Vince Chan

My guest is Lisa Burdell, the top 40 global speaker on simplification, innovation, and change, as well as the CEO of FutureThink. She's helped companies like Google and Pfizer cut through the clutter, kill heinous rules, and actually get things done. In this two-part series, we'll dive into her journey, how she went from advertising to futurism, why most organizations resist change,

My guest is Lisa Burdell, the top 40 global speaker on simplification, innovation, and change, as well as the CEO of FutureThink. She's helped companies like Google and Pfizer cut through the clutter, kill heinous rules, and actually get things done. In this two-part series, we'll dive into her journey, how she went from advertising to futurism, why most organizations resist change,

and how simplicity is the secret weapon for real innovation. We'll also unpack why AI won't replace human skills, but overcomplicated systems just might. If you've ever sat in a meeting thinking this could have been an email, you won't want to miss this one.

and how simplicity is the secret weapon for real innovation. We'll also unpack why AI won't replace human skills, but overcomplicated systems just might. If you've ever sat in a meeting thinking this could have been an email, you won't want to miss this one.

let's get started simplicity matters not just for organizations and teams to work more efficient simplicity matters not just for organizations and teams to work more efficiently and productively but also for us as individuals When we first met, you mentioned that this concept applies to everyone. And I completely agree.

let's get started simplicity matters not just for organizations and teams to work more efficient simplicity matters not just for organizations and teams to work more efficiently and productively but also for us as individuals When we first met, you mentioned that this concept applies to everyone. And I completely agree.

Especially in today's world, social media, endless noise, misinformation is super overwhelming. And with mental health being a major issue, simplifying our lives feels more important than ever. So how can we do that? How can we personally practice simplicity in a way that helps us stay focused, clear-headed, and mentally strong?

Especially in today's world, social media, endless noise, misinformation is super overwhelming. And with mental health being a major issue, simplifying our lives feels more important than ever. So how can we do that? How can we personally practice simplicity in a way that helps us stay focused, clear-headed, and mentally strong?

Yeah, as you were explaining, it reminded me of my own corporate days. Looking back, I think a big reason I burnt out was because I did not practice some of the things we just mentioned. Saying no, setting boundaries, not taking on everything that came my way. And that hustle culture we saw over the last 10 years, especially in tech and entrepreneurship, only made it worse.

Yeah, as you were explaining, it reminded me of my own corporate days. Looking back, I think a big reason I burnt out was because I did not practice some of the things we just mentioned. Saying no, setting boundaries, not taking on everything that came my way. And that hustle culture we saw over the last 10 years, especially in tech and entrepreneurship, only made it worse.

Everyone was always on the go, jumping from meeting to meeting, catching flights, attached to their phones as if being constantly busy meant being successful. But these same ideas about simplicity apply to personal life too. Half the things we own, we don't even need to buy them. And if we buy them but never use them, they just turn into clutter.

Everyone was always on the go, jumping from meeting to meeting, catching flights, attached to their phones as if being constantly busy meant being successful. But these same ideas about simplicity apply to personal life too. Half the things we own, we don't even need to buy them. And if we buy them but never use them, they just turn into clutter.

Even small things like deleting old files, clearing out storage make a difference. Sure, maybe you have a big house, a basement full of stuff, but it is not useful. What is the point? I was just talking to a friend about getting rid of things before a bag moves, and it really hit me. Simplicity is key.

Even small things like deleting old files, clearing out storage make a difference. Sure, maybe you have a big house, a basement full of stuff, but it is not useful. What is the point? I was just talking to a friend about getting rid of things before a bag moves, and it really hit me. Simplicity is key.

Let's move on to something closely related. Mental health, productivity, and of course, the future. Earlier, you mentioned how everyone these days calls themselves an AI expert. But the reality is, AI isn't just hype. It's not a passing trend. It is a new paradigm, a new economy, and it's here to stay. Now, you and I are on the same page about this.

Let's move on to something closely related. Mental health, productivity, and of course, the future. Earlier, you mentioned how everyone these days calls themselves an AI expert. But the reality is, AI isn't just hype. It's not a passing trend. It is a new paradigm, a new economy, and it's here to stay. Now, you and I are on the same page about this.

Human skills or what I call human intelligence are going to become more important, not less. In fact, I believe they will become a premium asset while technology itself becomes a commodity. Think about it. Apps, automation, AI tools, they're all becoming more accessible, more standardized.

Human skills or what I call human intelligence are going to become more important, not less. In fact, I believe they will become a premium asset while technology itself becomes a commodity. Think about it. Apps, automation, AI tools, they're all becoming more accessible, more standardized.

But deep human skills like critical thinking, independent thinking, storytelling, problem solving, connecting with people, those are irreplaceable. Those are unique. The challenge, though, is that we've lost a lot of these skills over the last 10, 20, even 30 years. I talk about this often on my show, how social media, for example, has contributed to this decline.

But deep human skills like critical thinking, independent thinking, storytelling, problem solving, connecting with people, those are irreplaceable. Those are unique. The challenge, though, is that we've lost a lot of these skills over the last 10, 20, even 30 years. I talk about this often on my show, how social media, for example, has contributed to this decline.