Leadership skills that AI will never replace

ARTIFICIAL intelligence (AI) is here to stay. It's reshaping industries, expediting innovation and shifting how we work at unprecedented speed. For many workplace leaders, this reality sparks an uneasy question: if AI can do my work, where does that leave me?

- ALEXIS ZAHNER

The future belongs to workplace leaders who can elevate human skills like empathy, humility and connection,. | Freepik

(Freepik)

The answer lies not in competing with AI, but in doubling down on what makes us distinctly and irreplaceably human. In my work on leadership, I've explored how leaders can step into a technology-centric future without sacrificing humanity. The truth is: AI can process, predict and optimise. But it cannot lead, inspire or create meaning in the way that humans can.

Here are five leadership skills that AI will never replace and how you can harness them to stay future-ready:

AI can simulate human responses, but it cannot feel. Empathy - the ability to truly sense and connect with the emotions of others - is foundational in relationships, building trust and fostering a sense of belonging. Research consistently shows that when employees feel understood and valued, workplaces perform better.