Human Connection is Everything in the Age of AI

I grew up watching my mother, Joyce, build companies from scratch.?

She lined the walls and floors of our garage to create a music studio. She transformed stacks of coupon books into a thriving publishing business. Our home was a lively place, visited daily by her team of sales reps and students learning guitar.?

Watching her, one lesson became instantly clear: Human connection is the heartbeat of any business. My mother cared about the people walking in the door — their struggles and their wins.?

As I started growing my career, first as a product manager and later as a founder, this lesson stayed with me. Leadership success is not just about products and profits; it’s about building up the people around you. And this is more important than ever in the age of AI.

Today, I’d like to share takeaways on the power of human connection. These insights have helped me navigate the highs and lows of my career, and they can help you build meaningful relationships and launch a legendary career in revenue.?

The formula for connection: curiosity + empathy

My first job in tech was selling networking hardware and software.?

We started with a one-page training guide. It was filled with product specs and sales scripts, but there was something missing: the human element. So, I began looking for more.?

One day, I noticed tiny wisps of smoke drifting up over my cubicle wall. I peered over the side and saw an engineer soldering a chip to the motherboard. We struck up a conversation, which helped me more than any training manual.?

I started taking engineers to lunch and picking their brains. By learning about daily routines, recurring challenges, and ways of thinking, I could better explain the value of our product when talking with prospects. Curiosity and empathy unlocked the human side of the business.?

In the age of AI, we have access to more information than ever before. With a few keystrokes, we can download endless data on our customers — their preferences and buying patterns. But information doesn’t build connections. In those early days, a training guide couldn’t tell me what engineers really cared about.?

What’s the answer for revenue professionals??

I’m most excited by the time-saving potential of AI. Let AI handle the data, sort through patterns, and surface actionable insights, freeing up revenue-facing teams to focus on the conversations that build connections. That’s how we marry the strengths of emerging technology with the human element inherent in revenue.?

How we find meaning and resilience

The early 2000s brought what I call “our dark years.”?

For me, this time was defined by intense challenges, both personal and professional. My first company, Timestock, struggled to find its footing in the aftermath of the dot-com collapse, and as a first-time founder, I felt the weight of every decision.?

Around the same time, my family faced a series of hardships — our son was born with significant health challenges, and we lost my father-in-law and mother-in-law within a span of 45 days. With everything going on at home, I couldn’t bring my full focus. Eventually, the company let me go.?

To find my footing again, I leaned into the mindset my mother had modeled. She never took on a “poor me” attitude. Instead, she buckled down and found a way forward, no matter the obstacles. I also started reading books that could offer perspective. Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning helped me reframe challenges and focus on my meaning in life.?

With support from family, friends, and mentors, I survived the dark years and came out stronger. The dark years taught me that resilience isn’t a solo endeavor; it’s something built through connection.?

In the age of AI, meaning and resilience remain our greatest assets. AI gives us the ability to see beyond surface trends, revealing connections and insights buried deep within the data — but it lacks the ability to find purpose, unlock resilience, or connect on a human level.

I’m reminded of the recent “dark days” of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time that tested our resilience on a global scale.?

AI and technology provided solutions — powering virtual workspaces, driving data-driven healthcare insights, and keeping businesses running remotely. But even as these tools offered new ways to navigate the crisis, it was our human connections, our shared sense of purpose, and our resilience that kept us grounded and gave us the strength to move forward.

Building human connection into the workplace

My favorite place at the Clari office in Sunnyvale is the wall of photos.?

Each picture shows a team member holding something personal — an item that reflects who they are beyond work. One person plays a guitar, another cradles a stack of books. A man holds up a ventriloquist dummy. It’s a reminder that we’re not just employees or titles; we’re individuals with passions, stories, and lives outside of work.

Creating a culture of connection starts with small, intentional actions that show we value people as they are, not just for the work they do.?

One of my favorite ways to do this is with music. When I pick up a colleague for a ride, I make sure to have their favorite song queued up. It’s a small gesture, but it goes a long way in showing them I care about who they are.

There are countless ways to integrate meaningful moments into the workplace. Encouraging teammates to leave early enough to make it to their kids’ soccer games and field trips. Making space for people to bring their full selves to work. Putting on a favorite song.?

In the age of AI, we’re at risk of losing these small moments — and with it, our capacity to connect. As our workplaces grow more efficient and data-driven, the need for genuine connection becomes even more critical.?

Technology can streamline our workflows, but it’s these simple, intentional actions that give our work depth and meaning.

How are you building human connection?

The age of AI is a transformative time for the revenue industry.

We’re combining a powerful technological innovation with the most important business process at every company. The opportunities are exciting.?

But this innovation comes with new challenges. Foremost, making sure we don’t lose sight of the human connections at the heart of our work. My mother prioritized connection while building businesses out of our garage — and I carry that same mindset as we work to transform the revenue industry.?

To build human connection in the age of AI, take these steps:

1. Lead with Curiosity and Empathy: AI may handle data, but true connections are built by understanding people’s unique challenges and goals.
2. Navigate “Dark Days” With Relationships: Lean on connections with family, friends, mentors, and colleagues to find meaning and strength, especially in tough times.
3. Prioritize Small Gestures to Create Culture: Simple actions, like sharing interests or prioritizing family time, create a workplace that values individuals and builds genuine connection.

Do this, and you’ll be on your way to building a legendary career in revenue — one that values human connection as much as results.

‘Til next time,?

Andy Byrne

CEO, Clari

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