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!

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