379: When Performance Replaces People

What happens when organizations become so focused on speed, efficiency, and AI that they slowly lose sight of people? In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Kelly Monahan shares insights from her years studying the future of work inside organizations like Deloitte, Accenture, Meta, and Upwork. Drawing from her upcoming book, *Reclaim the Plot*, Kelly explains how leaders and organizations gradually “drift” away from the human purpose of work, often without realizing it.  We explore the pressures leaders face today, including complexity, investor expectations, technological disruption, burnout, and the temptation to prioritize performance over people. Kelly also shares a deeply personal story about recognizing her own leadership drift during the pandemic and the intentional steps she took to reconnect with her team. This conversation offers both a warning and a hopeful vision for leaders who want to strengthen human judgment, curiosity, wisdom, and principled leadership in an AI-driven world.  **You’ll discover:** - Why leadership drift happens slowly and invisibly inside organizations - How pressure, complexity, and exhaustion can cause leaders to lose empathy and perspective - The difference between using AI to augment people versus replace them - Practical ways leaders can rebuild trust, psychological safety, and human connection - Why curiosity and feedback are essential for avoiding leadership drift **Connect with Kelly Monahan on Social Media** LinkedIn Instagram **Websites**  Dr. Kelly Monahan Beyond the Desk  **Book** Reclaim the Plot – (release date September 2026) Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn