The Conversation Megan Starkey
Mini-Series: AI at Work
In this week’s episode of the AI at Work mini-series, Angela is joined by Megan Starkey—strategic advisor, founder of RBD, and author of *The Intelligent Organization*. Their conversation dives deep into the people side of AI, the structural side of AI, and why companies struggle to unlock value even when the technology is ready.
Megan explains the difference between AI adoption (individual skills and productivity) and true organizational transformation (workflows, processes, decision rights, and culture). She also breaks down why adaptability—not technical expertise—is now the defining skill for modern leaders.
If your team is feeling the pressure to “catch up,” this conversation will help reset expectations, clarify priorities, and highlight what actually moves companies forward.
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How Modern Organizations Actually Transform with AI: Insights from Megan Starkey
The pace of change in AI has pushed companies into a new era—one where success is no longer determined by who has the best tools, but by who can adapt, reorganize, and rethink how work gets done. In this episode of the AI at Work mini-series, Angela sits down with Megan Starkey, founder of RBD and author of The Intelligent Organization, to explore what real AI transformation requires.
The Two Tracks: Adoption vs. Transformation
Megan draws a sharp distinction between two concepts often blurred together:
- AI adoption is about individuals learning tools and increasing personal productivity.
- AI transformation is about reshaping an organization’s structure, workflows, communication patterns, and decision-making models.
Adoption raises the floor. Transformation raises the ceiling.
Why Old Organizational Models Don’t Fit the AI Era
Many companies still operate using structures inherited from mid–20th century corporate design—rigid hierarchies, siloed decision making, and strict territory ownership. But AI requires something else entirely: fluid intelligence flows, shared knowledge, cross-functional problem solving, and rapid iteration.
Megan argues that AI transformation means designing organizations more like living systems—interconnected, adaptive, and synchronized.
The Human Side: Behavior Change, Mindset, and Adaptability
Tools matter, but people determine whether AI succeeds.
Megan has seen firsthand that:
- Resistance often comes from time pressure, not fear.
- Some employees are curious and motivated but gate-blocked by lack of access or data.
- Others are cautious because of ethical concerns and safety, not a lack of skill.
- Leaders often feel behind but hesitate to admit it.
The unlock is treating employees as individuals or personas, not one-size-fits-all adopters—and building change strategies around their motivations and concerns.
Culture Shift: From Know-It-All to Learn-It-All
A standout theme in the conversation is the culture shift required for AI to really work inside an organization.
- Knowledge hoarding slows transformation.
- Knowledge sharing accelerates it.
- Leaders must model curiosity, not perfection.
Megan highlights the move from a “know-it-all” culture to a “learn-it-all” culture. In a fast-moving AI landscape, the organizations that win won’t be the ones who claim to have all the answers, but the ones who are willing to keep asking better questions.
Defining Real Organizational Value
AI can drive value in many forms, and Megan encourages leaders to define value before defining tools. That value might show up as:
- Increased throughput in marketing or operations
- Early detection and intervention in healthcare settings
- More personalized, context-aware customer experiences
- Faster, more confident decision-making
- Individual productivity gains across roles
The key is to align AI efforts with strategic priorities instead of chasing the latest tool or trend.
The Skill That Will Define the Next Era: Adaptability
Megan’s upcoming book explores how adaptability—not just IQ or EQ—is becoming the strongest predictor of success. She points to a growing body of thinking that flexible, adaptable people are best positioned to thrive as AI reshapes industries, roles, and expectations.
In a world where information is abundant and models are getting smarter, the differentiator isn’t who knows the most—it’s who can learn, unlearn, and relearn the fastest.
Final Thoughts
This episode is packed with grounded, strategic insight for leaders who want more than hype—they want a path forward. It reinforces a crucial truth: AI transformation is not a purely technical project. It’s an organizational redesign powered by people, clarity, and adaptability.
To explore more conversations like this, visit modelmind.ai.