Between Innovation Podcast

In this episode, Joe and Kathy unpack the difference between individual AI use and institutional intelligence and why that gap is where real value is either created or quietly lost.

They open the showing talking about context, both the technical kind measured in tokens and context windows, and the human kind. Relationships. Systems. Strategy. The bigger picture most organizations are skipping as they chase speed and productivity.

From there, the conversation moves into what’s really happening inside companies right now:

• Teams using AI in silos, creating more noise than clarity
• Leaders optimizing for efficiency instead of value creation
• A growing flood of “AI slop” that looks productive but lacks substance
• A subtle but dangerous feedback loop where AI reinforces bad thinking instead of challenging it

Along the way, they explore what it means to move from AI as a personal productivity tool to AI as a coordinated, system-level capability. History has seen this before. When electricity replaced steam, nothing changed for decades until businesses reimagined how work actually happened. AI is at that same inflection point. The question for AI should be “What are we actually trying to solve—and how do we rethink our business around that?”

If you’re a leader trying to cut through the noise and figure out what actually matters, this episode is your invitation to slow down, zoom out, and start thinking again.

Special thanks to George Sivulka and his Substack post that provided much of the fodder for this conversation. https://substack.com/home/post/p-190627679

AI is everywhere. It promises speed, efficiency, and competitive advantage. But beneath the headlines about automation and tech stacks lies a far more important question: what happens to the humans?

In this episode of Between Innovation, we unpack insights from our recent webinar with the Institute of Directors in Mauritius, “Leading with Heart in the Age of AI.” Rather than diving into technical specs, we explore the tension between the “head” and the “heart” of AI, the analytical power it brings and the human implications it creates.

We tackle the real conversations leaders are having behind closed doors:

• How does AI impact psychological safety when employees fear job loss?

• What responsibility do organizations hold when chatbots hallucinate, discriminate, or give incorrect information?

• How do you build governance, accountability, and trust in a rapidly evolving landscape?

Through stories ranging from AI-driven hiring bias to rogue automation mishaps and even a chatbot bereavement refund gone wrong, we highlight how organizations remain accountable for how AI is built, deployed, and governed.

We also share an inspiring example of a team that used AI to create meaningful innovation in hours instead of days, sparking energy and possibility across their organization.

Ultimately, AI provides a unique opportunity for growth. The leaders who thrive will be those who train their people, clarify their values, establish ethical guardrails, and ensure that technology aligns with mission and culture.

In this episode Kathy and Joe dive into one of the most foundational and often overlooked ideas in organizational development: “self as instrument”.

Using humor, real client moments, and lessons from the field, they explore what it really means to walk into a room as a leader, facilitator, or consultant knowing you are the most influential tool you bring with you. From calibrating your energy and reading the room to navigating bias, countertransference, and emotional signals, they unpack how your presence shapes every conversation, every interaction, and every outcome.

They also discuss the leadership practices that keep your “instrument” in tune — authenticity, intentionality, modeling behavior, seeking feedback, and the non-negotiable role of self-care. Whether you're leading teams, coaching others, or simply trying to show up with more clarity and impact, this conversation offers practical, and human insight into how to bring your best self to the work.

A thoughtful, energizing episode for leaders and learners who know that change starts from within.

In this episode of Between Innovation, Kathy and Joe hold up the mirror to leadership and ask a tough question: What if you’re the biggest barrier to the change you want to see?

Drawing from real-world conversations with leaders, they explore how common frustrations—like lack of ideas, weak accountability, or organizational silos—often reflect back on leadership behaviors themselves. Through stories, roleplays, and candid insights, they unpack why change is so hard, and how leaders can build the self-awareness and trust needed to unlock innovation.

If you’ve ever thought “my people just don’t…”, this episode is your invitation to pause, reflect, and reconsider what’s really happening.

Key Takeaways

• Why leaders need to “hold up the mirror” and examine their own role in blocking change.
• How safety (or lack of it) determines whether ideas surface or stay hidden.
• The difference between external motivators (bonuses, raises) and intrinsic motivators (autonomy, mastery, purpose).
• What leaders really mean when they say, “My people aren’t strategic.”
• How initiative gets unintentionally stifled—and how to avoid “killing the spirit.”
• Practical ways to transform meetings into spaces for contribution and collaboration.
• The two types of silos (political vs. unintentional) and how to break them down.
• Why self-awareness and curiosity are the foundation for innovation.

In this episode we explore Positive Intelligence (PQ) — a powerful framework that helps us understand how our own minds can either propel us forward or quietly sabotage our growth, relationships, and creativity.

Building on their recent conversation about emotional intelligence, we discuss how PQ expands that conversation by identifying our internal saboteurs — the mental patterns and voices rooted in early survival strategies that no longer serve us. From the ever-present Judge to pleasers, hyper-achievers, and avoiders, these mental habits can quietly derail our intentions without us even realizing it.

Drawing from our own experience completing the Positive Intelligence program, we share personal stories, emotional insights, and favorite tools like the deceptively simple “PQ rep” — a physical practice for shifting from reactive thinking into calm awareness. Learn how PQ aligns with neuroscience, emotional development, and see how to use childhood photos of your three-year-old self to reconnect with joy, presence, and purpose.

You’ll also hear about the five Sage Powers—Explore, Empathize, Navigate, Innovate, and Activate—and how these strengths help us move through life with clarity, curiosity, and intention. Whether you’re tackling workplace challenges, navigating difficult relationships, or just trying to quiet that voice in your head, this episode offers a practical and deeply human approach to shifting your internal narrative.

Takeaways include:

• The difference between emotional and positive intelligence

• The Judge: your “master saboteur” and how to recognize it

• How simple body-based practices help rewire the brain

• Why your childhood survival strategies might be holding you back

• The importance of shared language and psychological safety in teams

• Tips for applying Sage Powers at work and in daily life

In this episode of we discuss emotional intelligence (EQ) and how it is a changeable and learnable skill, unlike IQ, and is crucial for effective leadership, team building, and overall organizational success. We do a deep dive on all four quadrants of EQ: self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, and relationship management. We also talk about data that demonstrates how organizations focused on both performance and people, including developing EQ, are more profitable and resilient. Learn why EQ involves understanding and managing emotions, not suppressing them, and strategies for improving EQ such as self-reflection, pausing before reacting, observing others, and seeking feedback. 

In this episode we explore what it means to build a learning culture. How do we move beyond compliance and sending people to training sessions? How do we create an environment where curiosity is king, and everyone feels safe to ask "dumb" questions? We discuss how to actually make time for learning when your calendar is a minefield of meetings, and why celebrating "oops" moments can be way more valuable than patting ourselves on the back for successes. We also discuss how to address the information overload we're all dealing with, and how to connect dots and ask the right questions. Join us and learn how to build a resilient team that's constantly growing and adapting. 

In this episode we welcome a new friend from across the pond, Giles Hutchins. An author, coach, and advisor extraordinaire, Giles takes leaders into nature to inspire innovative thinking and regenerative leadership. He discusses his 30-year career of shifting business consciousness, emphasizing the importance of reconnecting with nature, and unlocking creative potential and promoting psychological safety in the workplace. He introduces the concepts of "activating our super nature" and embodied knowing, and we discuss the continued importance of emotional intelligence in leadership development. Giles also addresses the shift from mechanistic thinking to living systems, highlighting nature as a valuable resource for research and development and a model for organizational growth and resilience. Hutchins shares his personal journey and awakening, leading him to his current work, and provides insights into how nature can inspire hope and resilience in innovation.

Learn more about Giles and his work:https://gileshutchins.com/

Video:Nature Works - Activating Regenerative Leadership Consciousness -Giles Hutchins, Galahad Clark

Leading by Nature book:https://amzn.to/4aXylbW

Learn more about Switch:https://www.switchinnovationlab.com

This episode of the Between Innovation podcast explores Appreciative Inquiry (AI), a strengths-based approach to organizational change and innovation.

Key takeaways:

Focus on the positive: Unlike traditional problem-solving approaches that focus on what's broken, AI encourages exploring peak experiences and strengths to fuel positive change. This shift in focus fosters a more hopeful and engaging environment.

The 4 Ds:

Importance of crafting questions:

Investing time in formulating the right questions is crucial for eliciting authentic and insightful stories that reveal common themes and shared values.

Storytelling as a tool:

Sharing stories of peak experiences creates connection, fosters hope, and surfaces the collective wisdom of the group. This approach helps build a shared understanding and commitment to change.

Applicability to innovation:

AI can be used to foster innovation by encouraging individuals and teams to reflect on their most innovative moments and identify the conditions that enabled those successes.

Creating a positive energy shift:

By focusing on strengths and positive experiences, AI creates a more energetic and engaging environment that can lead to more effective and sustainable change.

Bringing AI into everyday work:

Leaders can incorporate AI by framing questions that focus on past successes and strengths, even when addressing challenges or performance issues.

Examples and applications discussed:

Learn more at Switch Innovation Lab

Ever wonder what exactly design thinking is and how it can help your organization? We explore some of the key principles of this often misunderstood methodology. We also discuss how the human-centered principles of design thinking can be applied to any complex challenge — especially those related to people, leaders, and organizations.