Exploring Your AI Mindset, Motivation and Meaning

As AI rapidly reshapes the workplace, many leaders and teams find themselves caught between excitement, uncertainty, resistance, and overwhelm. While much of the conversation focuses on tools and productivity, a deeper question often remains unexplored:

How do we help people find their own meaningful relationship with AI?

In this interactive Team Coaching Circle session, Gillian Davies will share her experience leading AI enablement and organisational development initiatives within global organisations. Drawing on systems thinking, leadership development, and her work embedding AI into the flow of work, Gillian will introduce a practical and human-centred approach to AI adoption.

Rather than viewing AI as an either/or proposition, Gillian advocates for a "shades of AI" mindset—helping individuals and teams explore where AI can enhance creativity, effectiveness, and learning while preserving what matters most in human collaboration.

Together we will explore:

• What it means to develop an AI-first mindset

• How leaders can help teams discover their own motivation for using AI

• Why finding meaning and purpose is critical for sustainable AI adoption

• How personal experimentation can reduce resistance and increase curiosity

• The implications for team coaches supporting teams through technological change

  
  

This highly interactive session will include live demonstrations, participant reflection, and opportunities to explore how AI can support both personal and professional growth.

Whether you are already using AI extensively or still finding your footing, this conversation will offer fresh perspectives on helping teams navigate change with greater confidence, curiosity, and purpose.

About the Speaker:

Gillian Davies | Global Organization Development Director, Microsoft

Gillian Davies is a transformative organisational development leader with more than 25 years of experience driving cultural transformation, organisation design, leadership development, team effectiveness, and AI-enabled business solutions across global corporations and high-growth organisations.

Throughout her career, Gillian has led major transformation initiatives at Microsoft, Unilever, Diageo, and TC Energy. In her current role at Microsoft, she partners with senior leaders to strengthen team effectiveness, embed adaptive leadership practices, and drive organisational change. She also leads AI enablement initiatives within Organisation Development, helping leaders uncover their personal "why" for AI and integrating technologies such as Copilot into the flow of work through meaningful, human-centred experiences.

Combining systems thinking with practical business insight, Gillian is recognised for her ability to create engaging learning experiences that help leaders and teams embrace change while remaining connected to purpose and performance.

Gillian holds an MBA from the University of Leicester and is both a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (FCIPD). Having lived in five countries and worked across diverse functions and industries, she brings a truly global perspective to leadership, culture, and transformation.

Outside of work, Gillian enjoys volleyball, watercolour painting, and karaoke—bringing creativity, experimentation, and energy into every aspect of life.