AI

Being human is an advantage

Organisations are racing toward an AI-driven productivity era at an unprecedented scale and speed. The pressure on people at every level is to execute faster, leaner, and more efficiently than ever before. In many organisations, the expectation is to produce more with fewer resources while continuously adapting to new technologies and ways of working. In that environment, technical competence alone will no longer be enough. The people who will thrive are those who possess qualities that technology cannot easily replicate: sound judgment, curiosity, emotional intelligence, integrity, and the ability to build meaningful relationships.

I think that a person who knows who they are, what they stand for, and what they are building is not simply surviving this transformation, they are becoming indispensable. They are able to navigate uncertainty with clarity, make thoughtful decisions under pressure, and remain grounded when everything around them is changing. And as AI becomes more capable, our uniquely human capabilities become even more valuable. The future of work will not belong solely to those who know how to use technology. It will belong to those who know how to combine technology with wisdom, empathy, creativity, and purpose. In a world where machines can increasingly perform tasks, our greatest competitive advantage may be our ability to connect, to lead, and to bring out the best in other people. What do you think?

The development of judgment

Small decisions made every day are often overlooked, yet they play a critical role in developing judgment. Over time, these decisions teach us how to assess risk, navigate ambiguity, solve problems, and learn from experience. Judgment is one of the most valuable capabilities senior leaders bring to an organisation as I think it’s what allows them to make sound decisions when there is no playbook, no certainty, and no obvious answer.

As AI continues to automate routine and entry-level tasks, I think we need to ask an important question: What happens to the learning process that traditionally helped people develop expertise?

If we automate away the work but fail to replace the learning loop, we risk removing part of the developmental pathway that creates future experts and leaders. For me, the goal should not be to replace learning with AI. The goal should be to use AI to accelerate learning, reduce unnecessary friction, and provide people with better tools to build expertise faster. What do you think? How do we balance automation with the development of judgment, experience, and leadership capability?

Mental processes

For decades organisations have measured cognitive ability because it was easier to quantify. Cognitive abilities are brain-based mental processes, for example, memory, attention, reasoning, and problem-solving. And traditionally these tools were essential for acquiring knowledge, processing information, and adapting to the environment. The next phase of leadership will require equal attention to awareness, judgement, and adaptability. Technology may accelerate change, I think leadership will still determine whether people can move through it.

I have a question

The leader of the future will not compete with machines on technical knowledge as AI will always process information faster. Therefore, leadership will move away from proving who is the smartest person in the room. Instead, the leader of the future will act as a facilitator of learning, helping people think clearly, adapt quickly, and translate ideas into consistent execution. And emotional intelligence (EQ) will play a central role. While AI can analyse data, it cannot build trust, navigate human complexity, or guide behavioural change across organisations.

Integrating AI

Artificial intelligence will continue to develop regardless of our personal comfort with it. The question for leaders is how to engage with it responsibly and productively. I do not claim technical expertise in AI systems as my interest lies in the human dimension. In many ways, AI resembles prompt engineering: the quality of the answers depends on the quality of the questions. Leaders who learn to ask better questions will extract far greater value from the technology. What do you think?

The AI impact

The leader of the future will not succeed by trying to compete with machines on technical knowledge. I think AI will process information faster and more comprehensively than any individual. Leadership will therefore shift away from proving who is the smartest person in the room. Instead, effective leaders will create environments where learning is continuous, where thoughtful questions are encouraged, and where ideas are translated into consistent execution. What do you think?

EQ will become more important than IQ

Emotional intelligence will become increasingly important at the highest levels of leadership. While machines excel at processing data, they do not understand context, trust, or human motivation in the same way people do. Leaders must therefore cultivate adaptability, the ability to learn quickly, and the capacity to guide behavioural change across organisations. Change remains difficult for individuals and teams, regardless of technological progress.

The future is bright

I think the most valuable people in the future will be those who remain deeply connected to their humanity. While AI can simulate emotions, only humans truly experience them. In the same way, someone who has taken every emotional intelligence training might know all the right things to say and score highly on assessments yet still feel emotionally hollow. They have the answers, but not the substance behind them, and this mirrors AI’s ability to provide emotionally intelligent responses without actually feeling anything.

The tyranny of urgency

I think the difference between reacting and responding isn’t just about self-control, it’s about self-awareness. The first step is noticing what’s really going on, internally and externally. The second step is pausing long enough to process, and the third is choosing to move forward with intention. Unlike IQ, which is about logic and information processing, EQ is about navigating uncertainty, tension, and human complexity. And while artificial intelligence (AI) is getting faster, cheaper, and smarter, what makes you effective as a leader isn’t how much data you can consume—but how well you connect, adapt, and lead with emotional maturity. That’s the human edge, and it’s more important now than ever.

Machine learning vs. human

The future of coaching is likely to be influenced by the rise of AI and automation. Imagine AI taking the lead in a coaching session, asking questions like, "What's on your mind?" or "You spoke about this two weeks ago, but what feels like the real challenge here for you?" With enough context, AI could analyse conversations, follow decision trees, and offer thoughtful prompts like, "What else?" repeatedly, drawing out deeper insights. This kind of interaction could effectively simulate human coaching, potentially achieving similar outcomes a significant portion of the time. As a coach, this raises an important question: Where do you offer unique value in the coaching experience that someone can't get from chatting with their AI assistant?

The human connection matters

At the core of this evolution is a fundamental truth: authenticity cannot be imitated. In an AI-dominated world where much can be automated or replicated, the human connection stands out as irreplaceable. Buyers seek genuine relationships with people they trust to guide them through complex decisions. Trusted advisors understand this and aim to be more than just sellers; they become partners in their clients' success. I think earning the title of "trusted advisor" starts with a shift in mindset. Rather than focusing solely on closing deals, these advisors embrace a “student and leader” approach. They listen actively and ask insightful questions to uncover their clients' true needs and challenges. This curiosity not only shows real interest but also helps advisors gain a deeper understanding of their clients' industries and the context behind their decisions.

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Trust yourself

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c/o Medium

Artificial Intelligence (AI) lacks business acumen, it cannot delve into a business and apply nuance, experience, or patterns learned from other contexts. Back in the days when I used to sell clothes and accessories, I visited various businesses and noticed that many of them faced similar problems, despite different contexts. I think by observing these patterns, I can now have meaningful conversations with leaders and senior executives about their businesses. While AI can analyse data and provide information, it cannot interpret it in a way that human beings can understand, because it cannot grasp the context of what is truly happening in a business. What do you think?

Future proofing our youngsters

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Someone asked me the other day about what I thought our youngsters should be learning in order to counter the threat of AI (artificial intelligence). Here’s what I think and not in any particular order:

  1. Public speaking

  2. Project management

  3. Negotiation

  4. Conflict resolution

  5. Critical thinking

  6. The art of selling

  7. Storytelling

  8. People management

  9. Customer service

  10. Marketing