A few weeks ago, I found myself in northern Minnesota for a 3-day creator’s retreat that my friend Deanna invited me to.
Duluth, Lake Superior, the Boundary Waters at the Canadian border…it was all so exotic for an East Coast girl!
More than the beauty, what I took from the experience is just how nourishing it is to be with a group of people for three days, without phones.
In this moment where it’s easy to get drunk on what AI can do, I wanted to share some thoughts on how to use AI well in Leadership Development.
- AI can be so helpful when you have to write a potentially awkward email or have a difficult conversation. Because it’s unbiased, it can see past confusing emotion and create a communication flow that is eloquent and honest, without being heavy.
- AI can help measure employee performance so that you can provide feedback.
- AI can help you create goals, plan and schedule work, and track progress.
Broadly speaking, AI can level up the good that you are already doing as a leader. That is powerful stuff!
Where you have to pay attention is in being present. Social media and AI have a dissolving effect on connection, communication and identity.
Holding presence, also known as making someone feel seen, when they are struggling or celebrating(!), can’t be replaced by AI.
Building trust within your team and with other stakeholders, can’t be replaced by AI.
Reading nuance, sharing an intution, or seeing that someone is faking confidence (the Confidence Facade), can’t be replaced by AI.
The most creative part of being in Minnesota wasn’t the knitting, beading, glasswork or guitar playing (yes, we geeked out 
).
The most creative part was that instead of dissolving connection, communication and identity, we strengthened them. Sort of like when pudding gets thicker.
So do leverage AI…AND, remember that the power in leadership is in knowing how to stay human.