In this episode, Dan and Gaurav are joined by Gary Lloyd, a seasoned change leadership expert and the creator of the Leadership Skills Lab. Gary shares his journey from leading the Warwick Business School mentoring program to pioneering AI-powered leadership coaching tools. Through his signature metaphor—“Gardeners, Not Mechanics”—Gary explains how leaders can cultivate adaptive, resilient teams in complex environments. The conversation explores how AI can enhance leadership learning through realistic simulations and feedback loops, while keeping human judgment at the center of growth. Listeners will hear about Gary’s collaboration with Rice University’s Doerr Institute for New Leaders, where he’s developing an AI coaching tool that helps undergraduates practice essential skills like giving feedback, negotiating, and delegating—all in a low-risk, supportive virtual space. The episode wraps up with a thoughtful discussion about AI’s impact on critical thinking, the importance of maintaining human-centered leadership, and Gary’s favorite tools, books, and playlists for continuous learning. Topics Covered ----more---- Leadership Skills Lab: Origin Story How Gary developed an AI-powered peer coaching platform that enables safe, scalable leadership practice. The early inspiration from ChatGPT’s role-playing capabilities and how they shaped the Lab’s design. Gardeners, Not Mechanics Why thriving in uncertainty means cultivating experiments rather than controlling outcomes. How leaders can nurture psychological safety and curiosity through this mindset. Micro-Learning & Safe Practice How AI coaching bots create judgment-free spaces for skill rehearsal and reflection. The power of “learning in the moment” through iterative practice. Doerr Institute Collaboration Gary’s partnership with Rice University’s Doerr Institute for New Leaders to develop custom AI coaching scenarios. Example: Delegation and feedback simulations for undergraduates in pilot testing. Coaching Simulation Demo A live demonstration featuring Dan, Gaurav, and the Lab’s AI bot “Lisa.” A fictional project manager scenario illustrating feedback and motivation in action. Critical Thinking & AI Can generative AI make us “lazy thinkers”? Insights from an MIT study on critical thinking, and a nostalgic reflection on “Googling vs. prompting.” Strategies for using AI as a thinking partner, not a crutch. Human Skills for the AI Age Why empathy, listening, and ethical reasoning remain essential leadership capabilities. How AI can help measure and reinforce these deeply human skills through feedback loops. Rapid-Fire Round AI Fears: Misinformation and overreliance. Favorite Tools: VO3 Video Creator. Books: The Coming Wave by Mustafa Suleyman. Prompts: “What’s the other side of this?” Music: English Teacher (band). Newsletters: Leadership & AI thought pieces. Featured Resources & Mentions Leadership Skills Lab Gardeners, Not Mechanics by Gary Lloyd Doerr Institute for New Leaders (Rice University) Phronesis Podcast Anthropic YouTube Course on LLM Prompting VO3 Video Creator The Coming Wave – Mustafa Suleyman English Teacher (band) Salman Khan Academy Research Robert Cialdini – Influence Peter Thiel Interviews MIT Study on Critical Thinking and AI Key Takeaways Adaptive leaders act like gardeners—they cultivate growth rather than control it. AI can be a powerful tool for leadership development, enabling practice, reflection, and feedback at scale. The future of leadership belongs to those who balance technological fluency with human depth. Join the Conversation If you enjoyed this episode:⭐ Rate us 5 stars, subscribe, and share!🌱 Try the Leadership Skills Lab yourself.💬 Tell us what leadership scenarios you’d like us to explore next. Stay curious, stay human.Leaders in the Loop — where leadership, learning, and AI meet.

In this episode, Dan and Gaurav sit down with futurist and market intelligence expert Mandy Steinhardt to explore the intersection of leadership, AI, and future trends. The conversation delves into the evolving role of the futurist, how technology is reshaping organizations, and what authentic leadership looks like in an AI-driven world. Topics Covered ----more---- What’s a Futurist? Mandy shares her path to becoming a futurist, drawing on insights from her studies at the University of Houston’s Foresight Program. Discussion includes scanning for signals, identifying drivers of change, and mapping horizons of transformational change. Market Dynamics & Overlapping Technologies How AI is powering advancements in Edge Computing, IoT (Internet of Things), Blockchain, and Quantum Computing. A beginner-friendly breakdown of Edge vs. IoT—beyond just the Microsoft browser! AI, Performance Management, & Feedback Exploration of whether employees trust AI-generated feedback more than feedback from human managers. Insights from an HR Executive/Gartner study showing 87% of surveyed employees viewed algorithmic feedback as fairer. Ethical and practical implications for organizations and educators using AI in performance reviews and feedback systems. Authentic Leadership in the Age of AI Why empathy, vulnerability, and values remain the foundation of great leadership—even as AI reshapes work. Reflections on Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead framework and the enduring importance of courage and character [link to Brené Brown resources]. Discussion on the balance between character and charisma, and generational shifts in leadership expectations. AI’s Impact on Entry-Level Roles & Mentorship How automation may reduce junior positions—and why that could hinder innovation and mentorship at higher levels. The essential role early-career employees play in keeping organizations dynamic and creative. Augmentation vs. Elimination of Human Roles The “Ironman vs. Terminator” debate—should AI be viewed as augmentation, not replacement? Introduction to the “Turing Trap” concept from Stanford’s Human-Centered AI Institute. Risks of over-reliance on AI for problem-solving, especially among new professionals. Women, Diversity, & the Future of Social Media Mandy discusses her capstone project on female-driven social media, blockchain governance, and creator empowerment. How emerging technologies can support a more inclusive, equitable digital future. Lightning Round: Mandy’s Favorites AI Fears: Idiocracy, Mountainhead-style futures; tech monopoly worries. AI Opportunities: Blockchain applications beyond cryptocurrency [link resource]. AI Wishlist: A personal supply chain AI assistant—“Where’s my Rosie robot?” [link to Jetsons reference]. Books:The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh—for staying grounded and human. Tools: Relay AI (automation/workflow management). Prompting Tools: Research and summarization apps like PerplexityAI. Music: Big Wild; Polo & Pan. Newsletters: Superhuman newsletter for cutting-edge AI trends. Key Takeaways AI enhances feedback and productivity—but authentic, human-centered leadership remains irreplaceable. The future of leadership lies in balancing technology with humanity. Diversity and inclusion are critical for shaping an equitable and innovative AI future. Mentioned Resources University of Houston Foresight Program HR Executive / Gartner article on AI feedback and trust Brené Brown – Dare to Lead, TED Talk, Workbook Stanford Human-Centered AI Institute – “Turing Trap” Relay AI PerplexityAI Big Wild / Polo & Pan (music) Superhuman AI Newsletter The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh Have thoughts or questions about this episode?Leave a comment, subscribe for more, and remember to stay curious—stay human.

Join hosts Dan Jenkins and Gaurav Khanna as they dive into AI, data literacy, and change management in education with Dr. Nicholas McGehee, Senior Data Scientist at Michigan Virtual, adjunct faculty at Trevecca Nazarene University, and founder of Capstone Solutions Consulting. This episode is a practical guide to helping educators and leaders embrace AI, featuring insights from Dr. McGehee’s influential research and real-world teaching experience. Key Topics Covered ----more---- Meet Dr. Nicholas McGehee Background: Data scientist, educator, consultant, MMA lightweight champion, and parent. Current roles at Michigan Virtual, Trevecca Nazarene University, and Capstone Solutions Consulting. Designing and Teaching AI-Infused Leadership Courses Collaborative work building Trevecca Nazarene’s doctoral program: “Leadership in the Age of AI.” Emphasis on practical data literacy and analytics for leaders. Course projects: Students review and curate a shared library of AI tools for real-world applications. Breakthrough Research: Educator Acceptance of AI Discussion of Dr. McGehee’s meta-analysis paper: “Breaking Barriers: A Meta Analysis of Educator Acceptance of AI Technology in Education.” Key finding: Self-efficacy (belief in one’s ability to use AI) is the strongest predictor of adoption. Historical connection to Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy (1977). Reference to the Technology Adoption Model (TAM) and its variables—perceived ease of use and usefulness. How these lessons apply beyond education, including corporate and organizational change. Turning Skepticism Into Openness Change management frameworks referenced: John Kotter’s 8-step model, Kurt Lewin’s unfreeze/change/refreeze, Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations, Malcolm Gladwell’s Tipping Point. Tips for creating urgency and demonstrating AI’s usefulness and ease of use—"show, then do." The role of peer-reviewed AI tools and hands-on workshops in unfreezing resistance. Workplace and Personal Adoption of AI How adopting AI tools at home translates into comfort and innovation at work. Importance of familiarity (“mat time”) in building expertise and positive perception. The Policy and Regulatory Landscape State and federal guidance is lagging, which can both enable and hinder widespread adoption. Contrast between U.S. and EU approaches. The grassroots nature of current AI adoption and its implications. AI Tools for Teaching and Learning Latest updates on “study mode” from ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and others—how they facilitate learning vs. just giving answers. Discussion of AI as a tutor (cf. Khan Academy), the “multiple sigma” effect, and the still-present achievement gap. Training That Sticks: Building a Culture of Experimentation The ineffectiveness of one-off workshops—real-time, ongoing communities of practice make a difference. Michigan Virtual’s internal AI champion group as a case study. Importance of safe spaces for play, experimentation, and sharing practical use cases. Iron Man vs. Terminator: Framing AI’s Potential Using pop culture to frame AI adoption: AI as an “exosuit” that enhances human capability, not a threat to jobs. The historical pattern of educators resisting new tech—and why embracing tools is essential to avoid being left behind. Lightning Round & Personal Picks Nick’s biggest AI fear: Falling behind. Dream capability: Supercharged automation/auto-GPT for workflows. Recommended reading: Co-Intelligence by Ethan Mollick.  Favorite AI tool: Gamma Presentation Builder.  Dungeons & Dragons prompts, Spotify playlist shout-out (“Pink Pony Club”), and more. Top AI influencer: Ethan Mollick (again). Capstone Solutions Consulting Nick’s company offers hands-on training and consulting for academic and business AI adoption. Resources and Mentions [Ethan Mollick’s newsletter] [Trevecca Nazarene University Ed.D. in Leadership] [Mi

Welcome back to Leaders in the Loop! In this episode, Dan Jenkins and Gaurav Khanna pull back the curtain on their recent article published in the Journal of Leadership Studies. The discussion dives deep into how generative AI is reshaping leadership education, training, and development across sectors. Join us as we explore the intersections of leadership, learning theory, and cutting-edge AI tools—showcasing real-world applications, wins, and the ongoing challenges of bringing AI into the heart of leadership development. In This Episode ----more---- AI and Leadership: From Fringe to Forefront The evolution of AI from a fringe topic to a central focus in leadership education and development. Insights drawn from the International Leadership Association's (ILA) AI Leadership Summit and the ILA's expanded focus on AI. The launch of the Journal of Leadership Studies special issue on AI and leadership. Key Takeaways from the Article Generative AI is not replacing leadership development, but rewiring and enhancing it. The human element remains irreplaceable—empathy, trust, and nuance are fundamentally human and essential to cultivating leaders. Scaling content vs. scaling trust: AI can spread knowledge, but human mentoring and coaching create the spaces where transformational leadership development happens. Foundational Theories & Influences John Dewey’s and David Kolb’s work on experiential learning and how it informs leadership education today. The Four-Phase Model of Interest Development by Hidi & Renninger—exploring how interest evolves from fleeting curiosity to deep engagement. Rev Canning and Horakowitz’s research on personalized learning, scaffolding, and context matching in AI-facilitated education. Fink’s Taxonomy of Significant Learning, focusing on intrinsic motivation and lifelong learning skills. Practical Applications of Generative AI The “TED” framework: Training, Education, and Development in leadership learning. Training: Using AI for scenario-based practice & skill building. Education: Leveraging AI to generate discussion prompts, explain concepts, and scaffold theory. Development: Using AI as a reflective coach, journaling partner, and feedback provider. Practitioner-focused tools and platforms mentioned: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and other large language models. Custom GPTs, NotebookLM, Packback, Perplexity, and LeadershipSkillsLab.AI. Khan Academy’s work integrating AI tutors. The concept of agentic flows: Advancements in how AI agents autonomously plan, reflect, and perform tasks—paralleling human learning and problem-solving processes. The Human in the Loop The enduring necessity of human facilitation, especially in safe and brave spaces for leadership growth. Seminal theories on psychological safety: Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development and Csikszentmihalyi’s concept of Flow. The difference between “safe spaces” and “brave spaces” in leadership training. Personal stories about memorable moments and how human-led environments foster vulnerability and transformation. Looking Ahead The future of AI in leadership learning: keeping human co-intelligence at the center. Current technical limitations of AI in encoding empathy and other uniquely human skills. How the “human in the loop” philosophy will persist as AI tools become even more advanced. Resources & References Mentioned Journal of Leadership Studies special issue on AI and leadership development John Dewey  David Kolb Hidi & Renninger’s Four-Phase Model  Rev Canning & Horakowitz’s work on scaffolding/personalization Fink’s Taxonomy  Salman Khan, Brave New Words  LeadershipSkillsLab.AI by Gary Lloyd  Khan Academy & AI  NotebookLM  Packback  Perplexity  ChatGPT (OpenAI), Claude (Anthropic), Gemini (Google) If you found value in this conversation, don’t forget to rate us five stars and follow the show—it helps more leaders stay in the loop! We’d love to hear from you: What AI and leadership lea

Welcome to the very first episode of "Leaders in the Loop," where we’re exploring the intersection of leadership, learning, and the rapidly evolving landscape of AI. In this debut episode, your hosts Dan Jenkins (leadership professor and development expert) and Gaurav Khanna (Cisco AI Executive and AI educator) lay the groundwork for their unique partnership—and the podcast itself. Episode Highlights: ----more---- Origin Story:Dan and Gaurav share how they met via a LinkedIn cold call and quickly found common ground as educators passionate about generative AI. Their collaboration grew out of the International Leadership Association (ILA) Global Summit on AI & Leadership, where they co-chaired sessions and later co-authored a scholarly article. The Value of Networks:Both hosts discuss how community-building and professional networks have played a pivotal role in advancing their understanding of AI, especially at this early and ever-changing stage of the technology. Teaching AI and Leadership:Gaurav walks through his journey of developing an AI course series at Stanford Continuing Studies. He shares insights on curriculum design, scaffolding complex concepts, and weaving ethics throughout the learning experience. Real-World Applications:The hosts talk in-depth about how generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and NotebookLM are integrated into both teaching and daily workflow—whether it’s for writing, curriculum development, or analyzing qualitative data. Ethics and the Human Element:The conversation turns philosophical as Dan and Gaurav discuss their biggest hopes and fears about AI. They stress the importance of remaining “in the loop”—ensuring that AI enhances rather than replaces human thought, and that ethics remain a central conversation. Rapid Fire Round:To finish, the hosts answer quick, fun questions about their favorite AI books, influencers, teaching prompts, musical tastes, and more. Key Takeaways: The future of AI is not just for engineers; leaders and educators from every discipline must develop AI literacy and ethical awareness. Real stories and practical tools are at the heart of integrating AI into leadership, education, healthcare, business, and beyond. Building communities—and keeping humans at the center of AI conversations—will be critical as the technology continues to evolve. Next Up: Stay tuned for the next episode, where Dan and Gaurav dive into their co-authored article for the Journal of Leadership Studies, breaking down actionable takeaways for bringing generative AI into learning and development. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate us five stars and subscribe to help more leaders stay in the loop! Mentioned Resources & Influencers: Cointelligence by Ethan Mollick The Alignment Problem by Brian Christian The Coming Wave by Mustafa Suleyman StatQuest (YouTube, Josh Starmer) The Neuron newsletter Connect with Us: Questions, comments, or want to join the conversation? Reach out via our channels or email us at leadersintheloop.ai@gmail.com and stay tuned for more episodes! Thanks for listening to "Leaders in the Loop"!