The Future of Learning & Leadership

The role of AI, future skills, and human-centric leadership in executive development

I want to smile when people refer to technology and everyone assumes its AI.  The recognised definition of technology is the use of knowledge, tools and techniques to solve problems and improve how we live and work.  It includes everything from simple interventions like the wheel to complex systems as we now know them.  Wow! Is that a mindSHIFT?  And what about this fact?  AI is but one technology that is an enabler that enables computers to learn, reason and make decisions.  Not humans, we lose that capability with AI, as it takes over our basic, basic function of decision making.  We give AI power.  Without our input there would be no AI, and then we worry about it taking away jobs.  WE have given it power.  Please understand, I am not anti-AI at all.  I could not work without my ChatGPT!

In a 2015 blog by Joe Barkai, the Peter Drucker adage was turned on its side with “culture eats technology for breakfast”.  AI and digital transformation means nothing without a culture that supports the SHIFT/change.  Robin Speculand in his book, Worlds Best Bank: a Strategic Guide to Digital Transformation, married how the bank leveraged new technologies, became customer obsessed and transformed its company culture. Culture eats technology for breakfast! I say it again.

So the question that matters is, “how do we foster a future-ready culture” in this technology driven world.  16 technologies by the way, not just AI (Willem van der Post). 

We HAVE to focus on people as much as much as we focus on technology.  One of our biggest challenges is mindset, not just skillset.  SHIFTING mindsets, being aware of bias and the IMPACT thereof.  Leaders need to be bold (Anne Pratt), adaptive and INTENTIONAL.  Scenario Planning future possibilities both risks and opportunities and being Anticipatory (SBI) as a leader to lead with Foresight (Dr Craig Wing). Moving from command to collaboration.  We don’t have all the answers, but, are we asking the right questions, are we curious, are we able to learn? Finally encouraging experimentation over perfection. Are you?