Leading in a World Increasingly Impacted by AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing leadership by offering new insights, creating efficiencies, exposing potential oversights and much more. This technology allows leaders to devote time and energy on vision and strategy, not on the noise.
When harnessed correctly, AI transforms the essence of effective leadership by not only accelerating our processes but also sharpening our thinking, giving us the opportunity — and duty — to make the most of our human characteristics.
Leaders who masterfully integrate AI with emotional intelligence, ethics and human judgment will expertly guide us into the future.
The Human-AI Combination
AI is influencing everyone’s lives — and it’s happened very quickly. AI could be getting too much focus, but that’s not unexpected. Anything new and revolutionary consumes our attention and imagination.
This puts new pressure on leaders when it comes to how to lead, partly because of the pace of change triggered by AI, but also because its impact isn’t always positive. It requires us to lead with an increased focus on people while also developing a great understanding of the technology itself.
A big part of leaders’ roles is to strive for collective intelligence, finding the perfect combination of human thought and AI. The potential here is to make the most of each party’s unique strengths, having people do what they are best at, like empathy and creative thinking, while machines do what they do best, scanning massive amounts of data and spotting patterns.
Leaders need to be human; this is the most significant contribution we can make to AI. Human compassion and the ability to empathize with others add layers of complexity that machines cannot handle. AI frees us up to be leaders, to demonstrate more leadership and use our unique strengths to an even greater degree.
Leadership Tips
Here are a few key recommendations for leading in the age of AI:
Prioritize people and their human skills. AI does not have emotional intelligence (EI). It can’t replace empathy, creativity or human perception. This is why leaders must focus more on developing EI, excellent listening skills (where we listen with our heart as much as our ears) and effective communication to create trust and boost morale.
Focus on flexibility and non-stop learning. AI evolves quickly, so you need to (1) keep learning, (2) have a growth mindset when it comes to you and your team and (3) view technological change as an opportunity rather than a challenge.
Of course, you don’t need to be a technology specialist, but having a basic understanding of AI, data and analytics, and their ethical implications is necessary for making informed decisions and productive collaboration with technology teams.
Nurture an inquisitive approach toward the capacities and constraints of AI. Stay immersed in the technology as a player-coach rather than merely a delegator, and support teams through experimentation and learning. Focus on collective intelligence by encouraging innovation and collaboration between your team members as they leverage AI.
Be a “collective intelligence” leader. Oversee and align both human systems and AI systems to ensure that AI solutions align with the objectives of the team and organization. Promote open dialogue and smooth cooperation between humans and AI.
Be a role model for an innovative culture by promoting experimentation with AI. Learn from setbacks and empower teams to collaboratively find or develop AI solutions that address genuine human concerns.
Be a champion for ethical and responsible AI. Actively look for and address issues when it comes to AI bias, privacy and fairness. Demonstrate transparent and ethical behaviors, embedding human oversight in AI-driven decisions. Make principled decisions regarding AI by considering not only can something be done, but also should it — reflecting on the implications for individuals and society.
Approach AI’s data-driven insights with caution. Integrate AI recommendations with context, evaluate risks, and make well-reasoned judgments, particularly in uncertain or unclear situations.
Role model and inspire a sense of purpose. Clearly articulate a compelling vision for AI as a driver of human creativity, innovation and advancement. Empower and enable employees to excel in their work with AI, encouraging teams to envision broader possibilities and achieve more.
Great leadership in the age of AI is about making the most of human capabilities rather than replacing them. Successful leaders (1) mix technological proficiency with empathy, (2) encourage innovation, (3) ensure ethical practices and (4) commit to continual learning and adaptation.
By doing so, they empower their organizations and teams to leverage AI for enhanced creativity, productivity and influence in our swiftly changing world.
