In this episode of Work’s Not Working… Let’s Fix It! Siân Harrington sits down with Kate Waterfall Hill, executive coach, leadership expert and creator of Linda, the bad manager, to explore why leadership so often falls short in today’s workplace. With humour and insight Kate reveals why bad managers are everywhere, the hidden causes of their failings and how we can all do better.

From the challenges of managing Gen Z to the traps of accidental managers, Kate offers a refreshingly practical and empathetic approach to leadership. Drawing on her 30+ years of experience she shares actionable advice for HR leaders and managers alike, proving that great leadership isn’t about knowing all the answers but about asking the right questions.

After hearing from Linda, the bad manager, herself we discuss how we can reshape management practices for a changing workforce. And we ask what practical steps can we take to develop leaders who inspire rather than alienate?

Key takeaways:

• The rise of accidental managers: Kate explains why so many managers are promoted without the necessary skills and training, leading to frustration and inefficiency. She offers solutions for HR leaders to break this cycle and set managers up for success.
• Gen Z and the leadership gap: With a workplace culture that values balance and boundaries, Gen Z is pushing back against traditional leadership norms. Kate unpacks the tension between generations and how leaders can adapt to meet new expectations.
• The quiet management crisis: From quiet quitting to quiet unbossing Kate explores how many workers now reject management roles altogether. What does this mean for the future of leadership, and how can we reignite the appeal of leading others?
• Empathy meets authority: Balancing empathy and authority is a cornerstone of effective leadership, yet it remains a challenge for many. Kate shares how leaders can foster trust, clarity, and psychological safety while maintaining accountability.

Kate’s wisdom and wit leave listeners with a key message: great leadership doesn’t have to be a heavy burden. It can be an opportunity to inspire, connect and create positive change for yourself and your team.

Interested in insights about people leadership, HR and the future of work?
Seize and shape the future of work with The People Space, a leading digital HR magazine for forward-thinking leaders. We empower you to put people at the heart of work, navigating the evolving intersection of technology, business and human insight. Join us in building a future where people and machines collaborate for a more human-centric workplace

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In this episode of Work’s Not Working… Let’s Fit It! Siân Harrington dives into the complex and often paradoxical relationship between humans and artificial intelligence with Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, organisational psychologist and author of the provocative book I, Human. Together they unpack the ways AI is reshaping workplaces ­­– and our very minds – for better and worse.

From the alarming economic toll of digital distraction to the rise of "datification" Tomas sheds light on how technology is hijacking attention, narrowing our thinking and making us more predictable. But it’s not all dystopia. Tomas offers hope in the form of practical strategies to stay human in a world increasingly run by machines.

For HR and people leaders this episode raises critical questions: How do we use AI to amplify – not replace – our humanity? And how can we build workplaces where empathy, creativity and critical thinking thrive amidst the algorithms?

Key Takeaways

• AI: A Weapon of Mass Distraction: Tomas calls out AI’s role in fuelling multitasking and digital addiction. He reveals how this distraction costs the US economy $650 billion annually, far outweighing other workplace challenges like absenteeism and turnover.
• The Datification of Work: AI thrives on big data but Tomas warns that in making us more efficient it also risks making us more robotic. The challenge for leaders: How do we embrace AI without losing our human unpredictability?
• The Rise of Digital Narcissism: Technology has amplified cultural narcissism, entrenching us in filter bubbles that feed our biases. Tomas explains how this impacts leadership, fostering groupthink, weakening cognitive diversity and creating workplace polarisation.
• The Paradox of Productivity: While AI boosts efficiency it can also encourage intellectual laziness, leaving us unprepared to think critically or independently. Tomas advocates for rediscovering analogue connections and injecting humanity back into our daily routines.
• Practical Actions for HR Leaders: Tomas urges HR to focus on three priorities:

1. Upskilling mid-level managers to handle AI’s complexities.
2. Humanising workplace cultures to counterbalance AI’s dominance.
3. Cultivating curiosity and experimentation to adapt to AI’s evolving potential.

Tomas leaves listeners with a powerful challenge: Don’t become a robot. As AI increasingly mimics humanity, we must double down on what makes us unique – our empathy, creativity and ability to connect meaningfully with others.

Interested in insights about people leadership, HR and the future of work?
Seize and shape the future of work with The People Space, a leading digital HR magazine for forward-thinking leaders. We empower you to put people at the heart of work, navigating the evolving intersection of technology, business and human insight. Join us in building a future where people and machines collaborate for a more human-centric workplace

• Sign up for our free fortnightly newsletter
• Follow Siân on LinkedIn
• HR vendor or consultant? Check our the HR PR and Content Marketing Tips Blog
• Follow The People Space on Facebook

In this episode of Work’s Not Working, Siân Harrington sits down with Steve Hearsum to debunk one of the most seductive myths in leadership and organisational change – the myth of the "silver bullet." From tales of vampires and werewolves to the Lone Ranger’s legendary single shot, Steve uses storytelling to explore why leaders are so often tempted by the idea that a single, magical solution can solve their organisation’s most complex problems.

Steve takes aim at quick fixes, challenging the traditional ways leadership development is approached and questioning why companies are still pouring millions into programmes that deliver little more than "better sameness." He highlights the flawed model of consulting firms that run on the backs of "grinders, minders and finders," revealing how this dependency perpetuates superficial change rather than real transformation.

The conversation also tackles the role of AI in organisations, as Steve asks whether AI is being hailed as the next silver bullet – spoiler: it’s not. He explains why our obsession with technological solutions often distracts from addressing the deeper human challenges in leadership and change.

Steve doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths, pointing out the existential fear that drives leaders to look for certainty and quick solutions.

Key Takeaways

• The Myth of the Silver Bullet: Using metaphors from folklore and myth, Steve explains why the search for a single perfect solution – whether it’s in leadership or AI – fails to address the complexity of organisational challenges.
• Grinders, Minders and Finders: Steve critiques the consulting industry’s business model, which prioritises profit over genuine capability-building, creating a cycle of dependency rather than true leadership growth.
• The Problem with Performative Leadership Development: Many leadership programmes are disconnected from real-world challenges, focusing on theory rather than practice. Steve advocates for reflexivity and applied learning.
• AI: Not the Next Silver Bullet: While AI has potential Steve warns against seeing it as a magic fix for organisational problems. Leaders must focus on how technology supports human intelligence, not replaces it.
• Leadership in a Complex World: Effective leadership isn’t about following rigid frameworks, it’s about navigating uncertainty, challenging assumptions, and being willing to step into the discomfort of not knowing.
• HR’s Role in Change: HR departments can fall prey to the allure of quick fixes, but they also mirror the wider leadership culture. Steve urges HR to ask uncomfortable questions and push for deeper, systemic change.

Throughout the episode Steve offers practical advice on how leaders can shift their mindset, develop critical thinking skills, and move away from a reliance on "fix-it-all" solutions.

Interested in insights about people leadership, HR and the future of work?
Seize and shape the future of work with The People Space, a leading digital HR magazine for forward-thinking leaders. We empower you to put people at the heart of work, navigating the evolving intersection of technology, business and human insight. Join us in building a future where people and machines collaborate for a more human-centric workplace

• Sign up for our free fortnightly newsletter
• Follow Siân on LinkedIn
• HR vendor or consultant? Check our the HR PR and Content Marketing Tips Blog
• Follow The People Space on Facebook