Is AI making us more productive... or quietly making us worse leaders?

As artificial intelligence transforms the way we work, most of the conversation has focused on efficiency. But what if we're asking the wrong question?

In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I sit down with behavioural scientist, leadership researcher and author Penny Locaso to explore one of the biggest leadership challenges of our time: how do we remain deeply human in a world that's becoming increasingly automated?

Drawing on her latest research, The Compassion Advantage, Penny shares why leadership capability is becoming the greatest constraint on organisational performance, why trust is replacing authority as the new source of influence, and how relentless pace is quietly eroding our ability to think clearly, make sound decisions and lead with care.

Together, we unpack the concept of the "thinking recession", the hidden risks of outsourcing judgement to AI, and why leaders must be careful not to trade wisdom for speed. The conversation also explores why compassion is not a soft skill but a strategic capability, how purpose helps leaders navigate complexity, and what organisations need to change if they want leadership to thrive in an AI-shaped future.

This is a conversation about more than technology. It's about the choices we make every day, the behaviours we reward, and the kind of leaders we're becoming.

If you've ever wondered whether we're moving too fast to think, too busy to connect, or too quick to let technology make decisions that require human judgement, this episode is for you.

Please enjoy this conversation.

Is AI making us more productive... or quietly making us worse leaders?
As artificial intelligence transforms the way we work, most of the conversation has focused on efficiency. But what if we're asking the wrong question?
In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I sit down with behavioural scientist, leadership researcher and author Penny Locaso to explore one of the biggest leadership challenges of our time: how do we remain deeply human in a world that's becoming increasingly automated?
Drawing on her latest research, The Compassion Advantage, Penny shares why leadership capability is becoming the greatest constraint on organisational performance, why trust is replacing authority as the new source of influence, and how relentless pace is quietly eroding our ability to think clearly, make sound decisions and lead with care.
Together, we unpack the concept of the "thinking recession", the hidden risks of outsourcing judgement to AI, and why leaders must be careful not to trade wisdom for speed. The conversation also explores why compassion is not a soft skill but a strategic capability, how purpose helps leaders navigate complexity, and what organisations need to change if they want leadership to thrive in an AI-shaped future.
This is a conversation about more than technology. It's about the choices we make every day, the behaviours we reward, and the kind of leaders we're becoming.
If you've ever wondered whether we're moving too fast to think, too busy to connect, or too quick to let technology make decisions that require human judgement, this episode is for you.
Please enjoy this conversation.

Welcome to Future Fit Leadership a podcast for emerging and experienced leaders to learn, grow and become future fit! 

There has been a global shift in how we lead people. Traditional models are being challenged, and our workplaces are now dynamic. 


In this podcast you will hear and connect with leaders, CEO’s and change makers who will challenge the status quo and share their future ready strategies to unlock your growth. 


No matter where you are on your leadership journey this podcast will give you practical ideas and tools to help you think outside the square and become a change maker in your industry. 

Future Fit leadership is your place for bite sized learning, for time poor executives.

Contact Sadhana Smiles via email: sadhanasmiles@realchange.com.au

Or connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasmiles/

Welcome to Future Fit Leadership a podcast for emerging and experienced leaders to learn, grow and become future fit! 
There has been a global shift in how we lead people. Traditional models are being challenged, and our workplaces are now dynamic. 
 In this podcast you will hear and connect with leaders, CEO’s and change makers who will challenge the status quo and share their future ready strategies to unlock your growth. 
 No matter where you are on your leadership journey this podcast will give you practical ideas and tools to help you think outside the square and become a change maker in your industry. 
Future Fit leadership is your place for bite sized learning, for time poor executives.
Contact Sadhana Smiles via email: <a href="mailto:sadhanasmiles@realchange.com.au">sadhanasmiles@realchange.com.au</a> 
Or connect on LinkedIn <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasmiles/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasmiles/</a>

Future ready leadership strategies to unlock your growth

Future Fit Leadership

'Future Fit Leadership — practical ideas for leaders on AI, the future of work, wellbeing, psychological & psychosocial safety, resilience and inclusive leadership.' 

There has been a global shift in how we lead people. Traditional models are being challenged, and our workplaces are now dynamic. 

In this podcast you will hear and connect with leaders, CEO’s and change makers who will challenge the status quo and share their future ready strategies to unlock your growth. 

No matter where you are on your leadership journey this podcast will give you practical ideas and tools to help you think outside the square and become a change maker in your industry. 

Future Fit leadership is your place for bite sized learning, for time poor executives.

Contact Sadhana Smiles via email: sadhanajsmiles@gmail.com

Or connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasmiles/ 

We are excited to announce our partnership with Future Leadership and this podcast will sit in their Future Exchange Community where as leaders, CEO's, Directors and executives you can access content, events, live streams and connect with your peers. To join the community click on the following link, membership is free. 

https://community.futureexchange.global/groups/official

**Future Fit Leadership acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we record this podcast and we pay our respect to elders - past, present and emerging. We extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

-- 

This is a Guide Your Light Network Production | Podcasts with Purpose

www.guideyourlightnetwork.com 

'Future Fit Leadership &mdash; practical ideas for leaders on AI, the future of work, wellbeing, psychological &amp; psychosocial safety, resilience and inclusive leadership.'&nbsp;
There has been a global shift in how we lead people. Traditional models are being challenged, and our workplaces are now dynamic.&nbsp;
In this podcast you will hear and connect with leaders, CEO&rsquo;s and change makers who will challenge the status quo and share their future ready strategies to unlock your growth.&nbsp;
No matter where you are on your leadership journey this podcast will give you practical ideas and tools to help you think outside the square and become a change maker in your industry.&nbsp;
Future Fit leadership is your place for bite sized learning, for time poor executives.
Contact Sadhana Smiles via email: <a href="mailto:sadhanajsmiles@gmail.com">sadhanajsmiles@gmail.com</a>
Or connect on LinkedIn&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasmiles/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasmiles/</a>&nbsp;
We are excited to announce our partnership with Future Leadership and this podcast will sit in their Future Exchange Community where as leaders, CEO's, Directors and executives you can access content, events, live streams and connect with your peers. To join the community click on the following link, membership is free.&nbsp;
<a href="https://community.futureexchange.global/groups/official" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://community.futureexchange.global/groups/official&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1683848489703000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2f0TqhapHFy9zLTwwgyebz">https://community.futureexchange.global/groups/official</a>
**Future Fit Leadership acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we record this podcast and we pay our respect to elders - past, present and emerging. We extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
--&nbsp;
This is a Guide Your Light Network Production | Podcasts with Purpose
<a href="http://www.guideyourlightnetwork.com">www.guideyourlightnetwork.com</a>&nbsp;