The LEADERSHIP Trick That’s Driving Microsoft’s Success (EP 19)

2025-10-20

Former Microsoft VP of Worldwide Learning, Laura Longcore, details how she prepared 60,000 marketing and sales employees for the AI era. The transformation began by building AI literacy and focusing on data integrity, moving quickly to practical, business-driven use-cases. The true "leadership trick" that accelerated adoption was fostering a cultural shift where employees learned from each other, sharing how AI increased productivity and customer engagement.💼 Crucially, leaders had to role-model th...

Former Microsoft VP of Worldwide Learning, Laura Longcore, details how she prepared 60,000 marketing and sales employees for the AI era. The transformation began by building AI literacy and focusing on data integrity, moving quickly to practical, business-driven use-cases. The true "leadership trick" that accelerated adoption was fostering a cultural shift where employees learned from each other, sharing how AI increased productivity and customer engagement.💼

Crucially, leaders had to role-model this change, infusing the AI vision into every strategic discussion, rather than delegating it as a mere L&D task. Longcore stresses that while foundational leadership skills remain, they must now be layered with an AI lens, encouraging a mindset of continuous learning, experimentation, and critical thinking—not just accepting AI's output. For every employee, from the front line to the CEO, ongoing learning is now non-negotiable for success.🚀

Key Topics

Start with AI Literacy
Focus on Use-Cases
Leadership Must Role-Model
Harness Peer Learning
Ongoing Learning is Essential

Guest

Laura Longcore, is a retired Microsoft executive with nearly 25 years of experience at the company, where she held various leadership roles including Vice President of Worldwide Learning, Vice President of Data & AI, and positions in marketing, operations, product planning, and sales. A graduate of Illinois State University and a former Division I athlete, she has a strong passion for learning and skill development. Post-retirement, she continues to share insights on leadership, AI adoption, and company culture through podcasts and posts.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI Adoption at Microsoft
01:24 Foundational AI Literacy and Training
02:58 Peer Learning and Leadership Engagement
06:24 The Acceleration of AI Technology
08:28 Leadership's Role in AI Integration
10:50 Measuring AI Adoption and Engagement
12:07 The Role of Executive Coaching in Leadership Development
17:13 Navigating AI Adoption and Leadership Challenges
17:59 Embracing AI in Leadership Development
19:32 The Shift in Learning Modalities

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