Fearless Thinkers

Leading through AI gets hardest in the conversations. What do you say to your team? What do you leave unsaid? How do you set savings goals without turning people into dashboard managers?

Nicole Gams and Victor Steeb join host Rick Cheatham to continue the conversation on the hardest parts of leadership in the age of AI, from the words leaders choose to the questions that build trust and speed.

Part 2 of 2.

Read Nicole and Victor's research on the three human intelligences defining the AI era.

¿Qué hace que 70,000 personas tomen decisiones seguras todos los días?

En este episodio de Fearless Thinkers México, Alejandra Garmilla y Gonzalo Espinal López, Director de Supply Chain LATAM en Coca-Cola FEMSA, hablan de seguridad psicológica, liderazgo y por qué medir solo accidentes ya no es suficiente para construir una cultura de seguridad real.

¿Qué mantiene vigente a una consultora después de 40 años?

En este episodio de Fearless Thinkers México, Maider Santos y Philios Andreou, Deputy CEO de BTS Group, repasan la historia de BTS: de un emprendimiento sueco con 4 fundadores a 35 oficinas en el mundo, y las decisiones, algunas difíciles, que explican por qué la firma sigue creciendo sin perder su esencia.

¿Qué distingue a un líder que transforma equipos?

En este episodio de Fearless Thinkers México, Bárbara Baptista y Antonella Moyano exploran cómo desarrollar liderazgo multiplicador, potenciar equipos de alto desempeño y crear culturas donde la inteligencia colectiva impulse mejores resultados.

The mandate is clear: move fast with AI. But fast toward what—and at what cost?

Nicole Gams and Victor Steeb join host Rick Cheatham to tackle the leadership challenges showing up most consistently right now, from building judgment around what to automate vs. keep human, to defining the right risks, to aligning teams at the speed AI makes necessary.

Part 1 of 2.

Their whitepaper on the three human intelligences defining the next era of leadership is available now at bts.com.

‍En este episodio de Fearless Thinkers Mexico exploramos una idea provocadora: el verdadero imperativo no es adoptar IA… es desarrollar juicio en todos los niveles de la organización. ‍Carlos Schulz conversa con Michel Meléndez, Principal Manager de Analytics Transformation en BBVA, sobre cómo las empresas pueden ir más allá del hype y traducir la IA en ejecución real.

In this episode, Peter Mulford sits down with Doug Shapiro to explore the structural forces quietly reshaping every attention driven business, the real threat facing Hollywood from AI, and how the potential of infinite content creation is destroying the economics of the industries that pays for them.

Why do some conversations feel effortless while others fall flat? Harvard professor and author Alison Wood Brooks joins Fearless Thinkers to unpack the psychology behind meaningful dialogue. Drawing from her research and her book TALK, Alison reveals what makes conversations thrive, from the importance of asking good questions to the power of levity, kindness, and truly listening out loud.

NYU Professor Anna Tavis joins Peter Mulford to explore how AI is reshaping the workplace and what it means for leaders today. Drawing on her book Humans at Work, Tavis explains why organizations must shift from optimizing for efficiency to optimizing for humanity, how AI is driving a redesign of work itself, and what courageous leadership looks like in a time of technological transformation.

In this episode of Undiscovered Country, host Peter Mulford sits down with Columbia Business School’s Michel Tuan Pham to explore the psychology behind what makes an experience feel truly special. Drawing on his latest research, Professor Pham reveals three powerful drivers of unforgettable moments—uniqueness, meaningfulness, and authenticity—and how even the smallest touches can have a lasting impact. Together, they unpack how brands and leaders can design emotionally resonant experiences, and why AI may enhance or erode our sense of what’s real.

In this episode of Undiscovered Country, host Peter Mulford talks with Ron Pierantozzi, scientist, inventor, and innovation leader with thirty-two U.S. patents and a career spanning Air Products and Chemicals, Wharton, and Babson. Ron shares how to build a discovery, incubation, and acceleration pipeline, avoid leadership traps that stall learning, and use AI to accelerate innovation without losing discipline. He also reflects on the value of options thinking and offers personal advice on helping the next generation navigate uncertainty with critical thinking. Listen now!

In this Fearless Thinkers episode, BTS CEO Jessica Skon unpacks the realities and possibilities of AI at work.
She shares:

• The challenges global CEOs say will define the AI era
• What it will truly take to lead in the future
• How organizations can harness AI to spark creativity, connection, and joy at work

Her take? Simulation culture will be your organization's next superpower.

In this episode of Undiscovered Country, host Peter Mulford is joined by Mickey Connolly, founder of Conversant and co-author of The Communication Catalyst, to explore why better conversations—not better tools—are the key to better business results. Mickey shares practical frameworks for aligning teams, building trust, and creating lasting impact in the age of AI and hybrid work. Tune in to learn how thoughtful communication can reduce waste, drive commitment, and elevate leadership. Listen now!

For transcript, click here.

Coaching is no longer just for executives behind closed doors. It’s now a personalized, tech-enabled lever for scaling leadership development across the enterprise. In this episode, Christine Tao, co-founder of Sounding Board, and Katrin Mulford, SVP and Global Head of Coaching at BTS, dive into what’s changed—and what’s possible. From navigating uncertainty to building mindset shifts that stick, they explore how modern coaching is accelerating readiness, driving retention, and evolving through AI.

How do you lead in a world where roles are changing faster than people can adapt? In this episode, Rick Cheatham talks with Steph Peskett and Abi Scott about the second major trend from their recent research: human sustainability. The conversation covers everything from AI disruption to proactive talent strategies—and why the most forward-looking companies are rethinking how they grow, support, and retain their people.

What happens when employees lose trust in their organizations? In part one of this two-part conversation, Steph Peskett and Abi Scott unpack one of the biggest trends reshaping talent development: the erosion of trust and power. Drawing on original research and real client stories, they discuss how even well-intentioned policies can backfire—and what leaders can do to rebuild confidence, clarity, and connection across the workforce.

Rebecca Stern, Head of Learning at Udemy, discusses how her team is using AI to build a stronger learning culture. From skills mapping to hands-on experimentation, Rebecca shares how Udemy is helping employees get comfortable with AI, stay curious, and build the skills they need to grow. Listen now!

For a transcript, click here.

In the debut of our new Quarterly Fearless Thinkers CEO Mini-Series, BTS CEO Jessica Skon brings you inside the conversations she’s having with today's Fortune 500 executives on what it will really take to lead through the seismic shifts ahead. Join host Rick Cheatham for a peer-to-peer conversation you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of Undiscovered Country, host Peter Mulford is joined by Jenny Dearborn, Chief People Strategy Officer at BTS, to explore how data analytics is transforming leadership. Jenny shares how HR leaders can leverage insights from data to drive business outcomes, develop future-ready talent, and create a culture of agility. Tune in to learn how analytics can unlock untapped business potential and empower leaders. Listen now!

Join host Rick Cheatham in this episode of Fearless Thinkers as he talks with Richard Hargreaves, Managing Director at Corporate Research Forum (CRF), about how HR leaders can build a future-ready workforce in times of uncertainty. They discuss the importance of focusing on critical roles, prioritizing impact, and staying agile amidst disruption. Tune in to hear practical advice on how HR can prepare organizations for the challenges ahead. Listen now!