Leadership in the age of AI

 

AI is creeping into every corner of life at work and home. It is transforming the fabric of business and society, and executives need to ask the right questions about their leadership to prepare for the future.

 

The Reality

 

You’re not imagining things. AI is reshaping the workforce at an unprecedented rate. Less than two years since ChatGPT’s debut in November 2022, over $100 billion has been poured into AI R&D. NVIDIA, a key player, has soared to a staggering $2 trillion in market cap. This revolution isn’t slowing down, and no one — not even the experts — can predict with certainty what AI will mean for work a year from now. But one thing is clear: whatever happens, it won’t match the plans in place today.

 

While AI’s future impact may be murky, certain outcomes are clear: automation of routine tasks will intensify, yet creativity and human intuition will remain indispensable. To prepare for this new world, leaders can look to the Person-Role-System framework used by The Preston Associates executive coaches as a lens for understanding how to navigate the intersection of personal leadership, organizational roles, and the broader system in which we operate.

 

Person: Who Am I as a Leader in an AI-Driven World?

 

The “Person” element in the Person-Role-System focuses on self-awareness: understanding who you are as a person, professional, and leader. In the age of AI, leaders need to ask deeper questions about their strengths, vulnerabilities, and how their leadership style aligns with AI capabilities.

 

In this context, the strategic questions for leaders become:

 

Are You ‘Intu-efficient’?

Master the balance between AI-driven efficiency and human intuition. It’s not just about using AI to speed up processes; it’s about knowing when to trust technology and when to rely on human judgment. Authentic leaders of tomorrow will be those who understand their unique human value in a world increasingly dominated by machines.

 

Are You a Creativity Champion?

As AI takes over more routine tasks, leaders must cultivate environments where creativity flourishes. This is about understanding your role as a leader who fosters innovative thinking, enabling your team to push boundaries AI cannot cross. Leaders need to create space for human reflection, ethical judgment, intuition, and connection — traits that AI cannot yet replicate.

 

 

Role: What Does ‘Great’ Look Like in My Leadership Role?

 

In the “Role” dimension, the focus is on clarity around expectations, team leadership, and stakeholder management. With AI transforming workflows, leaders must redefine what greatness looks like in their role. This involves aligning AI’s capabilities with leadership skills to achieve desired outcomes.

 

Here, the next critical question emerges:

 

Are You Anticipating the Pitfalls?

Leaders need to be proactive in identifying and navigating potential pitfalls that AI introduces. The role of leadership in the AI era will require constant vigilance and ethical foresight, ensuring that AI enhances rather than detracts from the business’s core values and objectives. Leaders who excel will continually align their role expectations with the evolving technological landscape.

 

System: How Do I Add Value to My Organization in the AI Age?

 

The “System” aspect of the Person-Role-System highlights understanding how your leadership contributes to the broader organizational system. In an AI-enhanced world, leaders must be clear about how they, along with AI, drive the organization’s success.

 

The final strategic question:

 

Are You Maximizing AI’s Potential While Upholding Human-Centric Values?

AI opens doors to new efficiencies, but its integration into the organization’s system requires careful calibration. Leaders must ask themselves what boundaries they will set for AI and how to maintain a human-centric approach. Those who align the value they bring to their organizations with AI’s potential will set themselves apart as visionaries.

 

 

Leading with Clarity in the AI Era

 

By framing their leadership through the Person-Role-System framework, executives can gain clarity in their personal approach, redefine their roles within AI-transformed organizations, and align with their broader system to add value. The AI-driven future may be uncertain, but leaders equipped with self-awareness, a clear understanding of their role, and alignment with their organization’s system will thrive in this brave new world.