Uncertainty has become the norm at work. Markets shift. Culture is shaky. Roles change mid-stride. And yet, many organizations are still trying to plan for the future using old assumptions that no longer hold. In today’s environment, the question isn’t how to create stability — it’s how to build a talent strategy that can adapt when the ground keeps moving.
My special guest today is Steve Cadigan, and he’s simplifying how to build a talent strategy that thrives in uncertainty. Steve is known for challenging traditional workforce planning and helping leaders rethink how they attract, develop, and retain talent in a world where adaptability matters more than predictability.
Here’s how.
My special guest today is Steve Cadigan and he’s simplifying how to build a talent strategy that thrives in uncertainty.
We tackle and simplify all aspects of it, including:
- What a resilient talent strategy actually looks like today — and why agile, scenario-based thinking is replacing traditional workforce planning.
- Why stability is no longer the goal, and how leaders can build cultures where uncertainty becomes an advantage instead of a threat.
- Which “old world” recruiting and retention practices organizations should stop using immediately — and what should replace them.
- How leaders can help their people grow when roles and skill needs are changing faster than ever.
- …and ultimately, one piece of advice for HR and business leaders navigating the volatile talent market ahead.
Q: Are you ready to learn how to build a talent strategy that thrives in uncertainty? If yes, this one is for you.
It’s time to #DoTheThing!
<What’s catching my eye this week>
- 3 hours of (free) focus music for deep concentration - Quiet Quest - Study Music
- Hire Mary Baird to teach your senior leaders about creating a better employee experience for your workforce - The Simplifiers
- 50 powerful questions to help you reflect - The Institute of You
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My challenge for you this week:
How are you going to take what you’ve learned in today’s episode and take action by building a talent strategy that thrives in uncertainty? What’s one thing you’ll do differently? Share it with me, privately or publicly. Snap a photo of you doing the thing, and send me a DM over on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thesimplifiers) for added accountability and support!
Links, books and apps mentioned:
Resource: Find Steve Cadigan on LinkedIn - click here
Resource: The State of AI: Agents, Innovation, and Transformation (Nov 2025) - McKinsey & Company
Book: Workquake: Embracing the Aftershocks of COVID-19 to Create a Better Model of Working - Steve Cadigan
Book: Conscious Business: How to Build Value Through Values - Fred Kofman
Podcast: 2026 Graduates Face the Worst Job Market in 5 Years - WSJ Podcasts
Podcast: How to practice empathy without burning out, featuring Joseph Cope - The Simplifiers Podcast
Podcast: How to be a better leader (guided visualization) - The Simplifiers Podcast
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About Steve Cadigan:
Steve Cadigan - He is a globally renowned talent strategist and advisor, sought after by leaders and organizations around the world. His client roster includes innovative organizations such as Airbnb, Salesforce, the Country Music Association, Manchester United Football Club, the BBC, and the City of Lisbon Portugal. Additionally, Steve is frequently retained by top VC firms and top consulting firms like Deloitte and McKinsey for his expertise.
A dynamic speaker and educator, Steve presents at global conferences and teaches at leading universities. Before founding his firm in 2013, Steve spent over 25 years as an HR executive at industry-leading companies like Cisco Systems and Electronic Arts. His career culminated in his role as LinkedIn’s first Chief Human Resources Officer, where he helped grow the company from a private startup of 400 employees to a public powerhouse. His pioneering work in shaping LinkedIn’s culture inspired Stanford University to create a graduate-level class based on his strategies.
Throughout his career, the teams and cultures Steve has built have been recognized as world-class performers by The Wall Street Journal and Fortune Magazine. He has also been named one of the Top 100 Global Thought Leaders in People and Talent annually since 2021.
In 2021, Steve released his acclaimed book Workquake, which explores the future of work and became an Amazon “Hot New Release” upon publication. Today, he serves on the boards of three companies and advises several forward-thinking organizations.
Where Steve hangs out online:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cadigan
Website: https://stevecadigan.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stevecadigan
Podcast: Workquake Weekly
Steve’s vote for the perfect guest on The Simplifiers Podcast:
Ntua Edia - She is Chief of Staff to the CEO of an HR-fintech startup called Fixa, focused on digitizing financial services for the informal sector. At the intersection of people and performance, they bring teams together, align efforts, and create environments where individuals can thrive while solving problems that move economies forward.
In their role, they partner closely with leaders to drive results through people—coaching, mediating, and building the operational foundations that help teams see their value, stay accountable, and create meaningful impact. Passionate about economic inclusion, they remain deeply connected to the creative industry, with a mission to mobilize capital and help develop it into the powerful economic force it can be.
