In this week's episode I sit down with Andrew Fahey to discuss the challenges and opportunities for CEOs in 2026, emphasising the importance of realistic optimism. We explore the role of AI in transforming professional services, the necessity of human skills in a tech-driven world, and the innovative approaches Briars is taking to enhance client experience and internal processes.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating 2026: Realistic Optimism for CEOs

02:57 Briars: Global Expansion and Professional Services

05:56 AI Disruption in Professional Services

09:00 The Human Element in AI Integration

11:47 Transforming Client Experience with AI

15:01 Internal Use Cases for AI in Leadership

19:58 The Future of Onboarding and Human Skills

24:39 Generational Challenges in Professional Services

29:48 Conclusion: Embracing Change for Success

Connect with Andrew - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewfahey/

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Connect with The host - Ben Stocken :https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken

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In this episode I'm joined by Charlie Voller Barnes to discuss the intersection of human performance and AI, exploring the challenges organisations face in adopting AI technologies. We delve into the importance of clarity in goals, the role of people in transformation, and the necessity of continuous feedback and experimentation.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Human Performance and AI

02:03 The State of AI in Business

05:05 Understanding Transformation Failures

08:41 The Role of People in Transformation

13:31 Experimentation and Incremental Change

19:31 Communicating Change Effectively

30:03 Top Tips for Implementing AI Products

Connect with Charlie - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cvollerbarnes/

Powered By Atherio, Real-time leadership wisdom for every manager - https://www.atheriohq.com

Connect with The host - Ben Stocken :https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Human Loop I discuss the evolving landscape of leadership in 2026, emphasising the critical role of AI and the necessity for leaders to adapt their strategies. I highlights the importance of human skills, trust, and purpose in driving organisational performance, while also addressing the challenges posed by skill gaps in the workforce.

Powered By Atherio, Real-time leadership wisdom for every manager - https://www.atheriohq.com

Chapters:

00:00 The State of Leadership in 2026

02:27 Strategic Leadership as a Core Skill

04:22 The Importance of Human Skills and Trust

07:16 Closing the Gap Between Tech and Human Capability

Studies Mentioned:

Story 1: UK business investment in AI and training

https://www.lloydsbankinggroup.com/assets/pdfs/media/press-releases/2025-press-releases/lloyds-bank/31.12.2025-lloyds-new-year-flash-business-barometer.pdf

Story 2: Survey coverage & additional context

https://www.lloydsbank.com/business/resource-centre/insight/business-barometer.html

Story 3: Skills gaps & transformation barriers

World Economic Forum summary on skills gaps and upskilling priorities

https://gloat.com/blog/ai-employment-impact

Story 4: AI in the workplace & skills obsolescence

https://www.secondtalent.com/resources/future-of-workplace-statistics-that-are-important-to-know/

Connect with The host - Ben Stocken

https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.