Why deServing Leadership matters more in the age of AI

The hot topic on everyone’s mind today is AI and its impact on our company, ourselves and our teams. Artificial intelligence is changing how work gets done—faster than any shift most organizations have experienced before. Tasks are automated, decisions are data-driven, and efficiency is no longer optional. But there is one fundamental age-old truth that remains steadfast in the age of AI: technology alone does not create great organizations—people do. In fact, I argue that in this new AI led era, leadership isn’t becoming less human. It’s becoming more human.

Here are some of my thoughts on why people first leadership matters more than ever:

AI Changes work. deServing Leadership protects meaning.

While AI is fabulous at processing information, predicting outcomes, and automating repetitive tasks, it lacks the one of the two fundamental principles of deServing Leadership - emotional intelligence. It cannot answer what our colleagues and teams are wondering: Do I still matter here?. Is my work meaningful. Is my job safe? Do leaders see me as a person or a cost?

deServing Leadership puts those questions at the center of decision-making. It recognizes that while AI can optimize workflows, only humans create purpose, trust, and belonging. Without deServing Leadership, AI risks turning work into a transaction - efficient, but hollow.

AI raises the leadership bar.

I hear everyday that AI means leadership can be more hands-off. I contend that the opposite is true.

While AI takes over tasks, leaders must communicate more clearly, listen more intentionally, guide change more compassionately

When work becomes uncertain, employees look to leadership for stability. deServing leaders don’t hide behind technology—they step forward to explain why changes are happening and how people fit into the future. AI can execute decisions, but only leaders can earn and maintain trust.

With deServing leadership, AI becomes a tool in service of people, not the other way around.

Most leaders ask: “How much work can AI replace?”

deServing leaders ask: “How can AI help people do their best work?”

This changes everything. Instead of using AI to monitor, control, or squeeze more output from employees, deServing leaders use it to remove busywork, reduce burnout, free time for creativity, judgment, and relationship-building and support better decision-making, not replace human accountability.

Trust becomes the competitive advantage.

When AI gets introduced, trust becomes fragile but even more invaluable.

Like with anything new, teams will react to AI by resisting automation, disengaging emotionally, fearing transparency and potentially attempt to leave. deServing leaders owe it to their teams to build trust by involving employees early in AI decision, being transparent about risks and trade-off, setting ethical boundaries for how AI is used and investing in upskilling and growth. Trust comes from visible care NOT flawless execution.

AI can’t replace deServing leadership principles.

Core deServing leadership principles including emotional intelligence, empathy, ethics, listening, coaching & courage can never be replaced with AI.. deServing leadership cultivates these skills intentionally. deServing leaders recognize that AI-ready organizations won’t be defined by he best technology—but by how people are led through technology.

deServing leadership can enable human-led organizations that reshape the future of work using AI.

It is inevitable that AI will continue to reshape the workplace. But it cannot replace how people experience that change. Organizations that attempt to lead with AI may gain efficiency and scale, but they will struggle with engagement, loyalty and culture. Organizations that apply deServing leadership principles will adopt AI more successfully, retain talent longer, innovate with less resistance and build cultures employees actually want to stay in

deServing leadership isn’t about choosing between technology and humanity. It’s about using technology to serve humanity better.

In closing, I fundamentally believe that while AI can automate tasks, only deServing leadership principles can unlock human potential.

In a future shaped by intelligent machines, that may be the most powerful advantage of all.