AI's Role in Leadership Development

Your Leadership Blueprint for the Future 🔛 If you're an executive grappling with the fast-paced evolution of Tech, AKA #ai, you're far from alone. But while some see a challenge, I see an unprecedented opportunity. #GenerativeAi isn't just the future—it's your next competitive advantage. As someone who has spearheaded major technological integrations at AT&T, embracing AI today is not an option but an imperative. >>Key Leadership Strategies in the AI Era 1. "Active Listening: Your Secret Weapon in AI Adoption" Begin by conducting internal audits or surveys to understand the current perception of AI within your organization. Address concerns openly in town-hall meetings. 2. "AI: Augmenting Human Excellence, Not Replacing It" Implement pilot projects that clearly show how AI can improve but not replace human tasks. 3. "A Vision Well Communicated is a Vision Half Realized" Develop a transparent roadmap for AI adoption and share it across all organizational levels. 4. "Collective Learning: The Cornerstone of AI Success" Organize regular training sessions and encourage cross-functional teams to collaborate on AI projects. 5. "Human Potential: The X Factor in Your AI Strategy" • Celebrate and reward creativity, problem-solving, and other uniquely human skills that AI can't replace. >> Reshaping Corporate Roles for an AI-Driven World • "From Rote to Remarkable: Entry-Level Roles Reimagined" Invest in training programs that allow entry-level employees to upskill and take on more creative or strategic roles. • "Middle Management: Your New Role as the Talent Nurturer" Pivot from task managers to talent developers, focusing on guiding teams to maximize the use of AI tools effectively. • "Senior Leaders: Data-Driven Culture Architects" Lead by example. Utilize AI to make informed decisions and set a precedent for a data-driven culture. >> Organizational Structure: The New Shape of Success • "Flat is the New Up: Why Project-Based Teams are Tomorrow's Winners" Move toward a more agile structure that encourages rapid decision-making and adaptation. • Strategic Partnerships: Your Path to AI Superiority "Don't Just Compete, Dominate: Partner to Innovate" Seek partnerships with AI solution providers or academic institutions to stay ahead of the curve. This tech shift and paradigm change will redefine leadership, organization, and strategy. The AI revolution is already here—how you respond today will determine where you stand tomorrow. Are you leveraging AI to solve real-world problems, or are you still in the exploratory phase? •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Mariana Saddakni, ★ Digital Product Innovation, Operational Mastery, and Customer Experience Excellence ★ Former Global Head of Product and Customer Experience, AT&T– Fractional Executive, Service Industry Growth and Retention Expert 🌐 Let's connect! ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Most organizations treat the implementation of AI as a technical challenge. What’s often overlooked is the opportunity to treat AI as a valued member of the team. University of Phoenix research conducted among 604 #HR leaders and workers found that workers want to partner with AI as a new team member, not just learn the technical skills to use AI in their job. Nearly 4 out of 10 workers want to learn how to collaborate with AI in their job, and this ranked slightly behind learning how to use AI to get their job done faster and with greater efficiency. So what can leaders do about this? I suggest the following: #1. Develop a culture of shared AI knowledge Leaders need to role model how they are using #AI rather than just mandate #AI usage. Alex Laurs is profiled in the article shares how he built a strategy and innovation #AI agent and then challenged his team to use it, break it and create the next iteration. #2. Use AI to develop human skills In a workplace where there is an expectation to use AI daily, training and development must be re-imagined leveraging AI. Matt Walter CHRO of Medtronic has done this, using AI/VR role playing to train sales teams on how to navigate ambiguity, exercise judgment in complex sales situations, and resolve conflicts with customers. #3. Balance your investment in AI literacy with an investment in human literacy Being a student of #AI is now a workplace competency. Udacity's new program, called Agentic AI Fluency course, trains learners in how to work with #AI to enhance both their productivity and creativity. My message for leaders: Go beyond setting mandates for being an AI first organization to role modeling an AI mindset for their teams. The link to the article is here: https://lnkd.in/eZNE6nHk University of Phoenix EY Medtronic Matt Walter Alex Laurs Udacity Victoria Papalian

🤖 The Leadership Charade: When AI Makes You Sound Authentic (But You're Not) Imagine streamlining annual reviews with cutting-edge AI. Sounds revolutionary, right? But at what cost to employee connection and authenticity? "I automated my team's performance reviews using AI to save time." An executive client shared this with me recently, beaming with pride at their efficiency. Their smile vanished when I asked: "But do your people feel truly seen in those reviews?" We're crossing into dangerous territory: using technology to sound authentic while skipping the human work of truly connecting with our people. This isn't about rejecting AI. It's about being intentional about what only humans can do well. 🌟 AI can craft your communications, analyze your metrics, and optimize your schedule. But it absolutely cannot: • Build genuine psychological safety • Practice radical kindness when someone's struggling • Notice the unspoken dynamics in your team • Embody the vulnerable leadership that fosters belonging The most alarming pattern I've witnessed in my executive coaching? Leaders using AI to manufacture what research calls "toxic positivity" defined as perfectly crafted, upbeat messages that lack the messy authenticity of real human connection. When our leadership becomes too polished, too perfect, we lose the beautiful imperfection that makes us human. We lose trust. Here's the paradox: As AI makes communication more efficient, authentic connection becomes more valuable. 💥 The radically kind approach: ⚡ Draft important messages yourself first - even when imperfect ⚡ Ask: "Would my team recognize my voice in this?" ⚡ Include observations that only you would notice ⚡ Share a genuine challenge you're navigating Technology is a magnificent tool. But tools should amplify our humanity, not replace it. In an AI world, your humanity isn't a leadership weakness. It's your superpower. ⚡ And, Yes!, I use AI tools every day of my work and personal life. I continue to learn every day and stay Constantly Curious. Let's learn from each other authentically. Let's Celebrate being Human as much as we celebrate new Tech

Does leadership matter? I often ask myself this question. I am not talking about Steve Jobs or Satya Nadella, but about the many professional managers that are in leadership roles across all companies. In companies most 'leaders' are hired to 'manage' something. Improve something by 10-20%, make something run a bit better. Frameworks and playbooks exist. Business as usual. Over the years, I have seen that pretty much anyone is replaceable and companies continue to function just fine. Myself included by the way. Yet, today feels different. In today's world of AI, you might wake up and say "wait a minute, I was hired to manage this function. I had no idea that I am asked to completely rethink how the function works". This can be startling. Yet for AI to have the desired impact in your company, it is the management layer that needs to start to LEAD. Leadership gains in importance in times of rapid change and when the stakes are high. This AI moment is such a leadership moment. Change is massive and happening fast. Every function is impacted. So how do you rise from being a manager to a leader of consequence at this time? My advice are to embrace some of the core leadership lessons: 1) Take on the mantle. Don't delegate AI to a staff member, don't say AI is an IT priority. You need to wear the jacket and drive AI as top business priority. Be curious and take a beginner's mindset again. Learn rapidly. Educate yourself. 2) Articulate a vision. Leading starts with painting a place where you want to go and what you want to become. In every function, it starts with describing what will become possible with AI and energizing the teams to get there. Address fears and uncertainty directly. 3) Bring people along. While AI is a technology, the impact in enterprises is deeply human. Train on the basic skill sets of using AI. Build the roadmap from vision to execution. Engage trusted partners in the process. Have you made the leap yet to go from being a professional manager to being an irreplaceable leader? What are you doing differently in this AI moment? #AI #Leadership #Management

Leading a diverse team across the US, Canada, and LATAM during the AI revolution has been a thrilling challenge. AI's rapid integration demands that leaders evolve into "superthinkers," those who not only understand AI technology but can also effectively guide their teams through its complexities.  In my experience, leading teams in this AI-driven era requires a multifaceted approach:   📚 Continuous Learning: Stay updated on AI advancements.  🎯 Clear Objectives: Define specific goals for AI use.  🤝 Collaboration: Blend human and AI strengths.  🔍 Ethical AI: Prioritize responsible AI usage.  🔄 Change Management: Prepare teams for new roles and skills. For those interested in diving deeper into this topic, I recommend reading Amy Blankson's Forbes article on this topic:  https://lnkd.in/e3DMfYrR 

Earlier this year, the Executive Orders hit our business. We had to make painful decisions, including letting go of valued team members. Suddenly, our growth was at risk, our momentum threatened, and burnout knocking at my door. But here's the leadership truth I leaned into immediately: Crisis creates clarity. To avoid losing momentum, I adopted a strategic approach, replacing manual, repetitive tasks with automation and intentionally integrating AI tools into our daily workflows. Over the last six months, here's EXACTLY what this meant for us: ✅ Time reclaimed to genuinely lead—not just manage tasks. ✅ Freedom to recharge doing things I love -like vacationing in Portugal ✅Business momentum not only restored but rapidly expanded into powerful new verticals. Here's exactly how I did it (so you can too): 💡 Identified repetitive tasks draining my energy and limiting impact. 💡Matched each draining task to an effective, strategic AI solution. 💡Integrated AI immediately into daily systems, processes, and workflows. 💡Redirected reclaimed energy & clarity toward visionary, strategic leadership. Burnout is a leadership red flag, not a badge of honor. Visionary leaders don't work harder; they leverage technology. Which step resonates most deeply for your leadership journey right now? #AI #AIforLeaders #AIConsultant #Leadershipdevelopment #Leaders

Artificial intelligence is not just reshaping industries; it's redefining the way we imagine leadership and decision-making. Imagine a future where AI tools not only predict outcomes but also help us understand the complex emotional landscape of our teams. By leveraging AI, leaders can gain insights into team dynamics, morale, and productivity in real-time, allowing for more nuanced and effective leadership strategies. This intersection of technology and humanity could redefine empathy in leadership, making it possible to address issues before they escalate and foster a culture of proactive well-being. As we stand on the brink of this transformation, it's crucial for today's leaders to embrace AI not as a tool to replace human interaction but as a means to enhance it. The question is no longer if AI will be integral to leadership but how we can ethically integrate these technologies to cultivate more insightful, compassionate, and effective leaders for tomorrow.

Organizational restructuring driven by AI implementation is happening faster than most professionals are prepared to handle, creating both displacement risks and advancement opportunities. The key differentiator isn't technical AI expertise - it's strategic positioning around uniquely human capabilities that complement rather than compete with artificial intelligence. Roles emphasizing relationship management, complex judgment, and trust-building remain inherently human-centered and difficult to automate. Training and change management capabilities become increasingly valuable as organizations need professionals who can help teams adapt to new AI-enhanced workflows. Cross-functional communication skills that bridge technical and business domains create essential value as AI implementation requires coordination across diverse organizational functions. Strategic thinking and creative problem-solving represent human cognitive advantages that enhance rather than replace AI analytical capabilities. The professionals thriving during AI transformation aren't those avoiding the technology, but those learning to leverage it as a productivity multiplier while focusing their human capabilities on higher-value activities. Future career security lies in becoming irreplaceable through uniquely human skills rather than trying to outperform machines at tasks they're designed to optimize. How are you preparing for AI integration within your industry and role? Sign up to my newsletter for more corporate insights and truths here: https://vist.ly/3yhre #deepalivyas #eliterecruiter #recruiter #recruitment #jobsearch #corporate #artificialintelligence #futureofwork #careerstrategist

In this article, Maureen Metcalf, MBA (CEO of Innovative Leadership Institute) discusses the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on leadership and provides a list of ten key skills that leaders must possess to navigate the AI-powered future effectively. The author emphasizes the importance of unlearning and delegating tasks to AI, while refining skills that require human wisdom and contact. The article also highlights the need for setting parameters and verifying AI-generated work, treating AI as an intern, and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of AI to mitigate risks while leveraging its potential. Worth the quick read. #artificialintelligence #leadership #innovation

I’ve seen many discussions about AI taking over human jobs and machines dominating human intellect. But I’ve always believed that humans will remain in charge — augmenting their intelligence with AI rather than being replaced by it. One of the most profound shifts in modern leadership isn’t about handing over decisions to algorithms — it’s about reimagining the environments in which decisions are made. The emerging concept of Intelligent Choice Architectures (ICAs) reflects this shift. Rather than letting AI dictate outcomes, leaders are now empowered to design decision environments that expand possibilities, highlight trade-offs, and strengthen human judgment. It’s a strategic, human-centered approach where technology amplifies leadership, supports better decision rights, and unlocks deeper organizational value — not by automating thought, but by elevating how we think. #AILeadership #HumanCenteredAI #DecisionIntelligence #FutureOfWork #ChoiceArchitecture #AugmentedIntelligence #StrategicLeadership #AIInBusiness #HumanInTheLoop #ResponsibleAI