Bob Pulver talks with Dan Riley, CEO and Co-founder of RADICL, about reshaping work through connection, trust, and clarity. From his roots as a punk rock musician to building Modern Survey and RADICL, Dan shares how creativity, curiosity, and courage fuel his leadership philosophy. Together, they explore the balance between human imperfection and technological advancement, why “high tech” must still serve human needs, and how organizations can build cultures that learn, listen, and adapt. The discussion spans themes of AI strategy, responsible design, employee listening, and the enduring value of genuine human connection.
Keywords
Dan Riley, RADICL, Modern Survey, Aon, employee listening, people analytics, connection, trust, AI ethics, human-AI collaboration, imperfection, curiosity, creativity, collective intelligence, organizational network analysis, people analytics world, Unleash, Transform, learning culture, human connection, responsible AI
Takeaways
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Imperfection is a defining strength of humanity — and the source of creativity and innovation.
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The best technology solves real human problems in the flow of work, not just productivity gaps.
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AI is a mirror, amplifying human intent and behavior; if we lead with empathy and ethics, AI learns from that.
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Clarity, communication, and transparency are critical to avoiding “AI chaos” inside organizations.
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Continuous listening and connection are the new foundations for engagement and trust.
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Curiosity and conversation are essential skills for navigating the fast-moving future of work.
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The most effective teams balance diverse strengths rather than relying solely on “rock stars.”
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True progress happens when we keep the human conversation going — across roles, hierarchies, and perspectives.
Quotes
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“I define myself as an artist first — a musician, filmmaker, who randomly fell into HR and tech.”
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“The most beautiful part about being human is that we’re imperfect — that’s where the best ideas come from.”
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“AI doesn’t fix our flaws; it amplifies them. It’s a mirror of how we show up.”
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“For technology to work, it has to be solving a human problem in the flow, not just adding to the stack.”
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“It’s okay to say, ‘We don’t have it all figured out yet’ — just be transparent about where you are.”
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“You’ll never regret having a conversation about something important.”
Chapters
00:03 – Welcome and Dan’s background: from punk rock to HR tech
01:45 – Founding Modern Survey and RADICL’s mission around trust and impact
05:14 – The changing landscape of work
06:42 – Highlights from People Analytics World, Transform, and Unleash
09:50 – Rise of human connection as the dominant theme in work tech
13:10 – Clarity, communication, and the need for an AI strategy
16:19 – Productivity, balance, and reinvesting in people
18:36 – The risk of over-automation and the value of learning
22:16 – Teaching curiosity and critical thinking in an AI world
27:25 – Why open conversations about AI matter more than ever
33:51 – Employee listening, continuous dialogue, and the evolution of engagement
37:22 – How AI enhances understanding and connection between teams
40:06 – Organizational network analysis and adaptive learning
43:21 – Connection, mentorship, and collective intelligence
46:03 – AI as a mirror: amplification of human behavior and bias
48:36 – Building balanced, imperfect, and effective teams
51:48 – Tools, curiosity, and the limits of generative AI
55:35 – Trusting your judgment and maintaining critical thinking
56:34 – Staying human amid synthetic connection
57:45 – Closing reflections and the call for ongoing dialogue
Dan Riley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-riley-57b9431
RADICL: http://www.radiclwork.com
For advisory work and marketing inquiries:
Bob Pulver: https://linkedin.com/in/bobpulver
Elevate Your AIQ: https://elevateyouraiq.com
Substack: https://elevateyouraiq.substack.com
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