The Aberrations of AI Leadership and Its Myths
We live in a corporate AI world where artificial intelligence has taken the niche. With this rise, the role of leadership becomes even more encapsulated — not only to ensure that the team has the right opportunities to upskill, but also to keep human ethics in sync with technological progress. (Encapsulated = wrapped up tighter than a burrito 🌯)
AI is not just a tablet or a tool. It is a conundrum of thought provoking machinery, a system that challenges how we think, work, and interact. (Conundrum = that friend who asks deep questions at 2 a.m. 🤯)
Yet, leadership in this age is not defined by machines. It is defined by how leaders nurture an environment where every voice is heard, every person can participate, and every team member has opportunities to grow.
From Declaration to Discussion
Traditional leadership often meant placing a “declaration on the table” — decisions handed down without dialogue. But in the AI era, true leadership means bringing “discussion to the table.”
This is the place where teams can be as flamboyant, exaggerated, or unconventional as they wish — and the leader embraces it, even if it feels uncomfortable. Leadership becomes about listening with patience, being open to diverse styles, and giving space for creativity to flourish.
It is like being idiosyncratic and kinesthetic, yet immaculate in hearing your people and giving them opportunities. (Translation: the cool weirdo who actually listens 👂😎)
Once that root develops, AI pays no heed — because people themselves brush up their niche and rise with confidence. (AI’s like: “Fine, you got this, I’ll chill in the background” 🛋️🤖)
Leadership Beyond Empathy and Sympathy
I always say that leadership is not empathy, and definitely not sympathy. Empathy means feeling what others feel. Sympathy means acknowledging their struggles. But leadership goes further — it is compassion, the active force that drives humans, business, and AI together.
Compassion in leadership is not passive. It is action oriented — the ability to transform understanding into opportunities, and care into progress. (Think: turning “aww” into “let’s go!” 🚀)
A compassionate leader does not just listen; they mobilize. They create bridges between human values and technological systems, ensuring that while AI optimizes processes, leadership continues to optimize people. (Bridge building = Bob the Builder meets Silicon Valley 🏗️💻)
Myths of AI Leadership
Myth 1: AI replaces empathy. Reality: Leaders must be authentic, showing values no machine can replicate.
Myth 2: AI makes leadership mechanical. Reality: Inclusion and dialogue are more important than ever.
Myth 3: AI decides everything. Reality: Leaders guide the human side — ethics, emotions, and opportunities.
Myth 4: AI reduces creativity. Reality: Leaders create spaces where human imagination thrives alongside machine efficiency.
Practical Ways Leaders Show Compassion in Action
Inclusive Decision-Making: Invite diverse voices into discussions, shifting from “declaration” to “discussion.”
Ethical AI Use: Ensure AI systems are transparent, fair, and aligned with human values.
Balancing Profit with People: Recognize that sustainable success comes from protecting well-being while driving business outcomes.
Skill Development: Provide opportunities for upskilling so teams grow alongside AI, not behind it.
Human-Centered Culture: Celebrate individuality, encourage creativity, and make space for unconventional ideas without judgment.
Active Listening: Hear not just words but emotions, and respond with clarity and support.
The Human Aberration
When leaders embrace this aberration — this deviation from old norms — they create a culture where AI is a partner, not a replacement. Teams brush up their niche skills, grow with confidence, and thrive in an environment where technology optimizes systems but leadership optimizes people.
✨ Leadership in the AI age is not empathy or sympathy — it is compassion in motion, driving humans, business, and technology forward together. True AI leadership is not about machines or myths, but about turning declarations into discussions, and ensuring that while AI drives systems, humanity will always drive people.
Rachana Bahel
