On the Workestration podcast, hosts Stela Lupushor and Donnas Scarola speak with Jeff Schwartz (VP at Gloat, author of “Work Disrupted” and “Workforce Ecosystems,” and Columbia Business School professor) about navigating the future of work in 2026 as AI accelerates. Schwartz argues leaders need “new maps” to move beyond old either/or frames (human vs. machine, employee vs. contractor) and focus on integrated automation and augmentation, super teams, and work orchestration. The conversation explores the shift from pilots to enterprise AI, the need to redesign work around outcomes rather than optimize existing processes, and the idea of “renaissance” roles enabled by AI (illustrated with radiology). Schwartz highlights Deloitte data that 84% of companies haven’t started redesigning work, emphasizes workforce ecosystems that include employees, contractors, and technology, and discusses evolving expectations for HR and managers as designers, coaches, and navigators, alongside concerns about individual adaptation, organizational speed, and public policy transition nets.
00:00 Welcome to Workestration
00:39 Meet Jeff Schwartz
02:10 New Maps for Work
06:23 Beyond AI vs Human
09:34 From Pilots to Redesign
14:35 Rethinking Jobs and Careers
24:08 Beyond Work Disrupted
29:28 Renaissance Work Example
33:14 Reimagining HR for 2030
42:55 Workforce Ecosystems Shift
45:03 What Keeps Jeff Up
47:58 HR as Navigators
50:08 Closing and Part Two
You can contact Jeff at:
Email: jeff.s@gloat.com; jls2387@columbia.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-schwartz-future-of-work-disrupted/
Websites: gloat.com; https://www.fowdisrupted.com/; https://business.columbia.edu/faculty/people/jeffrey-schwartz