Best Futuristic Workplaces Podcasts (2025)

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What Mercer’s CEO Reveals About Work Ethic, Cultural Trends, and the Future of Work 57:31

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1h ago57:31

57:31

What does it really take to reach the top of an organization? Beyond the glossy titles and corner offices lies a culture of sacrifice, long hours, and relentless client demands that shape modern leadership. In this episode, we sit down with Pat Tomlinson, CEO of Mercer, to explore the realities of work culture, the growing “996” trend of long hours…

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What Mercer’s CEO Reveals About Work Ethic, Cultural Trends, and the Future of Work 57:31

3h ago57:31

57:31

What does it really take to reach the top of an organization? Beyond the glossy titles and corner offices lies a culture of sacrifice, long hours, and relentless client demands that shape modern leadership. In this episode, we sit down with Pat Tomlinson, CEO of Mercer, to explore the realities of work culture, the growing “996” trend of long hours…

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Sparks: Humans, Not Tools: How Employee Experience Can Unlock Engagement and Bring Humanity Back to the Workplace 9:11

4h ago9:11

9:11

We often talk about employee engagement, but before that comes something deeper: experience itself. Just like we invest our own time and money into personal experiences that create lasting memories, employees evaluate their organizations through the experiences they have at work. The problem? For over a century, companies have designed work as if h…

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Sparks: Humans, Not Tools: How Employee Experience Can Unlock Engagement and Bring Humanity Back to the Workplace 9:11

4h ago9:11

9:11

We often talk about employee engagement, but before that comes something deeper: experience itself. Just like we invest our own time and money into personal experiences that create lasting memories, employees evaluate their organizations through the experiences they have at work. The problem? For over a century, companies have designed work as if h…

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Brain Snack: How to Bring Self-Compassion into Leadership 6:35

3d ago6:35

6:35

Welcome to Brain Snacks: bite sized learning moments from We Are Human Leaders. In today’s brain snack, Amy Finlay-Jones shares with us how Self-Compassion can help us become a more effective leader, and how we can use this to connect with our team. For more, check out the full conversation with Amy right here https://www.wearehumanleaders.com/podc…

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Maximizer vs. Perfectionism, Where's the Line: With Jamal Cornelious 1:01:42

7d ago1:01:42

1:01:42

If you’ve ever pushed yourself—or others—to make something “just a little better” until it became overwhelming, this episode is your invitation to step back, breathe, and rethink what better actually means. Gallup-certified coach and all-around dynamic human Jamal Cornelious joins Sarah and Bill for a refreshingly honest and often hilarious deep di…

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Is The Future of Work Ready for AI? Balancing AI’s Potential and Risks with GoTo’s Chief Commercial Officer 1:00:10

4d ago1:00:10

1:00:10

AI is shaping the future of work, no doubt, but are organizations truly ready to harness its full potential? Beyond the hype, leaders are grappling with challenges around AI adoption, cultural resistance, and the fear of losing human judgment in the process. What do leaders need to know about balancing AI’s promise with its pitfalls? In this episod…

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Is The Future of Work Ready for AI? Balancing AI’s Potential and Risks with GoTo’s Chief Commercial Officer 1:00:10

4d ago1:00:10

1:00:10

AI is shaping the future of work, no doubt, but are organizations truly ready to harness its full potential? Beyond the hype, leaders are grappling with challenges around AI adoption, cultural resistance, and the fear of losing human judgment in the process. What do leaders need to know about balancing AI’s promise with its pitfalls? In this episod…

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Sparks: The Global Citizen Mindset: How Leaders Should Learn to Break Beyond and Expand their Borders 5:54

7d ago5:54

5:54

What if your leadership skills were truly borderless? Could you step into any culture, any team, anywhere in the world—and still thrive? That’s the challenge and opportunity of developing a Global Citizen mindset, one of the most crucial traits for leaders today. In today’s Leadership Spark, I share why the Global Citizen mindset is a non-negotiabl…

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Sparks: The Global Citizen Mindset: How Leaders Should Learn to Break Beyond and Expand their Borders 5:54

7d ago5:54

5:54

What if your leadership skills were truly borderless? Could you step into any culture, any team, anywhere in the world—and still thrive? That’s the challenge and opportunity of developing a Global Citizen mindset, one of the most crucial traits for leaders today. In today’s Leadership Spark, I share why the Global Citizen mindset is a non-negotiabl…

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How to Think Like a Futurist: Jennifer Lo 41:08

9d ago41:08

41:08

What does it mean to think like a futurist—and why should every leader learn how? In this episode of the Creative Confidence Podcast, Jennifer Lo, Senior Director of Design Futures at IDEO, shares how futuring can help leaders navigate uncertainty, build resilient strategies, and shape the future they want to see. Learn how to spot signals, expand …

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Treat Your People like Your Customers with Stephan Meier 39:11

10d ago39:11

39:11

In this insight-packed conversation, Stephan Meier discusses the importance of a human-centric approach to the future of work, emphasizing that technology should augment human capabilities rather than replace them. He outlines the benefits of an employee-first workplace, including increased productivity, innovation, and employee retention. Stephan …

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Futuristic vs. Present Moment, the Tension is Real: with Kay Markovic 1:01:11

14d ago1:01:11

1:01:11

Do you love setting long-term goals—or do you just want to survive the week? In this insightful and refreshingly real conversation, Gallup-certified coach and educator Kay Markovic joins Sarah and Bill to unpack the Futuristic strength and how it plays out in the classroom, at home, and in everyday decision-making. If you’ve ever struggled with sta…

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What a Skydiving Hall of Famer Can Teach Leaders About Turning Risk Into Opportunity 52:51

11d ago52:51

52:51

In business and in life, the most dangerous risk you can take is avoiding risk altogether. Whether it’s leading a team, making strategic investments, or navigating unpredictable markets, risk is always present, yet most leaders misunderstand how to harness it. In this episode, Jim McCormick, best-selling author (The First Time Manager, The Power of…

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What a Skydiving Hall of Famer Can Teach Leaders About Turning Risk Into Opportunity 52:51

11d ago52:51

52:51

In business and in life, the most dangerous risk you can take is avoiding risk altogether. Whether it’s leading a team, making strategic investments, or navigating unpredictable markets, risk is always present, yet most leaders misunderstand how to harness it. In this episode, Jim McCormick, best-selling author (The First Time Manager, The Power of…

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Sparks: Lead the Future: Why Current Workplace Models and Mindsets are Outdated and How to Change Them 10:23

14d ago10:23

10:23

The way we manage people today is built on ideas from over 100 years ago—ideas designed for factory floors, not modern workplaces. Management was originally created to enforce control, standardize behavior, and ensure compliance. Engagement, empowerment, and innovation? None of those were part of the equation. And yet, many organizations still oper…

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Sparks: Lead the Future: Why Current Workplace Models and Mindsets are Outdated and How to Change Them 10:23

16d ago10:23

10:23

The way we manage people today is built on ideas from over 100 years ago—ideas designed for factory floors, not modern workplaces. Management was originally created to enforce control, standardize behavior, and ensure compliance. Engagement, empowerment, and innovation? None of those were part of the equation. And yet, many organizations still oper…

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Brain Snack: How History's Unseen Leaders Light the Way 9:11

17d ago9:11

9:11

Welcome to Brain Snacks: bite sized learning moments from We Are Human Leaders. In today’s brain snack, Martin Gutmann shares with us How History's Unseen Leaders Light the Way and the hero’s journey narrative that pervades how we think about leadership. For more, check out the full conversation with Martin here https://www.wearehumanleaders.com/po…

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Relator vs. Woo, The Connection Throw Down: with Anna Pressler 1:06:29

21d ago1:06:29

1:06:29

Ever wondered why some people thrive in big, bubbly social circles while others guard their inner circle like it’s VIP only? This episode brings the debate (and laughs) as Sarah (high Woo), Bill (both Woo + Relator), and guest Anna Pressler (high Relator) unpack what it really means to connect—quickly, deeply, or both. Whether you’re someone who th…

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How to Handle Conflicts Without Losing Your Cool, Your Relationships, or Your Job 49:18

20d ago49:18

49:18

Why do we struggle with conflict even when we know it's important? In today’s polarized and high-stakes workplace, leaders are more afraid than ever to say the wrong thing or engage in tough conversations. But avoiding conflict doesn’t protect relationships, it slowly breaks them. In this episode, Bob Bordone, Senior Fellow at Harvard Law School, s…

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How to Handle Conflicts Without Losing Your Cool, Your Relationships, or Your Job 49:18

18d ago49:18

49:18

Why do we struggle with conflict even when we know it's important? In today’s polarized and high-stakes workplace, leaders are more afraid than ever to say the wrong thing or engage in tough conversations. But avoiding conflict doesn’t protect relationships, it slowly breaks them. In this episode, Bob Bordone, Senior Fellow at Harvard Law School, s…

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From Drudgery to Employee Experience: Five Trends That Will Shape the Future of Work 8:41

23d ago8:41

8:41

If aliens landed on Earth and observed how we work, they’d probably be baffled. We spend most of our lives doing this thing called “work,” yet so many people feel unfulfilled, undervalued, and stuck in roles that don’t inspire them. It’s even baked into our language. Look up synonyms for “employee,” “manager,” or “work” and you’ll find words like c…

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From Drudgery to Employee Experience: Five Trends That Will Shape the Future of Work 8:41

23d ago8:41

8:41

If aliens landed on Earth and observed how we work, they’d probably be baffled. We spend most of our lives doing this thing called “work,” yet so many people feel unfulfilled, undervalued, and stuck in roles that don’t inspire them. It’s even baked into our language. Look up synonyms for “employee,” “manager,” or “work” and you’ll find words like c…

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Asked & Answered: Catherine Connors on Storytelling for Leaders, Scale, and the Future of Narrative 38:19

23d ago38:19

38:19

In this bonus episode of the Creative Confidence Podcast, storyteller and strategist Catherine Connors returns to answer top questions from our IDEO U community. We explore what it really means to lead with story—beyond frameworks and formats—and how storytelling can be used to build culture, scale ideas, and drive meaningful change.Catherine share…

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Romance, Cheating and BFFs: Relationships at Work with Rachel Voysey 39:49

27d ago39:49

39:49

Workplace relationships are a natural part of being human. Neither good or bad, they’re inevitable. In the wake of the Coldplay Jumbotron scandal, workplace relationships — especially cheating and affairs — have been thrust into the spotlight. And everyone seems to have their own opinion on them, so we decided to ask a relationship psychologist for…

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Is CliftonStrengths Too "Nice" for Real Workplace Conflict?: with Tara Gronhovd 1:02:49

28d ago1:02:49

1:02:49

If you’ve ever wondered whether CliftonStrengths is just a feel-good tool that avoids hard conversations, this episode delivers a resounding—and nuanced—response. Coaches Sarah Collins and Bill Dippel are joined by Tara Gronhovd, leadership development expert and founder of the Shift Leadership Event, to explore how strengths-based work can actuall…

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Why Empathy, Trust, and Communication Are Every Leader’s Advantage in the Age of AI 43:35

27d ago43:35

43:35

Why are so many employees entering the workforce unsure of themselves, lacking confidence, and not quite ready to thrive? And with AI automating more tasks by the day, what should leaders actually be focusing on to future-proof their people? The world is flooded with information at the speed of light, yet starved of real connection and human skills…

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Why Empathy, Trust, and Communication Are Every Leader’s Advantage in the Age of AI 43:35

27d ago43:35

43:35

Why are so many employees entering the workforce unsure of themselves, lacking confidence, and not quite ready to thrive? And with AI automating more tasks by the day, what should leaders actually be focusing on to future-proof their people? The world is flooded with information at the speed of light, yet starved of real connection and human skills…

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Sparks: Want to Get and Retain Top Talent? You NEED to Watch This! 9:16

1M ago9:16

9:16

What if your employee perks are actually backfiring… making people disengage faster, not stay longer? The way we attract and retain talent is overdue for a serious reset. In today's Leadership Spark, we dive into why the traditional employer-employee relationship is broken and what leaders must change to stay relevant. You’ll learn how outdated rec…

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Sparks: Want to Get and Retain Top Talent? You NEED to Watch This! 9:16

1M ago9:16

9:16

What if your employee perks are actually backfiring… making people disengage faster, not stay longer? The way we attract and retain talent is overdue for a serious reset. In today's Leadership Spark, we dive into why the traditional employer-employee relationship is broken and what leaders must change to stay relevant. You’ll learn how outdated rec…

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Brain Snack: How to Deal with Passive Aggressive People 6:07

1M ago6:07

6:07

Welcome to Brain Snacks: bite sized learning moments from We Are Human Leaders. In today’s brain snack, Amy Gallo shares with us her top tips for dealing with Passive Aggressive people, and what is really driving this behaviour. For more, check out the full conversation with Amy at the link here https://www.wearehumanleaders.com/podcast/working-wit…

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Can Competition Ruin the Culture: with Jessica Novich 1:00:08

1M ago1:00:08

1:00:08

Ever worked somewhere that felt like a leaderboard instead of a team? If you’ve ever felt tension around competitiveness at work—or wondered how some teams manage to make it energizing instead of exhausting—this episode is for you. In today’s conversation, Sarah and Bill welcome Jessica Novich, COO of Full Tilt Logistics, a fast-growing family-run …

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How to Stop Leading from Fear and Start Taking Radical Responsibility at Work 56:59

1M ago56:59

56:59

So much of what holds leaders back isn’t strategy or skill. It’s the invisible mindset traps we don’t even realize we’re stuck in. Most leadership challenges are created by unconscious patterns running the show beneath the surface. In this episode, we dig into what it really takes to break those patterns with Diana Chapman, executive coach and co-a…

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How to Stop Leading from Fear and Start Taking Radical Responsibility at Work 56:59

1M ago56:59

56:59

So much of what holds leaders back isn’t strategy or skill. It’s the invisible mindset traps we don’t even realize we’re stuck in. Most leadership challenges are created by unconscious patterns running the show beneath the surface. In this episode, we dig into what it really takes to break those patterns with Diana Chapman, executive coach and co-a…

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Sparks: The Employee Experience Equation: How Physical Space, Technology, and Culture Can Make or Break Teams 14:23

1M ago14:23

14:23

What if your office is making people miserable… and you don’t even see it? We now live in a world of hybrid work. The spaces we work in, the technology we use, and the culture we experience shape us more than we realize. If you’re still only focusing on tasks and performance while ignoring the environments that make or break engagement, you’re alre…

1
Sparks: The Employee Experience Equation: How Physical Space, Technology, and Culture Can Make or Break Teams 14:23

1M ago14:23

14:23

What if your office is making people miserable… and you don’t even see it? We now live in a world of hybrid work. The spaces we work in, the technology we use, and the culture we experience shape us more than we realize. If you’re still only focusing on tasks and performance while ignoring the environments that make or break engagement, you’re alre…

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AI And The Future Of Work with Atlassian Futurist Dom Price 56:32

1M ago56:32

56:32

How we work today, isn’t how we’ll work tomorrow. Here’s what a world-leading Work Futurist told us about AI and the future of work. In this conversation, We Are Human Leaders hosts Alexis Zahner and Sally Clarke discuss the profound changes in work culture brought about by the pandemic, the resurgence of old management practices, and the need for …

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Creative Collaboration with IDEO CEO Mike Peng (Replay) 37:20

1M ago37:20

37:20

In this conversation, IDEO CEO Mike Peng shares what it really takes to foster creative collaboration on teams. From designing for trust and tension to navigating ambiguity and divergent thinking, Mike offers a clear-eyed look at how leaders can create the conditions for breakthrough ideas. Originally aired on August 8, 2019, this episode is full o…

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Can Woo Be Annoying?: with Rachel Kagay 1:07:21

1M ago1:07:21

1:07:21

In this bold and hilarious episode, Sarah and Bill are joined by guest Rachel Kagay—a coach, speaker, and unapologetic Woo—to ask the question so many have wondered: Can Woo be annoying? Together, they dig into the reputation, realities, and power of the CliftonStrengths theme Woo (Winning Others Over). Rachel brings humor, heart, and hard-won wisd…

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The Leadership Mindset You Need in an AI-Driven World 55:55

1M ago55:55

55:55

AI is moving faster than any of us can keep up. Every week brings a new tool, every month a new disruption, and leaders everywhere are left scrambling to understand what this means for their people, their culture, and their future. In this episode, I sit down with Charlotte Eaton, Chief People Officer at Arm—the company powering almost every smartp…

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The Leadership Mindset You Need in an AI-Driven World 55:55

1M ago55:55

55:55

AI is moving faster than any of us can keep up. Every week brings a new tool, every month a new disruption, and leaders everywhere are left scrambling to understand what this means for their people, their culture, and their future. In this episode, I sit down with Charlotte Eaton, Chief People Officer at Arm—the company powering almost every smartp…

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Sparks: Be a Better Leader: Five Trends You Need to Embrace to Become Future Ready 8:05

1M ago8:05

8:05

The world of work is changing faster than ever! Globalization, mobility, millennials, technology, and new behaviors are transforming how we lead. In today's Leadership Spark episode, I break down these five trends reshaping work and reveal why they’re forcing every manager to become a better leader. I explore how these shifts are making traditional…

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Sparks: Be a Better Leader: Five Trends You Need to Embrace to Become Future Ready 8:05

1M ago8:05

8:05

The world of work is changing faster than ever! Globalization, mobility, millennials, technology, and new behaviors are transforming how we lead. In today's Leadership Spark episode, I break down these five trends reshaping work and reveal why they’re forcing every manager to become a better leader. I explore how these shifts are making traditional…

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Brain Snack: How to Truly Rest and Reset 6:34

2M ago6:34

6:34

Welcome to Brain Snacks: bite sized learning moments from We Are Human Leaders. In today’s brain snack, Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith shares with us the seven key types of rest we all need, and how rest is distinctly different from sleep. For more, check out the full conversation with Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith here https://www.wearehumanleaders.com/podcast…

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The Best Strength For Starting Something New?: with Natalie Becerra 1:03:11

2M ago1:03:11

1:03:11

What does it really take to start something new? In this lively and thoughtful episode, Sarah, Bill, and guest Natalie Becerra explore how different CliftonStrengths can help you move from idea to action—and why there’s no “best” strength, only the best one for you. Natalie opens up about her love of Ideation and Strategic, and how they create both…

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The Right Way to Handle Tough Conversations Without Losing Your Team 58:25

2M ago58:25

58:25

Most leaders avoid tough conversations out of fear—of seeming harsh, being misunderstood, or facing backlash. But the conversations we dodge are often the key to growth, accountability, and psychological safety. In this episode, Paul Falcone, bestselling author & former CHRO of Nickelodeon Animation, breaks down how leaders can approach tough conve…

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The Right Way to Handle Tough Conversations Without Losing Your Team 58:25

2M ago58:25

58:25

Most leaders avoid tough conversations out of fear—of seeming harsh, being misunderstood, or facing backlash. But the conversations we dodge are often the key to growth, accountability, and psychological safety. In this episode, Paul Falcone, bestselling author & former CHRO of Nickelodeon Animation, breaks down how leaders can approach tough conve…

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Sparks: Five Trends Reshaping the Future of Work: Why Challenging Convention is the New Normal 12:31

2M ago12:31

12:31

What can a world chess champion teach us about the future of work? More than you think. Just like Magnus Carlsen challenged convention to become the greatest player in history, leaders today need to rethink everything about how we work, lead, and build organizations. This episode explores why challenging convention is no longer optional. We unpack …

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Sparks: Five Trends Reshaping the Future of Work: Why Challenging Convention is the New Normal 12:31

2M ago12:31

12:31

What can a world chess champion teach us about the future of work? More than you think. Just like Magnus Carlsen challenged convention to become the greatest player in history, leaders today need to rethink everything about how we work, lead, and build organizations. This episode explores why challenging convention is no longer optional. We unpack …

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Storytelling for Change with a Former Disney Exec: Catherine Connors 36:25

2M ago36:25

36:25

What makes a story powerful enough to shift culture?In this episode of the Creative Confidence Podcast, Catherine Connors—former Head of Content at Disney Interactive and founder of storytelling consultancy StoryQuo—shares five key shifts that can help leaders use story as a tool for transformation.From rethinking traditional formats to embracing p…