A new series from Douglas Ferguson on the real organizational challenges of AI adoption — premiering May 26th
“AI just made execution almost free. So why are most organizations still stuck? Because the hard part was never building the thing. It’s getting two hundred people to agree on what to build, how to govern it, and who’s responsible when it breaks. That’s the new friction.” — Douglas Ferguson
Something has been bothering me for the past year. Every organization I work with is adopting AI. The tools are getting better, the pilots are expanding, the budgets are growing. But most of them are stuck. Not because the technology doesn’t work. Because the people problems got harder.
When execution becomes almost free, every other friction in the organization gets amplified. Decision-making friction. Governance friction. Trust friction. The friction of getting two hundred people to move in the same direction when the ground keeps shifting under them
This episode is part of the Facilitation Lab Podcast. See all episodes
That’s what I’ve been calling the new friction. And it’s what our new podcast is about. New Friction is a series of conversations with leaders who are living this right now. Not thought leaders theorizing from the sidelines. Practitioners who hit the wall and built something on the other side of it. Each episode, I sit down with someone navigating the real organizational challenges of AI transformation. We talk about what broke, what they tried, and what actually worked. What we’ll be exploring
The bottleneck that moved from building to deciding
The 4x perception gap between leaders and the workforce on whether AI is delivering value
The shift from individual “AI wizards” to multiplayer organizations
The slow erosion of how the next generation of professionals learns judgment
These aren’t hypothetical problems. They’re the conversations I’ve been having with leaders at some of the most ambitious organizations in the world at our executive dinners, in our consulting work, and in late-night strategy sessions. I’ve been capturing them. And now I’m turning them into something you can listen to.
Episode 1 drops May 26th. You’ll be able to find it wherever you listen to podcasts, and on our YouTube channel. Subscribe now so you don’t miss it.
In this episode of the Facilitation Lab podcast, host Douglas Ferguson interviews Erin Warner, founder of Head + Heart Coaching and Facilitation. Erin shares her journey from traditional leadership training to interactive facilitation, emphasizing the power of peer learning, rituals, and the “flow channel” for team engagement. She discusses authentic facilitation, embodied practices, and her holistic “3D wellness” approach. Erin also explores how words and self-talk shape reality, encouraging leaders to foster connection, courage, and creativity. The episode highlights facilitation as a transformative tool for personal and collective growth in organizations and beyond.
In this episode of the Facilitation Lab Podcast, host Douglas Ferguson interviews Renita Joyce Smith, CEO of Leap Forward Coaching and Consulting. Renita shares her journey into facilitation, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, humor, and humanity in meetings. She discusses how facilitation bridges structure and human connection, offers practical techniques for engagement, and highlights the transformative impact of skilled facilitation on organizational culture. Renita also explores the role of technology, the value of adaptability, and the need to prioritize human connection in the workplace, leaving listeners inspired to lead with empathy and authenticity.
In this episode of the Facilitation Lab podcast, host Douglas Ferguson interviews Sophie Bujold of Cliqueworthy. Sophie shares how her early experiences in MIRC chat rooms shaped her approach to building human-centered, connected communities. They discuss the importance of trust, generosity, and adaptability in online spaces, as well as Sophie’s journey from digital explorer to expert facilitator. Sophie reflects on lessons learned, balancing structure with emergent conversations, and her impact on social causes, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The episode highlights the enduring power of technology and facilitation to foster authentic connection and belonging.
