20/09/2026
“Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.” - Sara Blakely
I came across this astute insight recently, and it immediately brought my mind back to the discussions at the recent BKCOB Future of Work conference.
In many workplaces today, there seems to be a general sense of uncertainty or unease when it comes to navigating new technologies like AI. For some, the rapid pace of change simply raises natural questions around how roles, day-to-day skills, and operational models might adapt over time. It is easy to look at the vast expanse of what we don’t yet understand about AI and feel intimidated.
Sara Blakely’s quote perfectly captures our current crossroads. Looking back at the conference discussions, a big takeaway for me was that without a legacy playbook for a technology like AI, we are completely free from conventional constraints. The individuals and organisations that will thrive in this new era are not those who claim to know everything, but those who lean into the unknown with curiosity. Our lack of familiarity allows us to ask unconventional questions; challenge outdated corporate structures and implement AI tools in ways that disrupt the status quo rather than just automate it.
The impact of AI will not be determined solely by the technology itself, but by our willingness to stay curious and do things differently. Instead of letting the unknown paralyse our strategies, we should view it as a blank canvas for human creativity and unique problem-solving.
For HR leaders, this is our moment to shine as true strategic business partners.
By leading the charge on workforce evolution, continuous learning, and change management, HR can directly translate technological uncertainty into human impact.
Are we letting the unknown intimidate our teams, or are we leveraging curiosity to build a completely new playbook?