The Operating Room with Abdullah Muhammad cover art

The Operating Room with Abdullah Muhammad

The Operating Room with Abdullah Muhammad

Written by: Presented By Monarch Training and Development
Listen for free

About this listen

The Operating Room is an essential podcast for today’s business leaders and operations managers. Each episode dives deep into the heart of managing teams, driving innovation, creating results, and spearheading effective change management initiatives. With expert advice, strategic insights, and real-world examples, The Operating Room equips you with the knowledge and tools to navigate the complexities of leadership in the modern workplace. Whether you’re looking to enhance your team's performance, implement new processes, or lead your organization through transformative changes, this podcast is your go-to resource for all things operations and leadership.

Join host, Abdullah Muhammad. as he explores the intricacies of leadership and operational management, delivering actionable advice and strategic insights directly to your ears.

Abdullah Muhammad is a seasoned operations executive with nearly 30 years in system configurations, people leadership, training and development, and organizational change management.

All rights reserved. Careers Economics Management Management & Leadership Personal Success Political Science Politics & Government Self-Help Success
Episodes
  • The Future Just Joined Your Team...AI in 2025

    The Future Just Joined Your Team...AI in 2025
    Apr 1 2025
    What if your most efficient team member never calls in sick, never misses a deadline, and always knows just what you need—before you do? Meet Alex: your AI-powered coworker.In this jam-packed episode of The Operating Room, Abdullah breaks down how artificial intelligence is reshaping leadership and operations in 2025. From generative AI and emotion-sensing tools to productivity powerhouses like Microsoft Copilot and Zapier, this episode covers the trends, tools, and strategies you need to lead in the AI era.You’ll learn:• The top 5 AI trends transforming the workplace right now• The best AI tools by industry—from HR and marketing to supply chain and finance• How to lead your team through AI adoption without losing your humanity• What to do if you feel behind on all things AI (spoiler: you’re not alone)Whether you’re curious, cautious, or already deep in the AI trenches, this episode will help you think strategically, lead confidently, and stay ahead of the curve.👂 Tune in and find out why it’s not about competing with AI—it’s about learning how to lead through it.--------------------------------------------------––––––––––––––––––––––––––––-----AI tools mentioned in this episode: 🧠 Productivity & Automation• Microsoft Copilot (Office 365) – Draft emails, summarize meetings, generate reports, create presentations, analyze data, and more.• Zapier with AI Integration – Automates workflows between 6,000+ apps like Asana, Slack, Salesforce, QuickBooks, and more.📊 Data Analysis & Decision Support• Tableau with Einstein AI (Salesforce) – Creates interactive dashboards and offers predictive analytics.• ChatGPT for Enterprise – Advanced data analysis, summarization, strategy drafting, code generation, and academic research support.👥 Human Resources & Talent Management• HireVue – AI-analyzed video interviews that assess candidate fit using speech and facial recognition.• Pymetrics – Neuroscience-based games and AI to match candidates to roles based on cognitive and emotional traits.📣 Marketing & Content Creation• Jasper AI – Generates blog posts, ad copy, social media content, and email campaigns.• Canva with Magic Design AI – Auto-generates branding kits, visual assets, and even videos based on simple prompts.🤝 Customer Service & Support• Zendesk – Automates ticket handling, predicts customer satisfaction, drafts agent responses.• Intercom – AI-driven chatbots that can escalate issues, suggest products, and learn from interactions.💵 Financial Services & Risk Management• Kensho – Market data analysis, report automation, and trend prediction.• Upstart – AI-based creditworthiness assessment beyond traditional FICO scoring models.🏥 Healthcare & Life Sciences• PathAI – Assists pathologists by analyzing medical images for disease diagnosis.• Olive AI – Streamlines administrative healthcare tasks like eligibility checks, authorizations, and claims processing.🚛 Supply Chain & Logistics• ClearMetal (now part of Project44) – Provides end-to-end supply chain visibility, predictive analytics, and demand forecasting.• Llamasoft (Coupa) – Models supply chain scenarios for risk mitigation and cost reduction.Let me know if you want this turned into a downloadable PDF or formatted as a resource list for your website!------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------✅ 3 Things Leaders Can Do to Prepare for AI1. Get Curious, Not IntimidatedYou don’t need to be a coder—just understand what AI can do. Think of it like electricity: you don’t need to know how it works to use it.2. Upskill Yourself StrategicallyFocus on human-centered skills AI can’t replicate: critical thinking, emotional intelligence, complex problem-solving. And help your team build digital literacy.3. Experiment in Low-Stakes AreasStart small—try AI for scheduling, meeting summaries, or content drafts. Learn where it adds value before diving deeper.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------🧠 3 Pieces of Advice for Leaders Who Feel Behind or Unprepared1. Admit You Don’t Know (It’s Okay!)Be honest and transparent—curiosity builds culture. Say, “I’m learning too. Let’s explore this together.”2. Find an AI Running BuddyTeam up with someone slightly more tech-savvy who can help you learn in bite-sized, relevant ways without overwhelming jargon.3. Focus on Principles, Not Just ToolsTools will change—but ethical leadership, transparency, and adaptability never go out of style. Master the why and how, not just the what.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Links:Empowering People To Unclog AI Resources: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/...
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • Making Data-Informed Decisions Without Losing the Human Element

    Making Data-Informed Decisions Without Losing the Human Element
    Mar 11 2025

    In today’s data-driven world, leaders are bombarded with numbers, reports, and dashboards—but are we using data the right way? In this episode of The Operating Room, we break down how to balance data-driven insights with empathy, intuition, and real-world context. Because let’s be real: no spreadsheet ever captured burnout, frustration, or a brilliant idea that’s not yet measurable.

    Join host Abdullah Muhammad as he shares the key principles of leading through metrics without losing the human element. You’ll learn:

    ✅ Why context matters—and how data alone can mislead you.

    ✅ The difference between being data-driven vs. data-informed (and why it matters).

    ✅ How to avoid vanity metrics that look good but mean nothing.

    ✅ Why the best leaders are honest skeptics of data to avoid confirmation bias.

    ✅ A bonus leadership tip you can implement immediately to make better, smarter decisions.

    Whether you’re managing operations, leading a team, or making high-stakes decisions, this episode will help you use data as a tool—not a crutch. Tune in and learn how to turn numbers into actionable, human-centered leadership strategies.

    🎧 Listen now and take your leadership game to the next level! 🚀
    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
  • DEI Is Dead...Long Live DEI

    DEI Is Dead...Long Live DEI
    Feb 25 2025

    🚨 He’s back! 🚨 After a long hiatus, Abdul returns to The Operating Room with a powerful and timely discussion on the future of DEI. 🎙️🔥

    In this anticipated comeback episode, Abdul dives deep into the growing divisiveness surrounding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. With political and cultural shifts reshaping the landscape, what does the future hold for DEI in healthcare, education, and business? And what happens when these programs are scaled back—or eliminated altogether?

    We’ll explore:

    ✅ Why DEI has become so controversial

    ✅ The political and cultural forces influencing its future

    ✅ The impact of gutting DEI programs on patients, students, employees, and customers

    ✅ What leaders and organizations can do to stay committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging

    This is not an episode you want to miss. Abdul is back with sharp insights, candid conversation, and a clear call to action for leaders navigating this complex moment. Hit play and let’s get into it! 🎧💡 #TheOperatingRoom #DEI #Leadership

    Clip 1: https://youtu.be/PhYNzXg0BTo?si=7gBPlUIf_N8oAZlB

    Clip 2: : https://youtu.be/0BWUQ4ibK78?si=_ihlKc8Sc-E_Vubl
    Show More Show Less
    47 mins
No reviews yet