Summary: Leaders today stand on a wild new bridge: one foot planted in timeless human capacities, such as empathy, courage, and intuition, and the other testing the unfamiliar terrain of artificial intelligence. The bridge is shaky. AI is moving at lightning speed, and the truth is, if leaders aren’t growing personally, they risk being left behind, managing yesterday’s problems while tomorrow’s solutions sprint past them.
Dear Dr. Sylvia,
I heard my colleague say he was “in love” with his AI assistant. I sure hope he was saying this in jest.
It reminded me of the film “Her,” which was considered science fiction when it debuted a dozen years ago.
Now, not so sure it is only science fiction.
The film gave us pause to reflect on the complexity of human connections and how social media and AI can drive us apart.
I would appreciate your thoughts on what enables humans to surpass artificial intelligence.
What enables us to relate to each other more effectively and utilize AI as a tool for faster fact-finding?
Signed,
Total Human
Dear Total Human,
I also feel AI is a great assistant and provides super ideas without becoming annoying or defensive. And no calling in for sick days or PTO!
I am sure you notice how much time and effort it takes for humans to find the “sweet spot” in relationships, whether at work, in the family, or in the community.
It is the same with our non-human assistants. We are all still learning what the benefits and downsides of the tech world are in our interactions.
Let’s look at what AI cannot do.
The Data Doesn’t Lie
Firstly, consider this: according to Deloitte’s 2024 Global Human Capital Trends report, 79% of executives believe personal adaptability is the most critical skill for leaders in the next five years. Not financial forecasting. Not operational efficiency. Adaptability.
Why?
Because machines are now handling tasks that used to require our full mental bandwidth, such as analyzing, predicting, and sorting.
What’s left on the leader’s plate?
The messy, complicated, deeply human side of business: motivating teams, navigating conflict, inspiring trust, and making bold decisions in uncertainty.
And here’s the kicker: McKinsey research shows companies with leaders who actively invest in personal development outperform peers by 25% in profitability.
Growth Isn’t A Soft Skill; It’s a Survival Skill
A client of mine, Maria, was a senior VP in a global tech company. Brilliant strategist, data wizard, and efficiency enthusiast.
When AI tools started streamlining her division, she was thrilled. But her team? They weren’t. They were scared, skeptical, and some were quietly resentful.
Productivity dipped. Trust eroded.
At first, Maria grabbed from her old toolbox. She went to what I call JUBLA. She judged, blamed, and attacked her team for being weak and “not up with the times.”
It took time for Maria to take a different direction. It would have been easier for her to double down on the familiar process.
After several sessions, she agreed to a better way;
She turned inward.
That was when she committed to her own growth: emotional intelligence training, stress mastery tools, and coaching to help her expand her leadership beyond analysis into a deeper connection.
The result? Instead of lecturing her team about “getting on board,” she invited conversations, acknowledged fears, and co-created new workflows.
Within months, morale rebounded, and innovation soared. Her division didn’t just survive the AI shift. It thrived, becoming the company’s pilot program for human–machine collaboration.
The turning point wasn’t AI. It was Maria’s personal growth.
Why Personal Growth Matters for Emerging Leaders
If you’re an emerging leader, the temptation might be to sharpen technical skills to “keep up.”
But here’s the truth: AI will always be faster. Your edge comes from what AI can’t replicate: your ability to inspire, to navigate complexity with nuance, to lead with clarity and courage. Personal growth gives you that edge.
Don’t Let Outdated Behavior Patterns Limit Success
So, leaders and soon-to-be leaders, here’s the deal: personal growth is no longer optional. It’s the currency of leadership in the AI era.
Make time for reflection and coaching.
Build resilience practices into your week.
Stretch your emotional intelligence muscles as much as your strategic ones.
AI will keep accelerating. The question is: will you?
Because the leaders who thrive will be those who grow, not just technically, but personally.
Join the ones who can walk that bridge between human and machine with balance, clarity, and vision.
To your success,
Sylvia Lafair
PS. My soon-to-be-announced new membership site, Pattern Breakers Leadership Lab, will offer numerous resources to help strengthen the tech-human bridge. Want to be a founding member? Send an email to sylvia@ceoptions.com and you’re in!
