What is Leadership in AI era?
If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am not for others, what am I? And if not now, when?
This powerful quote encapsulates the essence of leadership. Based on my experience, leadership is the act of accepting responsibility for enabling others to achieve shared goals under conditions of uncertainty. I know that might sound like a lot to take in, but stay with me. Leadership is a dynamic process, especially in uncertain times, where leadership becomes more about learning than knowing. Most recently, this was reinforced in my call with Nick Otto , where we discussed the fast-moving, uncertain market conditions and the critical need to keep learning from the process as we execute.The future is unpredictable, so effective leadership is less about having all the answers and more about knowing how to find them.
Leadership also involves creating meaningful relationships with others, guiding them to mindfully choose their actions rather than simply performing for them. This is where the concept of "hands, head, and heart" comes into play.
True leadership integrates all three—hands, head, and heart—to navigate the complexities of guiding others toward a shared purpose, especially in uncertain times.
In my role at IBM, leading strategic partnership teams for the AI market exemplifies these principles. The AI market is inherently uncertain, with rapid advancements and shifting customer expectations. Customers often face challenges in understanding how to navigate this evolving landscape. It’s in this environment that leadership becomes crucial—not just within our team, but also in guiding our customers through their AI journey.
Collaborating with strategic partners like AWS, we leverage our deep AI market know-how to align our technologies and strategies, delivering comprehensive AI solutions that address the specific needs and uncertainties our customers face. This effort requires more than just technical expertise; it demands intelligent work and a profound understanding of the market (hands). It also requires strategic foresight to anticipate where the AI market is headed and how we can position our offerings to stay ahead of the curve (head).
But perhaps most importantly, it involves the ability to inspire confidence and resilience, both within our teams and among our customers. In a market as dynamic and unpredictable as AI, being able to lead through change and uncertainty is what sets true market leaders apart. By showing our customers the way forward, we don’t just sell them a product—we build a partnership that empowers them to harness AI’s full potential. This is the essence of leading with heart.
True leadership integrates all three—hands, head, and heart—to navigate the complexities of guiding others toward a shared purpose, especially in uncertain times. By embodying these aspects in my daily work, I strive to lead by example, fostering an environment of collaboration, innovation, and resilience, while positioning IBM as a leader in the ever-evolving AI market.