Adaptive Leadership vs A.I.
Navigating Complexity with a Human Touch
The C-Suite team at a major FMCG company faced a dilemma — one that resonates with the complexities of modern leadership decision making. Should they transfer their top General Manager to Latin America, where his expertise is urgently needed? Or grant him another year to care for his wife, who battles stage 4 cancer, and provide a stable schooling environment for their four young children?
As the weight of this decision hung heavy in the room, a novel suggestion emerged: “Let’s ask AI.” With a nod of agreement, they turn to the company’s proprietary AI system — a tool capable of processing an array of performance metrics, 360-degree survey data, business analytics and personal leadership development plans. In just half a minute, the verdict arrives: he’ll be given two months to put his affairs in order before embarking on a journey to Brazil.
Leadership decision making is reaching a crossroads. As AI marches forward, there’s a growing bifurcation into two distinct approaches: one driven by data analytics, and the other driven by a more fully human-centered approach. While both avenues offer unique advantages, I’m increasingly concerned about the dehumanization of leadership in the age of algorithms — and by extension, the dehumanization of everything that leadership touches. This is where Adaptive Leadership steps in, providing a critical path forward by keeping leadership development rooted in the essence of the human experience.
AI has of course shown remarkable abilities to analyze complex situations, generate insights and even predict future trends. It has become an invaluable tool for understanding markets, managing resources and making informed decisions. However, its effectiveness comes with a cost — it tends to reduce complex human issues into manageable, technical data points. This reductionism oversimplifies the nuanced adaptive challenges we face in the real world.
Adaptive Leadership also thrives in complexity. It grapples with the messy, often paradoxical nature of human problems. Instead of relying solely on data, it emphasizes understanding the underlying causes and motivations that drive people’s behavior. By engaging with people on a deeper, more empathetic level, Adaptive Leadership equips us to navigate the complexities of human relationships, cultural dynamics and organizational change. At a time when we are tempted to trust algorithms over intuition, Adaptive Leadership reminds us that the human touch is irreplaceable.
Adaptive Leadership also ensures that we don’t lose sight of the fact that it is people who ultimately drive and sustain change. Staying the course, with all of its adaptive twists and turns, requires more than just following data-driven directives. It requires fostering a sense of purpose, trust and resilience among individuals and teams. Building trust is a deeply human endeavor and a linchpin of successful leadership. We build trust by engaging in open, honest and courageous conversations and by navigating the failures, setbacks and conflict that come with the uncertainty of stepping into new terrain. AI can only de-risk that to a point, after which the false sense of security it provides gets in the way of true learning and relationship building
Let’s remember that while AI can enhance our decision-making, it’s our ability to elevate the human spirit that ultimately defines success. It’s crucial to strike a balance that preserves the essence of the human experience in leadership, and leadership development. Adaptive Leadership proves itself not just as a framework or methodology, but as a value system that keeps leadership human in an increasingly dehumanized world.
Eric Martin is the Author of Your Leadership Moment. He is also the Founder of Adaptive Change Advisors (ACA), the preeminent organization for mission-driven Adaptive Leadership development.
