Tomorrowist

Disruption has become a permanent fixture in the business landscape, making resilience one of the most important drivers of long-term performance. In this episode, Tracey Walker, CEO of SHRM Linkage, explores why resilience has become a competitive differentiator in an era defined by AI acceleration, economic uncertainty, and constant change. From building agile teams to empowering decisive leader...

The organizations that thrive in a future shaped by AI won't be those with the most advanced technology — they'll be the ones that best cultivate uniquely human capabilities. In this conversation, Cisco Global Innovation Officer Guy Diedrich explores why skills like critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and learning agility are becoming essential drivers of innovation, leadership, and business suc...

Traditional definitions of workplace success centered on titles, productivity, and performance are becoming outdated. As burnout, constant connectivity, AI adoption, and shifting societal values reshape the workplace, employees are increasingly seeking work that aligns with their values and provides a deeper sense of meaning and belonging.  In this episode, Charles Lee, Founder & CEO of Ideation a...

Rising healthcare inflation, shifting workforce expectations, and increasing benefits complexity are challenging leaders to rethink how they design programs that support both employees and organizational performance. In this episode, Mercer’s Tracy Watts, Senior Partner and U.S. Leader for Healthcare Policy, explores the major forces reshaping employee benefits. She breaks down how leaders can bui...

In this special episode of Tomorrowist, Cal Engstrom, Senior Researcher at SHRM, and Kenny Pyle, HR Technology Lead Analyst at SHRM, explore the HR technology trends reshaping the future of work — and what they mean for organizations navigating rapid transformation. From the evolving role of AI and automation to the growing need for connected HR and IT strategies, this conversation unpacks how lea...

As change becomes more constant and less predictable, leading organizations are learning to design for change, rather than simply manage or contain it. This week, host Jerry Won speaks with futurist and bestselling author Heather McGowan about why adaptability is becoming a core strategic capability. McGowan challenges the belief that people resist change, arguing instead that the real barrier lie...

Organizations are navigating a paradox. Digital acceleration and AI adoption are reshaping how work gets done, yet leaders are doubling down on the physical workplace. In this episode, host Jerry Won speaks with Dr. Yasmeen Coning, a globally recognized business transformation leader, about why offices are becoming more important in the age of automation. They explore how AI is shifting work towar...

As pressure to move faster and “AI everything” intensifies, many organizations are missing a fundamental advantage: systems thinking. Without clear goals, feedback loops, and a deep understanding of how people, processes, and technology interact, leaders risk reinforcing silos and making decisions that don’t hold up over time. This conversation with Sam Timothy, senior systems engineer at Sysfleet...

Pay transparency is reaching a tipping point. What began as a compliance requirement is quickly becoming a strategic advantage for organizations competing for talent and trust. As salary data becomes easier to access — through new regulations, job postings, and AI-powered tools — employees and candidates are gaining new insight into how pay decisions are made. For leaders, that shift creates both...

When emphasis on AI efficiency outpaces long-term thinking, organizations can face talent gaps, leadership risks, and decisions they’ll later regret. This conversation with SHRM’s Kenny Pyle, HR Technology Lead Analyst, unpacks the hidden costs of AI‑driven work and what leaders should ask before moving forward. What happens next could define work for the decade ahead. Tune it to learn:  The strat...

Change can either happen to your organization — or you can lead it. This week, Bill McCarthy, Executive Chairman of Logos, shares what it takes to navigate change management and lead business transformation from a position of strength, not crisis. From reinventing a business model and maintaining customer satisfaction, to aligning leadership and reinforcing culture, this conversation unpacks how e...

AI is impacting more than jobs. It’s reshaping how organizations are designed, how value is created, and which capabilities matter most. In this episode, Jerry Won and AI+HI Project host Nichol Bradford join Sangeet Paul Choudary, founder of Platform Thinking Labs and best-selling author of Reshuffle, to explore why AI should be understood less as human intelligence mimicry and more as the “connec...

Executives today are leading in a high-visibility environment shaped by rapid technological change, nonstop media cycles, and rising expectations for transparency. In this conversation with Jeffrey Hayzlett, Chairman and Founder of C-Suite Network, we explore how leaders can build powerful brands, communicate with credibility, and maintain executive influence in an era of constant scrutiny and unc...

In this special episode of Tomorrowist, James Atkinson, Vice President of Thought Leadership at SHRM, unpacks SHRM’s HR Trends and Predictions for 2026 — and what they mean for organizations navigating nonstop change. From rapid shifts in AI and evolving workforce structures to the rise of polywork and on-demand upskilling, this conversation breaks down how the future of work is being redefined, a...

Automation and generational shifts are redefining the future of U.S. manufacturing — and the leaders who act now will shape the talent and competitiveness of the next decade. In this conversation with Don Buckner, president and CEO of MadeInUSA.com, we explore what it takes to invest in your people, strengthen blue-collar workforce pipelines, and empower the next generation of manufacturing talent...

AI is advancing faster than most organizations can adapt — and business leaders are under pressure to make the right decisions amid uncertainty, hype, and rapid change. In this conversation with Google DeepMind research scientist Richard Zhang, we unpack what leaders need to understand about how modern AI truly works and where it’s headed next, from emerging risks to transformative new capabilitie...

Burnout is a growing threat to executive leadership — eroding the passion, presence, and clarity needed to navigate accelerating change. In this episode, leadership coach Lizette Arches explains how burnout often begins with invisible “energy leaks”, sharing strategic self-care practices that empower leaders to protect their energy, influence, and long-term impact.  In this conversation, you’ll le...

Workforce wellness and preventative health are quickly becoming strategic imperatives — not just perks. Amidst rising healthcare costs and shifting expectations, this conversation with Ben Isgur, VP of Thought Leadership at Fidelity, breaks down the investments employers should make today to improve worker health, reduce long-term costs, and strengthen productivity and culture.  In this episode, y...

Economic uncertainty is clouding every forecast. From stalled job growth to soaring productivity, traditional indicators are sending mixed signals. This conversation with Gad Levanon, Chief Economist at the Burning Glass Institute, breaks down what business leaders need to know to anticipate the economy’s next moves and future-proof their workforce before a downturn.  In this episode, you’ll learn...

Demographic shifts and an aging workforce are transforming how organizations approach recruitment, retention, and career development. Now, older workers represent a significant untapped talent pool. From reskilling these employees to building intergenerational teams, this conversation with Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, CEO of 20-first, breaks down what business leaders need to know to tap into the longev...

Employee attachments to AI can disrupt workplace dynamics and individual well-being. From recognizing signs of overreliance to setting healthy boundaries, this conversation with Julie Carpenter, PhD, breaks down what leaders need to know to foster a balanced, connected workforce where both human and artificial intelligence collaborate effectively — and how to act before personal connections with A...

The education-to-employment pipeline needs to be reimagined. The lingering effects of COVID and the rise of AI are obvious disruptors, but the need for change goes deeper, says AACSB President and CEO Lily Bi. HR departments need to close the education-employment gap to create a workforce with the skills and agility needed to navigate the disruptions we can’t yet anticipate.    In this episode, yo...

The evolving world of work demands that leaders rethink productivity and how work gets done — whether teams are remote, hybrid, or distributed across offices. From reimagning operating models to optimizing team performance, Darren Murph, Founder of Page 52 Consulting, explores the future of talent mobility, why blindly mandating return-to-office can be costly, and strategies to build high-performi...

As cyber threats evolve, organizations face growing human vulnerabilities and increasing insider threat risk. This conversation with Shawnee Delaney, former U.S. intelligence officer and CEO of Vaillance Group, breaks down how modern threats — from AI-driven attacks and misinformation to societal pressures — are reshaping risk, and what leaders need to know to safeguard organizations before it’s t...

Artificial intelligence and agile operating models are redefining how future-forward businesses operate. From breaking down silos and rethinking leadership roles to preparing workers with the right skills, this conversation with Chris Mulh, partner and managing director at AlixPartners, explains what leaders need to know to build organizations that will succeed in 2030 and beyond — and how to star...