AI seems to be everywhere in theory. Yet for many of the leaders I collaborate with, it’s less present in practice. Most are aware that it’s powering back-end systems; fewer are proactively leveraging it day-to-day. We are on the cusp of widespread adoption. That makes it a good time to think about what’s coming.
Ravi Malick, Box Global CIO, shares, “We must recognize that we are shifting from ‘managing people and technology’ to designing the relationships between humans and intelligent systems.”
Today, we are experienced in helping our team members leverage tools, technology, and systems for efficiency and productivity. Soon, leaders will be called upon to facilitate the engagement between people and machines. Managers will need to consciously choose to put people first in workplaces. When machines are sharing the cognitive load at work, as leaders, we’ll have to undergo fundamental shifts in how we value information and respect human contribution.
It’s clear that interdependence between human and artificial intelligence can create better work, productivity, and results. Leading successful synergy with humans and AI will quickly become one of the most consequential challenges of our era.
Here are best practices to consider as you lead in the AI era:
- Openly share with others how you are learning and preparing for co-working with AI.
- Describe, narrate, and communicate changes brought about by AI in plain language.
- Clarify a human Ultimate Responsibility Owner for key decisions, process evaluations, and to promote transparency around how work is being completed by machines.
- Practice AI using sandbox settings, simulating changes so people understand how artificial intelligence augments human contribution, and to test and learn about its validity before full integration into workflows.
- Recommit to deeply human leadership moments by building relational leadership skills. Spend more time with people and less time with screens, increase relatability through sharing experiences with team members, and prioritize connection and engagement.
If valuing humanity remains the focus as we design human and AI integration at work, people will have tremendous opportunities to flourish, grow, and deepen their connection to each other. That’s exciting progress.
