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August 21, 2025 โ€ข 48 mins

How are AI and fractional leadership reshaping the future of work? ๐Ÿš€ Host Ian Peterman sits down with Execnow founders Kahlil Dumas & Colin Smith to explore how theyโ€™re disrupting executive search, solving culture challenges in startups, and redefining leadership in 2025.


๐Ÿ’ฌ Do you believe AI will actually fix hiring, or just make the problems worse? Let us know below!


๐Ÿ’ก What Youโ€™ll Learn:

  • Why traditional executive search firms are broken

  • The risks of relying on AI in recruitment

  • Startup culture mistakes (and how to avoid them)

  • Change management strategies that actually work

  • The rise of fractional leadership vs. consulting

  • How to hire and integrate leaders for long-term success


โฉ Jump to your favorite parts:

00:59 The Origin Story of Execnow

02:08 Disrupting Executive Search

04:38 Challenges in Talent Acquisition

07:44 The Role of AI in Recruitment

09:29 The Importance of Change Management

14:18 Integrating New Employees

23:32 The Culture Challenge in Startups

26:23 Innovative Design Teams

27:40 Breaking Down Echo Chambers

29:59 Challenges in Traditional Corporate Structures

34:18 The Rise of Fractional Work

36:21 Benefits and Misconceptions of Fractional Work

38:29 Implementing Fractional Leadership

39:11 Fractional Work vs. Consulting

43:24 Future Trends in Fractional Work



About Kahlil Dumas, Colin Smith, & Execnow

Execnow is a next-generation talent partner that helps companies rapidly find and hire top performers. Their new platform, ExecnowOS, enables businesses to instantly identify and connect with top talent. The company was co-founded by Kahlil Dumas and Colin Smith.


๐Ÿ”— Connect with ๐Š๐š๐ก๐ฅ๐ข๐ฅ ๐ƒ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐š๐ฌ, ๐‚๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง ๐’๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐ก & ๐„๐ฑ๐ž๐œ๐ง๐จ๐ฐ:

Website: Execnow.coย 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/execnow/ย 

LinkedIn (Kahlil): https://www.linkedin.com/in/kahlildumas/ย 

LinkedIn (Colin): https://www.linkedin.com/in/execnow/ย 


Get the โ€œConscious Designโ€ book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KNMN9BT

Learn more: https://www.consciousdesignhaus.com/


Want to turn visionary ideas into market-ready, sustainable products? ๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.petermanfirm.com/


๐Ÿค Letโ€™s Connect:

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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@consciousdesign

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/conscious-designhaus/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/CDesignHaus


We help creative entrepreneurs integrate social & environmental responsibility into their brandโ€™s DNA through #ConsciousDesign.


๐Ÿ’ฌ Do you believe AI will actually fix hiring, or just make bias worse? Comment below!


๐Ÿ”” Enjoyed this episode? Like, subscribe & share to support conscious innovation!

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