Workplace Civility in the Age of AI | Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM and Jessica Jensen, LinkedIn

Why It Matters

Embedding civility and AI‑augmented human interaction drives employee engagement and productivity, positioning firms to thrive amid rapid digital transformation and a purpose‑driven Gen Z workforce.

Key Takeaways

• Civility campaigns stemmed from employee‑reported peer toxicity, not managers.
• AI‑plus‑HI approach boosts ROI while preserving human empathy.
• LinkedIn’s Premium Business Suite targets India’s 63 million SMBs.
• Leaders must balance transparent communication, empathy, and accountability.
• Gen Z demands purpose, authenticity, reshaping workplace culture.

Summary

The LinkedIn Live conversation brought together Johnny C. Taylor Jr., CEO of SHRM, and LinkedIn CMO Jessica Jensen to explore how organizations can preserve civility and human connection as artificial intelligence reshapes the workplace.

Taylor recounted a 2019 SHRM study that first flagged ‘toxicity’ as a peer‑to‑peer issue, prompting a global civility campaign rooted in the golden rule of empathy. Jensen warned that digital loneliness is an emerging epidemic, but argued that LinkedIn’s 1.3 billion‑member network and new AI‑enabled Premium Business Suite can amplify human interaction for India’s 63 million small‑and‑medium enterprises.

Key moments included Taylor’s call for “honest conversation” and “extreme listening,” Jensen’s description of the “jagard” spirit—working around obstacles—and both leaders noting that Gen Z employees prioritize purpose, authenticity, and fun over titles or pay.

The discussion underscores that leaders must blend transparent communication, empathy at every managerial level, and AI tools that augment—not replace—human connection. Companies that embed civility into culture are likely to see higher engagement, lower turnover, and stronger ROI in an increasingly digital, global workforce.

Original Description

What role will AI play in shaping the future of work, and how can organizations maintain civility in an increasingly complex workplace?

At SHRM India Annual Conference 2025 – The Festival of Work, SHRM President and CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP joined Jessica Jensen, Chief Marketing Officer at LinkedIn, for a thought-provoking conversation on the evolving workplace, moderated by Achal Khanna, CEO of SHRM APAC & MENA.

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SHRM is a member-driven catalyst for creating better workplaces where people and businesses thrive together. As the trusted authority on all things work, SHRM is the foremost expert, researcher, advocate, and thought leader on issues and innovations impacting today’s evolving workplaces. With nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries, SHRM touches the lives of more than 362 million workers and their families globally.