AI, Leadership and Staying Human Through Change
AI is changing how we work, but the bigger leadership challenge is helping people adapt, build confidence and continue to see the value they bring.
In this conversation, Gregg Brown and Sarah McVanel explore what AI means for leaders, employees and the future of work, with a strong focus on the human side of adoption.
Using AI Deliberately
Gregg talks about the difference between casual AI use and deliberate use. Rather than using AI simply as a search tool or shortcut, deliberate use means treating it as a thought partner: asking better questions, challenging your thinking, identifying gaps and exploring options you may not have considered.
The goal isn’t to hand your thinking over to AI. It’s to create more space for better thinking.
Recognition Matters More During Change
As people learn new technology, some will adapt faster than others. That can unintentionally create insiders and outsiders, especially if people who are more comfortable with AI are seen as more capable or more valuable.
Sarah emphasizes that when people are uncertain or learning something new, specific and genuine recognition helps them see their progress, build confidence and know they still matter.
You can ask AI how to support your people.
As Sarah puts it, “How ironic that we can use AI for some of the high labour work, freeing up more time to be with our people.”
Human Wisdom Still Matters
AI can help us research, organize, analyze and generate ideas, but it doesn’t replace human judgement, creativity, experience or relationships.
As Gregg says, “Tools will never replace your wisdom.”
AI can help us improve the candle. People are still needed to make the leap to the light bulb.
Look Back Before You Look Forward
The conversation closes with a practical way to build confidence during uncertainty: instead of focusing only on how far you still have to go, look at what you’ve already learned and adapted to.
As Gregg puts it, “Do not measure forwards. Measure backwards.”
Sometimes the strongest evidence that you can handle what comes next is everything you’ve already handled.
Listen to the full conversation with Gregg Brown and Sarah McVanel.
More about Sarah can be found here: www.greatnessmagnified.com