Leadership in a Changing World: Lessons from UBC’s Leading Professional Teams Panel Discussion

Leadership is a journey—a constant balancing act between strategy and empathy, vision and execution.?

Recently, I was invited to share my experiences on leadership with a group of emerging leaders at the Leading Professional Teams Bootcamp , hosted by UBC Sauder Continuing Business Studies. The event brought together leaders in the early stages of their careers, grappling with challenges like building confidence, navigating accountability, and fostering trust—all foundational aspects of leadership that resonate deeply with my own journey.

During the panel, we explored several powerful questions about the future of leadership, the challenges we face, and the lessons we’ve learned.?

One topic, in particular, stood out for its timeliness and complexity: How will AI impact the role of tomorrow’s leaders? The rise of artificial intelligence has been a game-changer across industries, but its integration into healthcare brings unique challenges and opportunities. As someone who has worked at the intersection of leadership, operations, and healthcare innovation, I’ve witnessed how technology can both enhance and disrupt. Below are some thoughts I shared with the students on future leadership realities, particularly how AI will redefine leadership—and how leaders can adapt to this evolving landscape. They reflect the lessons that blend my professional journey with the broader challenges leaders face in an ever-evolving world.

1. Leadership and the AI Era: An Opportunity to Adapt and Evolve

One of the most thought-provoking questions we tackled was about the role AI will play in shaping leadership in the years to come. While AI is already transforming industries, its implications for leadership are just beginning to unfold.

Leaders as Data Storytellers

AI’s ability to analyze and process data is unmatched, but leaders must bridge the gap between insights and action. Leaders will increasingly act as “data storytellers,” interpreting complex analytics, connecting the dots, and translating insights into actionable decisions while ensuring their teams understand the “why” behind them.

An example from my own career provides context for this question. During my tenure at LifeLabs, we integrated automation and AI to streamline diagnostic processes. While the technology provided valuable efficiency gains, it was my team’s ability to interpret and communicate these changes effectively that ensured success. Leaders must bridge the gap between technology and human understanding, ensuring that data-driven decisions resonate with teams and stakeholders.

Balancing Efficiency with Ethics

AI brings incredible efficiencies, but it also raises critical ethical questions. For example:

• How do we ensure AI systems are unbiased and equitable?
• How do we maintain patient trust in AI-driven diagnostics?

As AI becomes embedded in healthcare, leaders must ensure transparency in AI-driven diagnostics while addressing issues like bias and privacy. Leaders must serve as ethical stewards, managing the delicate balancing act between leveraging technology for progress and safeguarding trust and equity. To do this, leaders need to lean into greater transparency and accountability, both in the systems we build and the decisions we make.

Managing Resistance: The Human Advantage

As AI automates routine tasks, human skills like empathy, creativity, and emotional intelligence will become even more critical. As will the ability to introduce change and manage resistance.?

See, the successful adoption and integration of AI isn’t just about choosing the right technology; it’s about preparing your people for the change. Teams often resist new tools out of fear—fear of losing their jobs, becoming irrelevant, complexity, or losing autonomy. Leaders play a crucial role in fostering trust by:

• Providing education and training to demystify AI.
• Involving teams early in the adoption process to ensure buy-in.
• Demonstrating the ways AI enhances—not replaces—human expertise.

During the pandemic, my team faced rapid operational shifts, including significantly increased diagnostic volumes and demand. To respond, we had to further augment all existing automated systems with enhancements to increase our ability to meet demand. By engaging team members and addressing their concerns head-on, we not only improved workflows but also strengthened trust and morale.

Leaders will need to foster trust, manage uncertainty, and guide their teams through change with resilience and adaptability. These traits are uniquely human and will remain irreplaceable, even in a tech-driven world.

AI and the Future of Healthcare

In healthcare specifically, AI offers incredible opportunities to improve patient outcomes through predictive analytics, personalized medicine, and streamlined operations. Yet, its implementation must be handled with care. Leaders must:

• Ensure AI systems are accessible and equitable, reducing disparities in care.
• Align AI strategies with long-term organizational values, avoiding short-term, profit-driven decisions.
• Advocate for policies and regulations that protect patients while fostering innovation.

Leadership in this space isn’t just about leveraging technology—it’s about asking tough questions and ensuring that advancements benefit everyone, not just a select few.

While AI will revolutionize how organizations operate, it’s clear that leadership in the AI era will require a renewed focus on ethics, communication, and the human touch. I hope AI never replaces the human touch, and it’s up to leaders to balance technological innovation with empathy and ethical considerations.

2. The Challenges of Leadership: Lessons from the Trenches

Beyond AI, the conversation highlighted the challenges leaders face today. From my own journey, here are some of the most pressing issues I’ve encountered:

Managing Resistance to Change

Whether it’s during a merger, an operational overhaul, or the adoption of new technologies, resistance to change is a constant. Leaders must navigate these waters by fostering trust, engaging teams early, and being transparent about the reasons behind the change.

Balancing Operational Demands with People-Centric Leadership

High expectations for operational performance can sometimes clash with the need to support and nurture teams. Striking this balance requires courageous conversations, empathy, and the ability to advocate for what’s best for both the organization and its people. In my experience, and drawing from one of my favorite modern thinkers about all things organizational psychology, humanizing organizations, and everything in between, Simon Sinek, we had to start with why? Why were we really doing this??

Navigating Burnout and Resilience

Today’s always-on culture can take a toll on leaders and teams alike. One of the hardest but most necessary lessons I’ve learned is the importance of prioritizing well-being—both mine and that of my team. Leadership is about creating an environment where people feel supported, even during high-pressure moments.

Leadership is never without challenges, but each one presents an opportunity to grow and refine your approach.

The future of leadership is about balancing heart and head—leading with empathy while staying strategically sharp.

3. The Journey to Leadership: How I landed my first Role and Insights for Emerging Leaders

One of the questions that resonated deeply with the group was about how I landed my first leadership role. My answer was simple: I asked.

If you don’t ask, the answer will always be no.

My first leadership opportunity came because I stepped up, asked for more responsibility, and demonstrated initiative. Too often, we wait for permission to step into leadership. Early in my career, I recognized that opportunities don’t always come to you—you have to go after them. By demonstrating initiative and a willingness to take ownership, I was able to position myself as a leader, even before I had the formal title.

What made me stand out? A combination of process-driven solutions and a people-first mindset. I embraced collaboration, valued input from all levels, and focused on creating a culture of trust and accountability.?

Early on, I also realized that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about creating space for others to thrive.

These principles have guided me ever since.

Early on, I also realized that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about creating space for others to thrive.

4. Leadership Lessons I Wish I’d Known

Looking back on my career, there are several lessons I wish I’d known when I started:

• Leadership is about influence, not authority. Building trust and empowering others is more impactful than wielding power.
• Vulnerability fosters Trust. Admitting you don’t have all the answers fosters humility, builds trust and encourages creativity.
• Empathy is as vital as strategy. Listening deeply and understanding others’ perspectives can unlock creative solutions and strengthen relationships.
• Flexibility is essential. Even the best-laid plans require adjustment, and adaptability is key to staying on course.
• Self-care isn’t optional. ?You can’t lead others effectively if you’re running on empty. To lead others, you must take care of yourself first and prioritizing your own well-being is non-negotiable.

These lessons underscore the idea that leadership is as much about personal growth as it is about achieving results.

Leadership is about influence, not authority.

5. The Future of Leadership: My Most Important Leadership Trait and What I Look for in Leaders

My Most Important Leadership Trait

Leadership today feels like navigating a maze of constant change.? As such, If I had to choose one trait that has shaped my leadership journey, it’s resilience. The ability to remain focused and composed during challenges has been a cornerstone of my success. But equally important is curiosity—the drive to continuously learn, seek understanding, and approach every situation with an open mind.

What I Look for in Future Leaders

When I’m mentoring others or looking for those with future leadership potential, I prioritize qualities that go beyond technical skills, such as:

• Emotional intelligence: The ability to empathize and inspire trust.
• Adaptability: A willingness to navigate complexity and pivot when needed.
• Visionary thinking: The ability to balance strategic foresight with practical execution.
• Ethical grounding: Ensuring decisions align with long-term values.

These are non-negotiable for me.

But above all, I look for leaders who care—about their teams, their mission, and the impact they leave behind. As I often say, when you lead with your heart, you can make difficult decisions with your head. This balance is what drives lasting impact.

6. Final Thoughts: The Value of Mentorship?

The Leading Professional Teams panel was a reminder of the importance of mentorship in leadership and how pivotal mentorship has been in my own career. I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who believed in me, guided me, and pushed me to grow. Now, I see it as my responsibility to pay it forward—to nurture the next generation of leaders and help them navigate their own journeys.

Leadership is a balancing act, as one of the images shared during the session beautifully illustrates. It’s about managing priorities while staying true to your values. Whether we’re integrating AI, managing change, or supporting our teams, the key is to remain grounded in empathy, curiosity, and purpose.

Here’s to the leaders of tomorrow— whether you’re leading a team of ten or transforming an entire organization, may you lead with courage, compassion, and conviction. And remember: the balance between empathy and strategy is where true leadership thrives.