255. Efficiency vs. Humanity

What happens when innovation outpaces our moral compass?

In episode 255 of At The Table, Patrick and Cody wrestle with the tension between technological innovation and human dignity in the workplace. As artificial intelligence reshapes industries, they ask whether efficiency has become more important than humanity. This episode invites leaders and consumers alike to seek a moral “true north”—one that values people over profit and connection over convenience.

Topics explored in this episode:

(02:57) Innovation Without a True North

* Concern that the rise of AI could fundamentally displace human work.

* Innovation must be guided by ethics and human-centered purpose, not just economic efficiency.

(07:15) The Role of Leaders

* The need for leaders to assess whether their choices serve humanity.

(10:10) The Role of Consumers

* Consumers voting with their wallets and resisting convenience that devalues human connection.

(14:27) The Convenience Crisis

* How people increasingly prioritize ease over meaning.

(18:45) Dignity, Work, and the Future

* The deeper value of work beyond income—as a source of dignity, growth, and relationship.

This episode of At The Table with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable.

At The Table is a podcast that lives at the connection between work life, leadership, organizational health, and culture. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).

Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni.

Be sure to check out our other podcast, The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3raC053GF5mtkq6Y1klpRU), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube).

Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com.

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.