As AI becomes more ingrained in our lives, there’s been a shift from when we first discussed ChatGPT on the JMA blog last year. We have gone from being worried that AI will steal our jobs to learning ways to incorporate it into our positions for increased efficiency and productivity. That goes for everyone from customer service specialists to leaders. Executives are not worried about being replaced by AI but rather how to use it as support.
More Confidence in AI or Not?
Harvard Business Review surveyed more than 600 employees about how they feel about the integration of AI in leadership. The results reveal varying degrees of confidence:
- 65% of respondents were “somewhat” to “completely” confident in AI’s ability to develop a strategy.
- 43% of respondents “agree” or “strongly agree” that they are comfortable with AI playing a role in analyzing their performance.
- 45% of respondents indicated that they are “somewhat” to “extremely” comfortable getting AI-driven performance feedback if it is positive. Only 25% of respondents would be “somewhat” to “extremely” comfortable receiving negative feedback if AI generated it.
The Rise of Human-Centric Leadership
While AI can be a powerful tool for supporting leaders, it also has inherent limitations. That same survey found 57% of respondents do not trust that AI can understand human behavior better than human leaders. I am shocked that the number was not higher!
People seek leaders who are authentically human, even when that means embracing their flaws and imperfections. Today’s successful leaders must harness the advantages of AI while also fully embracing their distinctly human qualities. When used complimentary, human leadership and AI can enhance human capabilities.
The first step is to identify whether the situation relies on research and data analysis or interpersonal qualities such as individual development. If the former, leveraging AI could help in decision making. If the latter, management is best left to your human qualities of compassion and wisdom.
How Leaders are Using AI
AI can be a powerful tool that helps provide data, feedback, or process a large amount of information. Automating this type of routine work frees up the leader to focus on strategy and deeper connections with people.
Marketing departments are using AI to analyze market trends and customer behaviors so that the best decisions can be made. Customer service departments are using AI to automate routine inquiries which allows workers in customer-facing roles to dedicate their attention to managing complex, emotionally sensitive situations that benefit from a delicate touch. Organizations are using AI to cover administrative details, so teams have more time to collaborate and brainstorm solutions. Leaders are also using AI to foster creativity. If you find yourself staring at a blank page, AI can help kickstart some ideas or at the very least, force you out of your typical way of thinking or approaching a problem.
It is not just one or the other. We are not kicking AI to the curb, but we are also not completely embracing AI and forgetting our human selves.
A Rapidly Evolving Landscape
A leader needs to be familiar with AI to stay competitive, innovate and make informed decisions, especially when implementing AI within your own organization. If you are struggling on how to incorporate AI in your leadership, there are many resources to consider. Here are just a few online courses on AI to get you started:
- University of Chicago’s AI for Leaders Certificate Program
- MIT’s Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy
- Kellogg’s C-Suite Program in AI and Digital Transformation
- Stanford’s AI-Driven Leadership: Strategies for the Future
- LinkedIn Learning offers many different courses from introductions to AI to specific industries such as fintech to building an AI strategy.
Once you have a grasp of how AI can be integrated into your organization, consider digital courses for your employees so that they can feel confident working alongside AI.
How to Be a Better Human Leader
Leading with humans at top of mind is certainly nothing new, but it is even more important now with the advancement of AI. Coaching can help leaders be aware of and maintain that human connection.
Coaching is especially important in developing self-awareness. Most people think they are self-aware but that is not actually the case. We’ve reported research before that shows only 10-15% of people actually fit the criteria of being self-aware. When you collaborate with a coach, you have another human being sitting across the table from you (or via video chat). That person can help identify blind spots of which you are not even aware. After all, you cannot change what you do not see.
I encountered this recently with a client when I asked her a probing question: “What would be possible if you stepped fully into your strengths?” She kept flipping the question and avoiding a direct response. Instead, she answered by telling me everything that was wrong with her when I was asking her to consider herself at her best. Those are patterns and habits she has established over a lifetime that are not easy to break. I called her out on it, and she admitted that trying to answer that question was bringing up a lot of vulnerabilities when she envisioned her best self. As a coach, I was able to identify that blind spot for her and ask nuanced questions so that she could move forward past that negative self-talk.
Coaching can also help with increasing emotional intelligence, which is built on self-awareness. Daniel Goleman, a leading researcher in EI, identifies these core components:
- Self-Awareness – Identifying and understanding your own emotions as well as how those emotions affect your thoughts and behavior. When you are self-aware, you know your strengths and weaknesses, and how they impact others.
- Self-Regulation – Managing and controlling your emotions, especially in stressful situations. When you self-regulate, you can stay calm rather than reacting impulsively.
- Motivation – Having a drive to pursue goals for personal satisfaction rather than external rewards. When you are motivated, you are resilient, optimistic, and committed.
- Empathy – Understanding and considering the emotions of others. Being empathetic allows you to connect with others and build relationships.
- Social Skills – Skills such as effective communication, conflict resolution and collaboration allow you to create positive interactions and foster teamwork.
In a world increasingly shaped by AI, the essence of human leadership remains irreplaceable. While AI offers powerful tools for strategy, efficiency, and creativity, it lacks the nuances of empathy, intuition, and connection that only a human leader can provide. Leaders today can use AI to support routine tasks, freeing them to focus on fostering authentic relationships, guiding teams, and making values-driven decisions. Embracing both AI and human qualities enables leaders to create a balanced approach.