Leadership Parallels between IWD and AI
International Women’s Day poses a key leadership question: are the decisions being made around us driven by the best possible outcome? Or has integrity been sidelined for self-protection?
AI + IDENTIFY THREAT
I recently had a discussion about the identity threat felt by leaders whose hard-earned position felt threatened by AI.
It makes sense given the decades of knowledge building and career growth - and deserves self reflection.
It also goes some way to explaining a divide I have seen first-hand as I help organisations kickstart their AI transformation journeys.
STRATEGIC COURAGE
I have had dozens of conversations with senior leaders about what is on the horizon and what needs to happen when it comes to AI in their organisation.
I leave either with great admiration for their leadership and approach, or at times, shell-shocked by it.
When I see humility and curiosity, aligned with deep market knowledge and vision, I know what follows: preparation.
When there is deflection, delegation, a push to cut corners in order to say "we're using AI" and gatekeeping around AI capability - it is a risk. To their organisations, and to those that rely on them.
WHAT DRIVES US?
I’m writing this on International Women's Day which offers a moment to pause and take stock. Have we made the right decisions in our roles, with our teams? Do they reflect the customers and communities we serve?
Have our talent decisions been driven by building the team that delivers the best result. Or, if we are honest, by what felt easiest or most comfortable?
Women continue to face systemic barriers that are measurable and unacceptable. But the same flawed action - or inaction - that produces uneven leadership teams and the inequality we see around the world is the same behaviour that could unravel companies and careers with the arrival of the AI age. And it’s not gender specific.
A ZERO SUM GAME
AI’s impact on each industry does not leave time for politics. If you have spent your career playing the game rather than building genuine capability, you are already behind.
As Brené Brown put it in a recent conversation at Wharton: "What's more important to you: to protect your ego or to win? Playing not to lose is always losing”
Disruption requires those who have been out there doing the work - asking the questions and building know-how to feel confident in leading the transition into an AI-enabled world. This is where reputations will be built.
“What's more important to you: to protect your ego or to win? Playing not to lose is always losing” Brené Brown.
But any leader can take this moment to reflect and course-correct if needed. What is driving my actions? Am I taking the best possible action for my team, my organisation, and the people who rely on and trust in my leadership?
A NEW WAVE OF LEADERS
There is a well-known piece of wisdom: never meet your heroes. The implication being that the closer you get, the more disappointed you will be. What if the opposite were true?
In the last few years, I have seen genuine leadership come from surprising directions - new connections, former colleagues, people from unexpected moments in my career. It has been one of the most fascinating things to experience. And it illustrates the opportunity we have right now for a reset.
The next wave of leaders will be remembered for courage - for leading the AI age with integrity, with curiosity, and with the best possible outcomes for everyone front and centre.
These will be the heroes - making the most of this unique opportunity, and making decisions to be proud of.
Happy International Women’s Day.
