341: Leadership in the AI Era: What Leaders Still Miss with Steve Cadigan

In this Workday Playdate, Erin tackles leadership in the age of AI with talent expert, Steve Cadigan.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Will AI replace leaders?” or felt the pressure to have all the answers in a rapidly changing workplace, this episode is your reality check. 

About the Guest:

Steve Cadigan is a globally recognized talent strategist, keynote speaker, and former Chief HR Officer at LinkedIn. He’s known for helping organizations rethink leadership, talent, and the future of work in a world defined by constant change. Steve brings decades of experience advising leaders on how to build cultures rooted in trust, agility, and continuous learning. 

Inside This Episode:

• AI Won’t Replace Great Leaders, It Will Expose Weak Ones: Why human skills like trust, empathy, and adaptability are becoming the ultimate competitive advantage.
• Ditch the Control Model: Outdated command-and-control leadership is slowing teams down; today’s best leaders prioritize autonomy and ownership.
• Trust Is the New Currency: Letting go of control is required to unlock innovation, speed, and engagement.
• Growth > Loyalty: Employees are looking for lifelong learning. Leaders who invest in development win.
• Agility Is Everything: What companies like Tesla teach us about rapid iteration, continuous improvement, and staying relevant in constant change.

What to Do Now:

1. Challenge One Leadership Belief: Identify one assumption you have about control, productivity, or trust and question if it still works in today’s environment.
2. Practice Trust in Real Time: Fully delegate one task this week. Provide clear ownership and space for the other person to deliver.
3. Have a Growth Conversation: Ask one team member what skill they want to build next and how you can support it.

Your Freebie

What’s your leadership style and next business move? Find out by taking a fun little quiz here.

And thank you to our sponsors Intuit Quickbooks Payroll.

To learn more visit:   https://quickbooks.intuit.com/workforce/

Connect with Steve Cadigan 

• Steve’s LinkedIn
• Steve’s book
• Steve’s podcast

Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!

• Leadership Playground online membership community
• Erin’s website
• Erin’s Instagram
• Erin’s TikTok
• Erin’s LinkedIn
• improve it!’s website
• improve it!’s Instagram

For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.

Connect with Erin Diehl

🌟 Learn more about Workday Playdate: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast-page
🎤 Book Erin to speak: https://passionstruckspeakers.com/speakers/erin-diehl/
📚 Workshops & Team Experiences: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/experiential-training
💌 Learn more about Erin: https://www.itserindiehl.com/meet-erin
📱 For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.

Loved this episode?

If this conversation made you think differently about work, leadership, or building joyful teams, please follow Workday Playdate on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use more play in their workday.

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