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In a world where AI is accelerating change across every function, the demands of leadership are shifting. For leaders navigating the current landscape, the challenge is not only to keep pace with change, but to shape it with clarity, courage, and compassion.
In our latest Medley Moments conversation, our Co-Founder Edith Cooper sat down with Katy George, Corporate Vice President of Workforce Transformation at Microsoft, to explore the evolving role of leaders in the AI era. From her early career in manufacturing and operations to her current focus on workforce design at one of the world’s most influential tech companies, Katy brings a perspective that is both systemic and deeply human.
As AI accelerates change, continuous learning has become non-negotiable. Katy George described Microsoft’s culture as one that champions growth mindsets—from know-it-alls to learn-it-alls—and emphasized the urgency of adaptability: “Where we are now with AI is not going to be where we are six months from now. That speed of change and innovation is accelerating.”
This shift mirrors findings from Charter - 11 predictions for work and leadership in 2025, which highlights adaptability and experimentation as defining traits of successful leaders in 2025. Leaders must not only embrace new tools but also new ways of thinking and learning together.
At Medley, we’ve embedded this mindset by hosting weekly 'breakfast and learn' meetings. This quarter, each team member was invited to share 2–3 ways they’re using AI across their workstreams or personal lives. The result has been a culture of ongoing experimentation, cross-functional insight, and practical learning that keeps pace with evolving tools. It’s a simple but effective way to normalize curiosity, reduce friction around new technology, and help teams collectively reimagine how work gets done.
While AI augments tasks and improves efficiency, it cannot replicate the core qualities that make leaders effective. Katy noted, “It is these kinds of visioning—interpersonal skills, trust building, empathy, and creativity—that only humans will be able to do.”
These human-centric skills are increasingly critical. McKinsey outlines how inclusive, emotionally intelligent leaders are best positioned to unlock AI’s full potential within teams, enabling both innovation and trust (McKinsey, Superagency in the Workplace).
The future of work is not just a technology challenge—it’s a human one. This is a moment for CHROs and people leaders to shape not only how AI is deployed, but how people grow alongside it. The decisions made today about culture, learning, and inclusion will define organizational success tomorrow.
Katy was clear: “HR leaders can and should shape how AI is implemented across their organizations, from organization design to new career paths.” Her advice is to start small and learn together: “We all have access to AI right now… figure out who your group of friends at work are… trade ideas and best practices.”
According to a Harvard Business Review article on How Artificial Intelligence will Redefine Leadership, HR leaders are uniquely positioned to shape how AI transforms the workplace, not only by improving operational efficiency but by ensuring AI is used in ways that reinforce ethical standards, reduce bias, and strengthen organizational culture. As the article notes, this includes designing systems that are transparent, embedding AI into talent practices with intention, and training teams to use these tools responsibly to enhance, not replace, human decision-making.
Redefining leadership in the age of AI requires more than technological fluency; it demands the ability to navigate change with clarity, lead inclusively, and foster trust in the face of ambiguity. These are not innate traits, but skills leaders can develop through intentional practice.
At Medley, we design group coaching experiences that focus on precisely these capabilities: emotional intelligence, perspective-taking, and relationship-building, to name a few. These themes, highlighted in our conversation with Katy George, are foundational to leading in the age of AI. Whether it’s cultivating a growth mindset, managing people and AI agents effectively, or shaping inclusive strategies for the future of work, the leaders who succeed will be those who can connect across differences, adapt quickly, and guide their teams with purpose.
The demands of leadership are evolving, and the skills required to lead effectively are being redefined. As Katy George put it, “I believe this is a moment for humanists to lead.” We agree. The leaders who thrive in this next chapter won’t be those with all the answers, but those who know how to ask better questions, collaborate with others, and stay grounded in purpose while adapting to constant change.
Watch the full Medley Moments conversation with Katy George here.
