As organizations accelerate their use of AI and automation, one critical question remains: where does human judgment still matter most?

In this episode of the People/AI Strategy Forum, Sam Reeve is joined by Brian Beckcom to explore why leadership, experience, and human discernment cannot be replaced by algorithms alone. While AI can improve efficiency and decision support, Brian argues that judgment, ethics, and accountability must remain firmly in human hands.

This conversation unpacks the limits of automation, the risks of over-reliance on data-driven systems, and the leadership capabilities required to balance technology with responsibility. Together, Sam and Brian discuss how leaders can leverage AI without surrendering the human elements that drive trust, culture, and long-term performance.

This episode is especially relevant for executives, founders, and HR leaders navigating AI adoption while remaining accountable for people, outcomes, and organizational integrity.

Key Topics Covered:

• The limits of AI and algorithmic decision-making
• Why human judgment remains essential in leadership
• Accountability, ethics, and decision ownership in AI-enabled organizations
• Balancing automation with trust and culture
• What leaders must retain control over as AI adoption grows

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the People/AI Strategy Forum on your preferred podcast platform and join the conversation!

About the People/AI Strategy Forum
The People/AI Strategy Forum explores how leaders navigate the intersection of people strategy, leadership, and artificial intelligence. Hosted by Sam Reeve, Founder & CEO of CompTeam, the Forum features conversations with executives, practitioners, and experts shaping the future of work.

Learn more about CompTeam and the People/AI Strategy Forum at compteam.net.

Thriving as a Woman in Leadership

Featuring Shauna Moran

What does it take to truly thrive as a woman in leadership today?

In this episode of the People Strategy Forum, Shauna Moran joins the conversation to discuss the realities women face in leadership roles—including visibility, expectations, and influence—and what it takes to lead with confidence, authenticity, and impact.

Shauna shares insights from her professional journey and offers practical guidance on building executive presence, navigating leadership challenges, and developing the support systems that help women succeed. The discussion also explores how organizations can create cultures that empower women leaders and support long-term growth and engagement.

In this episode, we cover:

• Leadership challenges commonly faced by women
• Building confidence and executive presence
• Leading authentically while managing expectations
• The role of mentorship, sponsorship, and allies
• Creating workplace cultures where women leaders can thrive

This episode is ideal for executives, HR leaders, and people strategists committed to developing inclusive leadership and strengthening the future of work.

Ready to understand the real engine of a high-performing company? We're taking a deep dive into the critical culture reset and uncovering why fairness is your organization's greatest hidden performance asset. Join us as we chat with Celeste Warren, a globally recognized leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, who now runs a consulting practice dedicated to integrating inclusive practices into people strategies and business operations. Celeste breaks down the most common equity blind spots across talent systems—from the "lazy" route of AI recruiting to combatting proximity bias in performance reviews and ensuring you hire for long-term potential, not just "fit for purpose." This conversation simplifies the complex, providing pragmatic, actionable advice to help every leader build a genuinely equitable and innovative workplace.

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Workplaces should not always be all about serious work – sometimes, you also need a bit of fun to keep your sanity and identify areas of improvement in the most interesting ways. Joining the People Strategy Forum is Jolynn D. Ledgerwood, Founder of Elevate Your Talent, who shares how she uses LEGO® bricks to redefine and elevate workflows and systems. She emphasizes the need for real human connection to break through limiting beliefs and redesign organizational strategies, particularly in this age of AI and automation. Jolynn also explains how to address AI anxiety and the right way to tap into your creative brainpower to build a better and more human workplace.

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Before they can achieve success, every great leader needs someone to teach them about mastering their craft and building their confidence. But in today’s world of rapid change, social disconnection, and digital overload, is mentorship disappearing? Colleen Stanley, a highly respected leadership expert, joins the People Strategy Forum to explore the crisis in mentorship we are experiencing in this age of automation. Discussing her book, "Be The Mentor Who Mattered," she presents practical habits leaders can integrate into their daily lives to rekindle the spark of mentorship culture. Colleen also discusses how to maintain genuine connections despite the rampant use of AI tools, putting human mentorship at the center of ever-evolving tech innovation.

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Trust under pressure isn’t just a leadership challenge, it’s a defining moment that determines whether teams shut down or rise together. In this conversation, Darryl Stickel, Ph.D., shares the lessons behind decades of research, advising government leaders, executives, and communities on how trust breaks, how it’s rebuilt, and why silence, uncertainty, and fear are often symptoms of unmet emotional and psychological needs rather than resistance. He breaks down his ten trust-building levers, the difference between ability, integrity, and benevolence, and how leaders can reduce uncertainty, create psychological safety, and open space for honest dialogue and performance. Whether you’re navigating change, leading through complexity, or rebuilding confidence after breakdown, this episode offers a grounded, human framework for restoring trust and strengthening relationships.

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Future-ready leadership begins with mindset, not machines. This conversation with Allister Frost brings that truth into sharp focus. In this powerful discussion, Allister shares his journey from leading digital strategy at Microsoft to helping global leaders navigate a rapidly accelerating AI world without losing their humanity, clarity, or confidence. He breaks down why tools alone cannot transform culture, why many organizations are unknowingly building the wrong AI strategy, and why curiosity, communication, and creativity have become the essential skills for the modern workforce. Allister also introduces the ReadyAlready® Growth Cycle, his simple framework for staying adaptable, innovative, and grounded through constant technological change. This is a practical, energizing roadmap for anyone preparing themselves, their teams, and their organizations for what comes next.

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One of the best ways to retain the best talent in your organization is to constantly make them feel seen and appreciated. By providing sustainable rewards on a regular basis, you help ensure that everyone in the team finds purpose and fulfilment in the work that they do. Joining the People Strategy Forum is Chinmay Malaviya, co-founder and CEO of Ridepanda, which provides personal e-bikes and scooters as a form of company benefit. He explains how this type of employee perk crushes commute stress, lowers parking costs, and helps cut down carbon emissions. Chinmay also presents strategies on rolling out this reward program in their own organizations successfully, inspiring everyone to live healthier lives inside and outside of work.

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