MINDSET ZONE

 AI is going to change everything. And the best way to make sure that potential is leveraged for a better future for us all—including the planet—is by first tapping into our human potential. - Dr. Ana Melikian In this episode, Ana Melikian brings us a compelling conversation that explores the evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it intersects with our unique human potential. Originally recorded for the Abundant Thinking podcast, Elan Gelfand interviews Ana Melikian about navigating the age of AI—not by competing with technology, but by leveraging our distinctly human qualities. Throughout the discussion, Ana Melikian highlights that technological revolutions have always shaped human history, and AI is no different. She traces our journey from the Stone Age to today’s digital age, revealing how we've consistently redefined what it means to be human alongside technological advancements. The conversation underscores the importance of staying intentional, self-aware, and collaborative as we face rapid change. Using vivid analogies—like riding the “100-Foot AI wave”—Ana Melikian suggests we approach AI as a team sport, championing the idea of collaboration between humans and technology, rather than working in isolation or fear. She also addresses the challenges of reskilling, adapting to workforce changes, and embracing new opportunities that arise as some jobs disappear and new ones emerge. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about how to future-proof themselves and their organizations, lead intentionally, and harness AI to build a better world. Let’s dive in! ***This episode is rebroadcast here at the MINDSET ZONE® with explicit consent from Elan Gelfand, the host of the “Abundant Thinking” podcast. This week on the MINDSET ZONE podcast: 00:00 The potential (and disruption) of AI 02:33 Humans and technology: Partners, not opposites 04:45 Cultural identity, revolutions, and redefining humanity 08:12 Navigating change: Adapting culture and mindset 12:20 AI in the workplace: Threat or opportunity? 13:19 The “hundred-foot AI wave”: Collaboration and teamwork 18:29 Adapting, reskilling, and reinventing the game 21:34 Intentional leadership in the AI era 23:13 How to be a team player with AI Meet Your Host: Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method. 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭? Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork! Expand What’s Possible!

 If you treat AI models like a valued thought partner and true collaborator, you can create something much more enduring—which is genuine innovation." - Kate Lowry In this episode, Ana Melikian welcomes Kate Lowry, CEO, coach, and author of "Unbreakable," to delve into the powerful impact of leadership styles on innovation—especially in the era of AI. Together, they unpack why fear-based leadership blocks creativity and how a shift toward human-centered practices can unlock profound potential in both organizations and emerging technology. Kate Lowry shares insights from her work coaching both human leaders and AI models, highlighting how treating people and artificial intelligence as mere tools stifles growth, collaboration, and genuine innovation. The conversation explores the domino effect of fear in company cultures and the urgent need to create psychologically safe environments for teams and for oneself. Listeners will learn actionable strategies to cultivate experimentation and creative risk-taking, including the value of celebrating mistakes, making space for rest, and building cultures where everyone’s voice matters. Ana Melikian and Kate Lowry discuss how leaders can better support their teams—and themselves—by fostering environments rooted in trust, self-awareness, and human connection. Whether you’re leading a team, building a company, or experimenting with AI, this episode offers essential advice on how to move beyond restrictive, fear-driven habits and step boldly into a future of unbreakable innovation and impact. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: 00:00 – Introduction & Host Welcome 00:15 – What is Fear-Based Leadership? 01:50 – How Fear-Based Leadership Blocks Innovation 03:15 – Examples from Tech Industry (Zuckerberg, Musk, Microsoft) 05:00 – The Chain Reaction of Fear in Organizations 06:30 – Treating AI as a Tool vs. a Teammate 08:30 – Coaching AI Models & Humanizing AI 10:30 – Book Reference: "Co-Intelligence" and Human/AI Collaboration 12:00 – Leadership Practices: Celebrating Mistakes & Safe Spaces 14:00 – Psychological Safety & Maslow’s Hierarchy 15:30 – Shifting from Fear-Based to Strengths-Based Leadership 17:00 – Coaching Leaders: Creating Space for Self-Discovery 18:30 – The 9-9-6 Work Culture & Silicon Valley 20:00 – The Value of Rest and Leisure for Innovation 22:00 – Sports Analogy: Rest for Peak Performance 23:30 – Burnout, Attrition, and Cognitive Flexibility 24:30 – About the Book: "Unbreakable" & Where to Find More About the Guest Kate Lowry is a CEO coach, venture capitalist, and author based in Silicon Valley. An expert in fear-based leaders, Kate developed her methodology growing up in a personal hierarchical family, then refined her approach in the elite worlds of start-ups, private equity, management consulting, and big tech at McKinsey, Meta, and Insight Partners. She is the author of Unbreakable: How to Thrive Under Fear-Based Leaders. In her free time, you can find her writing comedy and music and cuddling her service dog, Annie. Resources: Book: Unbreakable: How to Thrive Under Fear-Based Leaders Website: https://www.katelowry.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinejlowry/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kateunbreakablelowry/ Related Content: Expand What’s Possible

 People come in all shapes, sizes, experiences, ages, dialects, et cetera. And as we move more into an automated world, communication still is key." - Brenda Darden Wilkerson In this episode, Ana Melikian is joined by Brenda Darden Wilkerson, President and CEO of AnitaB.org, to examine the human side of technology and the importance of responsible AI. Drawing on her personal journey and background in computer science, Brenda shares how her passion for improving the human condition has shaped her approach to tech—and why it's crucial to design technology that serves everyone, not just those who build it. Together, Ana and Brenda unpack the rapid evolution of AI, its impact on society, and the widening gaps it threatens to create. They discuss the risks of leaving people behind in the wake of technological advances, while stressing the power we have to shape how AI is developed and adopted. Brenda highlights the need for diverse perspectives at the table when designing both tech and policy, illustrating how our unique "blind spots" must be considered in order to create equitable and inclusive solutions. This conversation offers practical insights into how organizations like AnitaB.org convene thinkers, technologists, educators, and users to foster responsible AI—and how we, as individuals and communities, can play an active role in reimagining the future of work and life. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: 00:00 – Diversity, communication, and automation 01:41 – Brenda’s journey into technology and the human condition 03:49 – Identifying the gap: Designing technology for everyone 05:27 – Early experiences with technology and user inclusion 09:07 – The rise of AI and responsible technology 13:46 – Technology’s impact on different generations and accessibility 16:46 – Voice recognition, accents, and improvements in transcription 18:47 – The evolution of AI and its integration into daily life 22:06 – The speed of AI adoption and societal adaptation 25:29 – The knowledge gap and the importance of responsible AI 29:06 – What is responsible AI? 30:48 – Real-world examples: Driverless cars and diversity in design About the Guest Brenda Darden Wilkerson is President and CEO of AnitaB.org, a global nonprofit working to connect and empower women and allies in technology. A former software engineer turned champion for access and opportunity, Brenda founded the pioneering Computer Science for All initiative in Chicago Public Schools, later influencing national policy and earning a White House Champion of Change award. At AnitaB.org, she leads efforts to expand pathways into tech, from apprenticeships to leadership, while building one of the world’s largest communities of women in tech. Named to the Forbes 50 Over 50 in Impact and honored by SXSW for community service, Brenda is a visionary voice for inclusive innovation and a leading advocate for a more just and human-centered tech future. Resources: AnitaB.org ghc.anitab.org Related Content: Expand What’s Possible

 The playing field is constantly changing. So when new technologies come in, you need to reimagine your game because the playing field is changing and the new technology brings in new capabilities that you can use to play better." - Sangeet Choudary In this episode, Ana Melikian welcomes Sangeet Paul Choudary—global keynote speaker, best-selling author, and renowned thought leader on platform strategy and digital ecosystems—to the MINDSET ZONE. Together, they delve into the profound ripple effects of Artificial Intelligence as explored in Sangeet’s newest book, Reshuffle: Who Wins When AI Restarts the Knowledge Economy. Sangeet challenges the popular thinking around AI-induced job losses, arguing that it’s not just about people using AI to become more efficient within existing roles. Instead, he reveals how AI fundamentally transforms workflows, organizations, and even the very nature of industries—requiring leaders to reconsider and reimagine the entire playing field. Through vivid analogies—like the transformation brought by the shipping container and the QR code—Sangeet illustrates how even “dumb” technologies have restructured global systems, hinting at the extraordinary potential and unpredictability of AI’s impact. Together, they discuss how AI opens opportunities for systemic change, the speed of adoption, and the critical importance of focusing not merely on technology, but on the broader context and workflows it reshapes. Ana and Sangeet also explore potential blind spots for leaders, highlight the necessity of including the human factor in every strategic decision, and draw lessons from history on how new technologies can both solve and create new kinds of problems and inequalities. If you’re a business leader, innovator, or anyone eager to understand how to stay agile, spot the opportunities, and avoid the pitfalls in a world rapidly reshaped by AI—this episode is a must-listen. Expand your perspective, strengthen your systems thinking, and unlock the mindset needed to thrive in times of disruption. Let’s dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: 00:00 Introduction & The Changing Playing Field 00:18 Host Welcome & Guest Introduction 01:16 The Fallacy of "AI Will Take Your Job" 03:16 How Technology Changes Jobs & Workflows 06:34 Adoption of Technology: QR Codes & AI 09:16 The Cold Start Problem & Social Media Adoption 12:49 Electricity, General Purpose Technologies, and AI 13:57 Helping Leaders See Opportunity in Disruption 15:44 The Shipping Container Analogy & Globalization 18:22 Second-Order Effects & New Inequalities 21:23 Singapore, COVID, and the Human Factor 24:21 The Value of Human Touch in AI Systems 27:00 Leaders' Blind Spots with AI Adoption 29:03 Rethinking Organizations: The Lego Analogy 30:44 Closing & Where to Learn More About the Guest Sangeet Choudary is the best-selling co-author of Platform Revolution and the author of the new book Reshuffle. He has advised CEOs at more than 40 Fortune 500 companies as well as pre-IPO tech firms. He is currently a Senior Fellow at the University of California, Berkeley, and has presented at leading global forums, including the G20 Summit, the World50 Summit, and the World Economic Forum. Connect with: Sangeet Choudary - LinkedIn Sangeet Choudary - X (Formerly Twitter) Sangeet Choudary - Substack Resources: Book: Reshuffle: Who wins when AI restacks the knowledge economy by Sangeet Paul Choudary Website https://platformthinkinglabs.com/ Substack: https://platforms.substack.com/ Expand What’s Possible

One of the biggest things with leadership is you got to have the right people on the right bus, in the right seat on the bus, and if that happens, you're pulling one rope in the same direction. If that happens, that bus is gonna go fast. That bus is gonna be efficient." - Rutherford Pascal In this episode, hosts Ana Melikian and Rutherford Pascal tackle the rapidly evolving landscape of AI disruption, with a particular focus on service-based businesses such as law and accounting firms. Together, they explore how organizations can stay relevant, differentiate themselves, and retain top talent in an era where automation and AI are reshaping the marketplace. Rutherford shares insights from his own leadership journey—including being promoted eight times in the corporate world—and introduces his PID System: Preparation, Intentionality, and Differentiation. He explains how this framework not only fueled his personal success but can also empower organizations to grow, adapt, and thrive amidst uncertainty. Ana and Rutherford dig into the crucial theme of value creation—for both customers and team members—and stress how AI should be used as a tool to augment human potential, not replace it. They highlight the importance of leaders truly listening to their people, uncovering individual zones of genius, and ensuring everyone is “in the right seat on the bus” to create synergy and joy at work. From practical strategies to thought-provoking examples, the conversation offers actionable advice for leaders and professionals looking to leverage both technology and human strengths to thrive in the future of work. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: 0:00 – Leadership: The Right People on the Right Bus 1:03 – Introduction to the Mindset Zone & Guest 2:05 – AI Disruption and Staying Relevant 6:46 – Adding Value: The Key to Promotion 7:57 – Customer-Centric Mindset (Amazon Example) 10:55 – The PID System: Preparation, Intentionality, Differentiation 19:41 – Retaining the Best People in the Age of AI 20:34 – The Importance of Listening as a Leader 25:25 – Four Levels of Listening for Better Decisions 27:00 – Where to Learn More About Rutherford Pascal About the Guest Rutherford J. Pascal is a seasoned Senior Sales Executive with over 30 years of experience in driving sales growth, revitalizing stagnant markets, and building high-performing teams across diverse industries for three fortune 100 companies. As the Founder and CEO of Glass Walls Leadership, Rutherford is dedicated to empowering leaders and ordinary workers to become indispensable at work. This is accomplished through one-on-one coaching, group training, and dynamic keynote presentations. His extensive expertise includes strategic business, market and sales planning, performance enhancement, and team motivation. Meet Your Host Ana Melikian, Ph.D.—Expert in amplifying impact without burnout, author of "Mindset Zone: Actualize Your Human Potential." Rutherford Pascal—Leadership consultant, author of the PID System, and advocate for value-driven organizational growth. 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭? Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork! Expand What’s Possible