When the ground beneath work is shifting as fast as it is today, panic is a natural reaction but not a productive one. In a HRchat episode 861, I sat down with Karla Eidem, North American Regional Managing Director at the Project Management Institute (PMI), to explore a better path: grounding change in strategy, skills, and practical ways of working.
Karla brings decades of experience helping organisations move from chaos to clarity. Our discussion goes deep into what HR teams can actually do to help people thrive as AI reshapes roles, workflows, and expectations.
Facts Over Fear: A Smarter Way to Navigate AI Disruption
AI is undeniably changing how work gets done, but Karla emphasizes that HR’s first move shouldn’t be fear—it should be focus.
Instead of overhauling entire roles or chasing hype cycles, start with clear problems:
- What tasks can AI support today?
- Where does human judgment remain irreplaceable?
- How will value be measured differently?
AI is a tool—not a strategy. And HR is uniquely positioned to evaluate where it accelerates work and where it adds noise.
The PMI Talent Triangle: HR’s New Skills Blueprint
Karla breaks down the PMI Talent Triangle, a framework that’s becoming increasingly relevant to HR leaders:
1. Power Skills
Communication, leadership, relationship-building, and influence—the human capabilities AI can’t replicate.
2. Ways of Working
From agile and hybrid methods to classic project disciplines that keep teams aligned.
3. Business Acumen
Understanding the organisation’s goals, metrics, customers, and market context.
These aren’t “extra” skills anymore—they’re foundational. Whether you’re in talent, L&D, operations, or DEI, these capabilities drive execution and decision-making in an AI-accelerated workplace.
Skills-Based Hiring and Internal Mobility: HR’s Real Opportunity
Automation isn’t eliminating work—it’s reshaping it. Karla and I dug into the practical implications for HR teams:
- Skills-first hiring helps organisations access stronger talent pools in a tight market.
- Internal mobility keeps top performers engaged while reducing costly recruitment cycles.
- Early-career on-ramps (internships, apprenticeships, rotational programs) become crucial as entry-level tasks get automated.
- AI removes some repetitive work—but it also opens space for more strategic contribution if organisations invest in skill pathways.
Stop Hosting Meetings No One Owns: The Power of Lightweight Project Tools
If you’ve ever been in a meeting where everyone is present and no one is accountable, you’ll appreciate this section.
Karla highlights simple tools HR teams can adopt immediately:
- Team register: Who’s involved, in what role, and why it matters.
- Project charter: A one-page guide to purpose, outcomes, timelines, and success criteria.
- Cadence calendar: Clear rhythms for communication, checkpoints, and decision-making.
These tools don’t require certification or heavy methodologies—they’re practical, clarifying, and transformative.
AI: What It Can Do, What It Can’t, and How HR Should Evaluate Tools
AI can:
- Analyse patterns
- Enhance workflows
- Automate repeatable tasks
- Provide decision support
AI can’t:
- Set organisational direction
- Replace human empathy
- Build relationships
- Make values-driven choices
Karla urges HR teams to evaluate AI solutions with a focus on:
- Actual value unlocked
- Data quality and governance
- User adoption
- Integration into real workflows
- Buzzwords fade. Outcomes endure.
Lessons From the Field: Managing a COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
Karla shared powerful stories from her time overseeing a mass vaccine deployment—a masterclass in leading through ambiguity.
What made the difference?
- Clear roles
- Rapid feedback loops
- Prioritisation
- Realistic timeframes
- Transparent communication
These principles translate directly to the AI era, where uncertainty is the default and speed matters more than perfection.
Stay Connected: PMI’s Global Community and Learning Ecosystem
Karla also touched on insights from her recent SHRM session and extended an invitation for HR pros to plug in to PMI’s global network of:
- Events
- Certifications
- Communities of practice
- The annual PMI Global Summit
- Year-round development resources
For HR leaders stepping into more strategic and cross-functional roles, PMI’s ecosystem can serve as an anchor for continued learning.
Ready to Lead Through Change? Start Here.
If you’re looking to evolve from operational execution to strategic leadership, this conversation offers a clear playbook grounded in what works.
Listen to the full episode, share it with your team, and leave a review telling us the one skill you’re prioritising next—we’ll feature some of the most insightful responses in a future show.