LEADING in the Age of AI

Using the right tool for the right job gets the best out of people and machines

- WRITTEN BY: DAMIEN MARTIN

No matter how sophisticated a technology becomes, we need to remind ourselves that it's a tool. It can help us do a job more quickly and efficiently, but ultimately humans lead the process and make the decisions. It's no substitute for human connection and human ingenuity. So as generative AI, LLMs, and automation become a bigger part of how we get the job done, it's incumbent on leaders to find the best uses for the tools and build relationships with the people whose work relies on those tools.

"I think if you have a humancentric leadership style, you'll be more successful," technologist Brad Englert, author of "Spheres of Influence: How to Create & Nurture Authentic Business Relationships," told Reboot. "If you hide behind a screen, you're not going to get that."

THE POWER OF CARING

There can be a temptation to rely more heavily on AI for things humans are better suited to, such as those who use ChatGPT as a therapist. But while it might be able to regurgitate information, it misses what makes each human unique. Cultivating an individual's talents is still the job of leaders.

“If you're trying to help someone achieve their goals, you need to talk with them,” Englert said, “and you need to ask what are their goals and aspirations, whether that be your boss, a direct report, or a customer or vendor.”