#003 What Happens When We Design Work Differently
Reading Time: 6 minutes
Key Takeaways
Intentional Culture Design: Creating boundaries for better work-life integration
Human-Centered Leadership: Balancing AI advancement with human connection
AI for Higher-Level Thinking: Using technology to enable strategic work
Last week, sitting in a room full of leaders at the Culturati Summit, I witnessed a moment of collective awareness that a shift is needed in business. This is one of my favorite events to attend. There is something magical about sitting in a room full of people who care about people and business.
As we dove deep into discussions about human-centered leadership, AI's reshaping of work, and the complexities of return-to-office mandates, one truth became crystal clear: we're at a pivotal moment in designing work and leadership.
The energy in the room shifted when we started talking about human-centered leadership in an AI-augmented world. You know that moment when an entire room of executives silently nods at the same realization? That's what happened. These weren't just tired leaders – brilliant minds grappling with maintaining humanity in an increasingly digital workplace. Here are three principles that emerged from our powerful discussions about designing work differently:
Three Principles for Designing Work Differently
Principle 1: Intentional Culture Design
As we discussed at Culturati, the return-to-office debate isn't really about location—it's about intention. Last month, I coached a client through the real struggle of balancing working at a global company with super early calls and return-to-office mandates. She was truly concerned about work-life integration with super early calls and return-to-office mandates.
Here's the truth bomb: Your calendar isn't broken – your boundaries are.
When she became intentional in creating blocked 60 to 90 minutes each morning for focused work, regardless of whether they were remote or in-office, and a daily afternoon walk. But the real win? The relief in her eyes when she realized it was okay to be unavailable.
Principle 2: Human-Centered Leadership
Can I be vulnerable for a moment? In our summit discussions about AI and leadership, something profound emerged: as technology advances, our need for human connection musty deepen. I use AI daily and truly love technology in general. I am an early adopter and wear it as a badge of honor. Because I love it so much, I must diligently create tech boundaries. I sleep with my phone charging in the primary bathroom. This prevents late-night and early-morning scrolling. I have what I call my "sundown switch" – 9 PM. After that, my notifications go quiet.
In an AI-augmented world, humanity isn't our weakness—it's our superpower. It’s important to make space for both.
Principle 3: Leaning into AI for Higher-Level Thinking
At Culturati, something fascinating emerged from our AI discussions: the leaders who are thriving aren't resisting AI – they're using it to elevate their thinking. AI isn't just another tool; it's an enabler of deeper strategic work. I've started using AI for the routine tasks that used to consume my mornings, freeing up mental space for the kind of big-picture thinking that actually moves the needle. (Fun fact: I'm building my entire business with AI support – no traditional team required.) The result? I'm operating at a higher level of thinking than ever before.
Your challenge this week: Identify one repetitive task that's stealing your strategic thinking time, and explore how AI could handle it instead.
A New Way to Connect
Those powerful conversations we had at Culturati about AI-enabled leadership and high-performance cultures? They're just the beginning. Starting this month, I'm bringing these crucial discussions to life on YouTube with my first video: "How to Build a High-Performance Culture | Leadership Strategy Guide 2025."
Each week, I'll be sharing practical strategies for:
Designing cultures that embrace both human wisdom and AI capabilities
Building high-performance teams without the burnout tax
Working differently in this new era of leadership
Creating sustainable systems that scale
Following this, we'll dive into "The 3-Step System for Designing Your Team's Energy Architecture" – because when you free your mind from routine tasks and optimize your team's energy, breakthrough performance becomes natural, not forced.
Remember: The future belongs to leaders who can harness both human insight and AI capabilities while building cultures that actually work. I'm building my entire business this way, and I'm here to help you write your own story of transformation.
Next month, we'll explore how to audit your current culture and identify opportunities for AI-enabled growth (I'll share the exact framework I use with clients). Until then, I'd love to hear from you:
→ What's one aspect of high-performance culture you're most excited to transform in 2025? Share your story – I read and respond to every message.
With hope for smarter ways to work,
LCJ
P.S. That tension you're feeling between maintaining human connection and embracing AI? It's not a contradiction – it's an opportunity to design something revolutionary. Let's build this future together.
