Season 2 Ep.3 - When culture meets code
In this episode of EmpowerTech, host Iyari Cevallos sits down with Paul Woods, a seasoned advisor and author focused on the human side of digital transformation. Paul has spent over two decades helping leaders embrace technology not as a shiny object, but as a tool for amplifying people and culture.
From early research in socio-technical systems to building a multi-award-winning consultancy, Paul shares hard-won insights into why tech initiatives fail, how to truly embed AI in organisations, and what it takes to lead in this evolving digital era.
Highlights of this episode include:
🔹 Why most digital transformations flop - and what leaders often miss
🔹 The real meaning of “human-centric AI” (hint: it’s not about tools)
🔹 Why culture isn’t just an HR problem, it’s your operating system
🔹 How to build curiosity and self-learning into everyday leadership
🔹 The hidden risks of over-governing AI before understanding it
🔹 What role middle managers really play in AI-powered orgs
🔹 Practical ways to lead tech adoption without burning out your team
Paul also shares practical wisdom on how to grow your digital leadership reputation without needing to know all the answers, and why now is the time to start asking smarter, simpler questions.
Whether you’re a tech-curious leader, a transformation strategist, or simply navigating AI at work, this episode offers a refreshing, real-world lens on how to build organisations that are ready for the future, without losing the human core.