Kelly Monahan, Managing Director of Upwork's Research Institute and co-author of Essential, reveals why 77% of employees feel AI makes work harder, not easier—and what leaders can do about it. In this eye-opening conversation with Paul Estes, Kelly breaks down the real forces behind today's labor market shifts, from inflation and capital costs to the pandemic's lasting impact on customer behavior.

From her research on the frontlines of the future of work, Kelly shares practical frameworks for moving beyond resilience to "anti-fragility"—the ability to adapt and evolve when systems face stress and shock. Whether you're a leader trying to implement AI effectively or a professional wondering how to stay relevant, this conversation offers actionable insights on navigating our rapidly changing work landscape while keeping human creativity and relationships central.

You'll Learn:

• Why the AI productivity paradox is happening and how to overcome it
• The difference between AI as a tool versus AI as a teammate, and what it means for your workflow
• How to move from fragile to anti-fragile thinking when facing career disruption
• Why skills are becoming more valuable than degrees and how to credential them effectively
• The "configuration mindset" that separates AI power users from frustrated beginners
• How to preserve cognitive capacity for creativity in an increasingly automated world
• What successful organizational AI strategies look like beyond mere cost-cutting

References Mentioned:

• Essential by Christie Smith and Kelly Monahan
• Antifragile by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
• The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
• Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

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Producer: David Grabowski Theme Music: Aleksey Chistilin