Sue Garner of Garner Training Solutions explains how AI is changing the workplace, and we have to adapt.
Is AI the End of Leadership?
Rather than making leaders redundant, AI is forcing us to place greater value on the human skills and qualities that we need from those in leadership roles. The ability to create and develop strong relationships is now far more valuable than technical competence and industry expertise.
"The digital age must be a human age. Technology is a tool, but it is the human spirit, empathy, and leadership that give it meaning and direction." — Tim Cook, CEO of Apple
The Value of Emotional Intelligence
Strong emotional intelligence has long been recognised as a factor driving good team performance and employee retention. It’s about understanding how to engage and motivate the team, so they feel empowered to apply their skills and contribute to collective goals.
Equally, in business we need more than data and efficient processes to know which is the best course of action. Leaders with emotional intelligence draw on life experience and human qualities to make judgements that are informed by what is fair, ethical and appropriate.
Unlike humans, AI can’t read the room and respond accordingly. It doesn’t draw on intuition and integrity to know when the best decision is to adapt, back down, or put people before profit. These human qualities are more essential than ever, as we increasingly adopt AI.
The Need for Critical & Creative Thinking
Human leadership is also essential for critical and creative thinking.
AI has endless sources of information, yet it can’t think freely. It’s limited by what has been input. It processes data at unbelievable speed, but sources aren’t always current or relevant to the specific situation. You may have first-hand experience of this if you used a chatbot! We need leaders to look deeper, question AI, and make appropriate judgements.
Equally, although AI can repurpose information in impressive and interesting ways, it has no imagination. It can’t think beyond in the way that human brains can. AI insights may spark ideas, but we need people to innovate.
Modern leaders need to be open to critical and creative thinking. Their role is to provide work environments that encourage open discussion, fresh approaches, diverse thinking, and questions. Let AI deal with the technical, while the team focuses on what the human brain does best.
Are You Hiring Leaders With The Necessary Skills?
AI is changing the workplace and leadership priorities. However, job descriptions, career development opportunities and recruitment processes often still favour candidates with industry experience and technical competence. Those who hit targets and have a confident interview manner.
To be equipped for the future of work, this needs to change. It’s time to value what has often been overlooked. The personable individuals who demonstrate empathy, open-mindedness and integrity. The neurodivergent individuals who offer unique ways of processing information. The individuals that others are drawn to and inspired by.
In addition, these human skills need to be prioritised in the training and development of existing leaders. To discuss how I can support leadership skills development, please email info@suegarner.co.uk
