Tess sits down with Trent Cotton - self-described “non-HR HR executive,” author of Sprint Recruiting and High Performance Recruiting, and Head of Talent Insights at iCIMS. Discussing the nuanced conversation about what the data tells us about AI, generational skepticism from Gen Z to Boomers, and what leaders are getting wrong about the future of work, including:
- Why leaders often hide behind data instead of using it to deepen human conversations
- What current workforce data actually says about AI adoption across generations
- Why Gen Z may be more skeptical of AI than expected
- The risk of eliminating entry-level roles too quickly
- The emerging power skills of “agency” and “orchestration”
- How AI can both enhance human potential and erode connection if misused
This is not a hype conversation about AI. It’s a grounded discussion about leadership responsibility, workforce redesign, emotional regulation, and the long-term talent implications organizations must prepare for now.
If you’re an HR leader, executive, or people strategist navigating uncertainty around automation, layoffs, bias, and generational tension — this episode offers clarity without panic.
Because the future of work isn’t just technological. It’s psychological.
Chapters with Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome + Meet Trent Cotton
The “non-HR HR executive” and why business fluency matters in people strategy.
04:20 – Data vs. Humanity: Where Leaders Get It Wrong
Why hiding behind numbers erodes trust — and how to use data to deepen conversations.
11:20 – AI Anxiety: Survival Instinct or Rational Fear?
Why resistance to AI may be more about control than job loss.
14:50 – The Early Career Crisis No One Is Talking About
The danger of automating entry-level roles too quickly.
21:00 – Is AI Replacing Human Connection?
Attachment to tech, loss of discomfort, and emotional consequences.
29:00 – How to Actually Use AI Without Losing Your Voice
Practical examples of human-AI collaboration.
38:45 – What the Data Says About Generations & AI
Why Gen Z may be more skeptical than you think.
43:05 – The New Power Skills: Agency & Orchestration
What leaders should be developing now.
48:05 – AI, Disability & Expanding Human Capability
Where technology can increase access and inclusion.
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