Melody Wilding is the Author of Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge. In this episode, Melody and Al explore why managing up is not about pleasing your boss, but about creating the clarity, influence, and support you need to do your best work. She shares practical strategies for navigating workplace relationships, aligning priorities, setting boundaries, building visibility, and taking ownership without overstepping.

Links

• Melody’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melodywilding/
• Melody’s Website: https://melodywilding.com/
• Melody’s Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/psychology-at-work-career-success-leadership-communication/id1762458121
• Managing Up: https://www.amazon.com/Managing-Up-What-People-Charge-ebook/dp/B0CXLSH6Y6/

Dr. Jerry Kane is a Professor at the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia. In this episode, Jerry joins The Edge of Work Podcast to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping work, learning, and leadership faster than most organizations can keep up.

Drawing on his work with students and executives, he shares why artificial intelligence is less about technology and more about building an entrepreneurial mindset that helps people experiment, adapt, and create value. Jerry also explains how organizations can move beyond fear and hype to build real AI fluency, why human skills will become even more valuable as automation grows, and what leaders can do now to help their teams prepare for what comes next.

Links

• Dr. Kane’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geraldckane/
• Article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ai-take-jobs-question-misses-whats-actually-happening-gerald-kane-bssce/?trackingId=Ychj1h8FRAGHafoDDSbv4w%3D%3D

Charlene Li is the Author of Winning with AI: The 90-Day Blueprint for Success. In this episode, Charlene joins Al to break down what it really takes for organizations to move beyond AI experimentation and start creating real business value. She explains why companies should stop thinking about AI as a separate strategy and instead use it to strengthen their existing business goals. Charlene also shares practical advice on building AI fluency across teams, avoiding common adoption traps, and helping leaders guide their organizations through change.

Links

• Charlene’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleneli/
• Charlene’s Book: https://winningwithaibook.com/