Course Outline
Module 1: The Human Response to AI - From Resistance to Relevance
We examine the emotional and behavioral reactions employees experience during rapid technological shifts—moving from fear, denial, and dependence toward renewed purpose.
Key Topics:
- AI anxiety: “Help me or replace me?”
- Defensive behaviors: resistance, withdrawal, and over-reliance.
- Identity threats: “Is my role still valuable?”
- Loss of confidence: silence, hesitation, avoidance
Practice Lab:
The Silent Workplace Simulation – Roleplay a teamwork scenario without any digital tools, highlighting areas where we may rely on technology instead of each other.
Module 2: Building Trust Without Algorithms
“Trust cannot be outsourced to technology; it must be constructed by people through genuine presence, clear communication, and consistent emotional connection.”
- Trust in fast-paced, digital collaboration
- Psychological safety without constant digital validation
- Over-dependency on tools (emails, prompts, AI summaries) – also discussed in Module 1
- The power of clarity, tone, and pauses in hybrid meetings
- Navigating “invisible teammates” in virtual environments
Practical Activities:
Audio-Only Collaboration Challenge – Solve a task where tone and trust are paramount — no video, no emoji, just voice. The EQ Mirror (Live Feedback) – Receive real-time feedback on how your pauses, tone, and word choice are received emotionally.
Module 3: Critical Thinking in a Shortcut World
With answers just a click away, many teams are losing their “thinking stamina.” This session focuses on regaining rigor, questioning assumptions, and engaging in deep thought.
- “Hybrid hesitation”: Waiting for tools to make decisions
- Lazy thinking: Uncritically accepting “smart” answers
- Over-delegation: Losing agency in problem-solving
- “Mental outsourcing” and over-reliance on templates
Practice Game:
The Socrates Drill – Teams resolve a nuanced scenario (ethical, interpersonal, or process-related) without digital input, relying on pure reasoning, challenge, and debate.
(Example scenarios available upon request – e.g., conflicting stakeholder priorities, signs of team burnout, ambiguous responsibilities.)
Module 4: Human First - Staying Real in a Smart World
This final module reinforces the mindset: “Use AI — but stay human.” We will co-create new habits and rituals that protect trust, thinking, and humanity within the daily workflow.
- Balancing clarity and empathy in digital spaces
- Protecting dedicated thinking time and team time
- Human signals that cannot be automated: presence, listening, warmth
- Taking ownership of the final 10%: decisions, emotions, and responsibility
Collaboration Canvas: "Human Signal Spotting"
- Format: Small groups (3-4 people) in breakout rooms or in-person clusters
- Goal: Identify real-life examples from daily work where human signals (presence, empathy, warmth, active listening) created a positive impact — or where their absence caused issues
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Process:
- Each participant shares a brief story or moment involving human connection or disconnection in digital/hybrid work
- Groups analyze what made the human signal effective or ineffective
- Collectively brainstorm practical micro-habits or team rituals to amplify positive signals or prevent negative ones
- Present top 2-3 habits to the whole group for discussion and refinement
Outcome:
Teams depart with a grounded, authentic list of "Human Signals to Cultivate" tailored to their specific work culture — driving actionable, personalized change that supports trust and emotional connection beyond technological tools.
Final Wrap-Up
Roundtable: Human > Tools — A Declaration
Requirements
Essential human-centric skills for teams navigating the AI era.
Testimonials (4)
Meeting efficiency is something that's fairly "basic", but not thought about a lot and with really large implications on people/company time. Understanding these best practices and keeping them top-of-mind will be of immediate help.
Dan Moffatt - Chris Courtemanche
Course - Personal Efficiency and Managing Meetings
Provided and explained very clearly a lot of foundational concepts, which fit well with the team's level of learning. The exercises were very engaging and I believe my team were comfortable and participated very well. Coordinating with the trainer as well was very seamless.
Christlan Tolentino - Canadian Blood Services
Course - Critical Thinking
the exercises and the way the trainer was explaining
Sorana Haiduc - Ness
Course - Stress Management and Prevention
1. Methodology 2. Its structure and usability 3. Real, practical examples and excercises
