Leading Change

AI is fueling record-breaking valuations, trillion-dollar companies, and endless hype. But… are we living in a bubble? In this episode of Leading Change in the Wild, I dig into what’s really happening behind the scenes of the AI boom and what it could mean for leaders and organizations betting big on this technology. 📉 Here’s what I unpack: Why Nvidia’s $5 trillion valuation has leaders divided W...

An AWS outage took down apps around the world this week and it exposed a bigger question about the future of cloud, SaaS, and AI-first strategies. In this episode of Leading Change in the Wild, I break down what happened during the Virginia data center failure and what it signals for organizations that are pushing automation, AI decision-making, and cloud dependency deeper into critical infrastruc...

Would you settle for a partial refund on a $440,000 report that used fake sources generated by AI? That’s exactly what happened in what headlines are calling “The Blunder Down Under.” Deloitte reportedly delivered a government audit built on fabricated citations, and only after being caught did they admit the “sources” never existed. In this episode of Leading Change in the Wild, Ema Roloff and Ia...

The headlines say AI is taking everyone’s jobs… but the data doesn’t agree. In this episode of Leading Change in the Wild, I break down a new report from Yale’s Budget Lab that challenges everything we’ve been hearing about AI-driven disruption.  Here’s what the data actually shows: - Generative AI is shifting jobs at the same pace as past tech waves like the internet and computers - AI adoption i...

Ema is joined by Nick to explore the evolving role of UX in today’s rapidly changing digital landscape. From the early days of Apple and Adobe Photoshop to the rise of user experience as a discipline, Nick shares insights on how technology, design, and human-centered thinking continue to shape innovation.

Your team is screaming for a different kind of leadership, and in this episode of Leading Change, I show you exactly what they’re saying. Instead of breaking down headlines or research, I went straight to the comment section on a recent TikTok video and asked: 👉 “If you could give unfiltered feedback to leadership during a major change… what would you say?” The responses were clear, passionate, a...

Ema is joined by Jason Schultz, Chief Innovation & Technology Officer for an AmLaw 200 firm, to explore what it really takes to drive organizational change. He shares how to identify early adopters and "fast followers," the importance of unlearning old habits, and why small wins and strong storytelling are key to sustainable innovation.

We used to own things. Now we rent them , and in some cases that includes our ability to think. In this episode of Leading Change, I unpack the subscriptionification of everything, from Netflix and workout apps to enterprise software and your favorite AI tools. What started with a $9.99 music plan has turned into monthly fees for cognition. ⚠️ I hit my limit this week after running into paywall af...

Salesforce just laid off 4,000 employees… and they’re blaming AI. In this episode of Leading Change in the Wild, Ema Roloff breaks down what’s going on with Salesforce’s massive layoffs, their new Agentforce AI platform, and the growing trend of tech leaders using artificial intelligence as both a scapegoat and a sales pitch. 🎯 Is AI truly replacing jobs… or is it just convenient PR? 📉 How do th...

Ema is joined by Jonathan Bennett, advisor to executives and founders, for a deeply insightful conversation on navigating career transitions—especially when it means stepping away from a business you’ve built.

What if the guardrails we were promised to keep AI safe… were never really built for our safety at all? In this episode of Leading Change in the Wild, I unpacks the disturbing revelations from Meta’s leaked internal document outlining how its generative AI chatbots are trained to interact, including with children. From flirtatious responses to ethical gray zones that blur dangerously close to groo...

Ema is joined by Carolyn Hicks Jimenez, Head of Business Operations at Insurance Quantified, to talk about career development, retention, and talent building in the insurance industry. Carolyn shares her unconventional path into finance and insurance, highlighting the powerful role of rotational programs in building resilient, well-rounded professionals.

Every new generation gets labeled as lazy, entitled, or unprepared. But here’s the twist. Gen Z isn’t arguing. In fact, they’re raising their hands and saying, “Yeah…we’re not ready.” In this episode of Leading Change in the Wild, I dig into surprising data on Gen Z’s soft skills, digital literacy, and AI readiness, and why it is causing concern for employers and employees alike. From underprepare...

Ema is joined by executive coach and author Dia Bondi, who shares her proven framework for making powerful asks in your career and leadership journey. Based on her book Ask Like an Auctioneer, Dia breaks down the four essential types of asks—money, authority, influence, and balance—and how mastering them can unlock real progress for you and your team. 

In this episode of Leading Change in the Wild, we break down the recent data breach at the viral women’s-only dating app, Tea. Marketed as a platform to help women vet potential matches and stay safe, the app is now facing serious backlash after hackers accessed over 72,000 images, including photo IDs and selfies submitted for account verification. What we cover in this episode: - What the Tea App...

Delta Airlines just made a bold AI move, and it could cost you. Literally. In this episode of Leading Change in the Wild, I break down Delta’s controversial announcement: using AI to individually price airfare based on how much you’re personally willing to pay. That’s right...your seat price could soon be set by an algorithm that knows just how badly you need that flight. What does this mean for t...

Ema is joined by Cody Pavlat, a seasoned trainer and change leader, to explore the often-overlooked role of middle managers in driving successful transformation. They unpack how these “unsung heroes” bridge the gap between executive vision and day-to-day execution, the importance of psychological safety in leading change, and why you can’t just outsource adoption to the training team.

Should states be allowed to regulate AI, or are we risking innovation with death by a thousand cuts? In this episode of Leading Change in the Wild, I dive into the now-infamous “Big Beautiful Bill,” the 10-year moratorium on state-level AI regulation that was overwhelmingly struck down in the Senate. What’s at stake? A lot. From who gets to decide what’s ethical AI to how fast innovation can move,...

Ema is joined by management consultant Tara, who shares insights from 25+ years of working with thousands of managers, both seasoned and accidental. They dive into why top performers often get promoted into leadership roles without the right preparation, how to support those "accidental managers," and why people skills are no longer optional in today’s workplace.

Grab your (digital) cowboy hats, because we are officially in the Wild West of AI. In this episode of Leading Change in the Wild, I’m breaking down the most important legal battles unfolding right now over artificial intelligence, ethics, and data privacy. These lawsuits aren’t just headlines. They could redefine how AI is built, used, and trusted. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why The New Yo...

Ema is joined by Elsie Mort, a seasoned Change Communications Manager, as they dive deep into the fascinating world of organizational change, standardization, and how to successfully modernize systems without alienating your teams.

What if I told you Taylor Swift is a change management mastermind, not just a mastermind of planting Easter Eggs? In this episode of Leading Change - Change in the Wild, I break down how Taylor (and her comms team) executed one of the clearest, boldest change communication strategies we’ve seen in years. From buying back her masters to not re-recording Reputation, Swift didn’t just pivot. She brou...

Ema is joined by executive coach Frankie Bercobin to discuss how executive function influences performance and productivity in the workplace, especially under stress, neurodivergence like ADHD, or during career transitions.

Want to know what declaring you are AI-First will get you? Canceled and quick. In this solo episode of Leading Change, Ema Roloff breaks down Duolingo’s major misstep after a leaked internal memo revealed their “AI-First” strategy. Thousands of users canceled subscriptions. Critics flooded the comments. Why? Because People-first > AI-first, especially when the message is delivered without clari...

Ema is joined by Ian McCain, a digital transformation expert and seasoned improviser, to explore how the mindset of improv can unlock trust, momentum, and innovation during change initiatives. Whether you're leading a tech rollout or managing team dynamics, this episode offers powerful, practical tools to help you navigate the unknown with confidence.