Welcome to Transform’s Q&A Author Spotlight Series, where we feature insightful authors who are redefining people and culture, work, leadership, and technology. Join us to gain fresh perspectives and practical knowledge from those at the forefront of today’s evolving professional landscape.
Technology alone can’t drive innovation. AI might be powerful, but it’s
only as impactful as the skilled, adaptive humans who work alongside it.
About the Author
Christie Smith, Ph.D., is the founder of The Humanity Studio and the co-author of Essential: How Distributed Teams, Generative AI, and Global Shifts Are Creating a New Human-Powered Leadership. She is the former global head of Talent & Organization at Accenture, the former Vice President for Inclusion and Diversity at Apple, and the former Managing Partner of the West Region of the U.S. at Deloitte. She is a sought-after advisor and speaker, and her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, Fortune, Forbes, Fast Company, and CNN.
Background and Inspiration
Transform: What inspired you to write about HR and the Future of Work, and what keeps you motivated in this field?
Christie Smith, Ph.D.: Our work environment has changed more in the past decade than in the previous century. The cracks in traditional leadership systems have widened into fault lines, with trust in institutions at an all-time low. I co-wrote Essential with Kelly Monahan because we’ve both seen these challenges firsthand from different perspectives. My 35 years as a practitioner in HR and leadership consulting have shown me the tangible struggles leaders face in the boardroom and the frustrations and challenges of the workforce. Kelly’s work as a researcher adds a data-driven lens, giving us insights that help us understand not only what’s happening but why. What keeps me motivated is the belief that we can transform workplaces into profoundly human and powerfully effective spaces. Businesses thrive when their people do, and the future of work must center around this truth.
Content Development
Transform: How do you develop the case studies or examples in your books, and do they evolve as you write?
Christie Smith, Ph.D.: The examples in Essential are grounded in decades of hands-on experience and cutting-edge research. They blend my work as a practitioner—guiding leaders through real-world challenges—and Kelly’s expertise as a researcher, revealing what the data tells us about the needs of employees and the gaps in leadership. Together, we identified four essential human requirements—purpose, agency, connection, and wellness—that are fundamental to workforce engagement and organizational success. These insights didn’t just inform the content—they shaped the entire narrative, driving how we framed challenges and structured solutions to resonate deeply with leaders and their teams.
This process is anything but static. As we wrote, we revisited and refined our themes and examples to ensure they captured the most pressing issues facing leaders today. Every insight is designed to connect with readers and give them actionable tools they can use immediately. Our goal is to empower leaders with clarity and confidence to create meaningful, lasting change.
Leadership isn’t about controlling outcomes;
it’s about creating the conditions for people to thrive.
Themes and Messages
Transform: What core themes do you explore in your writing, and why are they significant to you and your audience?
Christie Smith, Ph.D.: The heart of Essential is this: Leaders need to feel empowered and equipped to navigate the complexity of today’s supercycle of change and disruption with courage and clarity. We call this “human-powered leadership,” and it’s the cornerstone of the book. It reflects my experience helping leaders address real-world challenges and Kelly’s research into the systemic issues that create gaps between what employees need and what organizations deliver. These themes matter because they’re not abstract ideals—they’re the key to staying competitive in a skills-driven, disrupted economy. Our goal is to help readers shift from a scarcity mindset to a growth mindset, where they see the limitless potential in their teams.
Transform: Are there recurring motifs or ideas in your work that you believe are crucial for understanding the future of HR?
Christie Smith, Ph.D.: Absolutely. The future of HR hinges on three transformative ideas that are redefining work as we know it. First, technology alone can’t drive innovation. AI might be powerful, but it’s only as impactful as the skilled, adaptive humans who work alongside it. True progress happens when organizations invest in their people—upskilling and reskilling them to partner with technology and ensure they have the confidence and capability to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
Second, soft skills are no longer optional—they’re the ultimate power skills. Empathy, adaptability, and emotional maturity are essential for leaders to navigate uncertainty, inspire trust, and foster the creativity that drives employee engagement and business growth. In a world of constant disruption, they’re what set thriving organizations apart.
Finally, leadership itself is transforming. The old command-and-control model is a relic. Today’s leaders succeed by creating environments where people can thrive—where their ideas, contributions, and well-being are valued, and they’re empowered with the flexibility and autonomy to decide where, when, and how work gets done. HR plays a critical role in this transformation, helping organizations move from treating people as resources to recognizing them as true partners in innovation and growth.
These ideas aren’t just trends—they’re the foundation for building resilient, future-ready organizations. Leaders who embrace them will shape the future of work. Those who don’t risk being left behind.
Advice and Future Plans
Transform: What’s next for you? Are you working on any new projects or books about the future of work?
Christie Smith, Ph.D.: Yes! The next big step in this journey is launching The Humanity Studio, a leadership advisory company dedicated to transforming workplaces and communities by developing emotionally mature leaders who champion human progress.
At The Humanity Studio, we believe leadership is a profound responsibility—one that shapes industries, communities, and cultures. Decades of research and client practice have shown us that business success is inseparable from the workforce’s growth, well-being, and empowerment. That’s why our mission is simple but bold: to create a world where work empowers people to grow.
Through immersive experiences, educational tools and resources, expert advisory services, and evocative content, The Humanity Studio helps leaders put humanity at the center of their strategy—because we know it’s the key to sustained success. We’re building a movement that celebrates collaboration over competition and inviting leaders to join us in reimagining the future of work.
You can learn more and be part of this transformative journey at www.thehumanitystudio.com.
Deep Dive into Specific Works
Transform: What’s the story behind the title of your latest book on the future of work?
Christie Smith, Ph.D.: Essential captures a profound truth about leadership and work today: in a world reshaped by disruption, leaders must refocus on what truly matters—what’s essential. The pandemic forced us all to reassess our priorities, not just in life but in the workplace. It exposed cracks in how we lead, collaborate, and connect, revealing that trust, purpose, and connection aren’t optional—they’re the foundation of thriving organizations.
The subtitle, How Distributed Teams, Generative AI, and Global Shifts Are Creating a New Human-Powered Leader, highlights the forces redefining leadership today. Leading has always been challenging, but this supercycle of change—driven by distributed teams, the rise of generative AI, and global shifts—has raised the stakes even higher.
At its heart, Essential is a call to leaders to reclaim humanity in their organizations—not just for their people, but for themselves. Leaders can create workplaces where innovation, growth, and well-being coexist by focusing on what truly matters. These are workplaces where people feel valued, connected, and empowered to contribute their best—and where leadership becomes essential for progress.
About the reader:
Transform: Describe what a leader/organization looks like one year after reading your book and committing to its teachings.
Christie Smith, Ph.D.: One year later, you’ll see a leader who listens deeply, acts with integrity, and empowers their team with purpose and autonomy. This leader fosters trust, prioritizes well-being and connection, and creates a culture where people feel seen, valued, and motivated to contribute their best.
The transformation extends beyond the workplace—it’s a ripple effect. When leaders solve for humanity in their organizations, they influence change in the communities those workplaces touch. Employees who feel secure, supported, and empowered bring that energy into their families, neighborhoods, and broader networks. This isn’t just about boosting engagement or reducing burnout; it’s about creating a thriving ecosystem where work becomes a force for good—inside and outside the organization.
The future of HR hinges on three transformative ideas:
investing in people, prioritizing soft skills, and redefining leadership.
Transform: Considering a reader who just finished your book and is processing all the great insights, what is the first step they should like to operationalize their learning?
Christie Smith, Ph.D.: Begin with curiosity. Suspend your self-interest and get deeply curious about your people. Ask open-ended questions, listen without defensiveness, and seek to understand their needs, aspirations, and challenges. This act of genuine curiosity not only builds trust but also gives you the clarity to act with purpose.
Next, choose one small, high-impact goal. Leadership transformation isn’t about sweeping overhauls; it’s about building momentum. The book introduces the flywheel model—a framework for stacking small wins to create lasting change. Start with something meaningful, like improving psychological safety or fostering better communication. Then, identify the daily behaviors you’ll model to support that goal.
Consistency is the secret. Each small step builds trust and connection, setting the flywheel into motion. Over time, you’ll see how those small actions create a ripple effect of growth and progress—for your team and yourself.
Transform: Share three takeaways from “Essential” that the reader should walk away with.
Christie Smith, Ph.D.:
Great leadership creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond the workplace. When leaders prioritize humanity—valuing well-being, fostering purpose, and building meaningful connections—they inspire change that transforms their organizations and the communities their employees touch. Leadership is hard because it matters. It shapes lives, industries, and the society we all share. Now, more than ever, we need courageous, emotionally mature leaders to guide us toward a better future.
Leadership isn’t about controlling outcomes; it’s about creating the conditions for people to thrive. It starts with meeting their needs and leading with integrity, transparency, and compassion. Leaders who build cultures of trust empower their teams to innovate, take risks, and bring their best to work. Human-powered leadership isn’t just a philosophy—it’s a business imperative. People will always be your greatest asset.
Technology alone can’t solve our biggest challenges. The future of work belongs to leaders who embrace the intersection of humanity and technology. While generative AI and automation are transforming industries, their true potential lies in the hands of the humans guiding them. To harness these tools effectively, leaders must invest in upskilling their workforce—equipping their teams with the skills, confidence, and adaptability needed to collaborate and innovate in an ever-evolving landscape. Empathy, ethics, judgment, and creativity are the uniquely human qualities that will continue to unlock the full promise of the technology age.
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