Most AI headlines still shout about job loss. This week, I unpack McKinsey’s new State of AI report and the story is very different. Yes, many companies are experimenting, piloting, and playing. Only a small fraction are seeing real profit lift today. The ones that are winning share a pattern: they redesign how work gets done, they pursue growth and innovation, and they keep people at the center. We dig into what high performers do differently across manufacturing, consumer, finance, and life sciences, why workflow redesign beats tool buying, and how intent and trust shape adoption. If you lead people, this episode gives you a simple, practical lens to spot value, reduce fear, and build skills that elevate your teams.

You’ll learn:

• Why growth goals outperform cost cutting in AI initiatives

• How workflow redesign becomes the strongest predictor of impact

• What high performers prioritize across industries, from personalization to agentic systems

• The people moves that matter most, including reskilling and leader literacy

• How to shift the narrative so employees feel enhanced, not reduced

Takeaway:

The best AI strategies are talent strategies. Start with value creation, redesign the work, invest in hybrid human–AI skills, and measure outcomes, not pilot activity.

McKinsey AI Report 2025 : https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/quantumblack/our-insights/the-state-of-ai