Leading with Purpose: Transformation in the Age of AI starts with YOU

If the ARC framework can be likened to a compass, then the role of the leader is clearly to captain the ship through the vast and rapidly unfolding digital ocean.

The goal?

To arrive safely at a future where artificial intelligence augments human abilities to create new opportunities for growth and development. We now know that AI will undoubtedly enhance human capabilities. But then, it might potentially replicate and create new forms of intelligence.

But how long will it take?

In the words of Arthur C. Clark:

“We always overestimate the change that will occur in the short term and underestimate the change that will occur in the long term”.

Taking an executive direction on AI can be perplexing. While AI will not transform everything immediately, it will happen faster than any other transformation in human history. And before it is over we will find ourselves at the proverbial edge - pushed to consider questions far beyond the immediate pros and cons and deep into the ethics, governance, and long-term impacts.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves, and let's not overlook the value of the present moment. There is much to gain, and there are many preliminary challenges to overcome before we can get to the eye of the storm. Preparation is imperative and perspectives must shift to get us to where we need to be. And at the head of this change are the leaders at every level of organization, businesses and societies - YOU!

and

YOU might be asking yourself…

where do I start?

Well, just like anything else, let's start at the very beginning!

Unlearn & Relearn: Leave your prejudices at the door!

At the outset, let us acknowledge a phenomenon that is exclusive to AI—the concept of sentient technology, initially serving humanity but eventually rebelling, and destroying it. This dystopian view has perpetually captivated the creative imagination of the human collective consciousness. Your SkyNet, NS-5, Agent Smith or even the almighty Omnius from the Dune saga. Cinematic interpretations have very realistically shaped public perceptions and attitudes about AI in ways that are exaggerated at times, and misleading at others.

But to shift the mindset of others (and our own), it's crucial to break free from our preconceived notions of A.I and instead, strive to comprehend its true nature. In its current incarnation, AI is simply a tool - an extremely powerful tool - but still an extension of human creativity and ingenuity. It reflects our own biases and intentions, and like our own, its destiny is also not preordained.

We will shape the narrative of AI with the decisions we take today and it is imperative that we do so with full understanding and responsibility towards its potential impact on society - positive and negative; real or imagined!

Do not lead from fear

Successful transformations are driven by organizational courage. But courage should not be mistaken for the absence of fear. There is a lot of fear around Artificial intelligence - fear of unknown, fear for jobs, fear of being left behind.

As a leader, you are not immune to this fear!

But you must address this sentiment head on, and cut through the tension with a genuine and well-intentioned focus on up-skilling, high investment in training and change management.

If you, and your teams, believe in the organization’s ability to build capable AI systems and its intent to use technology for their benefit—not detriment—only then real transformation will take hold.

There is no time for hesitation. Lean into the fear, equip yourself with a profound comprehension of the benefits, constraints, and potential of AI and foster a collaborative environment built on human AND artificial intelligence.

Will this cue some jitters? Yes. But this is healthy.

Communicate frequently and honestly

One thing is now absolutely non-negotiable: being honest with your people. To be a successful leader in the Age of Infinite, you need your people to trust you. They will not follow you unless they buy into your intent.

Some leaders may genuinely believe it when they tell their employees that all AI integrations will be made only to help them do their jobs better, but no one can deny the reality of the replacement phase. Scribes did lose their jobs following the advent of the printing press. Automation and robotics did replace people in many labor roles, and it is a given that AI will not only augment but also replace some jobs.

When communicating with your teams, be transparent about the replacement phase but emphasize the creation phase. Trusting in employees’ wisdom and adaptability encourages them to join you on this journey. Remember, only authentic leadership and transparent communication will endure, fostering trust and long-term success.

From day one, drive value people care about

If you have not already begun, chances are you may already be feeling the pressure of delivering results with AI.

But do not fall prey to the "low hanging fruit".

AI investments must drive real value from day one.

If you are building AI into your products then it must drive tangible value for your customers. If you are using AI to accelerate internal processes, then it must drive real outcomes for the teams involved.

If the stakeholders don’t care about an outcome, they won’t care about it when you apply AI to it.

How can you ensure real value?

It depends heavily on how you chose the initial use cases for your AI investment. The ARC framework can help in making this choice. (I wrote about it extensively here: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/start-learn-grow-repeat-ai-success-simplified-nabil-bukhari-r9z5f/?trackingId=8F7fE0Z8TKyUI%2BawJgAWrw%3D%3D

Even then, you will fail, at times!

Fail fast, fail often, pivot quickly.

Embracing change, promoting experimentation, and perpetuating a culture of continual learning and evolution is hard for everyone but it is often hardest at the top. As a leader don’t just say the words, live them. Those who prioritize speed over security in their investments have a head start.

Think in frameworks, not techniques!

One thing is for certain: the challenges we face will be unprecedented, complex and ever evolving.

You wont get by with a one-time solution; you don't want to find yourself starting from scratch, learning how to seize each new opportunity as it comes.

Instead, adopting a framework approach provides a strategic advantage. Frameworks not only helps in tackling the immediate challenges effectively but also prepares you to face future obstacles with a solid foundation.

So which framework should you use? Any! or make up your own.

But do spend time in building one that works for you. Then train your teams on your framework. Your most significant, and quickest, advantage will be the development of a common language. This in itself will reduce miscommunication and frustration.

Leadership will continually transform in unprecedented ways

This is only the beginning.

None of us have ever driven transformation, innovation, and broad change propelled by a technology like AI before. We will all learn this as we go. The lessons of the past, while useful, are no longer the guides for the future.

As we take our place at the helm of change, in our teams, organizations and society, let's do so with a clear vision of the future we aim to create. By first embracing the necessary changes within ourselves, we can effectively lead and inspire others.

Are we prepared?