Torch CEO Heather Conklin - Why Human Leadership Matters More in the AI Era

Heather Conklin, CEO of Torch, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on leadership, coaching, AI, personal growth, and what it takes to lead effectively during times of rapid change.

Torch helps organizations develop leaders through a combination of human coaching, AI-powered coaching, and leadership development programs designed to align leadership behavior with business outcomes. As AI transforms nearly every industry, Heather believes leadership is becoming more important—not less.

In this episode, Heather explains why leadership isn't a title, why organizations are facing a leadership deficit, and why the most valuable skills in the AI era may be the deeply human ones.
The conversation also explores self-awareness, coaching, organizational culture, leadership development, and the balance between performance and empathy.

00:00:00 - Introduction and Overview of Torch
00:01:02 - Integrating AI into Leadership Coaching
00:02:31 - Defining Leadership
00:04:28 - Common Traits of Effective Leaders
00:06:17 - The Role of AI in Modern Leadership
00:07:07 - The Necessity of Leadership in the AI Era
00:10:04 - Challenges in Developing Great Leaders
00:12:12 - Personal Leadership and Self-Management
00:14:20 - A Day in the Life of Heather
00:16:33 - Building and Growing a Coaching Business
00:20:00 - Becoming a Coach at Torch
00:21:51 - Reading Recommendations
00:23:49 - The Importance of Giving and Taking Chances
00:25:37 - Conclusion and Gratitude

If you're interested in leadership, AI, management, personal growth, company culture, or developing high-performing teams, this conversation offers valuable insights into the future of leadership.

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