The Tao of Leadership in the AI Era: A Discussion with Jack Myers

"We are at the flickering lightbulb stage of AI—just as people didn't anticipate the microwave or the electric car when Edison created electricity, we can’t yet fathom what AI will make possible." – Jack Myers

Leadership today is undergoing a massive transformation, driven by rapid technological advancements, the breakdown of traditional corporate structures, and a growing demand for adaptable, people-centered leadership. In my conversation with Jack Myers , author of The Tao of Leadership: Harmonizing Technological Innovation and Human Creativity in the AI Era, we explored how ancient Taoist principles can guide modern leaders through this era of disruption. The implications of this shift extend beyond business strategy, influencing cultural adaptation, ethical decision-making, and the evolving role of human potential in a technology-driven world.

The Evolution of Media and Leadership

Media has always played a critical role in shaping public perception and cultural trends. However, Myers points out that legacy media has fallen into a cycle of short-term thinking, chasing engagement metrics at the expense of meaningful content. The decline of traditional media reflects a larger shift in leadership—when institutions fail to adapt, they become obsolete.

History shows us that major disruptions often lead to periods of creative reinvention. Myers argues that if media, advertising, and leadership evolve rather than resist change, they can reclaim their influence. The key lies in trust and storytelling—two elements that have been weakened by algorithm-driven content and sensationalized narratives. Leaders who prioritize transparency, authenticity, and human connection can help rebuild these foundations.

Five Key Principles of Leadership Inspired by Taoism

In The Tao of Leadership, Myers presents five fundamental principles drawn from Taoist philosophy and applies them to modern leadership:

1. ?? Harmony: Leaders should integrate technology with human creativity rather than allowing one to dominate the other. The goal is to use AI and automation as tools to enhance, not replace, human decision-making and emotional intelligence.
2. ??? Flexibility: Organizations must balance bold innovation with structured execution. A culture of continuous learning ensures that businesses remain agile in an ever-changing landscape.
3. ?? Balance: AI can improve efficiency, but human judgment remains essential. Leaders must find a middle ground between data-driven decision-making and instinctual leadership.
4. ??? Stability: True stability comes from resilience, not rigidity. Companies that can quickly adapt to new challenges are more likely to survive and thrive.
5. ?? Integrity: In a decentralized business world, maintaining trust and ethical leadership is more important than ever. Leaders must break down silos and create purpose-driven organizations that prioritize long-term success over short-term profits.

These five principles serve as a roadmap for leaders looking to build organizations that can withstand technological and cultural shifts. By prioritizing creativity, human connection, and ethical leadership, businesses can stay competitive in an unpredictable world.

AI as a Catalyst for Creative Growth

A common fear is that AI will replace human creativity, but Myers presents a different perspective. He argues that AI, much like the printing press during the Renaissance, has the potential to spark an unprecedented wave of creative expression. However, this depends on whether leaders create environments that nurture innovation rather than stifle it.

For creativity to flourish, organizations must foster psychological safety, trust, and empowerment. Unfortunately, many corporate structures—built for efficiency rather than adaptability—fail to provide this. To fully embrace the potential of AI, leadership must move away from rigid control systems and embrace a more fluid, collaborative model.

Portals, Not Bridges: A New Approach to Change Management

One of Myers' most thought-provoking ideas is that traditional change management strategies are too slow for today’s fast-paced environment. The old model—building a “bridge” from one stage to another—is ineffective when technological shifts happen almost overnight. By the time an organization completes its transition, the destination has already changed.

Instead, Myers suggests using portals—rapid, adaptable frameworks that allow companies to leap into new paradigms instantly. This shift requires leaders to embrace uncertainty, promote experimentation, and view failure as a stepping stone to innovation. Companies that adopt this mindset won’t just react to disruption; they’ll lead it.

The Future of Advertising: Moving Beyond Interruption

Traditional advertising, based on interrupting consumers, is losing effectiveness. Myers believes the future of brand engagement lies in sponsorship and seamless brand integration. Events like the Super Bowl or the Academy Awards showcase how advertising can add value rather than disrupt experiences. Future-focused brands will recognize that influence comes from creating meaningful experiences, not from bombarding audiences with messages.

The Leadership Crisis: Why We Need a New Approach

One of the biggest challenges Myers highlights is the lack of forward-thinking leadership. Many companies still operate with bureaucratic, slow-moving structures that are ill-suited for today’s fast-changing business landscape. The next generation of leaders must take a different approach:

• ?? Empower teams instead of controlling them.
• ?? Encourage adaptability rather than enforcing rigid rules.
• ?? Think long-term rather than chasing immediate results.

This shift will require a new way of measuring leadership success. Instead of focusing solely on revenue and shareholder value, leaders should be evaluated on their ability to create sustainable, innovative, and people-centric organizations.

Final Thoughts: Leadership as an Ethical Responsibility

As we navigate the AI era, leaders face a fundamental choice: cling to outdated models or embrace a new, more human-centered leadership approach. The Tao of Leadership is not just a theory—it’s a call to action for leaders who want to shape the future rather than be left behind.

One thing is certain: AI will not replace great leaders. But those who fail to evolve will be replaced by those who do. The future belongs to those who are willing to embrace change, take risks, and lead with vision and integrity.

Now, here are the 10 Key Takeaways from my conversation with Jack Myers:

1. Leadership Must Evolve or Die – The traditional, hierarchical leadership model is obsolete in the AI era. Leaders must become orchestrators, not controllers, embracing flexibility and human ingenuity over rigid structures.
2. AI is Not the Enemy, It’s a Catalyst – Just as the printing press sparked the Renaissance, AI will drive a new era of creativity. The key is to use AI to enhance human potential, not replace it.
3. Portals, Not Bridges – Change is happening too fast for linear strategies. Instead of slowly building bridges to the future, leaders must create portals—instantaneous, adaptive shifts that allow for immediate transformation.
4. The Demise of Legacy Media is Not the End – Traditional media has suffered from commoditization and short-term thinking, but the pendulum of history suggests a creative renaissance is coming. The question is: who will lead it?
5. Advertising Needs a Rethink—Or an Eradication – The interruption-based advertising model is failing. The future belongs to integrated brand storytelling and sponsorship models that add value instead of demanding attention.
6. Integrity is the Foundation of Future Leadership – In an era of deepfakes and misinformation, the most successful leaders will be those who prioritize ethical leadership, transparency, and authenticity.
7. The Future of Work Requires a New Corporate Model – Most corporations still operate on a WWII-era structure designed for efficiency, not innovation. The winners will be those who break down silos and embrace an interconnected, purpose-driven approach.
8. Harmony is the New Competitive Advantage – The leaders of tomorrow must integrate human creativity with machine intelligence in a way that fosters balance and stability, rather than chaos and fear.
9. The DEI Debate is a Leadership Debate – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion should not be a political issue—it is a business imperative. Companies that fail to reflect their audiences will fail to serve them.
10. The Best Leaders Make Themselves Invisible – True leadership is about empowerment. As Lao Tzu wrote, “A leader is best when people barely know he exists.” The greatest leaders leave a legacy without needing to be at the center of it.

I am so fortunate to be in a position to help build and strengthen leadership teams to become Vision (clarity and alignment), Traction (discipline and accountability), Health (cohesive and collaborative).

If you'd like to have a conversation about EOS Worldwide (the Entrepreneurial Operating System) and leadership coaching, send me a DM. I'm happy to help where I can.