Are you prepared to lead in the modern world of work?

We talk a lot about the “future of work,” but few leaders are prepared for just how radically work is changing beneath their feet.

Today, creativity and critical thinking drive results – yet they remain the hardest kinds of work to see, measure, or manage. That’s why modern leaders must rethink traditional management models. Stick with outdated approaches, and you risk slowing innovation, misreading performance, and overlooking standout talent hiding in plain sight.

So where should leaders start?

In this episode of Dialogue with the Dean, Julian Birkinshaw sits down with Rob Austin, Professor of Information Systems and Ivey’s Evolution of Work Chair, for a thought-provoking conversation about what leaders need to understand about modern work. Together, they explore why knowledge work resists measurement, how creative breakthroughs often stem from “productive accidents,” what AI can and can’t replace, and why neuroinclusion is emerging as a powerful catalyst for capability building.

Insightful, candid, and deeply relevant for anyone navigating rapid technological and cultural change, this episode offers clear and compelling insights for building workplaces where people – and ideas – can truly thrive.

In this episode:

1:20: Origins of a modern work visionary

2:07: What really is knowledge work?

3:22: Evaluating the work you can’t see

8:05: Human vs. AI: Who’s really doing the thinking?

12:05: Things that make you go hmmm

16:39: Finding the sweet spot between home and office