Episode 368: Are We All Having an AI Identity Crisis? With Cassandra Worthy

Written By Erin Diehl
 
 
 

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In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin talks with Cassandra Worthy—founder and CEO of Change Enthusiasm Global — about the emotional side of AI-driven change, and why “just adapt” isn’t exactly a strategy. As AI reshapes jobs, workflows, teams, and professional identities, Cassandra explains why people are experiencing a very real sense of loss, or what she calls “AI grief.” 

Cassandra breaks down her Change Enthusiasm® framework (Signal, Opportunity, Choice) and explains how emotional awareness can help us navigate uncertainty with more agency. Whether you’re navigating AI at work, leading a team through transformation, or trying to make your next move with more clarity, this episode will help you start treating emotions as data. 

AI Grief Is Real 

When technology changes our roles, workflows, and responsibilities, it can also create a sense of loss. Cassandra explains why AI grief is a natural response to rapid change and why leaders need to make space for fear, frustration, anxiety, and mourning instead of rushing people toward acceptance. 

Emotions Are Data 

Difficult emotions aren't something we need to immediately overcome. Cassandra explains how emotions can act as signals, revealing what’s happening beneath the surface during organizational change and giving us valuable information about what we need. 

Build Your Signal Literacy 

The first step in Change Enthusiasm® is learning to recognize your signals. Cassandra breaks down how to notice the physical and emotional cues that show up during change, and why becoming more emotionally fluent can help you move through uncertainty faster. 

Turn Signals Into Opportunities 

Once you recognize the signal, it’s time to get curious. Cassandra shares how asking better questions can help you move from “What is happening to me?” to “What are my options?”, turning difficult emotions into possibilities for growth and action. 

Choose Your Response 

The final step is Choice. Cassandra explains how making an intentional, values-aligned decision can help turn anxiety into anticipation and give you greater agency during moments of uncertainty. Because you may not be able to control the change, but you can choose how you respond to it. 

About the Guest 

Cassandra Worthy is the founder and CEO of Change Enthusiasm Global, a consulting and leadership development firm helping organizations build the emotional resilience to thrive through change. A former Fortune 100 innovation leader and chemical engineer, Cassandra spent years leading global teams through major corporate transformations before turning her own experiences with change into the Change Enthusiasm® framework. She is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, and trusted advisor to CEOs, HR leaders, and culture-shapers at organizations including Google, Microsoft, Bank of America, Johnson & Johnson, and Kellogg. Through her work, she helps people move from simply going through change to growing through it. 

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Erin Diehl
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Episode 367: Five Curiosity Practices that Took My Leadership to the Next Level