How do you get certain in an uncertain world?

Why is seeking out variance in your life the key to personal and professional growth?

My guest on this episode is the one and only Dave Ulrich, Professor at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan and a partner at The RBL Group

In our conversation, Dave opens up about his personal journey and shares insights that have guided his influential career as we discuss...

• How his parents' values shaped his view that work is an opportunity, not a burden
• Why a pivotal college course redirected him from law to a groundbreaking career in HR
• The importance of building on existing knowledge rather than reinventing HR concepts
• His personal motto "the best is yet to come" and how it drives continuous learning
• Why embracing variance in thinking leads to personal growth and innovation in HR practices

Connecting with Dave:

Connect with Dave Ulrich on LinkedIn

Sign up for Dave’s LinkedIn newsletter here

Episode Sponsor:

Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

Elevate 2025 - Learn more about this a flexible 3-week virtual program focused on taking your strategic capabilities and business impact to the next level with 16 interactive sessions led by 18 HR thought leaders.

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

How does the combination of pressure and power impact a leader’s behavior?

What can HR leaders do to help their managers to be better bosses?

My guest on this episode is Sabina Nawaz, Executive Coach and author, “You're the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need)”

During our conversation Sabina and I discuss:

• Why pressure, not power alone, makes leaders behave poorly and what leaders can do about it
• Simple ways to set healthy work limits even when bosses expect too much
• Why communication breakdowns happen and practical ways to fix them
• How the "shut up exercise" helps leaders listen more and talk less, leading to better team results
• Why the skills that got you promoted might be seen differently once you're in a leadership role

Connecting with Sabina:

Connect with Sabina Nawaz on LinkedIn

Learn more about her book: You're the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need)

Episode Sponsor:

Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

Elevate 2025 - Learn more about this a flexible 3-week virtual program focused on taking your strategic capabilities and business impact to the next level with 16 interactive sessions led by 18 HR thought leaders.

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

How do we want our leaders, our organizations, and HR to be augmented by AI?

Why is generative AI an historic opportunity for HR leaders to shape the future of work and leadership?

My guests on this episode are Bob Johansen, Distinguished Fellow at Institute for the Future (IFTF), Gabe Cervantes, Director, Scalable Foresight, IFTF, and Jeremy Kirshbaum, CEO, Handshake, a generative AI consultancy who go deep into their new book, Leaders Make the Future: 10 New Skills to Humanize Leadership with Generative AI”

During our conversation Bob, Gabe, and Jeremy and I discuss:

• How "future-backed thinking" helps leaders craft bold 10-year visions for their organizations.
• The shift from a VUCA world (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) to a BANI future (Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, Incomprehensible), and its implications for leaders.
• What early aviation's breakthroughs can teach us about managing AI innovation today and tomorrow.
• The rise of "smart mobs and agentic swarms" and how these new team structures will blend AI and human talent at scale.
• How HR can shape an AI-enabled workplace that keeps humans at the center.

Connecting with Bob, Gabe and Jeremy:

Connect with Bob Johansen on LinkedIn

Connect with Gabe Cervantes on LinkedIn

Connect with Jeremy Kirshbaum on LinkedIn

Learn more about “Leaders Make the Future: 10 New Skills to Humanize Leadership with Generative AI”

Episode Sponsor:

Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

Elevate 2025 - Learn more about this a flexible 3-week virtual program focused on taking your strategic capabilities and business impact to the next level with 16 interactive sessions led by 18 HR thought leaders.

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.