The Next Big Idea Daily Leading the Future of AI-Enhanced, On-Demand Work
Dec 1, 2025
Melissa Valentine, a management professor at Stanford and co-author of "Flash Teams," discusses how technology is transforming talent acquisition, likening rapid team assembly to assembling the Avengers. Michael Bernstein, also a Stanford professor, emphasizes AI's role in optimizing team structures and workflows. Entrepreneur John Windsor shares insights on leveraging global talent through open talent strategies, advocating for flexibility and collaboration in workforce management. Together, they explore a future where expertise is accessible, fostering dynamic and diverse workforces.
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Expertise Is No Longer Scarce
- Expertise is abundant and accessible on demand through online platforms and reputation systems.
- Melissa Valentine says leaders can assemble the right experts in minutes instead of months.
Three Experts Reimagined A Toy Truck
- A founder assembled three experts—ex‑McKinsey retail partner, Toys R Us exec, and Amazon supply expert—to reimagine a toy truck.
- The short, on-demand team performed so well the client rehired them to execute.
Let AI Propose Small Team Experiments
- Use AI to instrument team performance and run small experiments on structure and rituals.
- Michael Bernstein recommends giving the system permission to propose tweaks and keep what improves outcomes.
