Drew DePriest, MCR.w, WELL AP is Director of Real Estate Operations Technology at McKesson. He is passionate about innovating in the built environment using the latest CRE, facility management, and autonomous building strategies. Host Mike Petrusky talks with Drew about the rapid pace of change in technology and the workplace and how he keeps up by engaging with industry connections while constantly being “a curious nerd”. Drew believes that data governance has become our paramount concern, so he leads his teams with a focus on ensuring data quality and accuracy. When considering new technologies, Drew shares his philosophy of identifying business outcomes rather than just jumping on the latest trends.
Agenda
- The rapid evolution of technology in the workplace
- The importance of data governance
- The potential of artificial intelligence (AI)
- The human element of managing change
What you need to know: Workplace takeaways
Takeaway 1: The pace of change in the workplace is rapid, and it’s crucial to stay curious and continuously learn.
Drew DePriest emphasizes the importance of continuously learning and staying curious, especially given the rapid pace of change in the workplace. “It’s a rapid evolution, and it’s not going to slow down. It’s never going to stop,” he states.
DePriest advises finding resources and connecting with others who are experiencing similar challenges. “Find your resources, find your people, if that’s within IFMA or CoreNet or whatever other organization that applies directly to your job, and have conversations. Be open and candid and willing to share and be vulnerable about the things you’ve tried that haven’t worked,” he advises.
Takeaway 2: Data governance plays a crucial role in the successful implementation of AI and other technologies.
DePriest highlights the importance of data governance in the successful implementation of AI and other technologies. He mentioned that having a top-down approach that starts with defining business outcomes and a bottom-up approach that focuses on data governance can lead to a more sustainable solution.
“Any algorithm is going to have to learn from an underlying data set. And I don’t know that anyone is 100% confident in every single row of every single data set,” he says.
Takeaway 3: The importance of having practical and human-centered leadership in managing rapid change.
DePriest shares practical advice on how to better lead teams in the rapidly changing work environment. He underscored the importance of treating people as humans first and acknowledging that everyone will face challenges. He says, “If we can evolve 1% better every week and learn new things and even if we fail, it’s okay to embrace that and lean into the vulnerability a bit.” According to him, staying connected with others going through the same challenges can help provide the confidence to move forward.
Workplace management insights
- The pace of change in technology and the workplace is rapid and unceasing. To keep up, it’s crucial to stay curious and innovative.
- AI has great potential, but it’s important to manage the underlying data effectively. Without proper data governance, AI could make decisions based on inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Before implementing new technology, it’s crucial to consider the business outcomes it could help achieve. This approach helps prioritize efforts and ensures a sustainable solution.
- Change can be challenging, and it’s important to treat team members as humans first. Encouraging curiosity, learning, and vulnerability can help teams navigate change.
- No one has all the answers, and it’s important to find a support network of people who understand the challenges and can share insights and experiences.
Do a deep dive into more workplace insights by exploring all Workplace Innovator podcast episodes
