How to Balance Authenticity and AI in Workplace Communication

🤖 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

I'm knee deep this week putting the finishing touches on my new Udemy course on "AI for People Managers: Lead with confidence in an AI-enabled workplace". After working with hundreds of managers cautiously navigating AI integration, here's what I've learned: the future belongs to leaders who can thoughtfully blend AI capabilities with genuine human wisdom, connection, and compassion. Your people don't need you to be the AI expert in the room; they need you to be authentic, caring, and completely committed to their success. No technology can replicate that. And no technology SHOULD. The managers who are absolutely thriving aren't necessarily the most tech-savvy ones. They're the leaders who understand how to use AI strategically to amplify their existing strengths while keeping clear boundaries around what must stay authentically human: building trust, navigating emotions, making tough ethical calls, having meaningful conversations, and inspiring people to bring their best work. Here's the most important takeaway: as AI handles more routine tasks, your human leadership skills become MORE valuable, not less. The economic value of emotional intelligence, empathy, and relationship building skyrockets when machines take over the mundane stuff. Here are 7 principles for leading humans in an AI-enabled world: 1. Use AI to create more space for real human connection, not to avoid it 2. Don't let AI handle sensitive emotions, ethical decisions, or trust-building moments 3. Be transparent about your AI experiments while emphasizing that human judgment (that's you, my friend) drives your decisions 4. Help your people develop uniquely human skills that complement rather than compete with technology. (Let me know how I can help. This is my jam.) 5. Own your strategic decisions completely. Don't hide behind AI recommendations when things get tough 6. Build psychological safety so people feel supported through technological change, not threatened by it 7. Remember your core job hasn't changed. You're still in charge of helping people do their best work and grow in their careers AI is just a powerful new tool to help you do that job better, and to help your people do theirs better. Make sure it's the REAL you showing up as the leader you are. #AI #coaching #managers

We’re living in a world where AI can write, design, summarize, translate, and brainstorm, but it still can’t anticipate that your stakeholder will ask, ‘Can we make the CTA pop more?’ for the third time. But here’s the catch: AI can assist your voice, it shouldn’t replace it. If you’re navigating how to stand out without blending in with a sea of AI-generated sameness, here are a few ways I’ve been keeping things human. 1️⃣ Lead with your tone of voice Whether you’re writing a caption, an email, or a case study, your voice is your fingerprint. Use words you actually say. Embrace your quirks. 2️⃣ Design with personality Add colors, fonts, and layouts that match your energy. Whether your vibe is minimalist and moody or punchy and playful, your visuals can do a lot of talking before you even say a word. 3️⃣ Use AI as a co-pilot, not a ghostwriter I use AI to start the idea, not to be the idea. I edit, shape, and sprinkle in personality until it feels like something I’d say. 4️⃣ Show your face Whether it’s behind-the-scenes photos, messy sketches, or a video of you sharing your thoughts, that’s all you! 5️⃣ Inject YOU into the process Don’t just share the polished result, share the “why,” the lessons learned, or even the things that didn’t work. People connect to the human behind the pixels. AI can scale your ideas, but it’s your authenticity that makes people remember them. Curious to hear, how are you balancing AI support with staying true to your "brand”?