A New Era of Leadership: Partnering with AI
- Rachel Saathoff
- Sep 26
- 3 min read
Artificial Intelligence is no longer just an IT department tool — it has become a leadership imperative. The leaders who will thrive in the next decade are not those who fear technology or see it as a replacement, but those who embrace it as a partner in decision-making, communication, and people development.
AI and automation are already reshaping how we work. The bigger question is: How should they reshape how we lead?
At its best, tech-augmented leadership is about balance. AI can analyze massive data sets in seconds, surfacing patterns and insights leaders might otherwise miss. But the leader’s role isn’t about crunching the numbers — it’s about asking sharper questions, applying judgment, and weighing ethical considerations.
Beyond decision-making, AI is also transforming how leaders develop people. Imagine tools that measure how inclusive your meetings are or how much airtime each team member gets. That kind of feedback provides leaders with concrete, measurable insights to grow. And with routine tasks handled by AI, leaders have the rare opportunity to reclaim time — time they can reinvest in empathy, trust-building, and creative problem-solving.
At Break the Norm Leadership, we believe in modeling what we teach, so we’ve fully embraced AI in our own practice. Our Chief Learning Officer, Dr. Ramien R. Pierre, has a favorite question for the team: “How can AI help?” We’ll be honest — sometimes it’s a little annoying when the question keeps coming up. But here’s the truth: that persistence forces us to stop, look at our processes, and find smarter ways of working. More often than not, it leads to breakthroughs.
Take RFP proposal writing, for example. Some of our proposals run 50–80 pages and traditionally take countless hours to compile. With AI’s support, we can draft, polish, and streamline faster, giving us more time to focus on what matters most: listening to our clients and tailoring solutions. We’re also using AI to fuel creative marketing campaigns and keep our outreach consistent. And yes — even this newsletter you’re reading has AI fingerprints on it, helping us shape ideas into a clear, timely message.
"We’re not outsourcing our leadership voice — we’re amplifying it."
That’s the real challenge for today’s leaders: not whether AI belongs in leadership, but how to use it responsibly and effectively. Here are some questions worth asking yourself:
Am I actively learning how AI applies to my industry, or am I waiting for others to filter it for me?
Where could AI free up capacity in my role so I can focus more on people, strategy, and culture?
How am I preparing my team to use AI responsibly, without fear of being replaced?
What guardrails am I putting in place to ensure AI is used ethically, inclusively, and transparently?
Because here’s the bottom line: technology doesn’t lead people — people lead people. AI can provide data and insights, but it cannot replace trust, courage, or values. Leaders who use AI well will always pair information with empathy, ensuring their decisions are not only smart but also humane.
If you’re wondering where to start, here’s our advice: successful adoption of AI in organizations begins with a strategic AI plan. That plan lays out not just the tools, but the vision, priorities, and safeguards for how AI will enhance your work. Just as important, it takes change management and training to get your team confident and capable in using those tools. At Break the Norm Leadership, we can partner with you on both building the plan and preparing your people.
👉 To learn more about how Break the Norm Leadership can help you develop an AI strategic plan, schedule a meeting below.
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