Is work becoming too much? Between the chaos of AI-generated content, the pressure of constant digital demands, and outdated workplace models, something’s got to give.

In this episode of Sticky From The Inside, Andy Goram speaks with Brent Kedzierski, workplace futurist and former Head of Global Learning Strategy at Shell, to explore how we can build more human-centred organisations in the age of AI. Brent introduces powerful concepts like work density and work intensity, exposing why today’s work environments leave so many people overwhelmed—and how we can fix that. He challenges legacy industrial thinking, highlights the generational misalignments at play, and makes the case for designing work that supports cognitive clarity, emotional fulfilment, and real human value.

If you're a leader grappling with AI overload, generational tensions, or rising burnout, this conversation offers both a wake-up call and a hopeful way forward.

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Key Takeaways

• Too Much Work, Not Enough Meaning - AI and outdated systems are overwhelming employees and draining purpose from work.
• Rethinking Work: Density vs. Intensity - True engagement requires both clarity in the work and emotional connection to it.
• Gen Z Wants Purpose, Not Just Promotion - Younger workers seek meaning and growth, not just a climb up the corporate ladder.
• Design With Humans, Not Just for Them - Organisations must shift from control to co-creation to build healthier, more fulfilling work.

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Key Moments

The key moments in this episode are:

0:00:10 – Are We Making Work Too Intense?
0:03:48 – Meet Brent Kedzierski: From Steel Mills to Shell to Shaping the Future of Work
0:07:03 – A Crash Course in the Five Industrial Revolutions
0:13:32 – The AI Explosion: Autocatalytic Data and Algorithmic Drift
0:17:36 – Work Density and Intensity: Fixing the Chaos of Modern Work
0:22:45 – Generational Disconnect: Gen Z vs. Old-School Work Thinking
0:30:47 – The Four Human Truths of Meaningful Work
0:35:16 – Designing Work That Feeds the Brain, Not Just the Bottom Line
0:39:33 – Sticky Notes: Brent’s Top 3 Takeaways for Thriving in Industry 5.0
0:42:39 – Wrapping Up: What’s Next for Leaders and Organisations

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Get the full transcript of the episode here