I wanted to get a better understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it could potentially improve my leadership, so I decided to engage ChatGPT in a conversation on the topic. I started out with an easy one: “how can I improve my leadership?” As suspected, a laundry list of ideas with well-articulated statements streamed down my screen. However, none of them were original or particularly insightful and only a few actually pertained to my situation. I decided to get a little more specific: “what’s stopping me from being a better leader?” Without even bothering to ask me a question it rapidly spit out another laundry list of ten pieces of advice generic enough that you would expect to find them in a fortune cookie. I was starting to get annoyed so I decided to be even more direct: “will ChatGPT make me a better leader?” Like a well-seasoned politician, ChatGPT simply stated ways in which it could potentially support my leadership development. Undoubtedly, the algorithm wouldn’t allow it to be cornered on this one, so I backed off and tried a softer approach. “Can ChatGPT make me a better leader?” Its answer was surprisingly more profound than any of the previous responses. Without realizing it, the program conceded that it could not make me a better leader, that it had limitations. More importantly, it revealed that the real onus was on me to improve. My short little experiment led me to some interesting observations that might be helpful as you decide how to integrate AI into your leadership journey.

Computers don’t have feelings

To some extent this is a strength as a transactional relationship with technology allows the user to maximize its utility without the danger of burnout or discord. But that lack of personal connection, the inability to fully comprehend the user's backstory, has the potential to create work solutions that don’t account for human factors. When I asked ChatGPT for advice on leadership it ignored my personality traits, my life story, my humanity - and thus the answers it provided were by and large irrelevant. In fact, AI’s inability to appropriately account for human factors has been cited by several studies as a tremendous drawback which could even expose an organization to ethical issues.1 As leaders start to increasingly leverage AI for solutions, there is still a need for the sage guidance from humans that understand human dynamics - incidentally, this is the value of having a coach.

Don’t outsource decision making to AI

AI is a very informative tool but be wary of using it as a decision maker. In the military, the commanding officer has a “round table” of advisors from various disciplines to help assist and guide them to a decision…but the decision always lies with that leader. This is a more appropriate application of AI for any leader. As leaders, it is important to remember that you should never switch off your brain and you can never outsource responsibility. Handing over the decisions to a computer carries potential legal and ethical ramifications and puts a LOT of trust into the developer. In my scenario, if ChatGPT was entirely honest, the answer to “will it make me a better leader” would have been a resounding “NO!” But the algorithm was likely biased and wanted the product to be seen in a positive light which is what influenced its response. So be judicious and cautious in your implementation of AI as the word “artificial” implies a level of inferiority to natural, human intelligence. 

Hard Work will never be obsolete

Technology will continue to advance and evolve, but there will never be a time when it replaces discipline and sacrifice. You can’t swipe your way to success. In the biggest stroke of irony, when I pinned ChatGPT into a corner on whether it could improve my leadership, it indicated that such an endeavor could not be solved by technology, but rather it required “personal effort.” Even AI acknowledges its limitations! When trying to improve, you can’t rely on the magic pill of technology, you have to do the work. As you apply this to your leadership, keep in mind that while AI will undoubtedly provide areas of  improved efficiency, you are never going to avoid tough work, difficult conversations, and managing your time and resources. In order to grow your leadership and organization, you will have to do hard things.

AI is rapidly moving into our workplace and personal life. And while it’s important to understand what it can do, it’s equally important to be mindful of what it cannot. Automation of mundane, repetitive tasks has long been recognized as an appropriate application of technology. But the danger with any technology that makes life easier is that most growth occurs when life is difficult. Whether it’s personal growth or that of your organization, remember that AI isn’t a magic wand. You have a new weapon in your arsenal, but you still have to slay the dragon. So, before you go off and throw away all life lessons and plug into the matrix, remember that you are still the decision maker, and you still need to work for things.  If you think I’m crazy, just ask ChatGPT.

Authored by: Michel Uyboco, Director

1. Chen C, Chen Z, Luo W, Xu Y, Yang S, Yang G, Chen X, Chi X, Xie N, Zeng Z. Ethical perspective on AI hazards to humans: A review. Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Dec 1;102(48):e36163. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000036163. PMID: 38050218; PMCID: PMC10695628.