Chief Change Officer Podcast Episode #383: Deborah Perry Piscione
Title: From Power Plays to Pay-It-Forward—How Work Got Rewritten — Part One
Release Date: May 22, 2025
Host: Vince Chan
1. Introduction to the Episode and Guest
In Episode #383 of the Chief Change Officer podcast, host Vince Chan engages in a transformative conversation with Deborah Perry Piscione. Deborah is a multifaceted entrepreneur, Silicon Valley veteran, and best-selling author, renowned for her book Secrets of Silicon Valley. With a robust background spanning 18 years in Washington D.C., including roles in the White House and Capitol Hill, Deborah transitioned to Silicon Valley, where she founded six companies and authored multiple influential books. This episode is the first part of a two-part series that delves into her remarkable journey and insights into the future of work.
2. Deborah’s Journey: From Washington D.C. to Silicon Valley
Deborah begins by recounting her extensive career in Washington D.C., highlighting her experiences on Capitol Hill, her tenure in the White House, and her role as a political commentator for major networks like MSNBC, Fox News, and CNN.
“...I learned how to divide people into an us versus them... in Washington D.C. it is all about politics.”
—Deborah Perry Piscione [03:20]
The pivotal moment came when she relocated to Silicon Valley in 2006. Here, she discovered a starkly different culture centered on collaboration, innovation, and risk-taking, contrasting sharply with the divisive and fear-driven environment of Washington D.C.
“...something different cultures out there in the way that things got done.”
—Deborah Perry Piscione [03:20]
This cultural shift inspired her to build companies, author best-selling books, and ultimately establish the Work3 Institute, aimed at helping businesses navigate the evolving landscape of work.
3. Entrepreneurial Mindset and Innovation
Deborah attributes her success to her ability to identify needs and seize opportunities. Her entrepreneurial ventures often stemmed from personal insights or gaps she observed in the market.
“It was really about risk-taking... to see what's missing, and then take action.”
—Deborah Perry Piscione [09:12]
She emphasizes a bottom-up approach to innovation, believing that great ideas can come from any level within an organization, not just from the top leadership.
“...it’s the people closest to the job, sometimes it’s the people with the smallest paychecks in the room who may have the next multi hundred million dollar idea.”
—Deborah Perry Piscione [24:59]
4. Challenges and Lessons Learned
Deborah shares a personal story that underscores the importance of risk-taking and resilience. Reflecting on her early days in Washington D.C., she discusses riding her bike to Roosevelt Island every Sunday, drawing inspiration from the saying, “It’s better to try and fail than never to have tried to succeed at all.”
“You’ve got to throw a dozen things to the ceiling, and one of them may stack and 11 may fail.”
—Deborah Perry Piscione [12:44]
This philosophy has been a cornerstone of her entrepreneurial journey, teaching her that failure is a valuable learning experience that fosters growth and innovation.
5. The Work3 Institute and "Employment is Dead"
Deborah introduces the Work3 Institute, co-founded with Josh, which focuses on transforming traditional organizations to thrive in the era of AI and Web3 technologies. The institute advises companies on integrating these technologies while fostering psychological safety and employee engagement.
“...how do you move traditional organizations into the era of AI and Web3 technologies, bringing your employees along...”
—Deborah Perry Piscione [15:13]
Her upcoming book, Employment is Dead, serves as a wake-up call to employers about the disruptive impact of new technologies on the traditional employment model.
“Employment is dead” is about the transformation from traditional employment into the era of AI and Web3 technologies.”
—Deborah Perry Piscione [10:16]
6. Future of Employment and Workforce Transformation
Deborah discusses the bifurcated work track emerging due to technological advancements. On one hand, some industries will continue with traditional employment, while others will undergo significant transformations or even become obsolete.
“...we’re moving into this bifurcated work track...some industries will never evolve fully. They may die out.”
—Deborah Perry Piscione [17:55]
She underscores the urgency for both leaders and workers to adapt by upskilling and embracing new technologies to remain relevant in the evolving job market.
“You need to upskill as quick as possible if you need to.”
—Deborah Perry Piscione [17:55]
7. Collaboration and Co-Authoring "Employment is Dead"
The collaboration between Deborah and Josh was serendipitous, stemming from a shared interest in risk-taking and innovation. Despite their different backgrounds—Deborah’s focus on innovation and Josh’s expertise in HR—their complementary strengths enabled them to co-author a comprehensive book addressing the future of work.
“Josh comes from more of an HR perspective and employee dissatisfaction...make it a very comprehensive book.”
—Deborah Perry Piscione [22:59]
This partnership exemplifies the power of diverse perspectives in tackling complex issues like workforce transformation.
8. Changing Perspectives on Education and Credentials
A significant portion of the conversation centers on the diminishing value of traditional four-year degrees. Deborah argues that the future workforce needs to embrace alternative education and training pathways, especially as technologies like AI and Web3 alter job requirements.
“Employees have grown up in a system where the four year degree is the proxy...it's risky to do things differently.”
—Deborah Perry Piscione [26:05]
She advocates for a shift in mindset among employers to recognize and value diverse skill sets beyond conventional degrees.
“How do we actually change that mindset?”
—Vince Chan [26:05]
Deborah shares a personal anecdote about her twin sons to illustrate the evolving landscape of education and career opportunities, highlighting the importance of entrepreneurial thinking from a young age.
“...twin boys... one is at a traditional four year college, the other one got wait listed at Harvard and was thinking about the Naval Academy as well.”
—Deborah Perry Piscione [26:39]
9. Conclusion and Teaser for Part Two
Vince Chan wraps up the episode by highlighting the depth of Deborah’s journey and the critical insights shared about the future of work. He teases Part Two, where they will delve deeper into how AI and Web3 are reshaping jobs, the evolution of employment, and address the overarching question:
“Is employment really dead or just evolving?”
—Vince Chan [26:39]
Listeners are encouraged to subscribe and stay tuned for the continuation of this eye-opening conversation.
Key Takeaways
- Cultural Shift: Transitioning from a politically charged environment to a collaborative, innovative Silicon Valley culture requires adaptability and openness to new ways of thinking.
- Entrepreneurial Mindset: Identifying market needs and fostering a bottom-up approach to innovation are crucial for entrepreneurial success.
- Risk-Taking and Resilience: Embracing failure as a learning tool is essential for growth and long-term success.
- Future of Work: Traditional employment models are being disrupted by AI and Web3 technologies, necessitating a shift in both employer and employee mindsets.
- Education and Credentials: The value of conventional degrees is diminishing, with a growing emphasis on diverse skill sets and alternative education pathways.
- Work3 Institute: Aimed at helping organizations adapt to technological advancements while maintaining employee engagement and psychological safety.
This episode of Chief Change Officer provides a compelling exploration of the evolving landscape of work, blending Deborah Perry Piscione’s rich experiences with actionable insights for both leaders and workers aiming to thrive in the era of AI and Web3 technologies. Stay tuned for Part Two, where the conversation delves deeper into the imminent transformations in the workforce and offers strategies to navigate them successfully.