Mick Unplugged: Josh Drean’s Vision on AI and Culture
Podcast Information:
- Title: Mick Unplugged
- Host: Mick Hunt
- Guest: Josh Drean
- Episode Title: Josh Drean: His Vision on AI and Culture
- Release Date: March 29, 2025
Introduction
In this compelling episode of "Mick Unplugged," host Mick Hunt engages in a profound conversation with Josh Drean, a visionary in the realms of artificial intelligence (AI), workplace culture, and modern leadership. Josh Drean, known for his groundbreaking work and as a co-author of the influential book Employment is Dead: How Disruptive Technology is Revolutionizing the Way We Work, shares invaluable insights into transforming traditional employment models to unlock employee potential and foster thriving organizational cultures.
Discovering Purpose and 'Because'
The conversation kicks off with Mick highlighting the shared values between him and Josh, particularly their commitment to helping individuals achieve their full potential. Josh elaborates on this foundational ethos:
Josh Drean [01:22]: “We want people to achieve their full potential, whatever that looks like and feels like.”
He emphasizes the importance of transitioning from the conventional questioning of "Why?" to embracing "Because," which serves as a core driving force. Josh’s approach revolves around enabling individuals to turn their aspirations into actionable steps, ensuring that they don't merely coast through their careers but actively pursue meaningful growth and fulfillment.
Rethinking Organizational Culture
A significant portion of the discussion delves into the intricacies of organizational culture. Josh critiques the traditional methods companies use to define culture, pointing out that merely declaring values and ideals isn't sufficient:
Josh Drean [05:06]: “The culture adoption from your frontline employees is what matters most.”
He argues that authentic culture must be felt and experienced by employees, rather than just being displayed on mission statements or break room posters. Josh stresses the necessity of involving employees in shaping the culture, ensuring that it resonates with their experiences and needs. This employee-centric approach is crucial for creating environments where individuals can truly thrive and reach their potential.
Shifting Employee Expectations: From Motivation to Inspiration
Mick brings up a pivotal shift in employee motivations, underscoring the transition from seeking mere motivation through paychecks and benefits to craving inspiration driven by purpose:
Mick Hunt [08:58]: “The shift needs to go from motivation to inspiration. Motivation is what gets that employee to sign that contract... Inspiration is what brings them back tomorrow.”
Josh concurs, highlighting that especially the younger generation, like Gen Z, desires to bring their whole selves to work and seeks meaningful engagement rather than just fulfilling contractual obligations. This generation questions the traditional narratives of work-life balance and instead asks, “Why am I doing this work?” Organizations must, therefore, cultivate an environment that continuously inspires employees to stay and contribute meaningfully.
Embracing AI and Technology in the Workplace
The integration of AI and technology into the workplace is another focal point of the discussion. Josh differentiates between companies that view AI as a cost-cutting tool versus those that see it as an enabler for enhancing human potential:
Josh Drean [17:33]: “Companies that say, hey, let's help you learn AI... are going to see much greater returns.”
He advocates for a collaborative approach where AI complements human efforts, automating mundane tasks and thereby allowing employees to focus on leadership, creativity, and strategic initiatives. Mick reinforces this perspective by sharing his own experiences of leveraging technology to free his team from transactional duties, enabling them to dedicate their energies to leadership and business growth.
The Work3 Institute: Marrying Technology with Workforce Strategies
Josh introduces the Work3 Institute, an initiative aiming to align emerging technologies with modern workforce strategies. The institute offers a 13-step roadmap and ten operating principles, such as transparency, autonomy, and ownership, which are deemed non-negotiable for the modern workforce.
Josh Drean [13:01]: “The Work3 Institute is a play on web3... we help companies marry emerging technologies with workforce strategies.”
The Work3 Institute serves as a guide for digital-first, human-centric leaders who seek to integrate AI and other technologies in ways that empower their employees rather than replace them. By fostering transparency and autonomy, organizations can build trust and enhance employee engagement, ultimately driving higher performance and satisfaction.
Challenges in Traditional Employment Models
The conversation shifts to the inherent flaws in traditional employment structures, which Josh argues are outdated in the age of information and AI. He references the alarming statistic from Gallup, where only 37% of workers feel respected at work, attributing this to systemic issues within traditional models:
Josh Drean [23:52]: “The system is broken, employment is dead... We are running on an antiquated model for work.”
He posits that to adapt to the rapid advancements in technology and shifting employee expectations, organizations must decentralize power, enhance collaboration, and imbue employees with decision-making authority. This evolution is essential for preventing phenomena like the Great Resignation 2.0, where employees seek more fulfilling and respectful work environments.
Co-authored Book: "Employment is Dead"
Josh discusses his collaboration with Deborah Perry Pushoni on their book, Employment is Dead: How Disruptive Technology is Revolutionizing the Way We Work. The book challenges the conventional employment paradigm, advocating for models that prioritize purpose, autonomy, and ownership. It underscores how emerging technologies can revive the essence of work by aligning it more closely with human values and potential.
Josh Drean [25:12]: “We are not saying employment is dead because AI is taking your jobs... we are saying that traditional work models are failing to adapt to the modern needs of the workforce.”
The book has garnered attention from influential platforms like Harvard Business Review, signaling the growing relevance and urgency of rethinking employment structures in the contemporary landscape.
Future Endeavors and Closing
As the episode draws to a close, Josh shares his ongoing commitment to advancing the Work3 model and continuing to produce valuable content through various platforms, including YouTube and TikTok. He emphasizes the importance of staying connected with the community to drive forward the movement towards more empowered and inspired workplaces.
Mick concludes by expressing his admiration for Josh’s contributions to modern employee engagement and culture, highlighting the mutual respect and shared vision between the two leaders.
Mick Hunt [28:56]: “Josh, bro, I am so honored to have you on. It was just enormous of you to take some time and drop wisdom to the listeners and viewers.”
Key Takeaways
- Purpose Over Motivation: Transitioning from motivational incentives to inspiring purpose is crucial for retaining and engaging modern employees.
- Authentic Culture: Genuine organizational culture must be co-created with employee input and reflected in daily experiences, not just declared in statements.
- AI as an Enabler: Leveraging AI to augment human capabilities rather than replace them fosters a dynamic and empowered workforce.
- Decentralized Work Models: Empowering employees with decision-making authority and fostering collaboration can rectify systemic issues in traditional employment structures.
- Continuous Evolution: Organizations must continuously adapt their workforce strategies to align with technological advancements and shifting employee expectations to remain competitive and fulfilling.
For those interested in transforming their workplaces and embracing the future of work, Josh Drean’s insights offer a roadmap to creating environments where both organizations and individuals can thrive. Tune in to "Mick Unplugged" for more transformative conversations that ignite potential and fuel purpose.