The Human Element | CHRO & HR Leadership Podcast

Barb Bidan | CHRO & AI in Human Resources Expert

AI is reshaping leadership, strategy, and the very role of HR. In each episode, the host Barb Bidan explores how AI drives innovation and leadership in HR with actionable insights for the future of work. The Human Element is brought to you by Harper, Wisq’s always-on AI HR Generalist transforming how work gets done. Powered by deep HR intelligence, Harper delivers instant, accurate, and empathetic support—from policy questions to performance coaching—so your people get answers fast and your teams stay focused. Learn more at Wisq.com.

  1. Why AI Adoption Stalls When Trust Runs Out

    2D AGO

    Why AI Adoption Stalls When Trust Runs Out

    Summary In this episode of The Human Element, Barb Bidan sits down with Azurée S. Montoute-Lewis, Global Chief People Officer at Burson, to discuss what it actually takes to move AI from pilot programs to organization-wide adoption. Azurée argues that the organizations succeeding at AI adoption aren't moving the fastest. They're the ones who built a foundation of trust before deploying tools, designed metrics around decision quality rather than usage, and drew clear lines between where AI assists human work and where humans must still make the call. With 5,000 employees and 9,000 internal AI agents, Burson is a working example of what that approach produces. Chapters 00:00 Azurée's role at Burson and what makes it unique03:10 AI forces an operating model change, not just a technology change07:30 Why scaling AI breaks down: ownership, data gaps, change fatigue11:45 Bringing along early adopters, skeptics, and global audiences14:00 The right way to measure AI impact (not usage)17:20 When Burson's data came back inconclusive and what they did next20:15 Agentic AI: from AI that assists to AI that acts23:50 The feedback coaching agent and where Burson draws the line27:00 Trust, fear response, and psychological safety in an AI workplace29:30 Lightning round: one metric, one governance mistake, one line AI won't cross Takeaways Measuring AI adoption by usage is the wrong metric — decision quality and output quality are the signals that matter.Organizations that deploy AI without a transparent trust conversation trigger a predictable fear response; building trust first makes adoption easier and more durable.The strongest HR AI use cases augment human capability rather than replace human judgment — Burson's feedback coaching agent is a working example.Calibration, succession, and leadership assessments should stay with humans; AI can aggregate inputs but cannot supply the nuance of real leadership observation.HR's core job in the AI era is designing the human architecture around the technology: the measurement frame, the trust foundation, and the human/AI boundary.Guest linksAzurée S. Montoute-Lewis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azureesmontoutelewis/ Company Website: https://www.bursonglobal.com/ Sponsor The Human Element is brought to you by Harper, Wisq's always-on AI HR Generalist transforming how work gets done. Powered by deep HR intelligence, Harper delivers instant, accurate, and empathetic support—from policy questions to performance coaching—so your people get answers fast and your teams stay focused. Learn more at https://www.wisq.com/

    32 min
  2. How One Survey Fixed Three Issues in a Single Week Using AI

    4D AGO

    How One Survey Fixed Three Issues in a Single Week Using AI

    Summary A new hire fills out their 90-day survey and says they're not getting meaningful time with their manager. Instead of filing it away for a quarterly review, Bradford Wilkins pulls the data—and within ten seconds, AI shows him that the manager is spending nearly 50% of their time on pre-sales activities that aren't even part of their job.  Within a week, the team is redesigning job responsibilities, reallocating time, and building a fix that will accelerate ramp for every future hire in that department. In this episode of The Human Element, host Barb Bidan sits down with Bradford Wilkins, VP of People and Organization at Cognite, an industrial AI company, for a fast-moving conversation about what happens when you stop looking at people data in silos and start connecting it the same way you'd connect sensors in an oil refinery. Bradford walks through how Cognite is building knowledge graphs that layer engagement data on top of performance data on top of Salesforce data to surface correlations no one was seeing before, why he says 50% of his job is already gone (and why that's exciting, not scary), and his "cheesecloth" framework for AI-first thinking: push everything through AI first, and whatever's left on the other side is the human work. He and Barb also get into why entry-level hires who grew up on AI may be more valuable right now than your mid-career employees, how org charts are starting to include agent boxes alongside human ones, and why the best time to start was twenty years ago—but the second best time is now. Timestamps 00:39 How Cognite connects people data the same way it connects industrial sensors04:30 The 90-day survey that triggered three fixes in a single week09:54 Where the biggest HR automation opportunities are right now12:59 "50% of my job is gone"—and why that's the exciting part14:12 What still requires the human touch: team composition, empathy, judgment19:42 Building trust by helping employees visualize where their jobs are headed23:51 Managing agents as direct reports: the new org chart26:35 Learning labs, AI champions, and building capability through show and tell Takeaways Push every process through the "cheesecloth" of AI first—what's left on the other side is the genuinely human workConnect your people data across silos (engagement, performance, time tracking, CRM) instead of analyzing each in isolationDon't add AI on top of a bad process; you're just compounding the problem fasterBuild trust by helping employees visualize what their jobs will look like after AI, not just telling them not to worryCreate learning labs and AI champion roles to drive adoption intentionally instead of hoping it happens organicallyRecognize that entry-level hires who grew up on AI may be your most valuable asset right now for accelerating adoption Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfordwilkins/ Company website: https://www.cognite.com Sponsor Wisq introduces Harper, your AI-powered HR service bot designed to act like a virtual HR generalist for every employee. No more waiting on emails or digging through policies—Harper gives your team instant answers to HR questions, helps them navigate benefits and policies, and even routes more complex cases to the right person. By handling the repetitive requests, Harper frees up your HR team to focus on strategy and people, while ensuring employees always feel supported. It’s a smarter, more consistent way to deliver HR services at scale. See Harper in action at https://www.wisq.com/ (00:39) - How Cognite connects people data the same way it connects industrial sensors (04:30) - The 90-day survey that triggered three fixes in a single week (09:54) - Where the biggest HR automation opportunities are right now (12:59) - "50% of my job is gone"—and why that's the exciting part (14:12) - What still requires the human touch: team composition, empathy, judgment (19:42) - Building trust by helping employees visualize where their jobs are headed (23:51) - Managing agents as direct reports: the new org chart (26:35) - Learning labs, AI champions, and building capability through show and tell

    33 min
  3. How to Drive AI Adoption Inside a Global Company

    MAY 5

    How to Drive AI Adoption Inside a Global Company

    Summary In a regulated, data-rich industry like insurance, speed isn't the goal—credibility is.  In this episode of The Human Element, host Barb Bidan sits down with Elizabeth McSaveny, Chief People Officer at Zurich Canada, for a grounded conversation about what it actually looks like to drive AI adoption at scale inside a global enterprise. Liz leads people strategy for a company that already runs on data across underwriting, claims, and risk, which gives her a unique vantage point on how HR should show up in the AI conversation: not as the owner of the technology, but as the orchestrator of trust, clarity, and responsible use.  She shares how Zurich built ZuriChat—a GPT-based tool with enterprise guardrails—rolled out mandatory Copilot training with annual recertification, and why the gap between access and adoption is almost always a leadership problem, not a technology problem.  Barb and Liz also get into the distinction between artificial intelligence and augmented intelligence, why 70% of AI transformations fail due to leadership rather than tech, and what Liz is looking for in a new L&D hire tasked with building AI capability across the organization. She closes with practical advice for every HR leader: get comfortable with the tools yourself first, because your team is watching whether you actually use what you're asking them to adopt. If you lead people in a regulated industry or are trying to build AI adoption that sticks, this conversation will ground your approach. Timestamps 01:06 Liz's intro and what leading people strategy means at a global insurer02:10 Why credibility matters more than speed in regulated environments05:26 Advice for HR leaders stepping into global or regulated roles for the first time07:39 How Zurich uses AI in underwriting, claims, and HR10:57 Building ZuriChat with enterprise guardrails and mandatory recertification16:57 Hiring an L&D leader focused on building AI capability23:27 What HR leaders are getting wrong: focusing on the tool instead of the mindset26:02 One action HR leaders can take this week Takeaways Lead with clarity and trust, not speed—credibility is how you earn the right to move fast laterClose the gap between AI access and adoption by investing in leadership capability, not more toolsRequire training and recertification for AI tools so employees understand both the power and the boundariesSell AI internally as an enabler of your day to day, not a separate initiative layered on top of existing workModel AI use yourself before asking your team to adopt—they're watching whether you practice what you promoteDefine what good innovation looks like before telling your team to "be innovative" Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-McSavaney-chrl-bsc-371377/ Company website: https://www.zurichcanada.com/en-ca Sponsor Wisq introduces Harper, your AI-powered HR service bot designed to act like a virtual HR generalist for every employee. No more waiting on emails or digging through policies—Harper gives your team instant answers to HR questions, helps them navigate benefits and policies, and even routes more complex cases to the right person. By handling the repetitive requests, Harper frees up your HR team to focus on strategy and people, while ensuring employees always feel supported. It’s a smarter, more consistent way to deliver HR services at scale. See Harper in action at https://www.wisq.com/ (01:06) - Liz's intro and what leading people strategy means at a global insurer (02:10) - Why credibility matters more than speed in regulated environments (05:26) - Advice for HR leaders stepping into global or regulated roles for the first time (07:39) - How Zurich uses AI in underwriting, claims, and HR (10:57) - Building ZuriChat with enterprise guardrails and mandatory recertification (16:57) - Hiring an L&D leader focused on building AI capability (23:27) - What HR leaders are getting wrong: focusing on the tool instead of the mindset (26:02) - One action HR leaders can take this week

    30 min
  4. Why Humans Are the Real Bottleneck to Workforce Transformation — Not AI

    APR 28

    Why Humans Are the Real Bottleneck to Workforce Transformation — Not AI

    Summary AI is already inside 75% of companies—and 100% of people are using it—but only 10% actually know how. So what's really standing between organizations and meaningful AI transformation? According to Amanda Scott, it's not the technology. It's us. In this episode, Barb Bidan sits down with Amanda Scott, CEO of North America Talent Solutions at AON and a PhD candidate researching AI's impact on the workforce, for a deep, data-driven conversation on what's real versus hype in the AI era. Amanda leads a team of 500+ advisors across rewards, career, executive compensation, and assessment, giving her a rare dual lens: practical client work by day, academic research by night. Together, Barb and Amanda unpack AI sensitivity heat maps, the widening gender pay gap hiding inside AI adoption, why junior and senior roles are most exposed, and how the "middle" of the workforce may be the most important group to get right. If you lead people, design jobs, or set pay strategy, this one's essential listening. Timestamps 00:54 Amanda's global background and why she's pursuing a PhD on AI03:56 The biggest limiting factor in AI adoption (hint: it's humans)06:41 Building AI heat maps and reshaping jobs around them12:50 What CHROs and C-suite leaders need to do right now15:38 Amanda's research: how AI is widening the gender pay gap18:48 The future for early-career workers entering the workforce22:17 Why the middle of the organization may matter most26:50 Lightning round and final takeaways Takeaways Map where AI will hit your workforce before deploying tools—start with a sensitivity heat map of roles and tasksRethink compensation alongside job design, because evolving roles change pay structuresPrioritize reskilling as an inclusion strategy, not just a retention oneBreak down silos between HR, technology, finance, and the board—this conversation requires all of themRedesign processes from scratch instead of just speeding up old ones with AILead with curiosity; it's the one skill that compounds through every wave of change Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandabscott/ Company website: https://www.AON.com Sponsor Wisq introduces Harper, your AI-powered HR service bot designed to act like a virtual HR generalist for every employee. No more waiting on emails or digging through policies—Harper gives your team instant answers to HR questions, helps them navigate benefits and policies, and even routes more complex cases to the right person. By handling the repetitive requests, Harper frees up your HR team to focus on strategy and people, while ensuring employees always feel supported. It’s a smarter, more consistent way to deliver HR services at scale. See Harper in action at https://www.wisq.com/ (00:54) - Amanda's global background and why she's pursuing a PhD on AI (03:56) - The biggest limiting factor in AI adoption (hint: it's humans) (06:41) - Building AI heat maps and reshaping jobs around them (12:50) - What CHROs and C-suite leaders need to do right now (15:38) - Amanda's research: how AI is widening the gender pay gap (18:48) - The future for early-career workers entering the workforce (22:17) - Why the middle of the organization may matter most (26:50) - Lightning round and final takeaways

    34 min
  5. HR Leaders Are Hiding Behind AI — Here's Why

    APR 21

    HR Leaders Are Hiding Behind AI — Here's Why

    Summary What happens when you've actually built AI into hospitality at the scale of 7,000 employees and millions of guests—not theorized about it on LinkedIn? In this episode, Barb Bidan sits down with Ani Nazaryan, Chief People Officer at The Siegel Group and Amazing Brands, for a refreshingly practical conversation about where AI belongs in HR and where it absolutely doesn't. Ani built her foundation in luxury hospitality, helping open two of the most iconic resorts in Las Vegas—The Cosmopolitan and Fontainebleau—where she stood up entire people systems for thousands of employees and pioneered branded AI personas like Rose and Morris years before AI was a buzzword.  Together, Barb and Ani get into the real use cases for AI in onboarding, recruiting, communications, and coaching—plus the moments leaders should never outsource. Ani shares why she calls overuse "hiding behind AI," her three-bucket test for when humans must lead (career, culture, judgment), and how to keep your authentic voice intact when AI is drafting your messages. If you're a people leader figuring out where to draw the line, this one's for you. Timestamps [03:09] – Ani's immigrant journey from Armenia to Las Vegas hospitality[05:59] – Where to draw the line: AI as assistant, not replacement[07:21] – Why automated onboarding still needs a human phone call[09:40] – Building Rose and Morris: AI personas with brand identity[13:11] – Hard messages, layoffs, and the role AI should never play[14:48] – Keeping your authentic voice when drafting with AI[20:37] – The "keyboard warrior" trap and what overuse looks like[25:45] – Lightning round and Ani's final word for HR leaders Takeaways Use the three-bucket test before letting AI lead: career impact, culture impact, judgment required → keep it humanBookend automated processes with real human touchpoints to preserve connectionDraft your message in your own words first, then use AI to polish—not the other way aroundBuild branded AI personas that reinforce identity instead of generic chatbots that flatten itFree leaders from manual reporting and templating so they can spend more time in the fieldProtect critical thinking by refusing to outsource judgment your team's experience earned Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ani-nazaryan-27660084/ Company website: https://siegelgroup.net Sponsor Wisq introduces Harper, the world's first AI HR generalist designed to act like a virtual HR generalist for every employee. No more waiting on emails or digging through policies—Harper gives your team instant answers to HR questions, helps them navigate benefits and policies, and even routes more complex cases to the right person. By handling the repetitive requests, Harper frees up your HR team to focus on strategy and people, while ensuring employees always feel supported. It’s a smarter, more consistent way to deliver HR services at scale. See Harper in action at https://www.wisq.com/ (03:09) - Ani's immigrant journey from Armenia to Las Vegas hospitality (05:59) - Where to draw the line: AI as assistant, not replacement (07:21) - Why automated onboarding still needs a human phone call (09:40) - Building Rose and Morris: AI personas with brand identity (13:11) - Hard messages, layoffs, and the role AI should never play (14:48) - Keeping your authentic voice when drafting with AI (20:37) - The "keyboard warrior" trap and what overuse looks like (25:45) - Lightning round and Ani's final word for HR leaders

    28 min
  6. From Inbox Chaos to Intelligent HR: TMS’s CPO on AI Chatbots, Goal-First Reviews, and HR’s Pull Power

    APR 9

    From Inbox Chaos to Intelligent HR: TMS’s CPO on AI Chatbots, Goal-First Reviews, and HR’s Pull Power

    Summary If your HR team is buried in inbox requests, you’re leaving no time for the moments that truly need a human touch. Preet Michelson, Chief People Officer at TMS and Morgan Street Holdings, shares how she’s using AI to modernize global HR operations across 44+ countries—without losing the human element. A former CPA at KPMG who later moved into commercialization, Preet brings a business-first lens to HR, supporting a creative, fast-moving company known for Happy Meal toys and programs like T‑Mobile Tuesdays. She breaks down a practical, two-part approach: centralize and summarize inquiries with AI to spot training gaps and service needs, then route tier-0/1 questions to a chatbot (Jewel in SAP SuccessFactors) while protecting time for complex, sensitive issues.  Preet also details a goal-led performance process powered by AI—goal suggestions, a living goal library, an “on/off track” mid-year, and year-end summaries pulled from emails and decks—which drove 96% review completion and 97% manager 1:1s. Expect clear criteria for bot vs. human, change management lessons after a global HCM rollout, and how HR shifts from “push” to “pull” by showing up with data, empathy, and a strategic POV. Timestamps [00:36] – From CPA to CPO: why HR must be business-first [02:22] – Inside TMS and Morgan Street Holdings: a “buy and hold” model and global footprint [03:25] – Creative, fast-moving culture: Happy Meal toys, T‑Mobile Tuesdays, and geopolitics [04:41] – Fixing manual HR ops with AI: SAP SuccessFactors + Jewel, and the case for logging everything [06:46] – Centralize, summarize, then go deep: using AI to bucket inquiries across EU/APMEA/NA [09:44] – Bot vs. human: timeliness/accuracy vs. nuance/sensitivity (immigration, FMLA, family) [13:19] – Goal-first performance: AI goal suggestions, a goal library, on/off-track mid-year, AI-aided year-end [16:46] – Outcomes and brand shift: 96% review completion, 97% 1:1s, and moving HR from push to pull Takeaways - Centralize and summarize HR inquiries with AI to uncover training gaps, policy fixes, and regional needs. - Route tier-0/1 transactions to a chatbot; reserve experts for nuanced, sensitive, or multi-path issues. - Redesign performance around a few clear goals; use AI to suggest goals, craft feedback, and surface accomplishments. - Simplify checkpoints—“on track/off track”—to focus manager time where it matters most. - Measure adoption and communicate wins; high completion and 1:1 rates signal cultural momentum. - Use AI as a time-saver, not a truth source; validate outputs and keep humans at the center of decisions. Sponsor Wisq introduces Harper, the world's first AI HR generalist designed to act like a virtual HR generalist for every employee. No more waiting on emails or digging through policies—Harper gives your team instant answers to HR questions, helps them navigate benefits and policies, and even routes more complex cases to the right person. By handling the repetitive requests, Harper frees up your HR team to focus on strategy and people, while ensuring employees always feel supported. It’s a smarter, more consistent way to deliver HR services at scale. See Harper in action at https://www.wisq.com/ (00:36) - From CPA to CPO: Why HR Must Be Business-First (02:22) - Inside TMS and Morgan Street Holdings: Buy and Hold Model (03:25) - Creative Culture: Happy Meal Toys and Global Footprint (04:41) - Fixing Manual HR Ops: SAP SuccessFactors Chatbot and Logging (06:46) - Centralize Summarize Then Go Deep: AI Inquiry Bucketing (09:44) - Bot vs Human: Timeliness and Accuracy vs Nuance and Sensitivity (13:19) - Goal-First Performance: AI Goals Library and Year-End Reviews (16:46) - 96% Completion and HR Brand Shift: From Push to Pull

    28 min
  7. Human-First AI in Healthcare: Guardrails, Frontline Wins, and HR’s New Playbook

    APR 7

    Human-First AI in Healthcare: Guardrails, Frontline Wins, and HR’s New Playbook

    Human-First AI in Healthcare: Guardrails, Frontline Wins, and HR's New Playbook How do you make AI feel human-first in a mission-driven, frontline environment? Ashley Ridgeway-Washington—CEO and Principal Advisor at Leverage Group and former CHRO at JPS Health Network—shares a leadership-led approach to AI that elevates patient care by improving the employee experience. A rare blend of HR strategist, attorney, and executive coach (JD, MHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP), Ashley has led global DEI at Amazon and is a Deloitte Next Gen CHRO Academy alum. She breaks down high-impact frontline use cases—from real-time materials management to patient de-escalation in the palm of a caregiver's hand—and why AI fails when it's treated as a tech project instead of an operating model change. Ashley details the leadership behaviors AI now demands (humility, problem clarity, decision rights, and governance), how to redirect time from admin to high-touch work, and why "train AI like an intern" is a powerful design principle. She also tackles AI literacy and guardrails (including deepfake risks), what healthcare can borrow from Amazon's customer obsession and speed-to-value, and how HR can automate the rote (absence management, onboarding, off-cycle pay) to focus on coaching, succession, and talent. Plus, lightning-round advice on what to delegate to an agent tomorrow and the digital mindset HR leaders need next. TIMESTAMPS[00:45] – Guest intro: Ashley's path (JPS Health Network, Amazon, Leverage Group) and why healthcare needs human-first AI[02:00] – Frontline use cases: materials management, patient experience de-escalation—beyond diagnostics and rev cycle[02:44] – Where AI fails: unclear problems, weak data, no change management, and skills atrophy risks[05:35] – From admin to empathy: freeing leaders' time; using AI to check bias and tone while guarding against hallucinations[08:58] – Automating HR: "Ask Ashley," RPA for absence management, labor planning, onboarding, and off-cycle pay[12:46] – Lessons from Amazon: customer obsession, speed-to-value—without importing a ruthless edge[15:57] – Design principles: train AI like an intern (voice, tone, context); set "never delegate to AI" decisions and guardrails[18:22] – Literacy first: deepfakes, ethics, and why healthcare must invest in AI education for staff (and kids) TAKEAWAYS- Treat AI as a leadership and operating-model shift—define the problem, decision rights, data readiness, and change plan before tools.- Redirect admin time to human touch; use AI for both enterprise efficiency and individual productivity (bias/voice checks for leaders).- Automate the rote with RPA—absence management, labor planning, onboarding, and off-cycle pay—to unlock strategic HR work.- Borrow tech's customer obsession and speed-to-value while anchoring to mission, empathy, and clinical competence.- Train AI like an intern: codify voice, tone, and context; publish a "never delegate to AI" list; enforce governance and ethics.- Build AI literacy and guardrails across the workforce to prevent misuse (e.g., deepfakes), audit outputs, and avoid skills atrophy. Sponsor The Human Element is brought to you by Harper, Wisq’s always-on AI HR Generalist, transforming how work gets done. Powered by deep HR intelligence, Harper delivers instant, accurate, and empathetic support, from policy questions to performance coaching, so employees get answers fast and HR teams can focus on strategic work. By handling routine HR requests and automating everyday workflows, Harper helps organizations scale people operations while maintaining a human-centered employee experience. Learn more and see Harper in action at https://www.wisq.com/. (00:45) - Guest Intro: Ashley's Path from JPS Health to Amazon to Leverage Group (02:00) - Frontline Use Cases: Materials Management and Patient De-Escalation (02:44) - Where AI Fails: Unclear Problems Weak Data and Skills Atrophy (05:35) - From Admin to Empathy: Freeing Time and Guarding Against Hallucinations (08:58) - Automating HR: Ask Ashley RPA Absence Management and Labor Planning (12:46) - Lessons from Amazon: Customer Obsession and Speed-to-Value (15:57) - Design Principles: Train AI Like an Intern and Set Guardrails (18:22) - Literacy First: Deepfakes Ethics and AI Education

    30 min
  8. From Purpose to AI Workers: CCC’s CHRO on Scaling AI Without Losing Humanity

    APR 3

    From Purpose to AI Workers: CCC’s CHRO on Scaling AI Without Losing Humanity

    From Purpose to AI Workers: CCC's CHRO on Scaling AI Without Losing Humanity If you're embedding AI "everywhere," how do you move fast without losing your human center—or burning out your leaders? Christy Harris, SVP and Chief Human Resources Officer at CCC Intelligent Solutions, shares how the 45-year-old, $1B+ AI-powered SaaS company is modernizing the auto claims ecosystem while transforming how its own people work. Christy explains CCC's consumer-first "tiebreaker" for tough trade-offs, why "AI everywhere" means embedding AI in daily workflows (not turning everyone into data scientists), and how purpose and storytelling keep teams grounded amid change. She dives into the emerging reality of leading both humans and AI workers, the importance of clear feedback loops (for agents and people), and how AI can coach managers in the moment. Christy also tackles leader capacity—what it takes to move with pace without tipping into burnout—and why internal AI adoption is a cultural shift, not just a technical one. Expect practical moves, from building AI fluency to launching CCC's first AI worker in T&E, plus a call for HR leaders to be architects of the future, not bystanders. TIMESTAMPS[01:09] – The problem CCC solves and why auto claims need modernization now[03:01] – Balancing product AI with workforce change; the consumer-first tiebreaker[04:06] – "AI everywhere" defined: embed in drafting, analysis, and prioritization; anchor in purpose[09:53] – Move with pace and "fall in love with the problem, not the solution"[12:37] – Leading humans and AI workers: feedback clarity and AI as a coach for managers[17:59] – Leader capacity and burnout: supporting managers through fast change[24:14] – Internal vs. product AI: adoption is cultural; build AI fluency and lead from the front[24:38] – CCC's first AI worker in T&E: removing a high-friction employee pain point TAKEAWAYS- Anchor change in purpose and customer impact to reduce fear and keep teams aligned.- Enroll, over-communicate, and create open forums—then listen and iterate.- Embed AI in daily work (drafting, analysis, prioritization) so people focus on judgment and relationships.- Train leaders to manage humans and AI workers; practice clear, corrective feedback and use AI to coach better.- Move with pace and a challenger mindset—fall in love with the problem, not the solution.- Treat internal AI as a culture change: build AI fluency, start with high-friction processes (e.g., T&E), and protect leader capacity to prevent burnout. Sponsor Wisq introduces Harper, the world's first AI HR generalist designed to act like a virtual HR generalist for every employee. No more waiting on emails or digging through policies—Harper gives your team instant answers to HR questions, helps them navigate benefits and policies, and even routes more complex cases to the right person. By handling the repetitive requests, Harper frees up your HR team to focus on strategy and people, while ensuring employees always feel supported. It’s a smarter, more consistent way to deliver HR services at scale. See Harper in action at https://www.wisq.com/ (01:09) - The problem CCC solves and why auto claims need modernization now (03:01) - Balancing product AI with workforce change; the consumer-first tiebreaker (04:06) - AI everywhere defined: embed in drafting, analysis, and prioritization; anchor in purpose (09:53) - Move with pace and "fall in love with the problem, not the solution" (12:37) - Leading humans and AI workers: feedback clarity and AI as a coach for managers (17:59) - Leader capacity and burnout: supporting managers through fast change (24:14) - Internal vs. product AI: adoption is cultural; build AI fluency and lead from the front (24:38) - CCC's first AI worker in T&E: removing a high-friction employee pain point

    26 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

AI is reshaping leadership, strategy, and the very role of HR. In each episode, the host Barb Bidan explores how AI drives innovation and leadership in HR with actionable insights for the future of work. The Human Element is brought to you by Harper, Wisq’s always-on AI HR Generalist transforming how work gets done. Powered by deep HR intelligence, Harper delivers instant, accurate, and empathetic support—from policy questions to performance coaching—so your people get answers fast and your teams stay focused. Learn more at Wisq.com.

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