Dr. Anna Tavis on Rethinking Humans at Work in an Era of AI and Digital Coaching

Shownotes For Podcast Episode 30: Dr. Anna Tavis on Rethinking Humans at Work in an Era of AI and Digital Coaching

In this episode of the Health and Wellness Coach Journal Podcast, Dr. Jessica Singh is joined by Dr. Anna Tavis, Clinical Professor and Chair of the Human Capital Management Department at NYU. She is the Director of NYU Coaching Innovation Lab and the host of NYU Coaching & Tech Summit. Dr. Tavis is the co-author of Humans at Work and The Digital Coaching Revolution. Prior to joining the NYU faculty, Dr. Tavis navigated a diverse global career in business, consulting and academia. In business, Dr. Tavis was the Head of Motorola’s EMEA OD function based in London, Nokia’s Global Head of Talent
Management based in Helsinki, United Technologies Corporation’s Chief Learning Officer, and the Global Head of Talent and Organizational Development with AIG Investments. In academia, Dr. Tavis was on the faculty at Columbia University, Williams College, and Fairfield University. A leading voice in the future of work, Dr. Tavis brings a unique perspective that bridges organizational science, human behavior, and the rapid evolution of technology.

Dr. Anna Tavis’ Professional Journey: Advancing the Science of Humans at Work

Dr. Anna Tavis’ work has been guided by a central question: what does it mean to be human at work? Through a global career spanning business, consulting, and academia, she has explored how individuals relate to their work, to each other, and to the systems they operate within. Her experience has shaped a perspective that blends organizational science with a deep understanding of human behavior, creating a foundation for rethinking how we design and experience work today.

Humans at Work: Reimagining Organizations in the Age of AI

As artificial intelligence continues to transform the workplace, organizations are being challenged to rethink their structures and priorities. Rather than focusing solely on efficiency and automation, there is an opportunity to design systems that better reflect human complexity. Dr. Tavis highlights how this moment represents not just disruption, but a chance to redefine the role of humans within organizations and to bring greater meaning and intention into the way we work.

Reimagining Organizations Beyond Efficiency: The Human Side of Work

For decades, many organizations have been built on models that prioritize productivity and standardization. While effective in some ways, these approaches often overlook the human experience. Dr. Tavis explains that as technology takes over more structured tasks, the importance of human qualities such as creativity, judgment, and connection becomes even more significant. This shift invites organizations to move beyond efficiency and toward more adaptive and human-centered ways of operating.

Empathy in the Workplace and Coaching’s Role in Strengthening Organizational Culture

Empathy is emerging as a critical component of the future of work. In environments where individuals feel seen, understood, and supported, collaboration and well-being naturally improve. Coaching plays an important role in fostering this environment by creating space for reflection, connection, and growth. By bridging the gap between individuals and organizational systems, coaching helps build cultures that are both supportive and sustainable.

The Digital Coaching Revolution: Technology and the Rapid Evolution of Coaching

The rise of digital platforms and AI-supported tools is transforming how coaching is delivered. What was once limited to individual engagements is now becoming accessible at scale, allowing organizations to support employees more broadly. This evolution expands the reach of coaching while also raising important questions about maintaining presence, ethics, and human connection in a technology-driven environment.

Coaching Innovation, Technology, and the Future of Health & Wellbeing Coaching

As coaching continues to evolve, there is a growing opportunity to integrate it more deeply into organizational systems. Dr. Tavis highlights the importance of combining technology with human insight to create more personalized and effective support. For health and wellbeing coaches, this presents a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the future of work by helping individuals navigate change while maintaining balance and well-being.

Takeaways

The central message of this conversation is that the future of work is deeply human. As technology continues to advance, the need for empathy, connection, and self-awareness becomes even more important. Coaching offers a powerful way to support individuals and organizations through this transition, reminding us that growth and transformation are always possible when we stay open, curious, and grounded in what matters most.

 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annatavis

Bio:

Dr. Anna Tavis is Clinical Professor and Chair of the Human Capital Management Department at NYU’s School of Professional Studies. She is the Director of NYU Coaching Innovation Lab and the host of NYU Coaching & Tech Summit. Dr. Tavis has been named to Thinkers50 Radar in 2020 and to top 100 Global Influencers in People Analytics in 2023, 2024, 2025. Dr. Tavis is the co-author of Humans at Work. The art and practice of creating the hybrid workplace. (Kogan Page, 2022) and The Digital Coaching Revolution (Kogan Page, 2024).

Prior to joining the NYU faculty, Dr. Tavis navigated a diverse global career in business, consulting and academia. In business, Dr. Tavis was the Head of Motorola’s EMEA OD function based in London, Nokia’s Global Head of Talent Management based in Helsinki, United Technologies Corporation’s Chief Learning Officer, and the Global Head of Talent and Organizational Development with AIG Investments. In academia, Dr. Tavis was on the faculty at Columbia University, Williams College, and Fairfield University.

Two of Dr. Tavis’ Harvard Business Review articles in collaboration with Dr. Peter Cappelli: “HR Goes Agile” (2018) and “The Performance Management Revolution” (2016) were published in HBR’s “Must Reads” (2016 & 2018), and “Definitive Management Ideas of the Year” (2016 and 2018) and in “Agile: The Insights You Need from Harvard Business Review” (2020).

Dr. Tavis is a frequent presenter at international conferences on the topics of Future of Work; People Analytics and Technology; Employee Experience; and Intelligent Automation in the Workplace. She is a Senior Fellow with the Conference Board and is the Academic in Residence with Executive Networks. She is the former Executive Editor of People+Strategy Journal, a publication of SHRM’s Executive Network and she is currently an Associate Editor of Workforce Solutions Review, a publication of the International Association for Human Resource Information Management and The Journal of Total Rewards, a publication of WorldatWork.

Timestamps:

0 - Introduction

2:26 - Dr. Anna Tavis’ Professional Journey: Advancing the Science of Humans at Work

7:51 - Humans at Work: Reimagining Organizations in the Age of AI

10:38 - Reimagining Organizations Beyond Efficiency: The Human Side of Work

15:42 - Empathy in the Workplace and Coaching’s Role in Strengthening Organizational Culture

21:32 - The Digital Coaching Revolution: Technology and the Rapid Evolution of Coaching

25:21 - Coaching Innovation, Technology, and the Future of Health & Wellbeing Coaching

33:29 - Takeaways