Most leaders I talk with today are overwhelmed with more work than they have resources for, work long hours, and go home exhausted at the end of the day, wondering what was actually accomplished.
More work than resources/budget is almost always the case. Yet, some leaders seem to be in more control of their day, work an eight hour day, and get a lot done.
Why is that? Great leaders don’t get everything done, they get the most important things done.
The gap between good and great leaders isn’t about effort anymore. It’s about being strategic, understanding the most important goals, prioritizing work, and leveraging AI.
Are You Still the “Go-To” Person, or Getting Left Behind?
Most high achievers were promoted into a leadership role because of being the expert in a functional area - known as the “go-to” person everyone went to for questions. These leaders likely got very little leadership training, if any, and were expected to figure it out. I wonder if this describes your leadership journey.
Complicating matters, leading in today’s world is changing exponentially quickly. Even if you did get leadership training, those playbooks were written for a world that no longer exists.
AI, bots, and automation aren’t “coming.” They’re here. While many leaders are buried in endless meetings, emails, and are busy being busy, others are learning how to lead smarter, using AI tools to clarify goals, plan better, and communicate more effectively.
Ask yourself these questions for a reality check:
- When big problems arise at work, are you still the go-to person - or are you being bypassed for others who have continued to learn and grow their skills?
- Are you the one teaching others how to use AI - or are you still waiting for your company to roll out the training?
- Do you and your team members know the top three priorities for the week, month, quarter or are they reactive to requests?
- If your leadership style were copied across your organization, would it accelerate progress - or slow it down?
- If your role were eliminated tomorrow, would your company scramble to keep you or quietly move on?
If any of these questions make you a little uncomfortable, it may be time to take a hard look at your leadership skills, how you’re viewed in your company, and consider some next steps.
This Isn’t About Losing Your Job - It’s About Losing Your Influence
You won’t be replaced by AI.
You’ll be replaced by a leader who understands how to use AI to lead in today’s world more effectively than you do. They know how to use AI as a thinking partner to accelerate and elevate their impact.
When leaders stop learning and don’t keep up with the changing times, people stop following and they become forgettable.
Today’s successful leaders invest in themselves (instead of waiting for corporate training), know how to prioritize work for value, are curious, and use technology to lead people, not just manage work.
Why Believe Me?
I’ve been using AI extensively and impactfully for the past three years and have taught hundreds of leaders in my workshops over the years. I’ve seen the changes participants make and have seen their email signatures change from Managers to SVPs. It’s rewarding to help leaders be better today than they were yesterday.
It’s why I wrote Practical Leadership: A Guide to Building Trust, Getting Results, and Changing Lives. It’s the playbook for today’s leaders, with actionable tactics that can be put in place immediately.
Now, I’m helping leaders integrate AI into that same guide, so that they can think strategically, communicate clearly, get results, and stay relevant in a world that isn’t slowing down.
How to Catch Up and Pull Ahead
You don’t need to do everything at once. You need to take a few right steps.
- Get a leadership reality check. Take the Leadership Relevance Self-Assessment to see how your leadership stacks up against the leadership demands of today.
- Upgrade your leadership playbook. Read Practical Leadership for frameworks, checklists, and tactics that show you exactly how to lead with clarity, results, trust.
- Learn how AI helps you lead better. Join one of my upcoming AI workshops where I teach leaders how to use AI tools as a strategic thinking partner.
Next Steps to Take Right Now
Here are your three to-do’s:
- Take the Leadership Relevance Self-Assessment
- Order Practical Leadership - read and apply
- Sign up for the wait list for my upcoming workshop: How to Use AI to Help with Goal Setting and Planning in January.
Lead with Confidence
People aren’t born natural leaders. Leadership is a craft that can be learned and mastered like any other craft. Using AI in your leadership role is also a craft that can be learned.
You’ve got my word that this is not an impossible dream. It’s leadership done right. I can help you get there - just like I’ve done for many others.
Because everyone deserves to work for a great leader.
Warm regards,
Janet Ply, PhD
Author, Practical Leadership
www.janetply.com
Schedule a free problem-solving call with me at janetply.me.
Connect with me on LinkedIn