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How are you adapting your leadership style to foster trust and collaboration in an AI-driven environment ?
How are you adapting your leadership style to foster trust and collaboration in an AI-driven environment?
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11 answers
Kristin Ogdon
Marketing
1
Answer
New York, New York
Updated
Kristin’s Answer
As a team leader, I focus first on how AI can meaningfully contribute solutions to our business challenges, and always leading with responsible AI. We always disclose whenever we have leveraged AI (or tools like Copilot, ChatGPT, etc.) to help us solve problems, and we never use AI without also using human eyes to review the solutions offered, keeping responsible and ethical principles top of mind. We also always lead with people first - we try to use AI to help people, and we keep people at the center. AI can be an incredible and powerful tool, but we always start with us - the humans at the center of our business.
Matthew Frank
Sales
4
Answers
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Updated
Matthew’s Answer
As a leader, it's important to support the use of AI and let your teams try out the latest tools. Although there may be questions about the accuracy of some AI answers, it's clear that AI will change how office jobs evolve. By accepting these changes and exploring new possibilities, your team can be better prepared for the future and make a bigger impact.
Goodera Careervillage
63
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Goodera’s Answer
Hi there!
AI is here to stay, but it's crucial to keep the human element in important decisions. Leaders shouldn't rely on AI alone to hire or fire people. Good leadership involves using AI for data gathering, but the final decisions should be based on personal experience. Depending only on AI can result in poor choices.
AI is here to stay, but it's crucial to keep the human element in important decisions. Leaders shouldn't rely on AI alone to hire or fire people. Good leadership involves using AI for data gathering, but the final decisions should be based on personal experience. Depending only on AI can result in poor choices.
Rob Stevens
Leadership Development & Training
3
Answers
Jacksonville, Florida
Updated
Rob’s Answer
If there was one action I would take that best integrates AI and Leadership, it would be to read/listen to "The AI-Driven Leader" by Geoff Woods. He details a process that can transform your role as a leader, and the role that AI plays in helping you be a great leader. If you're more of a podcast person, he also has a podcast.
tech conference
22
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
tech’s Answer
Adapting your leadership in the AI climate is being able to realize how you can make your leadership more effective with tools & leadership skills.
Gail Manley
I set strategy and support the Social Impact team
9
Answers
Cincinnati, Ohio
Updated
Gail’s Answer
I don't think I would change my leadership style just because of an AI-driven environment. Leadership should always be flexible and adaptable to fit the relationships you're building. This is especially true when working one-on-one or with a group. Different people need or expect different styles from you, and by being flexible, you build trust. There's no single right way to lead.
Sumitra Biswal
Independent researcher in the intersection of AI and Cybersecurity
40
Answers
India
Updated
Sumitra’s Answer
Hi!
That’s such a thoughtful question. In an AI-driven environment, I have found that leadership first means acknowledging the fears people have, especially the worry that AI will replace jobs. Ignoring those concerns only weakens trust. Instead, I openly discuss how AI is not a job-stealer, but a job-shaper. It takes over repetitive, mundane tasks and acts as an Intelligent Assistant, giving employees more time and energy to focus on creative, complex, and meaningful work.
I also highlight how AI is already creating new roles: from prompt engineers to AI ethicists, which widens career opportunities rather than shrinking them. By showing people the bigger picture and giving them space to experiment with AI tools, I have seen collaboration grow. When employees realize AI is here to empower, not replace, they feel safer, more curious, and more willing to share ideas.
As observed, leadership in this era means pairing transparency with encouragement, addressing fears honestly while helping people see the new possibilities AI unlocks for them.
Warm regards,
Sumitra
That’s such a thoughtful question. In an AI-driven environment, I have found that leadership first means acknowledging the fears people have, especially the worry that AI will replace jobs. Ignoring those concerns only weakens trust. Instead, I openly discuss how AI is not a job-stealer, but a job-shaper. It takes over repetitive, mundane tasks and acts as an Intelligent Assistant, giving employees more time and energy to focus on creative, complex, and meaningful work.
I also highlight how AI is already creating new roles: from prompt engineers to AI ethicists, which widens career opportunities rather than shrinking them. By showing people the bigger picture and giving them space to experiment with AI tools, I have seen collaboration grow. When employees realize AI is here to empower, not replace, they feel safer, more curious, and more willing to share ideas.
As observed, leadership in this era means pairing transparency with encouragement, addressing fears honestly while helping people see the new possibilities AI unlocks for them.
Warm regards,
Sumitra
Sankarraj Subramani
GenAI Opensource Contributor and GenAI Sr. SDET
13
Answers
Sugar Land, Texas
Updated
Sankarraj’s Answer
In an AI-driven environment, I’ve found that leadership is less about commanding and more about building trust, transparency, and collaboration across teams. AI tools can transform how we work, but they also create uncertainty—people may worry about job security, fairness, or losing control to machines. My leadership style has adapted to address those concerns head-on.
First, I practice transparent communication. When leading AI QA automation at United Airlines, Freddie Mac, or USAA, I didn’t just introduce new AI frameworks; I explained why we were using them, how they improved safety, fairness, or efficiency, and where human oversight remained essential. This openness helped teams see AI as an enabler, not a threat.
Second, I focus on collaborative learning. I mentor engineers on prompt engineering, GenAI test case generation, and ethical AI practices. By creating hands-on learning spaces, I empower team members to experiment with AI while developing their own judgment. This way, they feel ownership rather than dependency.
Third, I integrate ethical responsibility into leadership. My certifications in AI Governance and Compliance and Generative AI Governance taught me that leaders must model responsible use of AI. I make sure my teams align with fairness, explainability, and compliance standards, building confidence among clients and stakeholders.
Finally, I emphasize human connection and empathy. AI may provide predictions, but it can’t understand personal struggles, fears, or motivations. I invest time in listening, understanding concerns, and celebrating human contributions alongside AI achievements.
By combining transparency, mentorship, ethics, and empathy, I’ve adapted my leadership style to foster trust and collaboration. The result is a culture where AI and people work together—and where teams feel both future-ready and valued.
First, I practice transparent communication. When leading AI QA automation at United Airlines, Freddie Mac, or USAA, I didn’t just introduce new AI frameworks; I explained why we were using them, how they improved safety, fairness, or efficiency, and where human oversight remained essential. This openness helped teams see AI as an enabler, not a threat.
Second, I focus on collaborative learning. I mentor engineers on prompt engineering, GenAI test case generation, and ethical AI practices. By creating hands-on learning spaces, I empower team members to experiment with AI while developing their own judgment. This way, they feel ownership rather than dependency.
Third, I integrate ethical responsibility into leadership. My certifications in AI Governance and Compliance and Generative AI Governance taught me that leaders must model responsible use of AI. I make sure my teams align with fairness, explainability, and compliance standards, building confidence among clients and stakeholders.
Finally, I emphasize human connection and empathy. AI may provide predictions, but it can’t understand personal struggles, fears, or motivations. I invest time in listening, understanding concerns, and celebrating human contributions alongside AI achievements.
By combining transparency, mentorship, ethics, and empathy, I’ve adapted my leadership style to foster trust and collaboration. The result is a culture where AI and people work together—and where teams feel both future-ready and valued.
Ralph Figueiredo
Manage Partners and Alliances
2
Answers
Long Beach, California
Updated
Ralph’s Answer
AI is here to stay, and it's up to us to use it wisely and for good. As a leader, I've encouraged my team to use AI as a helpful tool for planning and strategy. We see it as a voice of reason, offering new ideas and solutions. By embracing AI, we aim to become more efficient and think creatively. However, we always review what AI suggests to ensure it fits our needs.
In my role in sales and business development, human interaction is vital and cannot be replaced by AI. We use AI to assist with planning and strategy, allowing us to focus more on building relationships. This helps us strengthen trust and credibility with our customers, colleagues, and partners.
In my role in sales and business development, human interaction is vital and cannot be replaced by AI. We use AI to assist with planning and strategy, allowing us to focus more on building relationships. This helps us strengthen trust and credibility with our customers, colleagues, and partners.
Chauncey Larsen
Product Marketing
2
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Chauncey’s Answer
Leading a small team with regular AI use has highlighted to me how essential the "human" element is. In any leadership role—whether guiding people or working with AI—the human perspective remains central. AI excels at tasks like research, clarification, and discovering new insights, especially when we're busy or overlook details. But it's up to humans to interpret and integrate these results authentically into work such as blogs, marketing, customer interactions, coding, and more, making sure everything aligns with our values. For instance, several writers I collaborate with use AI-generated prompts for fast brainstorming, then tailor the content using their understanding of our business, my preferences, and additional requirements—plus their personal style. This approach helps us resonate more strongly with our audiences. Additionally, AI proves to be an excellent tool for collaboration. Since note-taking has a habit of distracting me during conversations, AI supports deeper dialogue by tracking details I might otherwise miss and helping me stay focused.
James Constantine Frangos
SOFTWARE ENGINEER SINCE 1972; NUTRITIONIST SINCE 1976.
7094
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Career Village Office Hours!
The definition of a leader is an experienced employee with knowledge. The leader possesses advanced skills pertaining to the work definition of a less experienced worker. The type of instruction given familiarizes less experienced staff with technologies like Artificial Intelligence. This leadership style alleviates fears around the AI replacing them. That fear is prevalent in the workplace, where AI exists, and can be as high as 60%.
Your leadership style needs to be democratic, and didactic, listening to, and answering the less experienced employee's questions. There may be expressions of fear, worries about the technology taking their job. Your leadership style needs to be at all times consultative, open, and transparent, not closed and restrictive!
Reassure these employees that the AI is there as an assistant, not a replacement for people. AI has not been purpose-built to swallow up jobs. The economic rationalization that follows can raise suspicions. People know that saving money will usually be commensurate with a loss of jobs! The help that AI gives is to assist with boring, mundane, repetitive tasks, not hiring and firing! Many people are fearful of being replaced by AI.
SEE https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2024/01/08/workers-who-use-artificial-intelligence-are-more-likely-to-fear-that-ai-may-replace-them/ ALSO https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230418-ai-anxiety-artificial-intelligence-replace-jobs
GOD BLESS!
The definition of a leader is an experienced employee with knowledge. The leader possesses advanced skills pertaining to the work definition of a less experienced worker. The type of instruction given familiarizes less experienced staff with technologies like Artificial Intelligence. This leadership style alleviates fears around the AI replacing them. That fear is prevalent in the workplace, where AI exists, and can be as high as 60%.
Your leadership style needs to be democratic, and didactic, listening to, and answering the less experienced employee's questions. There may be expressions of fear, worries about the technology taking their job. Your leadership style needs to be at all times consultative, open, and transparent, not closed and restrictive!
Reassure these employees that the AI is there as an assistant, not a replacement for people. AI has not been purpose-built to swallow up jobs. The economic rationalization that follows can raise suspicions. People know that saving money will usually be commensurate with a loss of jobs! The help that AI gives is to assist with boring, mundane, repetitive tasks, not hiring and firing! Many people are fearful of being replaced by AI.
SEE https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2024/01/08/workers-who-use-artificial-intelligence-are-more-likely-to-fear-that-ai-may-replace-them/ ALSO https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230418-ai-anxiety-artificial-intelligence-replace-jobs
GOD BLESS!