Make or Break
By Mo Berkner Boyt
Hot Takes: The Surprising Reason HR’s AI Adoption is Stalling
Stacey Harris, Chief Research Officer at Sapient Insights Group joins Mo Berkner Boyt in the newest episode of Make or Break Hot Takes, powered by C2IQ. This fast fresh episode brings you the trends, challenges, and strategies for leveraging AI effectively in HR to improve outcomes and drive strategic value. Most HR leaders are missing out on the real impact of AI and overlooking strategies that could transform their workforce. Are you relying on AI just to automate routines or are you using it to genuinely improve outcomes and elevate your people? Stacey shares 28 years of data showing what works and what doesn’t in AI adoption across organizations of all sizes. Discover how to leverage AI effectively, overcome hidden barriers, and make IT and HR collaboration the key to future success.Follow Make or Break on your favorite streaming channel to effectively manage human risk during organizational change:https://c2iq.io/spotifyhttps://c2iq.io/applehttps://c2iq.io/audible–Follow + Connect with our guest:Stacey Harris LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceyharris/ Website - https://sapientinsights.com/
Future-Proofing HR: Strategies for Change and Resilience
In this episode of Make or Break, Mo Berkner Boyt is joined by Betsy Summers, a principal analyst at Forrest.
Together, they delve into the transformative trends that are redefining human resources and the future of work. By sharing insights into HR's historical evolution, current disruptions, and practical frameworks, they provide HR leaders with the tools needed to navigate and lead effectively in today's volatile landscape.
What to expect in this episode:
The macro trends shaping the future of work
The evolving role of HR from compliance to strategic partner
The importance of skills like tech, data analytics, and adaptive leadership
This episode highlights the importance of human-centric leadership, data-driven decision making, and adaptable skill development for thriving in a continually shifting work landscape. Whether you're an HR leader or an individual navigating change, Betsy's perspectives offer practical frameworks and heartfelt encouragement to lean into human strengths.
Follow Make or Break on your favorite streaming channel to effectively manage human risk during organizational change:
https://c2iq.io/spotify
https://c2iq.io/apple
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Follow + Connect with our guest:
Betsy Summers
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsyasummers/
Website - https://www.forrester.com/bold/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social
How to Cope with Change and Disruption
In this episode of Make or Break, Mo Berkner Boyt is joined by Sondra Kiss, Managing Partner at Kissinger Group, for a grounded and practical conversation about leading through the “greatest hits” of disruption.
Together, they unpack the three pillars of disruption and change in enterprises:
structural change
ways of working
technology transformation
They delve into why each of these change types triggers a different kind of fear response and provide major disruption examples.
From identity disruption during reorganizations, to habit exhaustion in culture shifts, to confidence threats during AI adoption, this episode explores what leaders often overlook and how to cope with change.
They also dive into what truly predicts successful adoption: whether people can see themselves succeeding on the other side of change.
If you’re leading transformation in a high-stakes environment, this conversation will challenge how you think about capacity, change literacy, and the human bottlenecks that make or break execution.
Follow + Connect with our guest:
Sondra Kiss
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sondrakiss/
Website - https://kissingergroup.com/about/
Why Human Connection Matters
In this episode of Make or Break, Mo Berkner Boyt is joined by Matt Poepsel, PhD, the “Godfather of Talent Optimization”, for a thoughtful conversation on why human connection has become the scarcest resource in today’s world of work. Together, they explore how modern convenience, rapid technological change, and rising pressure are quietly pulling people apart and what leaders can do to intentionally rebuild connection during disruption. From loneliness and burnout to AI-driven change and people metrics that actually matter, this episode offers a deeply human lens on leading change without losing the people along the way.The conversation also dives into how leaders measure employee engagement and why measuring it well during periods of disruption is critical. Rather than relying on outdated surveys, Matt shares insights on how to measure employee engagement metrics in ways that move as fast as change itself and provide meaningful signals about trust, resilience, and alignment.What to Expect in This Episode- Why human connection is breaking down at work- How technology and convenience quietly erode trust and belonging- The “entropy economy” and the growing cost of disconnection- Why engagement data must move faster during periods of change- How misattribution creates gaps between leaders and teams- What effective change management leadership looks like Follow Make or Break on your favorite streaming channel to effectively manage human risk during organizational change:https://c2iq.io/spotifyhttps://c2iq.io/applehttps://c2iq.io/audible–Follow + Connect with our guest:Matt Poepsel, PhDLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/Website - https://www.mattpoepsel.com/Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@mattpoepsel
Hot Takes: The Messy Middle - Employee Integration in M&A
In this rapid-fire episode of Make or Break, we sit down with Steve Nunn, CEO of Intista, for a fast, candid conversation on what really makes or breaks M&A integration. We unpack why up to 70–90% of acquisitions fail, how trust and communication shape the first 90 days, and why the integration of new employees is where deals are truly won or lost.From practical insights on how to merge two companies to the often-overlooked realities of new employee integration after an acquisition, this episode explores what leaders get wrong about integration and how a more human-centered employee onboarding experience can change outcomes.Expect sharp perspectives and actionable thinking on integration when people are at the center of the employee onboarding process during M&A.Follow + Connect with our guest: Steve Nunn LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenunn7/Website - https://intista.com/Follow Make or Break on your favorite streaming channel to effectively manage human risk during organizational change:https://c2iq.io/spotifyhttps://c2iq.io/applehttps://c2iq.io/audible
Strategies to Retain Employees and Build Trust in Teams During Mergers and Acquisitions
Most mergers and acquisitions don’t fail because the strategy was flawed or the numbers didn’t add up. They fail because post-deal transitions disrupt the people critical to keeping the business running.
Uncertainty spikes, roles shift, and employees start asking themselves: “Where do I fit in now?” In these moments, trust becomes the stabilizing force that determines whether people stay engaged, disengage, or leave altogether.
In this episode of Make or Break, we give practical, human-centered strategies leaders can use to build and maintain trust during M&A transitions.
You’ll learn how trust shows up in everyday behaviors, how to strengthen connection across teams, and how organizations can develop leaders who are equipped to guide people through change.
Follow Make or Break on your favorite streaming channel to effectively manage human risk during organizational change:
https://c2iq.io/spotify
https://c2iq.io/apple
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Follow + Connect with our guest:
Klint Kendrick
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/klintkendrick/
Website - https://masteryourmerger.com/
Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi5JtJfIg6B3qqBWgYI3ggQ
M&A Roundtable - https://mandaroundtable.com/
Make or Break: The Human Side of Change
Workplace change is accelerating and it’s burning everything in its path. Most change initiatives fail, costing millions, not because the strategy was wrong, but because the people side goes wrong. People make or break transformations. There’s nothing ‘soft’ about the human side of change.
I’m Mo Berkner Boyt, founder of C2IQ, and I’ve seen what happens when change goes sideways. This podcast is here to help you avoid it. At Make or Break, we dig into the metrics, models, and disruption-tested frameworks that ensure people can execute strategy, deliver results, and not get burnt crispy in the process. This isn’t feel-good. It’s data. This isn’t theory. It’s what actually works.
If you're leading AI and tech adoption, integrating teams post-acquisition, or rebuilding engagement after a reorg this show is for you. We’re talking to operators, advisors, and leaders who’ve delivered phenomenal outcomes by putting people at the center of transformation. Disruption is inevitable. Change failure and human fallout doesn’t have to be. Subscribe now and learn what makes or breaks change.