
Digital HR Leaders with David Green The Real Reason Hybrid, AI, and Change Initiatives Keep Failing
Jan 13, 2026
Brian Elliott, CEO of WorkForward and an authority on the future of work, dives deep into the persistent debates around hybrid work and AI adoption. He highlights the mistrust between leaders and employees fueling hybrid conflicts and emphasizes the need for outcomes-focused performance to make these models successful. Elliott draws striking parallels between traditional work habits and challenges in adopting AI, advocating for redesigning workflows rather than mere automation. He also discusses AI's impact on entry-level roles, calling for people-centric leadership to embrace change.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Senior-Level Distrust Drives Policy, Not Outcomes
- CEO mistrust of remote work often drives strict return-to-office policies rather than business outcomes.
- Leaders chase an outlier few instead of designing for the 95% who perform remotely.
Use Anchor Days And Leader-Set Schedules
- Assign anchor days and have leaders plan team activities so people know when to show up together.
- Let leaders set team-specific schedules instead of one-size-fits-all mandates.
Measuring Adoption Without Outcomes Misleads
- AI adoption is mirroring hybrid mistakes by measuring compliance instead of business impact.
- Counting tool usage without linking to outcomes creates hollow adoption metrics.
