AI and Leadership: What Should Stay Human
By: Andy Fry, Coach, Renogize Professional Coaching
The usage of AI has been brought up by almost every single one of my clients in the last couple of years. Leaders everywhere are looking to see what part AI can and will play in their companies. Rightfully so; efficiencies abound! The challenge is managing the tension between efficiency and responsibility. What COULD we use AI to help with vs. what SHOULD we use AI to help with?
AI is a wonderful tool, and you risk being left behind if you and your company fail to integrate it in some capacity. However, if the task requires thoughtful introspection, discernment, or creativity, it is probably best left for you and your other carbon-based teammates.
Introspection: Your “why” behind what you do comes from your values and your ethics. Redeeming the time that AI saves you from repetitive tasks by increasing the time you dedicate to introspection could make you a stronger, more resolute leader.
Discernment: “What does your gut tell you?” Determining what is right and wrong comes from your basis of morality mixed with a healthy dose of intuition and experience. None of those can be outsourced.
Creativity: This one is somewhat tricky because I know AI can help through the initial brain fog of ideation. Before hitting the “easy button” however, sit in the struggle…that is where the magic happens. Keep strengthening those creative muscles through repetition and challenge because you may be the source of the next innovation. One of the greatest inventions of our time is AI, and it didn’t create itself…at least I hope not.
Ultimately, it is up to each of us to decide what we should delegate to AI, and what we should hold onto. Think through it carefully, keep the tasks that only you can do, and consider how you might be able to offload the rest. I wouldn’t ask my favorite large language model for assistance on this one, though.
