The Humanity Gap: What AI Can't Replace

The Fundamentals of Leadership

Lead is a verb, says today’s guest, John Zorbini. John is a successful executive coach, consultant, speaker, facilitator, and adjunct professor and long-time colleague of the Stewart Leadership team. For 30 years, John has held various leadership roles for three of Wisconsin's largest employers, spending 25 of those years in the Chief Human Resources Officer position. In today’s conversation, Daniel, Peter, and John take an in-depth look at the fundamentals of leadership and what it takes to succeed in a leadership role. Tune in to learn: * How leadership is more like a reliable Ford pickup than a shiny new Ferarri * The valuable practice from medicine that can drive leadership success * The one thing all engaged employees have in common Ultimately, John says, if leaders can’t connect and inspire their people, they’ll struggle to deliver results. “If you can't inspire commitment, everything else is going to be pretty meaningless,” he says. Questions, or comments? E-mail us at podcast@stewartleadership.com — Sign up for Stewart Leadership's newsletter: https://stewartleadership.com/newsletter/ [https://stewartleadership.com/newsletter/] — Resources and Links: John Zorbini LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-zorbini/] John Zorbini Bio at Stewart Leadership [https://stewartleadership.com/dipl-team-member/zorbini/] Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources: John Zorbini resources at Stewart Leadership [https://stewartleadership.com/?s=zorbini] LEAD NOW! Leadership Development Model [https://stewartleadership.com/our-approach/lead-now-leadership-development-model/] 5 Ways to Inspire Your Team [https://stewartleadership.com/5-ways-to-inspire-your-team/] 10 Tips to Inspire Commitment [https://stewartleadership.com/10-tips-to-inspire-commitment/] 5 Tools to Own Your Career and Inspire Engagement [https://stewartleadership.com/five-tools-to-own-your-career-inspire-engagement/] How to Create a Strong Digital Executive Presence [https://stewartleadership.com/digital-executive-presence/] Buying Hands and Feet [https://stewartleadership.com/buying-hands-and-feet/] 6 Tips to Support Remote and Hybrid Team Well-Being [https://stewartleadership.com/6-tips-for-promoting-well-being-with-your-hybrid-and-remote-teams/] 6 Tips to Make 1:1 Meetings More Effective [https://stewartleadership.com/6-tips-to-make-11-meetings-more-effective/] — #leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #StewartLeadership #LeadershipGrowthPodcast If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode.  For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com [http://www.stewartleadership.com] and follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/stewartleadership], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stewartleadership/], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@stewartleadership4374].

The Humanity Gap: What AI Can't Replace

What happens when you stop trusting your gut and let AI do your thinking? Today’s guest says that’s when people start to lose themselves inside AI. “Instead of coming to a problem with your own brief or with your own kind of institutional knowledge, you're letting AI drive your own narrative for you and then just accepting that as fact,” says Elizabeth Rosenberg. Elizabeth is the Founder of both The Good Advice Company and Chief Spiritual Officer. As an experienced PR and communications professional specializing in personal branding and intuitive intelligence, she joins Daniel and Peter in this episode to share her insights into how leaders can fully leverage AI without losing their humanity. Tune in to learn: * How to set boundaries around AI usage * How to best leverage AI while building a unique personal brand * What NOT to do in building a personal thought leadership brand As a proponent of AI, Elizabeth says leaders shouldn’t hide from it. “Embrace it,” she says, but balance AI usage with an equal amount of time outside or connecting with other humans. “Nature and people and relationships and connection and community are the things that actually bring us into old age and keep us alive.” Questions, or comments? E-mail us at podcast@stewartleadership.com — Sign up for Stewart Leadership's newsletter: https://stewartleadership.com/newsletter/ [https://stewartleadership.com/newsletter/] — Resources and Links Elizabeth Rosenberg LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethrosenberg/] The Good Advice Company [https://www.thegoodadvicecompany.com/] Chief Spiritual Officer [https://www.chiefspiritualofficer.com/] Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources: 3 Tips for Leading Through the AI Digital Transformation [https://stewartleadership.com/3-tips-for-leading-through-the-ai-digital-transformation/] 4 Mistakes Leaders Make with AI–and What to Do Instead [https://stewartleadership.com/4-mistakes-leaders-make-with-aiand-what-to-do-instead/] 3 Tips for Leading Through Uncertainty [https://stewartleadership.com/leading-through-uncertainty/] The AI Integration Roadmap [https://stewartleadership.com/the-ai-integration-roadmap/] Strategic Planning for Unpredictable Times [https://stewartleadership.com/strategic-planning-for-unpredictable-times/] The Value of Wasting Time [https://stewartleadership.com/the-value-of-wasting-time/] 4 Ways “Green Therapy” Can Make You a Better Leader [https://stewartleadership.com/4-ways-green-therapy-can-make-you-a-better-leader/] 9 Ways to Live Longer and Lead Better [https://stewartleadership.com/9-practices-to-boost-your-leadership-longevity/] 5 Ways “Cloud Watching” Improves Your Leadership [https://stewartleadership.com/5-reasons-cloud-watching-can-make-you-a-better-leader/] — #leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #StewartLeadership #LeadershipGrowthPodcast If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode.  For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com [http://www.stewartleadership.com] and follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/stewartleadership], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stewartleadership/], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@stewartleadership4374].

Adversity Doesn't End Your Story, It Rewrites It

Everyone faces adversity. Today’s guest asks, “If something happens that derails your life, what is the initiative that you're willing to take to pave the road to make things possible?” After losing his sight in 2011, André van Hall learned first-hand what it meant to face adversity and reinvent himself. After a career in hospitality, he pivoted to become an author, speaker, and self-styled Curiosity Instigator. In this episode, André talks to Daniel and Peter about the circumstances that led to the loss of his vision, how he dealt with the obstacles his new reality presented, and what he learned in the process of reinventing himself. Tune in to learn: * The role of curiosity in overcoming adversity and reinventing oneself * The importance of humility in facing challenges * The difference between judging and assessing A rebuilt life is not a lesser life, says André. “Curiosity truly is the ray of sunlight that gives us the possibilities of what can be.” Questions, or comments? E-mail us at podcast@stewartleadership.com — Sign up for Stewart Leadership's newsletter: https://stewartleadership.com/newsletter/ [https://stewartleadership.com/newsletter/] — Resources and Links André van Hall TEDx Talk [https://youtu.be/2kCzSphkg5s?si=PF2q-jBC4WFCnYxG] André van Hall Website [https://andrevanhall.com/] The Curiosity of Change: How to Bring Light to the Dark Side of Change, André van Hall (Amazon) [https://www.amazon.com/Curiosity-Change-Bring-Light-Dark-ebook/dp/B07VZQSQV9/] Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources: How to Stay Relevant at Work [https://stewartleadership.com/how-to-stay-relevant-at-work/] 6 Tips to Build a Learning Organization [https://stewartleadership.com/6-tips-to-build-a-learning-organization/] 7 Ways Leaders Develop Themselves and Others [https://stewartleadership.com/7-ways-leaders-develop-themselves-and-others/] 5 EQ Lessons from a Leader Who Turned Criticism Into Growth [https://stewartleadership.com/criticism-into-growth/] 7 Ways to Become a Servant Leader [https://stewartleadership.com/7-ways-to-become-a-servant-leader/] 8 Characteristics of Servant Leaders [https://stewartleadership.com/8-characteristics-of-servant-leaders/] — #leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #StewartLeadership #LeadershipGrowthPodcast If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode.  For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com [http://www.stewartleadership.com] and follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/stewartleadership], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stewartleadership/], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@stewartleadership4374].

The Friction Problem Nobody's Talking About

From food delivery to dating, much of modern life is designed to help us eliminate friction. But today’s guest suggests that we may have eliminated too much friction. Ross Blankenship is an organizational psychologist, executive coach, and author who works with CEOs and senior leadership teams on the human side of leadership. In his forthcoming book, Friction: Uncover the Power of Leading Through Tension, Ross and his co-author, Maggie Sass, explore how leaders can lead through friction for better decisions, stronger relationships, and healthier performance. In this conversation, Daniel, Peter, and Ross discuss why the right amount of friction is key to learning and leading for long-term success. Ross points to studies that show when learning is more difficult, retention is higher. “If you take too much of the friction out of my thinking… then I’m not really thinking about it anymore,” he says. Tune in to learn: * The different types of friction that affect how people work and lead * Why a little bit of friction is actually good * How “sticking points” can help improve thinking Like most beneficial practices, leveraging and navigating friction starts with habits. Find “the very simplest, smallest version of a task,” says Ross, and reflect or put energy into thinking about that friction. “That’s the kind of habit that can start to change your identity over time.” Questions, or comments? E-mail us at podcast@stewartleadership.com — Sign up for Stewart Leadership's newsletter: https://stewartleadership.com/newsletter/ [https://stewartleadership.com/newsletter/] — Resources and Links Everyday Leadership Website [https://www.everydayleadership.com/] Ross Blankenship’s Substack “Theory of Change” [https://rossblankenship.substack.com/p/everyday-leadership] Tuesday Advisors [https://www.tuesdayadvisors.com/] Ross Blankenship website [https://www.rossblankenship.io/] Ross Blankenship LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonrossblankenship/] Friction: Uncover the Power of Leading Through Tension (August 2026) [https://www.amazon.com/Friction-Emotion-Tension-Connection-Leaders/dp/B0FKM27Z4K] Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources: Why this One Skill is a Non-Negotiable for Your Next-Level Leaders [https://stewartleadership.com/conflict-management-manager-skill/] 8 Tips to Manage Critical Feedback [https://stewartleadership.com/8-tips-to-manage-critical-feedback/] 5 IQ Lessons from a Leader Who Turned Criticism Into Growth [https://stewartleadership.com/criticism-into-growth/] Burned Out vs. Bored Out: The Hidden Engagement Crisis [https://stewartleadership.com/burned-out-or-bored-out-the-engagement-challenge-few-are-talking-about/] 6 Ways Leaders can Master Emotional Self-Control [https://stewartleadership.com/6-ways-to-help-regulate-your-emotions-for-leadership-effectiveness/] How to Increase Your Emotional Intelligence [https://stewartleadership.com/increasing-your-emotional-intelligence-how-do-others-react-to-you-2/] 8 Keys to Managing Conflict Well [https://stewartleadership.com/8-keys-to-managing-conflict-well/] — #leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #StewartLeadership #LeadershipGrowthPodcast If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode.  For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com [http://www.stewartleadership.com] and follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/stewartleadership], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stewartleadership/], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@stewartleadership4374].

Don't Let Your Organization Fall Behind on AI

By the time you read this sentence, the AI landscape has already changed, says Bala Muthiah, Director of Engineering for Lyft. “It’s like A Tale of Two Cities,” he says, citing the tension between champions and skeptics. “There are dreamers, and we need them. And there is a realism when code goes to production.” In this conversation with Daniel and Peter, Bala shares his insights about how to balance aspirations around the great potential of AI with a healthy dose of realism about its capabilities and use cases. Tune in to learn: * A framework to help apply AI with a “human first” approach * What you should NOT do to promote AI literacy * Why leaders should let go of AI FOMO Ultimately, Bala encourages leaders to be curious. “As a leader, the number one job is to help your team be their best,” he says. Being curious “is always going to be the winning formula.” Questions, or comments? E-mail us at podcast@stewartleadership.com — Sign up for Stewart Leadership's newsletter: https://stewartleadership.com/newsletter/ [https://stewartleadership.com/newsletter/] — Resources and Links Bala Muthiah LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/balaarjunan/] Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources: 4 Mistakes Leaders Make with AI–and What to Do Instead [https://stewartleadership.com/4-mistakes-leaders-make-with-aiand-what-to-do-instead/] 4 Ways to Encourage a Healthy Failure Culture [https://stewartleadership.com/4-ways-to-encourage-a-healthy-failure-culture/] The AI Integration Roadmap [https://stewartleadership.com/the-ai-integration-roadmap/] How to Stay Relevant at Work [https://stewartleadership.com/how-to-stay-relevant-at-work/] 6 Ways to Gain Support for Organizational Change [https://stewartleadership.com/6-tips-to-help-build-support-for-your-next-change-effort/] The 4 Steps for Managing Constant Change in the Workplace [https://stewartleadership.com/the-4-steps-for-managing-constant-change-in-the-workplace/] 4 Ways to Develop a Strategy of Adaptation [https://stewartleadership.com/4-ways-to-develop-a-strategy-of-adaptation/] 5 Signs You’re Ready for Digital Transformation [https://stewartleadership.com/5-ways-to-know-when-youre-ready-for-digital-transformation/] — #leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #StewartLeadership #LeadershipGrowthPodcast If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode.  For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com [http://www.stewartleadership.com] and follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/stewartleadership], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stewartleadership/], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@stewartleadership4374].