Leaders in the Loop

About Leaders in the Loop

Dan Jenkins & Gaurav Khanna: Leaders in the Loop Podcast. Helping leaders navigate AI effectively.

Publisher

leadersintheloopai

Category

technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

12 Oct 2025

Latest episode

17 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

13 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   17 Aug 2026

   Leaders in the Loop – Episode 13 – Season One Outro: What We Learned in Season One

   Episode Overview To prepare, Dan and Gaurav fed transcripts from the season into NotebookLM (recently rebranded Gemini Notebook) and had a dialogue with it about recurring themes — not to outsource the interpretation, but to make sure they weren't missing something across twelve very different conversations. What they found wasn't groupthink, despite guests who never met each other converging on similar ideas. It was a shared set of intellectual influences — Bandura, Kotter, Ethan Mollick — filtered through very different professional contexts, plus a genuinely broad and intentional ethical stance rather than narrow, uncritical enthusiasm. The conversation moves through the season's central metaphor (AI as augmentation, not replacement), into AI literacy as a practice rather than a vocabulary, AI as a leadership rehearsal space, the role ethics played across nearly every guest conversation, and where leaders are most tempted to hand off responsibility to AI. They close by marking the milestone of surpassing 1,000 downloads, announcing a production grant from the Association of Leadership Educators, and previewing what's ahead for season two. ----more---- Topics Covered Why twelve guests converging on similar themes isn't groupthink — it's shared foundational influences (Bandura's self-efficacy, Kotter's Eight-Step Change Model, Kurt Fischer's Dynamic Skill Theory) applied independently The season's defining metaphor: AI as an Iron Man suit, not a Terminator — augmentation with guardrails, not autonomous replacement Why "it saves time" undersells what generative AI actually does — it makes previously unattempted work possible The risk side of the metaphor: AI can amplify bias as easily as it amplifies skill "Tooling" language vs. "partnering" language — why Dan and Gaurav deliberately avoid anthropomorphizing chatbots in their own practice Ethan Mollick's Co-Intelligence as the season's most-cited book, and why Gaurav steers people away from more dystopian or overly enthusiastic alternatives AI literacy as a disciplined practice, not just vocabulary — and why it's a human development issue, not an access issue Dan's work proposing an undergraduate AI literacy course, drawing on learning goals frameworks from institutions across the U.S. The "hiring decision" custom GPT exercise Dan runs in workshops to surface real ethical stakes around AI in employment decisions AI as a leadership and communication practice simulator — psychological safety, private failure, and the value of a "flight simulator" with no human audience Why ethics kept surfacing as a leadership practice rather than a compliance checklist across the season Hallucination as an unexpected teaching moment for trust, verification, and moral agency AI and performance reviews — the promise of consistent standards vs. the discomfort of being evaluated by a system Modeling AI use publicly as a leadership behavior — demystifying the workflow instead of hiding it Where leaders are most tempted to outsource responsibility to AI, and why it usually comes down to being rushed, not lazy Season one milestones: surpassing 1,000 downloads and a new production grant from the Association of Leadership Educators What's ahead in season two: cheating and academic/workplace integrity beyond the classroom, communities of practice for AI experimentation, agentic AI and "vibe coding," and moving from what is AI to how do we scale it responsibly Key Takeaways Convergence isn't groupthink. Guests from completely different fields and backgrounds kept landing on similar ideas — not because they influenced each other, but because they're drawing on the same underlying leadership and psychology frameworks, applied through very different lived experience. AI as augmentation, not replacement, is the season's throughline. The Iron Man/Terminator framing shows up again and again: real capability enhancement, but never without human responsibility for judgment, ethics, and relationshi

2. 

   15 Jun 2026

   Leaders in the Loop – Episode 12 – Rethinking Assessment in the Age of Generative AI

   Dan and Gaurav are joined by three researchers who are doing some of the most focused, longitudinal work in higher education on how assessment professionals are actually experiencing generative AI — not in theory, but in practice, in policy, and in the profession itself: Dr. Ruth Slotnick is Director of Assessment at Bridgewater State University and a co-lead of a national GenAI pulse survey for higher education assessment professionals that has now run across four administrations since early 2025. Dr. Will Miller is Associate Vice President for Continuous Improvement and Institutional Performance and SACSCOC Liaison at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He oversees institutional effectiveness and accreditation across more than 100 sites globally and serves on the SACSCOC Board of Trustees. Dr. John Hathcoat is Associate Professor of Graduate Psychology and Associate Assessment Specialist in the Center for Assessment and Research Studies at James Madison University, where his work focuses on measurement theory, validity, and the emerging challenge of assessing AI literacy. Episode Overview Dan Jenkins and Gaurav Khanna open the episode by framing assessment as one of higher education's most persistent challenges — and one of the most consequential sites for navigating generative AI. Ruth, Will, and John bring longitudinal survey data, institutional case studies, and sharp theoretical perspective to a conversation that moves from the origins of their research collaboration, through what the data actually show about adoption and institutional readiness, into deeper questions about what it means to assess student learning when AI is always in the room. Dan also brings firsthand perspective from his own institution's AI task force and from a recent program review he conducted using AI tools for the first time. Topics Covered How Ruth, Will, and John each came to generative AI independently — and how they found each other at the Assessment Institute in Indianapolis Ruth's early 2022–2023 experiments using Bing, Bard, and ChatGPT for qualitative data analysis alongside colleague Joanna Boeing John's shift from skepticism about early automated scoring systems to genuine excitement after a JMU book club read Ethan Mollick's Co-Intelligence Will's conviction that AI disruption — like COVID before it — creates rare windows for meaningful change in institutions that otherwise resist it The difference between programmatic/institutional assessment and course-based assessment — and why that distinction matters for how AI enters the work Gaurav's framing: adoption has won; institutionalization has not The GenAI Pulse Survey: four administrations since early 2025, more than 278 assessment leaders in Spring 2026, longitudinal tracking of use, tools, policy, training, and influence Key survey findings: 79% regular or occasional users; 87% report efficiency gains; 87% self-taught; 71% report ongoing privacy and ethical concerns What "self-taught" reveals about the gap between individual adaptation and institutional support The policy question: why moving from individual use to institutional guidelines is harder than it looks — and why guidelines may serve institutions better than formal policy The "tragedy of the commons" dynamic when institutions lack shared AI expectations John's three-frame model for assessing in an AI-enabled world: what students can do without AI, with AI, and across new contexts Will's challenge: we know how to verify math before allowing calculators; we don't yet know how to verify critical thinking before letting students go all-out with AI John's concept of "co-constructed performance" — when learning and assessment no longer happen separately, but in real time alongside AI Ruth's argument for innovation space: "skunk works" thinking, cross-functional data collaboration, and the role of curriculum design Dan's firsthand experience using AI (Copilot and Claude) during a program review at JMU — taking

3. 

   2 Jun 2026

   Leaders in the Loop – Episode 11 – Global AI Architect Annie Hardy on Re-Architecting the Cognitive Workforce

   Dan and Gaurav are joined by Annie Hardy, Global AI Architect and Futurist at Cisco Systems, for a wide-ranging conversation about what it actually takes to lead AI adoption inside a large organization — not through engineering or edict, but through empathy, movement-building, and a fierce commitment to the humans who get left behind when leaders skip straight to the technology. ----more---- Episode Overview Annie traces her path from communications major and White House intern to community health worker to boutique agency founder to Cisco's Generative AI Architect — and makes a case that every turn in that journey shaped her ability to do what engineers and consultants often cannot: connect the technology to the people it affects. The conversation moves from Cisco's early generative AI adoption story, through the creation of the Generative AI Explorers community, into the deeper question of what it means to re-architect the cognitive workforce for the age of agents. Along the way, Dan and Gaurav bring in frameworks from leadership theory, organizational learning, and their own classroom and practitioner experience to push the ideas further. Topics Covered Annie's non-traditional path from communications to Global AI Architect How she helped lead and evangelize Cisco's Generative AI Explorers community from five people to tens of thousands Why creating open AI communities actually decreases organizational risk — not increases it – through visibility and support to enable best practices. Navigating legal, governance, and information security teams during AI adoption The difference between corporate value programs and genuine innovation culture Why most organizations throw tools at people without re-architecting the workforce Convergent vs. divergent thinking and what it means for job design in the age of AI The data/information/knowledge/wisdom pyramid as a framework for understanding AI's impact on roles Being in the loop, on the loop, and out of the loop — and what each means for job descriptions Annie's Code of AI Ethics and its five principles The Job Lab: an AI-powered career pivot tool she built as a Georgetown capstone project Shadow AI, personal infrastructure spending, and what it reveals about leadership gaps Why responsible AI practitioners are being sidelined — and why that should concern everyone The innovation gap facing women in AI Community colleges as faster, more agile partners in AI workforce education Range, cognitive diversity, and why a workforce of strategists is a disaster Key Takeaways Human-centeredness and strategic influence are both required to build movements. Empathy alone doesn't create change. Neither does strategy without connection. Annie argues that the most effective AI leaders in organizations combine both — and that this combination is rare. Creating a community around AI reduces risk, it doesn't increase it. When employees have a visible, moderated space to explore generative AI, governance teams gain visibility into what's actually happening. Shadow AI thrives in silence, not in community. Agentic AI begins with process design, not technology. Before deploying agents, organizations need internal experts who understand both line-of-business workflows and AI capabilities. The knowledge transfer has to happen first. Leaders are failing workers by skipping the "what comes next" conversation. It is irresponsible, Annie argues, for executives to signal that jobs are at risk from AI without defining what new roles look like and building pathways to get there. Job descriptions need to be rewritten around the human-in-the-loop. Most organizations haven't begun this work. The question isn't just what AI will automate — it's where human judgment must remain, and how to write that into the role itself. Cognitive diversity is an asset, not a problem to manage. Not everyone is a strategist. Re-architecting a workforce requires understanding the cognitive profiles already present — and

4. 

   7 Apr 2026

   Leaders in the Loop -- Episode 10 -- ILA 2026 AI & Leadership Virtual Summit Preview | Leading With AI Across Sectors

   Dan and Gaurav are joined by Dr. Mary Tabata and Dr. Kevin Bottomley to preview the International Leadership Association’s 2026 AI & Leadership Virtual Summit, The Integration Frontier: Leading With AI Across Sectors. The summit takes place live on May 6–7, 2026, with on-demand access available afterward. Mary Tabata serves as associate faculty at American Public University System and Eastern University. Kevin Bottomley is an assistant professor of Global Leadership at Indiana Tech. In this conversation, they discuss how the summit came together, why cross-sector dialogue matters right now, and what leaders can expect from this year’s program. ----more---- Episode Overview This episode introduces the purpose and structure of the ILA 2026 AI & Leadership Virtual Summit and explains why its cross-sector focus matters. The conversation highlights how AI is reshaping leadership practice in education, business, healthcare, and organizational development, while also raising questions about ethics, governance, literacy, and implementation. The summit is designed as a space for leaders, educators, researchers, and practitioners to explore those questions together. The official event page describes the summit as ILA’s second virtual AI summit and emphasizes themes such as ethical and responsible AI, AI literacy, innovation, productivity, leadership development, and reskilling. Event details and registration Topics Covered Preview of the ILA 2026 AI & Leadership Virtual Summit The summit theme: The Integration Frontier: Leading With AI Across Sectors The growth of the International Leadership Association’s AI and Emerging Technologies member community Early leadership and teaching use cases for ChatGPT and Claude Hallucinations, verification, and responsible use AI literacy and implementation frameworks Leadership challenges in business, education, and healthcare Human-centered leadership in AI-enabled systems Key Takeaways The ILA 2026 AI & Leadership Virtual Summit is designed to connect leaders across sectors around shared AI adoption challenges. AI implementation is not only technical; it also requires leadership in governance, culture, and change. Early experiences with generative AI revealed both practical value and clear limitations, especially around fabricated references and unreliable links. AI literacy needs to be developed with role, context, and sector in mind. Cross-sector dialogue can help leaders identify common patterns in AI adoption. Human judgment remains essential in high-stakes environments such as education and healthcare. The summit emphasizes ethical, inclusive, responsible, and impactful AI leadership. Examples & References Discussed Mary and Kevin describe their early experiments with generative AI in professional and academic settings. Those experiences included testing classroom assignments, reviewing AI-generated papers, and encountering hallucinated citations and broken links. These examples helped shape their approach to responsible AI use and to the kinds of summit sessions they believe leaders need now. The episode also traces the development of the AI and Emerging Technologies member community within the International Leadership Association. That work grew out of earlier conference conversations and collaborations around AI, ethics, education, and leadership. The summit program brings together voices from multiple sectors and includes sessions focused on leadership development, implementation, governance, AI literacy, and organizational practice. The event page also lists Ganna Pogrebna of Queen’s University Belfast as the closing keynote speaker. Mary highlights Pogrebna’s work at Queen’s University Belfast and the broader mix of speakers contributing to the summit. The conversation makes clear that one of the event’s central goals is to help attendees think more clearly about how leadership and AI intersect in real organizational settings. Resources & Mentions

5. 

   17 Mar 2026

   Leaders in the Loop -- Episode 09 -- Greg Allen on AI Practice, Feedback, and The Leaders Lab.io

   In this episode, Dan and Gaurav are joined by Dr. Greg Allen, founder of The Leaders Lab.io, co-founder of Ascendant Global Leadership, LLC, and a professor of leadership at The Citadel. In this episode, they explore how AI can support leadership development through structured practice, reflection, and feedback. Check out the video version here: https://youtu.be/N5f_fzsGl5o ----more---- Episode Overview Greg shares the thinking behind The Leaders Lab.io and explains the developmental gap he set out to address: what happens after a leadership workshop, class, or assessment, when learners need opportunities to practice, receive feedback, and improve over time. The conversation focuses on AI as an augmentation tool for leadership learning, not a replacement for human coaching. Dan and Gaurav connect Greg’s approach to familiar leadership development practices, including assessments, coaching, communication feedback, and role-play. Topics Covered The gap between leadership learning and leadership practice Why Greg Allen built The Leaders Lab.io The role of Virtual Sapiens in communication feedback Transformational leadership as a foundation for the platform AI role-play, Practice Mirror, video Q&A, and uploaded video analysis Feedback on clarity, empathy, buy-in, framing, and trustworthiness Using AI to extend leadership development beyond workshops and assessments Greg’s perspective on safe, prosocial, human-centered use of AI Key Takeaways Leadership development often breaks down after the initial learning experience, when people need practice and feedback to turn ideas into behavior. The Leaders Lab.io is designed to support rehearsal, reflection, and improvement over time. Greg positions AI as a practice partner and feedback mechanism rather than a substitute for human coaching. Assessments become more useful when paired with conversation, reflection, and action. The platform’s feedback addresses both the content and delivery of communication. Practice matters more than simply adding more leadership content. Greg emphasizes the importance of using AI in ways that are constructive, ethical, and grounded in human development. Examples and References Discussed A recurring theme in the conversation is the difference between acquiring leadership knowledge and building leadership skills. Greg explains that leaders often gain insight from courses, workshops, and assessments, but still need structured ways to rehearse difficult conversations, test approaches, and receive feedback. Dan connects that point to strengths-based development and other assessment tools, while Gaurav emphasizes that the real need in leadership development is not more content, but more meaningful practice. Greg also walks through the main functions of The Leaders Lab.io, including AI role-play, Practice Mirror, video Q&A, and uploaded video analysis. He describes how the platform can generate feedback on both what a leader says and how they show up while saying it, including factors such as clarity, empathy, buy-in, eye contact, trustworthiness, posture, intonation, and filler words. The discussion also situates The Leaders Lab.io within the broader landscape of leadership and AI. Dan references an earlier Leaders in the Loop episode with Gary Lloyd and LeadershipSkillsLab.ai, and Greg explains how his work was shaped by leadership scholarship, practical coaching needs, and collaboration with Virtual Sapiens. In the closing segment, Greg also recommends Teaching with AI by José Antonio Bowen and C. Edward Watson. Resources and Mentions The Leaders Lab.io Virtual Sapiens The Citadel Gallup CliftonStrengths Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) DiSC Myers-Briggs / MBTI Toastmasters Descript Audacity OpenAI Teaching with AI by José Antonio Bowen and C. Edward Watson Stay curious. Stay human.

6. 

   17 Feb 2026

   Leaders in the Loop – Episode 08 – Expanding our Context Windows with Chief Creative Officer Dr. Jonathan Reams

   Dan Jenkins and Gaurav Khanna are joined by Dr. Jonathan Reams, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer at the Center for Transformative Leadership, founder of Adeptify, and author of Maturing Leadership, to explore what leadership development looks like in an AI-saturated environment—especially when information is abundant but developmental capacity is not. ----more---- Episode Overview This episode frames leadership growth as a developmental process rather than a knowledge-transfer problem. Drawing on adult development theory, neuroscience-informed models of prediction and emotion, and applied AI practice, the conversation explores how leaders expand capacity, interrupt reactivity, and remain accountable in complex systems. Topics Covered Leaders “create the weather” through emotional and relational climate The bricoleur mindset and adaptive learning Predictive processing and constructed emotion Horizontal vs. vertical development Downward assimilation of complex concepts Psychological Aikido and interrupting reactive cycles Learning loops and dynamic skill theory Context windows and attention (human and AI parallels) Intentional AI collaboration and ethical acceleration Key Takeaways Leadership behavior reflects predictive models shaped by early experience. Capacity expansion—not content accumulation—drives developmental growth. Complex ideas degrade when leaders lack the capacity to hold them. Iterative learning loops enable meaningful skill development. AI tools require deliberate framing and human accountability. Ethical maturity must keep pace with technological capability. Examples & References Discussed Adult Development & Learning Robert Kegan – Harvard profile Jean Piaget – Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Kurt Fischer – Dynamic Skill Theory Theo Dawson – Lectica Neuroscience & Psychology Lisa Feldman Barrett – Official site Benjamin Libet – readiness potential research Andy Clark – University of Edinburgh profile Leadership & Organizations The Leadership Circle Arbinger Institute Amy Edmondson – Harvard Business School Peter Senge – The Fifth Discipline (Publisher page) AI, Technology & Culture Google AI Studio (Gemini) Claude (Anthropic) Visual Studio Code Kilo Code (VS Code extension) The Coming Wave – Official site Co-Intelligence – Publisher page Algorithmic Justice League Stay curious. Stay human.

7. 

   20 Jan 2026

   Leaders in the Loop – Episode 07 – Designing Leadership for the Age of AI with Kathy Guarini

   In this episode, Dan and Gaurav are joined by Kathy Guarini to discuss how leadership must evolve as artificial intelligence becomes embedded in everyday organizational decision-making. Kathy brings extensive leadership experience in enterprise technology and research, including serving as Chief Information Officer at IBM, where she led large-scale technology, AI, and digital transformation initiatives. ----more----Episode Overview This conversation examines leadership as a design challenge, rather than a technology adoption problem. The discussion focuses on how leaders can intentionally design systems, roles, and decision processes that preserve human judgment, accountability, and ethical responsibility as AI capabilities scale. The episode situates “human-in-the-loop” as an organizational and leadership concern—not solely a technical safeguard. Topics Covered Human-in-the-loop as a leadership responsibility Designing organizational systems alongside AI tools How leadership decisions shape AI outcomes Algorithmic bias and unintended consequences Facial recognition systems as a case example AI literacy as a leadership competency The limits of analogy-based reasoning about AI Accountability in AI-supported decision-making Key Takeaways AI outcomes reflect leadership and design choices. Human judgment must be intentionally built into systems. Leaders remain accountable for decisions supported by AI. AI literacy is increasingly essential for effective leadership. Ethical responsibility cannot be delegated to technology alone. Examples & References Discussed Facial recognition bias and the work of Joy Buolamwini Research and advocacy from the Algorithmic Justice League Enterprise-scale AI and technology leadership contexts Resources & Mentions Algorithmic Justice League:https://www.ajl.org IBM:https://www.ibm.com Stay curious. Stay human.

8. 

   6 Jan 2026

   Leaders in the Loop – Episode 06 -- AI at the System Level: Leadership, Shared Services, and Scale with Ryan Low

   In this episode, Dan and Gaurav are joined by Ryan Low, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Strategic AI Integration at the University of Maine System, for a deep dive into what it takes to lead AI adoption across a large, multi-campus organization. Ryan shares how AI is moving beyond pilots and experiments into core operational workflows, reshaping shared services, financial planning, faculty engagement, and leadership practices across the system. ----more----Episode Overview This conversation explores AI not as a standalone technology initiative, but as a leadership and systems challenge. Ryan discusses how governance, training, trust, and modeling behavior are just as important as the tools themselves when scaling AI responsibly. Topics Covered AI as a system-wide capability, not a niche pilot Shared services as the highest-impact use case for AI Using AI agents in budgeting, forecasting, and reporting Leadership modeling vs. top-down mandates Faculty adoption and voluntary experimentation AI literacy as an equity and access issue Risks of organizational lag in fast-moving AI environments Key Takeaways AI delivers the most value when embedded in everyday tools and workflows. Shared services offer measurable efficiency gains and better insight. Leaders accelerate adoption by modeling use, not issuing mandates. Continuous learning matters more than one-time AI training. Scaling AI responsibly requires balancing speed, trust, and governance. Resources & Mentions Ryan Low – University of Maine System profile:https://www.maine.edu/chancellors-office/staff/ Google Gemini:https://ai.google Microsoft Copilot:https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-copilot Hard Fork (New York Times podcast):https://www.nytimes.com/column/hard-fork Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Join the conversation and let us know how AI is showing up in your organization. Stay curious. Stay human.

9. 

   5 Jan 2026

   Leaders in the Loop – Episode 05 – Futurist Mandy Steinhardt

   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.

10. 

    5 Jan 2026

    Leaders in the Loop – Episode 04 – Senior Data Scientist Dr. Nikolas McGehee

    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

11. 

    13 Oct 2025

    Leaders in the Loop – Episode 03 – Cultivating Change with Dr. Gary Lloyd

    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.

12. 

    13 Oct 2025

    Leaders in the Loop – Episode 02 -- How AI Is Shaping Leadership Learning

    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

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    12 Oct 2025

    Welcome to Leaders in the Loop – Episode 01 - Your Essential Podcast on Leadership, Learning, & AI

    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"!

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