SPOS #812 - Michael Bungay Stanier On Doing Something That Matters

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Welcome to episode #933 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #933. Let’s dive deep into the transformative insights of Steve Dennis - a strategic advisor, retail leadership expert, and bestselling author. Steve's latest book, Leaders Leap - Transforming Your Company At The Speed Of Disruption, dissects why so many transformations fail and reveals what leaders must do to keep their organizations relevant in an ever-evolving landscape. With a diverse career that includes c-suite roles at two Fortune 500 companies and his current position as President of SageBerry Consulting, Steve brings a wealth of experience to the table. First he was at Sears and then Neiman Marcus Group, where he pioneered customer insight, loyalty, and omnichannel marketing strategies, making him a sought-after voice in retail innovation. Steve underscores the urgency for leaders to aim higher and move faster to navigate a world of abundant choice and zero friction. He argues that being remarkable is not just about standing out but creating an emotional connection with customers. In an era where technology has leveled the playing field, businesses must differentiate themselves and offer value beyond price. Steve stresses the need for agility in leadership, urging leaders to understand the factors impacting their business and respond swiftly to volatility. He warns against the trap of incrementalism and highlights the importance of creating a sense of urgency and embracing change. Steve's insights are not just theoretical - they are grounded in his extensive practical experience and are vital for any leader looking to thrive in today's fast-paced business environment. He is also a Forbes senior contributor and co-host of the  Remarkable Retail podcast, which amplifies the themes of his first book, Remarkable Retail - How To Win And Keep Customers In The Age Of Disruption. Enjoy the conversation...  Running time: 1:03:30. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Subscribe over at  Apple Podcasts. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation. Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook. Check out ThinkersOne. or you can connect on LinkedIn. ...or on Twitter. Here is my conversation with Steve Dennis. Leaders Leap - Transforming Your Company At The Speed Of Disruption. Remarkable Retail - How To Win And Keep Customers In The Age Of Disruption.  Remarkable Retail Podcast. Follow Steve on X. Follow Steve on Instagram. Follow Steve on LinkedIn. This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.  Takeaways  Being remarkable is about creating a distance between your brand and the competition, and making an emotional connection with customers. Leaders need to aim higher and move faster in order to stay relevant and avoid becoming irrelevant or extinct. Technology enables access to information and substitutes, making it crucial for businesses to differentiate themselves and provide value beyond price. Leaders must understand the factors that impact their business and be agile in responding to a volatile and uncertain environment. Creating a sense of urgency and embracing change are essential for driving innovation and staying ahead of disruption. Success anomalies can be misleading and it is important to analyze them critically and not draw general conclusions from them. Attracting and inspiring talent is crucial for the success of a company, and it is important for leaders to create a culture that values and leverages the unique gifts of their employees. Brands taking a stance on social and political issues can be a complex and risky endeavor, and leaders need to carefully consider the impact on their customers and stakeholders. Physical retail still has a role in a digital world, particularly for experiential and social shopping experiences, but it needs to evolve and provide unique value to customers.  Chapters:  00:00 - Introduction and Background 02:49 - The Power of Being Remarkable 06:04 - Aiming Higher and Moving Faster 08:55 - Navigating a Volatile Business Environment 13:03 - The Role of Technology in Driving Innovation 28:48 - Analyzing Success Anomalies 30:39 - Self-Reflection and Adaptability for Leaders 39:21 - Attracting and Inspiring Talent 44:03 - Navigating Brands and Social Issues 49:20 - The Role of Acquisitions 51:08 - The Evolving Role of Physical Retail 

SPOS #933 – Steve Dennis On Driving Leadership And Innovation

Welcome to episode #932 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Nicholas Mattei is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Tulane University. Nick has dedicated his career to exploring the theory and practice of artificial intelligence, with a focus on decision-making systems for both autonomous agents and humans. He’s been into AI since he was young, influenced by his mother (a program coordinator at a science center, and his father, a professor). His early fascination with computers and programming laid the foundation for a career that has spanned prestigious institutions and cutting-edge projects. Before joining Tulane University, Nick worked as a Research Staff Member at the IBM TJ Watson Research Laboratory, where he tackled complex problems in question answering, natural language inference, decision making, and the ethical implications of AI on society. Prior to his time at IBM, he contributed to the AI & Algorithmic Decision Theory Group at Data61 in Australia. His work there and his involvement in organizing workshops on computational social choice highlight his commitment to advancing AI research. He also spent time at NASA in engineering where he was responsible for the design and implementation of control systems software for multiple small satellites. All cool stuff. At Tulane, Nick is not only advancing AI research but also emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. He works closely with the law school and sociology departments to study the societal impacts of AI. His leadership at the Tulane Center of Excellence for Community-Engaged AI demonstrates his dedication to ensuring that technological advancements benefit the wider community. Nick is passionate about education and mentorship, continually striving to inspire the next generation of AI researchers. His ability to bridge the gap between theoretical AI and practical applications makes him a valuable asset to both the academic and broader communities... and business thinkers like you. If you’re trying to understand the distinctions between traditional coding and AI, the nuances of machine learning, and the evolving landscape of AI technologies, this one is for you. Nick reflects on the challenges and opportunities presented by Generative AI, as well as his thoughts on the ethical deployment of AI systems, offering a nuanced perspective on the future of technology. His pragmatic approach to AI, coupled with his optimism about its potential to create value, provides a balanced view that is both insightful and thought-provoking at a time when we need it most. Enjoy the conversation...  Running time: 1:06:08. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Subscribe over at  Apple Podcasts. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation. Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook. Check out ThinkersOne. or you can connect on LinkedIn. ...or on Twitter. Here is my conversation with Nicholas Mattei. Tulane University. Tulane Center of Excellence for Community-Engaged AI. Follow Nick on LinkedIn. Follow Nick on X. This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.  Takeaways  Interdisciplinary work, particularly between computer science, law, and sociology, is crucial to understanding the societal impacts of AI. AI is broadly defined as making computers appear intelligent, covering tasks like Google Maps navigation and Netflix recommendations, while machine learning involves training computers to learn from data and make predictions without explicit programming. Traditional AI integrates data across sources, whereas generative AI predicts the next word in a sequence based on large datasets. Generative AI excels at repetitive writing tasks but struggles with truly innovative creativity, as it mimics patterns from its training data. Significant concerns exist about the ethical deployment of AI, particularly regarding data privacy, copyright issues, and potential societal impacts The transformer architecture, developed by Google, revolutionized AI by enabling faster and more efficient training of large language models. Skepticism exists about achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI), but aligning AI tools with human values and ensuring they support human decision-making is valuable. AI's integration into various domains, from criminal justice to creative industries, poses both opportunities and challenges, necessitating continuous adaptation and training.\ Ongoing dialogue and exploration are essential to understanding and shaping the future of AI responsibly.  Chapters:  00:00 - Introduction and Nicholas's Background 06:00 - Defining AI and Machine Learning 12:00 - Generative AI Capabilities 20:00 - Ethical and Societal Impacts of AI 30:00 - Transformers and AI Development 35:00 - AI in Practice and Real-World Applications 45:00 - Future of AI and AGI 55:00 - Alignment and Ethical AI 58:00 - Conclusion and Future Discussions  

SPOS #932 – Nicholas Mattei On AI And The Future Of Smarter Machines

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #931. What is a thought leader? What does thought leadership look like? How do you become a thought leader? I’ve spent decades fascinated by people who undertake the job of either creating or building on great ideas (mostly in business). It’s what led me to start ThinkersOne and it’s the same thing that keeps me inspired to show up here - week after week - and have these types of conversations. This week, we’re doing something a little bit different. I reached out to  Peter Winick - the founder and CEO of Thought Leadership Leverage and host of the  Leveraging Thought Leadership Podcast - and asked him if he would mind leading a conversation on the business of thought leadership. We were both eager to discuss and debate the value of thought leadership, the changing landscape of book publishing, building a personal brand, the power of thought leadership in corporate settings, the role of social proofing and more. We both agree that it’s all about relationship development, balancing vanity metrics and strategic networking, developing thought leadership skills and leveraging thought leadership for business opportunities. We explore the importance of creating mid-tier products, amplifying thought leaders' voices, and democratizing intellectual property. The conversation delves into building a sustainable thought leadership business, using thought leadership as a business generation strategy, and the real money in thought leadership. While we both might not love the title of “thought leader” we both agree on the value of people who chose the importance of lifelong learning, content creation, and balancing creativity with business strategy as a profession. Enjoy the conversation...  Running time: 1:15:33. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Subscribe over at  Apple Podcasts. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation. Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook. Check out ThinkersOne. or you can connect on LinkedIn. ...or on Twitter. Here is my conversation with Peter Winick. Thought Leadership Leverage.  Leveraging Thought Leadership Podcast. Follow Peter on LinkedIn. Follow Peter on X. This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.  Takeaways  Practice and refinement are essential for thought leaders to deliver valuable content. Social media can serve as an R&D; lab for testing ideas and gathering feedback. Thoughtful thought leadership focuses on adding value and engaging with the audience, while influencer marketing aims to persuade and sell products. Respecting the publish button and ensuring the quality of content is crucial for thought leaders. Artificial intelligence can be used to enhance thought leadership by improving writing, generating opposing perspectives, and providing new insights.  Chapters:  00:00 - Introduction and Background 01:31 - The Value of Thought Leadership 06:20 - Building Personal Brand and Thought Leadership 10:36 - The Power of Thought Leadership in Corporate Settings 11:36 - The Role of Social Proof in Thought Leadership 15:19 - Balancing Vanity Metrics and Strategic Networking 25:13 - Monetizing Relationships and Thought Leadership 27:10 - Democratizing Intellectual Property and Broadening Offerings 29:21 - Building a Sustainable Thought Leadership Business 30:19 - Thought Leadership as a Business Generation Strategy 31:21 - The Real Money in Thought Leadership: B2B 34:06 - Creating Personalized Experiences and Extending the Event Impact 37:27 - The Limitations of Speaking and the Need for Behavior Change 39:18 - The Importance of Lifelong Learning and Content Creation 47:58 - Experimenting with Different Formats and Reaching the Target Market 49:36 - Practicing in Public and the Challenges of Thought Leadership 53:18 - Using Social Media as an R&D; Lab 54:15 Thoughtful Thought Leadership vs. Influencer Marketing 56:52 - Adding Sizzle to Thought Leadership 58:38 - Using AI to Enhance Thought Leadership 

SPOS #931 – Peter Winick Debates Mitch Joel On The Art And Business Of Thought Leadership

Welcome to episode #930 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #930. I’ve known Juliette Powell since she was a famed VJ on MusiquePlus - MuchMusic and I was a music journalist back in the mid-ninties. While we lost touch over the years, we reconnected when she published her book about social media in 2008,  33 Million People in the Room - How to Create, Influence, and Run a Successful Business with Social Networking, and more recently with her latest, The AI Dilemma - 7 Principles for Responsible Technology (co-authored with Art Kleiner). The balance between innovation and ethics with artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly crucial. Juliette, a seasoned consultant at the intersection of technology and business (wit her consultancy, KPI), addresses this challenge head-on in The AI Dilemma. The book is a roadmap for businesses and governments looking to harness AI's potential responsibly. Juliette delves into the pressing issues surrounding AI deployment and the imperative of upholding ethical standards. With her extensive background consulting for multinational companies and her research at Columbia University, Juliette brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to the AI discourse. She explores the dual nature of AI - its capacity to drive unprecedented progress and its potential to perpetuate harm. She articulates the seven principles outlined in her book, which serve as guidelines for developing AI systems that support human flourishing while minimizing risks. These principles focus on rigorous risk assessment, transparency, data protection, bias reduction, accountability, organizational flexibility, and fostering an environment of psychological safety and creative friction. Juliette's insights are informed by real-world examples and her collaborations with institutions like Intel Labs and governmental bodies, which underscore the complexity of AI’s impact across various sectors. Our discussion also touches on the broader social implications of AI, including the challenges posed by data ownership, the illusion of personalized experiences, and the global divide in data value. Juliette addresses the confusion surrounding the term 'AI' and the critical need for digital literacy to navigate its consequences effectively. We all know that AI presents significant challenges but it also offers remarkable opportunities for those willing to engage with it thoughtfully and ethically. Enjoy the conversation...  Running time: 1:00:36. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Subscribe over at  Apple Podcasts. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation. Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook. Check out ThinkersOne. or you can connect on LinkedIn. ...or on Twitter. Here is my conversation with Juliette Powell. The AI Dilemma - 7 Principles for Responsible Technology.  33 Million People in the Room - How to Create, Influence, and Run a Successful Business with Social Networking. KPI. Follow Juliette on LinkedIn. Follow Juliette on X. This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.  Takeaways  Understanding the impact of AI requires critical thinking and digital literacy. Data ownership and the responsible deployment of AI are crucial considerations. Government regulation and international cooperation are necessary to address the challenges of AI. The term 'AI' is often misused and misunderstood, leading to confusion in the marketplace. The development and deployment of AI should be driven by ethical considerations and a risk-benefit analysis. The Apex Benchmark. Alignment and Human Values: Ensuring that AI systems align with human values is a complex challenge, as different cultures and individuals have varying moral perspectives.  Creative Friction and Diverse Perspectives: The best products and ideas are often the result of collaboration and diverse perspectives.  AI as a Tool for Creativity: AI can enhance human creativity by providing new perspectives, prompting exploration of new ideas, and generating content.  Ethics, AI, and the Future of Work: The ethical implications of AI are significant, particularly in relation to job displacement and income inequality.  Unconditional Love and Connection: The power of unconditional love and connection can shape our perspectives and actions.   Chapters:  00:00 0 Introduction and Background 02:28 - Early Recognition of AI's Impact 04:02 - Understanding Machine Learning and Data Ownership 06:36 - Lack of Transparency in AI Systems 07:42 - The Quandary of Personal Data and AI 09:33 - The Disconnect Between Public Awareness and Concern 11:08 - The Rise of AI and Data as New Oil 15:12 - The Need for Responsible AI Deployment 16:24 - Government Discourse and Regulation on AI 21:35 - Nationalism and Geopolitical Competition in AI 24:18 - Confusion and Misuse of the Term 'AI' 28:56 - The Importance of Digital Literacy 32:19 - The Pressure to Deploy AI and the Lack of Understanding 39:16 - The Excitement and Impact of ChatGPT 41:26 - The Apex Benchmark and the Race to Follow 45:23 - Alignment and the Challenge of Human Values 48:53 - Creative Friction and the Power of Diverse Perspectives 50:09 - The Medium is the Message: AI as a Tool for Creativity 54:24 - Ethics, AI, and the Future of Work 55:56 - Unconditional Love and the Power of Connection 

SPOS #930 – Juliette Powell On The AI Dilemma

Welcome to episode #929 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #929. Uncertainty and rapid change have become the business norm. The need for brave leadership is more pronounced than ever. Todd Henry, self-describes as an "arms dealer for the creative revolution," brings this point home in his latest book, The Brave Habit - A Guide To Courageous Leadership. Known for his extensive work with leaders and organizations to foster environments of innovation and creative brilliance, Todd's insights are always invaluable for anyone looking to thrive in creative or challenging industries. Todd’s been a friend for over a decade, and he is the person that I turn to when I think about new ways for human beings to be creative and more effective. Todd explores the evolving dynamics of bravery in the business world, especially in the realms of book publishing and the integration of artificial intelligence into creative processes. As the landscape of publishing shifts and AI begins to play a significant role in creativity, Todd discusses how these tools can be leveraged to enhance creative output without compromising the integrity of artistic expression. The Brave Habit is not just a manual - it's a manifesto for courageous action in times of daunting challenges. Todd emphasizes that bravery isn't an innate trait possessed by a select few but a skill that can be honed. His practical framework for courageous leadership is designed to empower professionals to make tough decisions and lead confidently through times of uncertainty. The conversation also touches on the risks posed by cancel culture and the pervasive fear of judgment that can stifle bold decision-making. Todd argues that creating a balance between homogeneity and creativity is crucial for fostering a culture of innovation. He highlights the role of empathy in understanding diverse perspectives and building a supportive environment where bravery can flourish. According to Todd, bravery involves doing the right thing in the face of fear or personal loss, and it is something that can and should be cultivated daily. Todd is also the author of The Accidental Creative, Die Empty, Herding Tigers, Daily Creative (also the name of his excellent and recently rebooted podcast), and Louder Than Words. Todd is also active on ThinkersOne where you can book him to pop into your next meeting. Enjoy the conversation...  Running time: 1:09:06. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Subscribe over at  Apple Podcasts. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation. Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook. Check out ThinkersOne. or you can connect on LinkedIn. ...or on Twitter. Here is my conversation with Todd Henry. The Brave Habit - A Guide To Courageous Leadership. Daily Creative. Daily Creative Podcast. The Accidental Creative. Die Empty. Herding Tigers. Louder Than Words. Check out Todd on ThinkersOne. Follow Todd on X. Follow Todd In Instagram. Follow Todd on LinkedIn. This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.  Takeaways  The traditional model of book publishing is evolving, with new formats and publishing options emerging. AI has the potential to enhance creativity by providing new avenues of exploration and inspiration. Creativity is a complex concept, and the impact of AI on creativity is still being explored. Bravery is essential in creative pursuits, as it requires taking risks and challenging the status quo.  Cancel culture and the fear of making missteps can hinder bravery in the workplace. Finding a balance between homogeneity and creativity is crucial for fostering innovation. Empathy plays a significant role in promoting bravery and understanding different perspectives. Bravery is defined as doing the right thing even in the face of fear or personal loss. Being brave in a cowardice situation requires listening to one's conscience and not succumbing to societal pressures. Bravery can be developed and trained, and it is not limited to extraordinary acts. Promoting bravery in everyday life involves creating a culture that values empathy, meaningful conversations, and the willingness to challenge the status quo.  Chapters:  00:00 - Introduction and Book Formats 03:00 - The Changing Landscape of Book Publishing 06:11 - New Models for Book Publishing 09:22 - The Role of AI in Creativity 15:10 - The Complexity of Creativity and AI 21:18 - The Impact of AI on Creativity and Imagination 30:05 - The Brave Habit and Bravery in Creativity 36:36 - Balancing Artistic Expression and Market Demands 41:09 - Taking Brave Actions in Creative Pursuits 41:59 - The Rewarding of Bravery in the Business World 45:12 - The Impact of Cancel Culture on Bravery 50:14 - The Balance Between Homogeneity and Creativity 54:53 - The Role of Empathy in Bravery 01:00:06 - The Definition and Opposite of Bravery 01:01:17 - Being Brave in a Cowardice Situation 01:04:06 - Discovering the Nature of Bravery 01:05:22 - Promoting Bravery in Everyday Life 

SPOS #812 - Michael Bungay Stanier On Doing Something That Matters

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