ExecutiveEDGE Podcast

AI isn’t just accelerating work—it’s reshaping leadership. In this episode of ExecutiveEDGE, Jess Mann speaks with AI futurist Lucas Root, PhD about the rise of the “Super Manager” and why executives must evolve from decision-makers to systems architects in an AI-powered world.
We also share practical resilience strategies to help leaders start 2026 strong, avoid burnout, and protect their energy, focus, and performance in a high-pressure environment.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What the “Super Manager” is and why leadership is shifting
How AI changes authority, expertise, and decision-making speed
Why curiosity and collaboration are emerging leadership advantages
Simple resilience tactics to prevent burnout and sustain momentum
Episode ResourcesThe Rise of the Supermanager: Redefining Leadership in the AI Erahttps://www.executive.endeavoredge.com/strategy/article/55343292/executive-role-recalibration-in-the-ai-era-the-rise-of-the-supermanager?utm_source=ExecutiveEDGE+NL&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS260113136&o_eid=1789B5875812D4V&rdx.ident[pull]=omeda|1789B5875812D4V&oly_enc_id=1789B5875812D4V Building Resilience: How Leaders Can Overcome Burnout and Achieve Goals in 2026https://www.executive.endeavoredge.com/strategy/article/55343287/how-to-avoid-feeling-shot-out-of-a-cannon-in-the-new-year?utm_source=ExecutiveEDGE+NL&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS260113136&o_eid=1789B5875812D4V&rdx.ident[pull]=omeda|1789B5875812D4V&oly_enc_id=1789B5875812D4V 
Subscribe to the ExecutiveEdgehttps://www.executive.endeavoredge.com/subscribeFollow the ExecutiveEdgeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/executive-edge-endeavorb2b/?viewAsMember=trueFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581825235566X: https://x.com/ExecEdgeB2Bhttps://www.tech.endeavoredge.com/strategy/article/55337030/balancing-legacy-and-innovation-the-budget-battleground-in-it-planning 

As leaders kick off 2026, return-to-office mandates are back in the spotlight—but the real issue isn’t location. In this episode of ExecutiveEDGE, we explore what workplace policies reveal about trust, transparency, and company culture.
We also break down how Avnet is scaling AI responsibly through a governance-first approach—improving supply chain visibility, forecasting accuracy, and resilience while keeping people at the center of transformation.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What workforce data says about remote and hybrid work
Why return-to-office mandates often test culture more than productivity
How governance enables AI to scale beyond pilots
Why training and change management drive AI ROI
Resources: Hybrid, Remote and RTO: Framing the Workspace Debate for ’26https://www.executive.endeavoredge.com/workforce/article/55339163/hybrid-remote-and-rto-framing-the-workspace-debate-for-26?utm_source=ExecutiveEDGE+NL&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS260107189&o_eid=1789B5875812D4V&rdx.ident[pull]=omeda|1789B5875812D4V&oly_enc_id=1789B5875812D4V Case Study: Inside Avnet’s AI Playbook — Governance-First Innovation in a Global Supply Chainhttps://www.tech.endeavoredge.com/innovation/article/55339788/case-study-inside-avnets-ai-playbook-governance-first-innovation-in-a-global-supply-chain?utm_source=TechEDGE+NL&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS251230122&o_eid=1789B5875812D4V&rdx.ident[pull]=omeda|1789B5875812D4V&oly_enc_id=1789B5875812D4V Subscribe to the ExecutiveEdgehttps://www.executive.endeavoredge.com/subscribeFollow the ExecutiveEdgeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/executive-edge-endeavorb2b/?viewAsMember=trueFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581825235566X: https://x.com/ExecEdgeB2B

Resilience isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a measurable driver of profitability. In this episode of ExecutiveEDGE, we explore why leaders must elevate resilience from reactive cost-cutting to a core strategic capability tied directly to performance.
We also examine the growing budget battleground in IT, breaking down how executives can modernize legacy systems, scale AI responsibly, and prioritize investments without expanding budgets.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why resilience should be treated as a profit-linked strategy
How cross-training and preparedness improve performance
Where leaders are investing to strengthen resilience
How to balance legacy systems with innovation
A clearer framework for prioritizing IT spend
Episode Resources
Ramping Resilience Into a Strategic Pillarhttps://www.executive.endeavoredge.com/strategy/article/55338181/ramping-resilience-into-a-strategic-pillarBalancing Legacy and Innovation: The Budget Battleground in IT Planninghttps://www.tech.endeavoredge.com/strategy/article/55337030/balancing-legacy-and-innovation-the-budget-battleground-in-it-planning
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With M&A activity picking up, this episode of ExecutiveEDGE explores how business owners can prepare for a smoother exit and avoid common pitfalls in the sale process. We also break down why customer loyalty has become a board-level growth signal—and how leaders should track it alongside revenue, risk, and performance. Subscribe to ExecutiveEDGE for insights that help you move first and move right.
 
Episode Resources
Looking to Exit? How to Smooth Out the Sale Processhttps://www.executive.endeavoredge.com/strategy/article/55337532/looking-to-exit-how-to-smooth-out-…
Customer Loyalty Just Got a Board Seathttps://www.executive.endeavoredge.com/strategy/article/55338832/customer-loyalty-just-got-a-board-…
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Mergers and acquisitions are officially heating up again—and the playbook has changed. In this episode of The Executive Edge, we break down why U.S. deal value is on track to surpass $2 trillion in 2025, what’s driving fierce buyer competition, and how leaders can position their businesses as top-tier acquisition targets. We also explore the renewed relevance of case studies in a fast-moving, AI-driven business landscape, revealing why this classic storytelling tool is becoming a strategic advantage for executives.
Episode Resources 
M&A is Back. What to Know About Joining the Hunt
https://www.executive.endeavoredge.com/strategy/article/55336517/ma-is-back-what-to-know-about-join…
Are Case Studies Worth the Effort?
https://www.executive.endeavoredge.com/strategy/article/55337371/are-case-studies-worth-the-effort?…
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On this episode of the ExecutiveEdge we unpack the latest ExecutiveEdge Newsletter, diving into how many organizations have started booking real gains from their work with the technology, sharing how a few critical priorities can help your team book similar successes. We also cover how revenue operations aligns marketing, sales, and customer success around a single, measurable system to turn scattered data into coordinated actions that drive revenue growth and retention.
 
Episode Resource (Breaking Down Silos: RevOps Reinvents Marketing/Sales Dynamic to Accelerate Growth) https://www.marketing.endeavoredge.com/strategy/article/55329996/breaking-down-silos-revops-reinven…
 
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On this episode of the ExecutiveEdge we unpack the latest ExecutiveEdge Newsletter, highlighting insights from Lauren Saidel-Baker of ITR for 2026 planning through an economic lens. We also dive into how amid inflation, tech shifts and global tension, scenario planning can help leaders navigate uncertainty, sharing tips on how to scenario plan to make an impact in your company! 
 
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Welcome to The ExecutiveEDGE Podcast — your inside track to the intelligence that powers strategic business decisions. Backed by North America’s largest B2B newsroom, we deliver precision-crafted analysis to help you see around corners and lead with confidence. Each episode cuts through the noise with actionable insights in Strategy, Market Outlook, Technology, Workforce, and Risk — giving you the clarity to move first and move right. Subscribe today and join the ranks of executives shaping the future of business with clarity and confidence.https://www.executive.endeavoredge.com/