This episode of Accessible Disruption features Henry Coutinho-Mason, who describes himself as a "reluctant futurist and a provocative optimist." The conversation delves into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and its impact on society and business, emphasizing that the future remains unknowable. Henry shares his personal journey from a "terrible accountant" to a futurist, highlighting how unforeseen opportunities and a willingness to explore led him to his current path, underscoring the rapid pace of change in the world.

The discussion explores the prevalent pessimism surrounding AI and the future, contrasting it with the naive optimism that once greeted social media. Henry argues that while some pessimism is justified due to past experiences with technology's unintended consequences, a sole focus on the downsides can hinder progress and prevent businesses from recognizing new possibilities. He champions a more optimistic outlook, particularly by highlighting how other parts of the world, especially developing nations, view AI as a tool for tangible progress and development, unlike the fear of ill-defined AI ethics seen in Western societies.

A core theme of the episode is the transformative power of AI in empowering small, focused teams to achieve disproportionately large impacts. Henry draws parallels between historical technological shifts, like the advent of spreadsheets revolutionizing the finance industry, and the current AI boom. He suggests that AI will enable smaller groups to accomplish tasks that previously required hundreds of people, allowing them to maintain their core purpose and vision without dilution. This perspective offers an exciting vision for the future of business and purpose-driven initiatives, where technology can amplify the capabilities of dedicated teams.

This episode of Accessible Disruption features Aga (Agnieszka) Szóstek, an author of "The Umami Strategy" and "Leadership by Design," who shares her journey into experience design and strategic thinking. She describes how her background in user system interaction and industrial research led her to focus on the "experience of things" beyond technical problems. Szóstek highlights the frustration she encountered when businesses viewed experiences as mere add-ons rather than strategic differentiators, prompting her to develop and document "The Umami Strategy" to help companies integrate experience design at a strategic level.

A significant part of the conversation revolves around the challenges of change within organizations, particularly the human brain's natural resistance to it due to perceived energy costs and psychological safety concerns. Szóstek emphasizes that in complex systems, especially those involving people, experimentation is the only way to understand what will work in the future, as past successes do not guarantee future outcomes. She advocates for "nano-experiments" in leadership and organizational change, suggesting that small, consistent changes are less daunting and allow for continuous learning and adaptation without triggering strong negative reactions to large-scale transformations.

Furthermore, Szóstek discusses the application of experience design to leadership, noting that many leaders lack clarity on the type of leader they aspire to be. Her book, "Leadership by Design," aims to guide leaders through a process of self-reflection and questioning rather than prescribing an ideal leadership style. She stresses the importance of commitment, accountability, and consistent "nano-experiments" for leaders to evolve intentionally. For organizations serious about experience design, she advises a foundational approach that includes a clear strategy, robust processes, and developed competencies to ensure successful and lasting change.

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In this episode of "Accessible Disruption," hosts Anthony Vade and Tahira Endean engage in an insightful conversation with Nicola Kastner, CEO of ELX, a global community for senior corporate event leaders. The discussion revolves around the theme of change and disruption, with Nicola sharing her journey from her early career in the hotel industry to her current role leading a community that fosters collaboration among event professionals.

Nicola reflects on the corporate value she memorized early in her career: "Accept change as a positive force," highlighting its lasting impact on her perspective. Throughout the episode, she emphasizes the inevitability of change and the importance of adaptability, especially in the face of challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical shifts. The conversation delves into how ELX is a safe space for leaders to share best practices, benchmark, and support one another through shared experiences.

The hosts and Nicola discuss the significance of understanding stakeholder needs and designing events that align with desired outcomes. Nicola advocates for a strategic approach to event planning that prioritizes measurement and intentionality, ensuring that every event is purpose-driven. As the episode concludes, Nicola reiterates her core belief in embracing change, encouraging listeners to view it as an opportunity for growth and innovation. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone navigating the complexities of change within their organizations and emphasizes the power of community and collaboration in overcoming challenges.

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