AI is Accelerating— Are Your Human Skills Keeping Up?

Happy Friday!

AI is Accelerating— Are Your Human Skills Keeping Up?

Over the last week I’ve attended three events all focused on AI – the sessions and discussions have covered just some of the following: opportunities, efficiencies, productivity, risks, governance, ethics and safety. 

These wide-ranging discussions have made me reflect..... using AI effectively and safely must go hand-in-hand with developing and strengthening our human skills to create a winning formula.

As a coach, consultant, and former leader of over a decade, I’ve been reflecting on my own ‘human skills’ toolkit — the tools, strategies knowledge, experience and skills I’ve learnt and leaned on throughout my career to develop myself and in turn others. I’ve reflected on the key human skills which are critical for us right now, given AI development and application is super-charged. I also asked 3 different AI tools for their view on the core human skills that are crucial both now and in the future! 

My take on the human skills leaders can’t ignore:

✨ Emotional Intelligence 

✨ Collaborative Communication (listening, questioning, giving and receiving

feedback) 

✨ Leadership 

✨ Critical Thinking

✨ Problem Solving

✨ Ethical Judgement

✨ Team work

✨ Resilience

✨ Mental / Cognitive Flexibility 

✨ Adaptability 

What concerns me is how frequently these skills are being deprioritised and underdeveloped. I’ve seen businesses invest heavily in technology but neglect their people development - leading to disengaged teams, underdeveloped leaders, and resistance to change. To unlock the full potential of AI, we need engaged, skilled, motivated and adaptable humans at the core. From the recent discussions at these sessions, it’s also apparent that there is often a clear lack of planning and strategy in businesses - (The Why of AI). 

I feel fortunate that through my work as a coach, consultant and facilitator (and as an Emotional Intelligence, NLP, and DISC practitioner), I get to help and support individuals, teams, and businesses develop and leverage these human skills which are crucial to success. 

If you’re thinking about how to build these skills alongside AI adoption, to future proof your teams and your business, I’d love to chat.

Thanks to Fidelity International, Timeline Catherine Breslin The Birmingham Personal Finance Society (PFS) Mark Panayides Stephen Cloves FCIPD Graham McCusker and Rafi Trad for your insights, experience, expertise and great discussion at these events. 

Have a great weekend ahead.