A former CEO, board chair, and one-time pro athlete walks us through the messy, human side of leading during disruption—and why the best decisions are both fast and empathetic. Jorge Titinger joins Rachel to unpack how careers that zigzag can sharpen judgment, how inclusion outperforms diversity alone, and why he calls AI “augmented intelligence” because its highest purpose is to remove friction while preserving human connection.

We start with the hard truth leaders face in tech-driven change: perfect information never arrives. Jorge shares a practical playbook for decisive action—gather enough signal, choose quickly, then pivot faster than pride if the data proves you wrong. He pairs speed with values and a clear North Star so teams know not just what to do, but why. From there, we go deep on DEI. Drawing on research, executive interviews, and lived experience, Jorge explains why belonging is the mechanism that turns different perspectives into better performance. Diversity opens the door; inclusion makes the room productive. The ROI is real—and measurable—when hiring, promotions, meeting norms, and language get redesigned into the company’s operating system.

Then we tackle AI through a leader’s lens. The pattern of every major tech shift is repeating—fear first, empowerment later—but this time the pace is ferocious. Jorge reframes AI as human assist: automate the repetitive, elevate the creative, and let judgment, mentorship, and culture do what machines cannot. We talk concrete ways to weave AI into workflows, from summarizing research to first-draft generation, paired with governance that protects quality and trust. The big takeaway: adapt early and stay human. Organizations that combine decisive leadership, inclusive culture, and practical AI fluency will outrun the hype and compound advantage.

If this conversation sparked an idea—or pushed you to try something new—follow the show, share it with a teammate, and leave a quick review. Your feedback helps us bring more smart, human conversations to your feed.

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Ever wonder what sets truly successful MarTech professionals apart from the crowd? In our conversation with Adam Otey, VP of Growth at Huge, we uncover a refreshing perspective that might surprise you – it's not just about technical expertise or AI proficiency, but the authentic human connections you build along the way.

Adam brings infectious energy and deep industry knowledge as he introduces us to the concept of RQ (Relational Quotient) – the measure of one's ability to create meaningful professional relationships. "Clients don't buy services anymore," Adam explains. "They buy into trustworthy relationships." This philosophy has propelled his career forward and inspired his recent talk at NYU, where he shared the crucial distinction between networking and connecting with business students.

The conversation takes a powerful turn when Adam discusses how authenticity has been his superpower as a Black man in the industry. Rather than conforming to expectations, he credits his success to bringing his genuine self into every room and every interaction. For listeners from underrepresented backgrounds, his message is clear: your unique perspective is valuable, and your internal limitations often present greater barriers than external ones.

We also explore fascinating technological innovations as Adam breaks down "Intelligent Twins" – Huge's groundbreaking approach that uses AI to simulate customer behavior and test digital experiences without risking actual user interactions. Imagine testing thousands of app configurations and immediately predicting outcomes before implementing changes – this is the future of digital experience optimization.

Whether you're focused on career advancement, building more meaningful professional relationships, or understanding cutting-edge MarTech innovations, this episode delivers actionable insights wrapped in authentic conversation. Subscribe now and join us next week for our season finale!

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In this episode of That Martech Girl, host Rachel Gray explores what today’s leaders can learn from companies that survived major economic disruptions, and how to apply those lessons to the AI revolution. From the dot-com crash to COVID-19, businesses like Amazon and Costco thrived through clear strategy, focus, adaptability, and culture, while others like Kodak and Blockbuster failed to pivot.

Discover how to build a winning AI strategy, avoid common mistakes, and create long-term resilience in a time of rapid technological change. Perfect for marketers, business leaders, and innovators navigating digital transformation.

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