In this week’s episode of the Human in the Loop podcast, I sit down with Nikki, Managing Director of Ferox Partners, to explore what AI really means for recruitment, leadership, and the future of work.

We unpack how AI can drive speed and efficiency in hiring without losing the human relationships that build trust, culture, and performance. From cultural fit versus skill set, to offshoring, early-career development, and burnout in lean teams.

We then delve into the need for businesses to adapt to continuous change and the critical role of resilience and adaptability in maintaining high performance without leading to burnout.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction & Lunch at Lashings

02:30 – Ferox Partners & Running Lean with AI

06:00 – AI in Recruitment: Efficiency vs Human Judgment

10:30 – Cultural Fit vs Skillset: What Really Matters?

14:45 – Will AI Replace Human Roles?

19:30 – Trust, Emotion & The “Bad Sandwich” Analogy

23:30 – On-Site Client Work & The Value of Human Insight

29:00 – Offshoring vs AI: The Future of Recruitment Models

36:00 – Entry-Level Jobs & The Impact of AI on Early Careers

41:30 – Education, MBAs & Preparing Graduates for AI-First Workplaces

47:00 – Parental Responsibility & Work Ethic in the Next Generation

52:00 – Burnout, Lean Teams & Manager Capability

57:00 – Risk, Development & The Future of Leadership

Connect with Nikki - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-foster-21014223/

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Connect with The host - Ben Stocken :https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken

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In this week's episode I sit down with Lily Kyriacou to discuss the challenges of reactive fixes in business, particularly in the context of team dynamics and performance. Lily shares her experiences at Amdaris, where she observed that traditional approaches to problem-solving were inadequate in a rapidly changing environment.

We then delve into the need for businesses to adapt to continuous change and the critical role of resilience and adaptability in maintaining high performance without leading to burnout.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Business Challenges

01:23 The Impact of Reactive Fixes

05:32 Understanding Team Dynamics

10:18 The Importance of Adaptability

12:13 Exploring Solutions for Resilience

19:52 Identifying Key Behaviors in Teams

25:34 The Shift from Skills to Job Identities

30:08 Reinventing How We Approach Our People

Connect with Lilly - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lilykyriacou

Powered By Atherio, Real-time leadership wisdom for every manager - https://www.getatherio.com

Connect with The host - Ben Stocken :https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken

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In this week's episode, Ruth and I discuss the importance of strategic planning for 2026, emphasising the need for business leaders to reflect on past performance and set clear goals. We explore the integration of AI in the construction industry, highlighting its potential to enhance efficiency and safety. Ruth also addresses the challenges of adopting AI, advocating for treating it as a team member and ensuring proper training for employees.

Chapters

00:00 Strategic Planning for the New Year

03:13 AI in the Construction Industry

10:01 Integrating AI as a Team Member

16:59 Enhancing Project Management with AI

21:20 The Future of AI in Construction

30:21 Transforming Construction Through Data and Automation

Connect with Ruth - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-oates-864b2b3/?originalSubdomain=uk

Powered By Atherio, Real-time leadership wisdom for every manager - https://www.atheriohq.com

Connect with The host - Ben Stocken :https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken

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In this episode of the Human Loop podcast, I discuss two main topics: the importance of understanding one's purpose in leadership, inspired by a podcast featuring Tony Robbins and Alex Hormozi, and the rising adoption of AI in the workplace, as highlighted by a recent Gallup study.

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Leadership and Purpose

03:50 The Rise of AI in the Workplace

Watch the conversation with Tony & Alex referenced here: https://youtu.be/xz-ymFOhBAE?si=YZxtgVx_Y7JxGdK7

Study Mentioned: Gallup

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Connect with The host - Ben Stocken :https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken

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In this week's episode I sit down with Andrew Fahey to discuss the challenges and opportunities for CEOs in 2026, emphasising the importance of realistic optimism. We explore the role of AI in transforming professional services, the necessity of human skills in a tech-driven world, and the innovative approaches Briars is taking to enhance client experience and internal processes.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating 2026: Realistic Optimism for CEOs

02:57 Briars: Global Expansion and Professional Services

05:56 AI Disruption in Professional Services

09:00 The Human Element in AI Integration

11:47 Transforming Client Experience with AI

15:01 Internal Use Cases for AI in Leadership

19:58 The Future of Onboarding and Human Skills

24:39 Generational Challenges in Professional Services

29:48 Conclusion: Embracing Change for Success

Connect with Andrew - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewfahey/

Powered By Atherio, Real-time leadership wisdom for every manager - https://www.atheriohq.com

Connect with The host - Ben Stocken :https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken

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In this episode I'm joined by Charlie Voller Barnes to discuss the intersection of human performance and AI, exploring the challenges organisations face in adopting AI technologies. We delve into the importance of clarity in goals, the role of people in transformation, and the necessity of continuous feedback and experimentation.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Human Performance and AI

02:03 The State of AI in Business

05:05 Understanding Transformation Failures

08:41 The Role of People in Transformation

13:31 Experimentation and Incremental Change

19:31 Communicating Change Effectively

30:03 Top Tips for Implementing AI Products

Connect with Charlie - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cvollerbarnes/

Powered By Atherio, Real-time leadership wisdom for every manager - https://www.atheriohq.com

Connect with The host - Ben Stocken :https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken

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In this week's Human Loop I discuss the evolving landscape of leadership in 2026, emphasising the critical role of AI and the necessity for leaders to adapt their strategies. I highlights the importance of human skills, trust, and purpose in driving organisational performance, while also addressing the challenges posed by skill gaps in the workforce.

Powered By Atherio, Real-time leadership wisdom for every manager - https://www.atheriohq.com

Chapters:

00:00 The State of Leadership in 2026

02:27 Strategic Leadership as a Core Skill

04:22 The Importance of Human Skills and Trust

07:16 Closing the Gap Between Tech and Human Capability

Studies Mentioned:

Story 1: UK business investment in AI and training

https://www.lloydsbankinggroup.com/assets/pdfs/media/press-releases/2025-press-releases/lloyds-bank/31.12.2025-lloyds-new-year-flash-business-barometer.pdf

Story 2: Survey coverage & additional context

https://www.lloydsbank.com/business/resource-centre/insight/business-barometer.html

Story 3: Skills gaps & transformation barriers

World Economic Forum summary on skills gaps and upskilling priorities

https://gloat.com/blog/ai-employment-impact

Story 4: AI in the workplace & skills obsolescence

https://www.secondtalent.com/resources/future-of-workplace-statistics-that-are-important-to-know/

Connect with The host - Ben Stocken

https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken/

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In this week's episode of The Human Loop, Agni and I discuss the importance of authenticity in leadership and recruitment, the role of honesty in attracting talent, and the impact of AI on the recruitment process.

Chapters

00:00 Leadership Failures and Authenticity

03:04 The Role of Honesty in Recruitment

06:04 Speed to Hire: Strategies for Success

08:45 AI Adoption in Recruitment

11:45 The Future of AI in Staffing

14:35 Human vs AI in Recruitment

17:41 Building Trust in Recruitment

20:44 The Importance of Relationships

23:48 Differentiating in a Crowded Market

26:47 Leadership Metrics: Sacrifice and Challenge

29:41 Meaningful Work and Team Success

Connect with Agni https://www.linkedin.com/in/agnighosh/

Powered By Atherio, Real-time leadership wisdom for every manager - https://www.atheriohq.com/

Connect with The host - Ben Stocken

https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.