Breaking Bias: Knockri’s CEO on AI Innovation & Ethical Leadership | Jahanzaib Ansari

What if the name you were born with became a barrier to your dream job? Jahanzaib Ansari faced this exact challenge and used his personal story of overcoming discrimination to fuel his passion to create a hiring process that partners with giants like IBM and Deloitte to ensure fairer hiring practices. Through his eyes, you’ll uncover the journey of leading an innovative company in Canada, navigating the hurdles of growth, and using artificial intelligence to champion equality and inclusion in the workforce.

The tech world is ever-changing, and staying ahead requires a unique set of skills. Emphasizing a growth mindset and the ability to remain agile, Jahanzaib discusses how openness to feedback and surrounding oneself with a skilled team can enhance leadership effectiveness. We delve into the importance of resilience in weathering economic challenges and organizational changes. Learn strategies to transform from a negative mindset to one of opportunity and growth, acknowledging that every leader's journey is filled with its own set of trials and triumphs.

The episode wraps up with a focus on navigating AI ethics and fostering trust in professional relationships. Jahanzaib brings attention to the increasing role of Chief Ethics Officers in ensuring ethical use of data and preventing discrimination. We discuss best practices for hiring, advocating for collaboration between recruiters and hiring managers, and the importance of objective competency setting. As the conversation unfolds, we highlight the significance of building trust and fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, despite the societal polarization surrounding these efforts. Jahanzaib underscores the need for organizations to remove unfair gatekeepers, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of background, have equal opportunities to thrive.

What You’ll Learn:

• The evolution of leadership in the fast-paced world of A.I.

• Building resilience and fostering a growth mindset

• Navigating A.I. ethics and promoting bias-free hiring practices

• The importance of trust and collaboration in professional relationships

• Overcoming societal polarization to champion Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives

Podcast Timestamps:

(00:00) - Turning Bias Into Opportunity: Knockri's Origin Story

(14:59) - Building Resilience Through A Growth Mindset

(29:36) - Navigating Ethics: A.I. and Hiring Practices

(36:29) - Building Trust and DEI Practices

(44:20) - Mastering Self-Leadership Is A Lifelong Process

More of Jahanzaib Ansari:

Jahanzaib Ansari is the co-founder of Knockri, an award-winning behavioral assessment platform that integrates ethical AI with I/O Psychology to revolutionize hiring. Driven by a mission to create a more inclusive, fair, and efficient recruitment process, he partners with Fortune 500 companies like IBM, Deloitte, SAP, and the Canadian Federal Government to help them build diverse teams and foster equity. Beyond leading Knockri, Jahanzaib serves as a Next Generation Business Leader to the Business Council of Canada, collaborating with top executives to drive meaningful change. A recognized thought leader in AI, the Future of Work, and Diversity, he has spoken at prestigious international events and earned accolades such as Innovator of the Year by Ascend, the Exceptional Leadership Award by AUSCAN Forum, and a spot on HRD Magazine’s list of Canada’s Rising Stars.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jansari1/

Key Topics Discussed:

Positive Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Tech Innovation, Adaptability, A.I., Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Hiring, Ethics, Resilience, Growth Mindset, Agility, Receiving Feedback, Persistence, Collaboration, Building Trust, DEI, Leading with Transparency, Chief Ethics Officer, Establishing Credibility, Emerging Leaders, Servant Leadership, Self-Leadership, CEO Success

More of Do Good to Lead Well:

Website: https://craigdowden.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/