How Leaders Can BE Strategic About Using AI
I’m a millennial who grew up with flip phones and floppy disks (remember those?). By the time I got to college, Google Drive was a thing, and it fascinated me! The idea of accessing my documents from anywhere was mind-blowing. And now, we are amidst another technological revolution as AI rapidly transforms how we work and lead, making it challenging for leaders to keep up.
For many, AI stirs curiosity, excitement, and uncertainty about the future. For some, it might bring out anxiety. While I’ve seen many benefits, I’ve tried to think critically about this new tool: How can I use AI to increase my efficiency and effectiveness as a leader? Where should I not rely on AI in my leadership?
I’ve been reflecting on the trajectory of AI and ways leaders can use AI in a way that also frees up more capacity for their humanness to inform their leadership.
Where leaders can leverage AI
Time is one of your most valuable resources, and AI can help you use it more wisely. One way to leverage AI is by eliminating busy work and concentrating on what truly matters.
A key step is to automate repetitive tasks, allowing you to focus on strategic thinking and leadership. AI can:
Schedule meetings and manage your calendar efficiently
Sort and prioritize emails to reduce inbox overload
Analyze data and generate reports in minutes
Transcribe meetings, summarize key takeaways, and create action items
Personally, I struggle with listening and typing simultaneously, and I’ve realized that AI takes better notes than I do. By letting AI handle many of the tasks listed above, you will have more time and energy as a leader to connect with and support your team.
Where leaders should rely on their humanness
Although AI’s impact is unprecedented, human connection is something it can’t replace. Strong teams thrive on emotionally intelligent, authentic, and adaptable leadership. While AI can provide data and insights about your team’s trends, only you can:
Build trust
Foster collaboration
Create a workplace where individuals feel valued and supported
The ability to listen, empathize, and lead with purpose is what sets you apart from technology. AI can’t replace genuine conversation and mentorship with your team, but it can give you more time and capacity to invest in them.
AI is a tool designed to enhance your work, not define it. The true advantage lies in using it wisely while developing the human-centric skills that make you irreplaceable.
How do you plan to lead as AI transforms the way we work?
