AI is accelerating change faster than most organizations are emotionally prepared for.

Employees are anxious. Leaders are overwhelmed. And many managers are being asked to guide people through uncertainty without ever being taught how to truly understand human behaviour in the first place.

In this episode of the foHRsight podcast, Mark Edgar sits down with organizational psychologist, executive coach, and author Karl Hebenstreit to explore why empathy, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness may become some of the most important leadership capabilities of the AI era.

Together, they unpack:

  • Why AI is creating more fear and pressure at work than many organizations want to admit 
  • The leadership gap created when technical experts become people managers overnight 
  • How unclear expectations quietly damage trust, performance, and culture 
  • Why understanding motivation matters more than personality labels 
  • How the Enneagram can help leaders better navigate teams, conflict, communication, and change 

This conversation is ultimately about something bigger than frameworks or assessments. It’s about building workplaces where people feel understood enough to actually thrive.

About Our Guest

Karl Hebenstreit is an author, speaker, executive coach, and organizational development leader with more than 25 years of experience helping leaders and teams work more effectively together. His work focuses on emotional intelligence, leadership development, and using the Enneagram as a practical framework for building healthier organizations and stronger human connection.

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