A Reckoning on Practice, Potential, and the Future of Leadership Development with James Cross

A Reckoning on Practice, Potential, and the Future of Leadership Development with James Cross

In this episode, James Cross – CEO of Tenor, brings clarity,curiosity, and a deeply human lens to the future of leadership development. Our conversation moves far beyond tools and technology and into the identity work beneath them — the habits leaders must practice, the mindsets they must unlearn,and the moments that shape who they become. We explore what it means to build leadership capability inside fast‑moving organizations, how Tenor is reimagining development through AI‑enabled practice, and why the leaders who thrive in this new era will be the ones willing to stay grounded, reflective, and in motion. James offers an honest, refreshing look at the gap betweenwhat leaders say they want and what they’re actually willing to practice - and how AI can support, accelerate, and democratize that growth without stripping away the humanity at the center of it. As the pace of work intensifies and expectations rise, James reminds us that leadership isn’t a title or a trait — it’s a craft. One that requires repetition, reflection, and the courage to keep showing up. It’s a conversation that leaves you with more than insight —it leaves you with a renewed sense of what leadership can become when we treat development not as an event, but as a lifelong practice.

Beyond the Episode: The AI Ready Organization with Simon Curran

In this special follow‑up episode, Stefani sits back downwith Simon Curran to go deeper into one of the most urgent leadership questions of our time: What does it actually take to redesign an organization for an AI‑enabled future? Simon opens up about the core problem that sparked ROKT’sbold restructuring, the assumptions he had to release, and the unexpected lessons that surfaced once the new design was in motion. Together, they explore the growing “fewer managers” trend—what Simon chose to reduce, what he fiercely protected, and why the manager role is evolving but far from obsolete. They dig into the real influence of AI tools and agents onroles, layers, and spans of control; what’s working inside the new structure; and where the friction still lives. Simon shares how he prepared leaders for the shift, what they had to unlearn, and the cultural ripples that followed—both the breakthroughs and the risks. For leaders staring down the same complexity—AIacceleration, org design upheaval, and the rising bar for human‑centered leadership—Simon offers one clear piece of advice to start with. This is a candid, practical, future‑facing conversationabout the work of redesigning not just an org chart, but the way people lead, collaborate, and create value in a new era.

A Reckoning on Clarity, Culture, and the Future of Leadership with Simon Curran

In this episode, Simon Curran brings clarity, discipline,and deep humanity to the work of building high‑performance leadership and culture. Our conversation goes far beyond tactics and into the identity work beneath them — the standards he had to raise, the patterns he had to unlearn, and the moments that reshaped how he leads and how he helps others rise. We explore what it means to build culture inside a hypergrowth company like Rokt, how his experience with the All Blacks informs his approach to performance and team identity, and the leadership muscles that matter most as AI accelerates the pace of work. Simon offers a grounded, honest look at the challenges leaders are facing today — and the practices that keep cultures human, intentional, and awake. And as AI transforms the landscape of leadership and development, Simon reminds us that clarity, courage, and connection aren’t optional — they’re the parts of leadership that make people feel worth following in the first place. It’s a conversation that leaves you with more than insight — it leaves you with a sense of what leadership can be when we refuse to let the human heart fall out of the equation.

The Reckoning of Becoming: Dr. Chrissy Roth Frances on Humanity, Power, and Leadership

In this episode, Dr. Chrissy Roth‑Frances brings clarity,rigor, and humanity to the messy, necessary work of leadership and leadership development. Our conversation goes far beyond frameworks and into the identitywork beneath them — the truths she had to unlearn, the leaders who shaped her for better and worse, and the moments that forced her to redefine who she wanted to be. We explore what it means to build leadership development inside a company that sits at the center of the world’s professional ecosystem, how her PhD reshaped her lens on people, power, and influence, and the becoming thathappened along the way. And as AI transforms the landscape of L&D, Chrissy reminds us that care and humanity aren’t optional — they’re the parts of development that make people feel worth developing in the first place. It’s a conversation that leaves you with more than insight —it leaves you with a sense of what leadership can be when we refuse to let the human heart fall out of the equation.

The Mentor Mindset: A Leadership Reckoning with David Yeager, PhD

David Yeager, PhD, is one of the world’s leading researcherson human motivation and the developmental years that shape who we become. In this conversation, David breaks down the science behind belief, belonging, and the mentor mindset — and why the way leaders show up between ages 10 and 25 can change the trajectory of a life. We explore what people misunderstand about struggle, howyoung adults interpret challenge, and the small but powerful signals that tell someone, “I see you, I believe in you, and I’m invested in who you’re becoming.” As AI reshapes the world of work, David’s research on humandevelopment has never been more relevant. He explains why the 10–25 window is foundational for identity, motivation, and resilience — and what leaders must understand if they want to support the next generation through unprecedentedchange. We dig into the science of belonging, the psychology ofchallenge, and the leadership practices that help people grow into their fullest potential. This episode is for anyone who leads, teaches, parents, builds teams, shapes culture, or is preparing young adults for a rapidly evolving future.