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Built with insights from behavioral scientists worldwide. Practical learning for leaders responsible for communication and trust
In this episode of The Piar Podcast, host Tan Sukhera sits down with Mike Klein—founder of #WeLeadComms, editor-in-chief of Strategic Magazine, and IABC Fellow—to explore what he calls "the big shift" and why the next six months matter more than the next three years. Mike delivers a stark warning: AI isn't just automating tasks, it's accelerating decision speed across entire organizations, and most business cultures built for escalation rather than decision are about to experience internal combustion. The conversation unpacks a converging talent crisis—AI automation, white-collar layoffs at profitable companies, and Gen Z locked out by hiring freezes—that's shattered the old loyalty-for-security social contract. Mike offers hard truths about why internal comms functions trapped under HR or marketing struggle for strategic relevance, why traditional training investments are stalling, and why the real skill-building now means understanding adjacent fields like sales, strategy, and how the business actually makes money. His central thesis: when AI handles 60-80% of execution and every competitor uses similar tools, the sole source of differentiation becomes decision fluency and the compelling nature of an organization's story—and no function is better positioned to deliver that than communications.
Mike Klein has been a cutting edge thinker, researcher and consultant in the internal communication space, as well as being one of the leading community builders in the field. He's the founder of the global #WeLeadComms recognition program. He's editor in chief of Strategic Magazine and an IAPC fellow. He holds an MBA from London Business School and has worked with large private and public enterprises in seven countries on their culture and communication challenges.
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Tan Sukhera is a media & technology savvy serial entrepreneur, who's founded multiple Agencies, Consultancies & Event Series in the Middle East, South Africa & North America. A Canadian with a Marketing Communications background, who's previously served as a TV News Anchor. Tan's specialization is in Measurement & Evaluation of Communication, and is a former executive from global data partners Cision & Meltwater. Currently, he serves as CEO & Co-Founder of Piar, as well as Founder of Social Podium. Tan has worked with some of the largest, iconic & deeply beloved global brands across Food, Automotive, Telecommunications, Financial Services, and more. He's interviewed, advised, and collaborated with countless C-suite executives, business leaders, social media, marketing, public relations & communications professionals around the globe.
