What are the essential leadership qualities for the post-pandemic AI world?

The pandemic has transformed the world of work. COVID-19 has put businesses under pressure and led to an acceleration of automation in the workplace. AI is now expected to have a greater socio-economic impact than the internet. It has the possibility to revolutionise work, increase productivity and create new opportunities.

As AI becomes more commonplace, managers and senior leaders will see their roles significantly change. Successful leaders will need to learn to adapt to thrive in this digital transformation.

With this in mind, which leadership skills should you be focusing on post-pandemic?

Adaptability

The pace of automation changes very quickly. To be successful, you need to be willing to embrace and adapt to new changes. You must be able to navigate and manage these changes while focusing on the larger task. AI can change the way decisions are made, turning the focus to algorithms and data rather than experience. Leaders will need to learn how to evaluate and make decisions by combining AI with human expertise.

As reforms come into place and the workplace changes, stay flexible and open to new ideas. View change as an opportunity to grow, both as an individual and an organisation. Automation is constantly changing, so leaders need to be continually learning. Focus on upskilling yourself to develop a deeper understanding of AI.

Emotional intelligence

This is a challenging time for employees. COVID-19 has led to a loss of jobs, grief and financial hardship. As employees look to the future they may be concerned about their job security and the effect AI will have on their career. In order to effectively support your team, you need to be aware of these sensitivities. Prioritise compassion and humility to support your staff.

Human skills will be just as necessary in the future, if not more so. As the workplace of the future adapts to AI, unique human characteristics of emotional intelligence and collaboration will be prioritised. People will remain the most critical asset of any business. Leaders need to become facilitators and collaborators, not just managers.

Develop genuine relationships with your employees and schedule time to communicate new changes with staff. Make wellbeing a priority throughout your organisation.

The workplace of the future will be more diverse and global, so effective leaders need to be culturally and socially sensitive. Appreciate the differences new employees bring to the table

Vision

To succeed in a post-pandemic world, you need to look towards the bigger picture. Not just for yourself, but for your team. Invest in a workforce that is skilled and confident in AI and support the continued development of skills. Embrace upskilling and support current employees by offering opportunities for growth. Help your team understand AI’s potential and keep their skills relevant. Create a future-ready workforce who have the knowledge, skills and capabilities needed to work effectively in an automated world.