Technology is changing how we work. It's also changing what it means to lead.
In this episode of Better, Kate Clifford, chief leadership and human resources officer at Accenture, discusses how leadership is changing. She explains why today's leaders need to be willing to learn, ask questions, and lead through uncertainty rather than feel pressure to have all the answers.
Kate also explains how Accenture is reimagining recruiting with AI while keeping humans at the center of every hiring decision. She shares how technology helps recruiters move candidates through the process more quickly without handing hiring decisions over to machines.
Plus, she reflects on lessons from nearly three decades at Accenture and what she's learned from working alongside CEO Julie Sweet.
Key takeaways
1. Leaders aren't expected to have all the answers.
Leadership today is less about being the expert in the room and more about being willing to learn, ask questions, and keep moving forward when the path isn't clear.
2. The role of HR is changing.
HR leaders are no longer just responsible for talent and employee programs. They are helping redesign jobs, workflows, and workforce models as technology changes how work gets done.
3. AI can speed up work, but people should make the decisions.
At Accenture, AI helps move candidates through the hiring process faster. But people still decide who gets hired because some decisions require judgment that technology can't replace.
4. Trust becomes more important during times of change.
When work is changing quickly, employees want honesty about what's happening and what comes next. Transparency, listening, recognition, and clear communication help leaders build trust and bring people along through change.
5. Reinvention starts with learning.
Technology is changing jobs quickly, and leaders have to keep learning alongside their teams. The people who succeed are the ones who stay curious, keep building new skills, and help their teams do the same.
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