The Future of Leadership: How to Thrive in a Changing World with Steve Cadigan

Update: 2025-12-11

Description

Do you feel like you're leading through more uncertainty than ever before?

Wondering how to navigate AI disruption, team burnout, and constant transformation without completely losing yourself in the process?

If you're a leader right now, you're facing something unprecedented. You're being asked to do more with less, lead through chaos you've never experienced, and somehow keep your team engaged—all while trying not to burn out yourself.

And the truth is, most leaders haven't been given the tools or support they actually need for this moment.

In this episode, you'll hear from one of the world's foremost experts on what it actually takes to lead well right now. Blake sits down with Steve Cadigan, LinkedIn's first Chief HR Officer who helped scale the company from 400 to 4,000 employees and shaped a culture so impactful it became a Stanford course. Named a top 100 global thought leader in people and talent since 2021, Steve brings over 30 years of leading through transformation across six different industries.

Together, they explore why this moment—despite the chaos—is actually one of the greatest opportunities for leaders. You'll discover why hard work doesn't build careers, how to create stability when everything feels uncertain, and the human skills that will set you apart in the decade ahead.

Today's conversation offers something leaders desperately need: hope, clarity, and a roadmap for what's possible when you lead differently.

Episode Highlights

Leading Through Uncertainty & the Future of Work

[06:52 ] - The rise of workforce fluidity and what it signals
[08:55 ] - Why moving companies accelerates career growth
[10:32 ] - Three pathways to close the growing skill gap

AI, Anxiety & Building Career Security

[14:24 ] - Why universities and businesses must merge to solve skill gaps
[17:48 ] - The disappearing function of leadership development
[19:31 ] - Creating workplaces where people are passionate, not just present

Human Skills That Will Define the Next Decade

[27:12 ] - The power of saying "no"
[29:54 ] - Understanding your unique pattern for creating success
[33:12 ] - How to become a faster learner in a world of constant change

Leading People (and Yourself) in a Changing World

[40:50 ] - Why most people don't know how to interview
[43:09 ] - Your boss shapes your culture more than any company values
[45:22 ] - The art of "leading the leader" and managing up effectively
[52:40 ] - The most critical skill for leaders today

Powerful Quotes

"Hard work doesn't build careers — trust does." – Steve Cadigan

"We've optimized systems for decades, but we haven't optimized people." – Blake Schofield

"If you're managing people today, you know they're not okay. And that's hard." —Steve Cadigan

"In a world of chaos, the people who win are the ones who can simplify." —Blake Schofield

Resources Mentioned

Connect with Steve Cadigan:
● https://stevecadigan.com
● https://www.linkedin.com/in/cadigan
● Workquake book on Amazon
● Workquake Weekly podcast

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The Fastest Path to Clarity, Confidence & Your Next Level of Success: executive coaching for leaders navigating layered challenges. Whether you're burned out, standing at a crossroads, or simply know you're meant for more—you don't have to figure it out alone. Go to impactwithease.com/coaching to apply!

Ready to Future-Proof Your Leadership? Let's explore what's possible for your team. Whether you're navigating rapid growth, culture change, or quiet disengagement…we can help with our high-touch, root-cause focused solutions that are designed to help grow resilient, aligned & empowered leaders who navigate uncertainty with confidence and create impact without burning out, go to https://impactwithease.com/corporate-training-consulting/