radical Candor by Kim Scott [https://www.radicalcandor.com/the-book/%E2%81%A0] - The Courageous Leadership Series [https://www.thevanguardnetwork.com/courageous-leadership-series%E2%81%A0] - “Confidence Humility” book [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/607660/think-again-by-adam-grant/%C2%A0%C2%A0%E2%81%A0] - Meditation for Leaders - Headspace [https://www.headspace.com/articles/mindful-leadership%E2%81%A0] - Own Your Mistakes - Harvard Business Review [%E2%81%A0https://store.hbr.org/product/be-a-leader-who-can-admit-mistakes/H023ZS%E2%81%A0] Connect with Phillip Stenger: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillipstegner/] Thanks for listening to “The Courageous Choice.” Be sure to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss any conversations.  For more information, visit gigtalentagency.com [https://gigtalentagency.com/] or email us at podcast@gigtalentagency.com if you have any questions.

Redefining Talent Access in the Age of Disruption with Tony Buffum of Human Cloud

Tony Buffum [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-buffum-hrexecutive/], Head of Enterprise Strategy at Human Cloud [https://www.linkedin.com/company/humancloud/], joins us on this episode to talk about the evolution of talent strategy and what it truly takes for leaders to navigate workforce transformation with courage. With more than two decades leading global HR and talent transformation initiatives, Tony brings a rare perspective across enterprise, platform and advisory work. He explains how the shift toward flexible and on-demand talent models is not just an operational adjustment but a strategic reset. We explore the courageous choices leaders must make as traditional workforce models strain under new realities. Tony challenges organizations to rethink how they align people, technology and business strategy and to move beyond incremental change toward intentional transformation. Key Takeaways: 00:00 Introduction. 07:02 Traditional workforce planning struggles to keep pace with shifting talent demands. 08:52 Flexible talent enables expertise deployment within days, not months. 15:02 Over 50% of students now prefer independent work over full-time roles. 19:08 Success requires managing flexible and full-time talent as one aligned team. 24:07 Private equity value creation depends on rapid, flexible access to expertise. 27:20 Technology shifts require talent models that flex as fast as markets change. 34:15 HR must lead workforce transformation or risk being displaced by it. Resources Mentioned: Tony Buffum [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-buffum-hrexecutive/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-buffum-hrexecutive/ Human Cloud [https://www.linkedin.com/company/humancloud/] LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/humancloud/ Human Cloud [https://humancloud.work] | Website https://humancloud.work Human Cloud platform [https://app.humancloud.com] https://app.humancloud.com Upwork [https://www.upwork.com] https://www.upwork.com Thanks for listening to “The Courageous Choice.” Be sure to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss any conversations.  For more information, visit gigtalentagency.com [https://gigtalentagency.com] or email us at podcast@gigtalentagency.com if you have any questions.  Want to be featured as a guest? Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrwfuBIhL1-eC5V8mUF9GJaKl3U0jI7hIEvake7wAWJF0DaA/viewform [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrwfuBIhL1-eC5V8mUF9GJaKl3U0jI7hIEvake7wAWJF0DaA/viewform] #StartupCulture #OrganizationalTransformation #StrategicLeadership

Scaling With Courage and Clarity with Allie Danziger of Ascent

Allie Danziger [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alliedanziger/], Chief Marketing Officer of Ascent [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascentfunding/] and former Founder and CEO of Ampersand Professionals [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ampersand-professionals/], joins us to discuss choosing growth before certainty. From raising her hand during layoffs to selling two companies and stepping into a CMO role, Allie shares what it means to have the courage to lean into discomfort and bet on yourself before you feel ready. Career fluidity, scaling teams with clarity and questioning the way things have always been done is often the beginning of real innovation. Key Takeaways: 00:00 Introduction. 02:24 Raising your hand creates opportunities that others wait for. 10:40 Scaling requires clarity on roles and accountability. 13:04 Consultants accelerate execution when speed matters most. 15:42 Choosing the harder environment fuels long-term growth. 17:52 Discomfort is a signal that growth is happening. 19:00 Developing early talent builds confidence and real capability. 22:56 Saying yes early shapes the trajectory of your career. Resources Mentioned: Allie Danziger [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alliedanziger/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/alliedanziger/ Ascent [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascentfunding/] | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascentfunding/ Ascent [https://www.ascentfunding.com] | Website https://www.ascentfunding.com AscentUP program [https://www.ascentfunding.com/ascentup/learners/] https://www.ascentfunding.com/ascentup/learners/ Thanks for listening to “The Courageous Choice.” Be sure to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss any conversations.  For more information, visit gigtalentagency.com [https://gigtalentagency.com] or email us at podcast@gigtalentagency.com if you have any questions.  Want to be featured as a guest? Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrwfuBIhL1-eC5V8mUF9GJaKl3U0jI7hIEvake7wAWJF0DaA/viewform [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrwfuBIhL1-eC5V8mUF9GJaKl3U0jI7hIEvake7wAWJF0DaA/viewform] #StartupCulture #OrganizationalTransformation #StrategicLeadership