Drew Bird

I study why feedback fails leaders—and what actually works instead.
Keynotes on feedback, leadership, and organizational performance.

[Drew Bird @drew_bird]

Most feedback systems fail not because people can’t give feedback, but because leaders don’t understand what feedback is for.

We’ve turned feedback into a tool for measurement, correction, and control.

But feedback is meant to do something far more important: shape judgment, improve decision-making, and accelerate leadership maturity.

Until leaders understand that distinction, more surveys, more data, and more “honesty” will only create more noise — not better performance.

[Drew Bird @drew_bird]

To many leader's are also working with incomplete/bad information on their impact.

[Harvard Business Review @HarvardBiz]

Too many leaders are bad at critical thinking—and it’s hurting their organizations. https://t.co/0SYXzd0WZI

[Dr. Julie Gurner @drgurner]

You know you're doing your life's work, when you are excited to jump back into it after a holiday.

Genuine excitement and internal motivation is such a fantastic guide.

[Drew Bird @drew_bird]

Most leaders don’t struggle because they lack skill or intent. They struggle because there’s a gap between how they think they’re showing up and how others actually experience them. That perception gap is where leadership effectiveness is won or lost.

#Leadership #Feedback #SelfAwareness

[Sahil Bloom @SahilBloom]

The older I get, the more I realize adaptability is the highest form of intelligence. Knowledge matters, but the ability to learn, unlearn, and change course matters more. The rigid cling to what was. The adaptable adjust to what is and what will be. The future belongs to them.

[Drew Bird @drew_bird]

@SahilBloom #adaptability is one of THE key skillsets you'll need to be successful in the coming years. Don't underestimate the need to understand your own approach, and if you are leading people, understanding (and helping them to understand) theirs also.

https://t.co/SQACKvG8Us

[Drew Bird @drew_bird]

#adaptability is one of THE key skillsets you'll need to be successful in the coming years. Don't underestimate the need to understand your own approach, and if you are leading people, understanding (and helping them to understand) theirs also.

If you are looking for an edge - a key differentiator - this is it.

https://t.co/yas2IRSCRJ

https://t.co/5C6Clcy2mB

[Sahil Bloom @SahilBloom]

The older I get, the more I realize adaptability is the highest form of intelligence. Knowledge matters, but the ability to learn, unlearn, and change course matters more. The rigid cling to what was. The adaptable adjust to what is and what will be. The future belongs to them.

[Drew Bird @drew_bird]

The progression of AI video creation is amazing, and honestly a little frightening. One of the most difficult tasks from what I have seen is believable person to person interaction. This video came into my inbox this morning and it's the best I have seen so far (even if some of the segments are a little better and some are a little worse). Even so, looking at how good this is now, I can only imagine what it will be like a year or two from now. The movie industry seems somewhat quiet about how this tech is going to change the industry, but there seems no doubt it will.

https://t.co/PKlAQf6UMn

[Drew Bird @drew_bird]

This video is a little long (approx 12.5 minutes) but really worth a watch. This idea of ‘reimagining’ work rather than just bolting AI onto existing processes is where the real opportunities lie. Hope you enjoy- interested in your thoughts!

https://t.co/4vWBEO3l7G How to build a “superhuman workplace” where AI amplifies human potential  - Fast Company

[Drew Bird @drew_bird]

In many recent conversations around adaptability and AI I hear people talk about the need for organizations to ‘upskill’ and ‘reskill’ workers to prepare for the impact on the workforce. But what never gets mentioned is exactly what ‘skills’ should be developed.

Here’s what I believe are the 4 skills every employee needs to be effective in an AI-driven world:

- Adaptability (AQ) & Learning Agility
The only constant is change. We need people who can unlearn, pivot, and stay open in the face of the unknown.

- Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
What makes us human matters more than ever. Empathy, self-awareness, and trust-building can’t be automated.

Critical Thinking & Judgment
AI can give us answers. But people must ask the right questions—and decide when not to trust the machine.

- Communication & Collaboration
Especially across functions and with people who don’t speak tech. If you can’t communicate in this new landscape, you’re out of sync. If you can, you can become a powerful connector between areas and stratas of the organization where understanding of the capability of new technologies like AI is low.

You might say that I am just 'talking my book' here by identifying these as the needed skills, and so I'd be interested to know what you would add, or would say are more important?

From what I am seeing, organizations that focus on these skills are the ones that will come out ahead.
#AI #Leadership #FutureOfWork #Reskilling #Adaptability #EmotionalIntelligence

[Sahil Bloom @SahilBloom]

An underrated life lesson: Potential is nothing without execution. When you’re young, everyone cares about your potential. As you get older, they only care about your delivery against it. Stop worrying about your potential. Start focusing on your action.

[Drew Bird @drew_bird]

@SahilBloom Didnt realize I wasn't following you. I have been tracking your work for a long time now. Love the consistent quality! Thank you.

[Drew Bird @drew_bird]

This was a fascinating piece from @sahilbloom on AI and the Tragedy of the Commons.

Worth your time. https://t.co/coejVl9SRo

[Drew Bird @drew_bird]

@Twannamaine Sure! Sounds good.

[Drew Bird @drew_bird]

Numerous conversations with clients over the past few days about the need to upskill around AI for them and their teams. Seems there is not much usable, easy to apply content that's easily findable.

If anyone has (or knows of) AI courses (preferably async) that they have used or provide, please drop me a DM. Nothing on Udemy or LI Learning please - have looked at some of those offerings and they are too generic.

#adaptability #AI #ArtificialIntelligence

[Drew Bird @drew_bird]

I am seeing warning after warning about what's happening with AI. Even if you think the loss of job/work estimates are 10x exaggerated, the impact on organizations and society is seismic. People may think "heard this before" because they reflect back on the advent of the PC or the Internet, but both of those occurred slowly by comparison. This is going to be a job shock like we have never experienced before.

People are not ready. Organizations are not ready.

This is worth a read:

https://t.co/RGGzXMbEwB

[Elon Musk @elonmusk]

🎯

[Drew Bird @drew_bird]

The more I am exposed to the leading-edge AI performance, the more I realize that we are collectively deceiving ourselves about the dramatic impact this technology will have. So many industries will be disrupted or transformed beyond recognition. If I was headed to college or university now, I would think about nursing, paramedic, plumber, HVAC etc. I would NOT consider anything in finance, design, or software development, research and so many others. Yes, the top 5-10% in knowledge work fields will likely do very well, but the bottom 90% will be easily replaced by AI. I am not saying I like this, or that I necessarily think it's a good idea, but change doesn't care what I (or you) think.

[Dr. Julie Gurner @drgurner]

An important note for your sanity:
Realize that "facts" won't change most people's opinion, because their opinions weren't initially formed by facts.

Most people form their opinions emotionally, not through evidence...

If you can change your mind based on fact, you are rare.