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Episode 29 | Jason Averbook on 4 Forces Reshaping Work: Why AI Transformation Isn't About Technology
🚀 Jason Averbook reveals the 4 forces creating the biggest change HR has ever seen—and why 95% of AI projects are failing. This isn't about technology; it's about trust, engagement, and fundamentally rethinking how work gets done.
⚡ THE 4 FORCES RESHAPING WORK:
1. Engagement is slipping (trust in companies at all-time lows)
2. Jobs and skills are changing rapidly
3. Early career on-ramp is broken
4. AI is being pushed into unprepared organizations
🔑 KEY INSIGHTS:
- We're asking people to change while wearing "uniforms they don't trust"
- AI transformation is a people problem, not a technology problem
- Most companies are trapped in task optimization vs. workflow revolution
- Early talent needs to challenge assumptions, not just fill roles
- "Proof of work" beats "proof of education" in today's job market
- Unlearning matters more than skill development
đź’ˇ FRAMEWORKS REVEALED:
- Jason's 4 Sets: Mindset, Heart Set, Skill Set, Tool Set
- Amy's AI Transformation Maturity Model
- The FAFO Philosophy (Fool Around and Find Out)
- AI Enablement Centers vs. traditional training
🎯 TACTICAL TAKEAWAYS:
- Build proof of work without a job (18-year-old built 5 apps example)
- Use LinkedIn to access networks, not just contact people
- Start with workflows, then add technology (not the reverse)
- Invest in unlearning before upskilling
- Create "challenge partners" across age groups
🏢 THE PEOPLESOFT CONNECTION: Jason, Meg, and Amy share insights from their days as young professionals disrupting the status quo at PeopleSoft—and why today's organizations need that same fresh perspective.
Jason Averbook is Senior Partner and Global Leader of Digital HR Strategy at Mercer, guiding 1,000+ organizations through transformation. This conversation bridges cutting-edge AI strategy with timeless leadership principles.
⏰ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction & The 4 Forces Framework
07:55 Trust Crisis: Why Engagement Matters
17:00 AI Enablement Centers vs. Traditional Training
28:37 Early Career Crisis: Proof of Work vs. Education
41:09 Diversity Redefined: Age, Context & Experience
42:43 Amy's AI Transformation Maturity Model
44:45 Jason's 4 Sets Framework
47:40 Leadership Corner: Merging Dysfunctional Teams
đź“š RESOURCES:
Jason's Now to Next Podcast | https://open.spotify.com/show/1zrFUr0dBTUG2EUcK8ca5g
How HR Took Over the World | https://www.economist.com/business/2025/11/10/how-hr-took-over-the-world
The Palantir Model | https://blog.palantir.com/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-palantir-forward-deployed-software-engineer-45ef2de257b1
Meg Bear on WTF Is a Forward-Deployed Engineer? by Thomas Otter | https://thomasotter.substack.com/p/wtf-is-a-forward-deployed-engineer/comment/110916540
Amy's Transformation Maturity Model | https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ai-transformation-paradox-why-todays-innovation-tomorrows-amy-wilson-8adqf/
đź”— CONNECT:
Jason Averbook: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonaverbook/
Amy Wilson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-wilson-insight/
Meg Bear: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megbear/
Instagram: @megandamyshow
#AITransformation #Leadership #HRStrategy #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfWork #EmployeeEngagement #EarlyCareers #WorkflowOptimization #MegAndAmyShow
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By WRKdefined Podcast Network🚀 Jason Averbook reveals the 4 forces creating the biggest change HR has ever seen—and why 95% of AI projects are failing. This isn't about technology; it's about trust, engagement, and fundamentally rethinking how work gets done.
⚡ THE 4 FORCES RESHAPING WORK:
1. Engagement is slipping (trust in companies at all-time lows)
2. Jobs and skills are changing rapidly
3. Early career on-ramp is broken
4. AI is being pushed into unprepared organizations
🔑 KEY INSIGHTS:
- We're asking people to change while wearing "uniforms they don't trust"
- AI transformation is a people problem, not a technology problem
- Most companies are trapped in task optimization vs. workflow revolution
- Early talent needs to challenge assumptions, not just fill roles
- "Proof of work" beats "proof of education" in today's job market
- Unlearning matters more than skill development
đź’ˇ FRAMEWORKS REVEALED:
- Jason's 4 Sets: Mindset, Heart Set, Skill Set, Tool Set
- Amy's AI Transformation Maturity Model
- The FAFO Philosophy (Fool Around and Find Out)
- AI Enablement Centers vs. traditional training
🎯 TACTICAL TAKEAWAYS:
- Build proof of work without a job (18-year-old built 5 apps example)
- Use LinkedIn to access networks, not just contact people
- Start with workflows, then add technology (not the reverse)
- Invest in unlearning before upskilling
- Create "challenge partners" across age groups
🏢 THE PEOPLESOFT CONNECTION: Jason, Meg, and Amy share insights from their days as young professionals disrupting the status quo at PeopleSoft—and why today's organizations need that same fresh perspective.
Jason Averbook is Senior Partner and Global Leader of Digital HR Strategy at Mercer, guiding 1,000+ organizations through transformation. This conversation bridges cutting-edge AI strategy with timeless leadership principles.
⏰ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction & The 4 Forces Framework
07:55 Trust Crisis: Why Engagement Matters
17:00 AI Enablement Centers vs. Traditional Training
28:37 Early Career Crisis: Proof of Work vs. Education
41:09 Diversity Redefined: Age, Context & Experience
42:43 Amy's AI Transformation Maturity Model
44:45 Jason's 4 Sets Framework
47:40 Leadership Corner: Merging Dysfunctional Teams
đź“š RESOURCES:
Jason's Now to Next Podcast | https://open.spotify.com/show/1zrFUr0dBTUG2EUcK8ca5g
How HR Took Over the World | https://www.economist.com/business/2025/11/10/how-hr-took-over-the-world
The Palantir Model | https://blog.palantir.com/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-palantir-forward-deployed-software-engineer-45ef2de257b1
Meg Bear on WTF Is a Forward-Deployed Engineer? by Thomas Otter | https://thomasotter.substack.com/p/wtf-is-a-forward-deployed-engineer/comment/110916540
Amy's Transformation Maturity Model | https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ai-transformation-paradox-why-todays-innovation-tomorrows-amy-wilson-8adqf/
đź”— CONNECT:
Jason Averbook: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonaverbook/
Amy Wilson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-wilson-insight/
Meg Bear: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megbear/
Instagram: @megandamyshow
#AITransformation #Leadership #HRStrategy #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfWork #EmployeeEngagement #EarlyCareers #WorkflowOptimization #MegAndAmyShow