Leading Change

Ema is joined by management consultant Tara, who shares insights from 25+ years of working with thousands of managers, both seasoned and accidental. They dive into why top performers often get promoted into leadership roles without the right preparation, how to support those "accidental managers," and why people skills are no longer optional in today’s workplace.

Grab your (digital) cowboy hats, because we are officially in the Wild West of AI.
In this episode of Leading Change in the Wild, I’m breaking down the most important legal battles unfolding right now over artificial intelligence, ethics, and data privacy. These lawsuits aren’t just headlines. They could redefine how AI is built, used, and trusted.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why The New York Times vs. OpenAI could change what’s considered “fair use” in AI training
How Reddit is taking Anthropic to court for scraping user data and what it means for social media platforms
What happens when AI hiring tools are accused of bias and discrimination (Workday lawsuit)
The serious risks when AI chatbots hallucinate or cross ethical lines (Air Canada and Character AI cases)
The critical questions every leader needs to ask about AI accountability, bias, and consent
Why It Matters:Artificial intelligence isn’t just a tech trend, it’s reshaping how decisions are made, how content is created, and how people are treated. These real-world cases show exactly what happens when innovation moves faster than ethics.
If you lead teams, work in digital transformation, or just want to better understand the risks and responsibilities of AI, this is for you! 

Ema is joined by Elsie Mort, a seasoned Change Communications Manager, as they dive deep into the fascinating world of organizational change, standardization, and how to successfully modernize systems without alienating your teams.

What if I told you Taylor Swift is a change management mastermind, not just a mastermind of planting Easter Eggs?In this episode of Leading Change - Change in the Wild, I break down how Taylor (and her comms team) executed one of the clearest, boldest change communication strategies we’ve seen in years.
From buying back her masters to not re-recording Reputation, Swift didn’t just pivot. She brought her fans with her. I’ll show you how her announcement mirrors my 4P Vision Framework (Purpose, People, Process, Participation) and what leaders can learn from her messaging strategy.Are you managing a team through change? Hit play and let Taylor Swift show you how it's done.

Ema is joined by executive coach Frankie Bercobin to discuss how executive function influences performance and productivity in the workplace, especially under stress, neurodivergence like ADHD, or during career transitions.

Want to know what declaring you are AI-First will get you? Canceled and quick.
In this solo episode of Leading Change, Ema Roloff breaks down Duolingo’s major misstep after a leaked internal memo revealed their “AI-First” strategy.
Thousands of users canceled subscriptions. Critics flooded the comments. Why? Because People-first > AI-first, especially when the message is delivered without clarity, empathy, or vision.
📉 In this breakdown, you’ll learn:✅ What Duolingo got wrong in their AI-first messaging✅ How it triggered backlash from both users and employees✅ Why vision statements fail without clarity, transparency, and empathy✅ How to actually lead digital transformation using the 4P Framework (Purpose, People, Process, Participation)
Whether you’re a CEO, team lead, or tech enthusiast, this episode is your go-to guide for navigating the intersection of leadership, AI, and change management, without alienating your people.

Ema is joined by Ian McCain, a digital transformation expert and seasoned improviser, to explore how the mindset of improv can unlock trust, momentum, and innovation during change initiatives. Whether you're leading a tech rollout or managing team dynamics, this episode offers powerful, practical tools to help you navigate the unknown with confidence.

In this special Live from New York edition of Leading Change with Ema Roloff - Ema sits down with Michelle Ralph, EVP, Chief Claim and Transformation Officer at Preferred Mutual, to talk about what it really takes to lead a successful digital transformation—starting with your people.

Ema sits down with Ashley Fetko, Partner and Head of Growth & Client Engagement at Tyson & Mendes, to explore the defense strategies that actually stop nuclear verdicts. Ashley dives into the power of storytelling, the need for collaboration, and why being a good human is more than just a motto—it's the foundation of winning in the courtroom.

Ema is joined by Robin Dreeke, founder of People Formula, former FBI Special Agent, and behavioral expert, for a powerful conversation on what it truly takes to build trust as a leader. Drawing from his experience recruiting spies and leading counterintelligence efforts, Robin shares powerful lessons on vulnerability, active communication, and shifting your focus from self to others.