Artificial intelligence helps leaders improve decision making and team performance.
According to research by Deloitte, more than 80% of business and IT leaders consider artificial intelligence critical to their organization’s success. Yet, artificial Intelligence does more than transform how we process data or automate tasks. It’s revolutionizing how we lead, make decisions, and develop as professionals.
The most successful executives aren’t just adopting AI technologies to drive business growth. They’re integrating these tools directly into their leadership approach. Let’s explore seven powerful strategies through examples of leaders who’ve successfully harnessed AI, followed by actionable tips demonstrating how AI can transform your leadership skills, increasing your influence and impact at work.
Embrace AI As Your Strategic Thinking Partner
When a manufacturing CEO faced executive team conflicts, he turned to AI for a fresh perspective, asking open-ended questions about inefficiencies in product development. This approach revealed unexpected communication breakdowns between departments that traditional analysis had missed. The AI uncovered that design and engineering teams were barely collaborating, causing costly delays.
Pro Tip
Try this method by using AI to challenge your assumptions. Pose open-ended questions about organizational challenges, and let algorithms explore connections you might miss, helping you reframe your understanding of problems.
Leverage AI For Custom Leadership Development
A midsize tech company’s leadership team struggled with inconsistent performance until they implemented AI-driven development programs. Using platforms such as BetterUp and Gloat, they analyzed the performance data for each leader and created personalized growth plans. One executive who received targeted recommendations for improving delegation saw significant team productivity improvements within three months.
Pro Tip
Execute this strategy by committing to regular interaction with AI development tools. Provide these systems with comprehensive performance data through assessments and feedback sessions. Focus on implementing the specific, actionable recommendations they generate rather than following generic leadership advice. The more you engage with these platforms, the more precisely they can tailor guidance to your unique situation.
Use AI To Help Make Better Business Decisions
A retail chain CEO faced declining store performance across different regions with no clear pattern. By implementing an AI analytics platform, the company discovered previously hidden correlations between local economic indicators, staffing decisions, and sales performance. This insight allowed them to develop location-specific strategies that reversed the downward trend within two quarters.
Pro Tip
To implement this effectively, identify the most complex decisions you regularly face and deploy AI-powered analytics platforms like Tableau or Power BI to visualize the relevant data. Start with a specific business challenge, then let the AI explore multiple variables simultaneously. View these insights as supplements to your judgment, not replacements for it. Regularly review AI recommendations against your experience to develop a more nuanced decision-making process.
Reclaim Time With AI-Powered Communication
A hospital administrator found herself spending over 20 hours weekly in meetings and producing summaries and follow-ups. After implementing Zoom AI Companion and Otter.ai, she automated meeting documentation and action item tracking. This change freed up a big chunk of her time, which she redirected toward strategic planning and mentorship.
Pro Tip
Maximize your results by auditing your weekly schedule to identify communication bottlenecks and repetitive tasks. Then, select AI tools specifically designed to address your most time-consuming activities. Start with a single process and gradually expand to other areas once you feel comfortable. Be sure to establish clear protocols for when AI communication is appropriate (routine updates, data compilation) and when a human touch is necessary (sensitive feedback, complex negotiations), saving your time for the important conversations only you can handle.
Get Results With AI-Driven Feedback Systems
A software development firm struggling with team burnout and turnover implemented an AI feedback system that analyzed communication patterns across their project management platform. The tool identified early warning signs of team stress three weeks before they would typically become apparent to managers. This early detection allowed managers to redistribute workloads and prevent project delays.
Pro Tip
Achieve optimal results by selecting an AI feedback platform that integrates with your existing communication tools and performance metrics. Create clear guidelines for how feedback will be used and shared. Train your team to understand that AI-generated insights are tools for growth, not punishment. Regularly review AI’s effectiveness by comparing its recommendations against actual outcomes and adjust parameters to improve accuracy.
Balance Technical Data With Human Intuition
A healthcare system implemented an AI solution to optimize patient scheduling but found staff increasingly frustrated despite efficiency gains. When leadership combined the AI insights with nurse manager input, they discovered the algorithm was creating technically optimal but practically problematic schedules. They achieved efficiency and satisfaction improvements by recalibrating the system to incorporate human insights about patient needs and staff preferences.
Pro Tip
Master this balance by regularly reviewing AI recommendations through multiple lenses. Create a structured process for comparing algorithmic outputs with experiential knowledge. When discrepancies arise, treat them as learning opportunities rather than system failures. Document when human intuition correctly identified factors the AI missed, and use these instances to refine your algorithmic tools. Cultivate intellectual humility by being open to having both your intuitions and your AI systems challenged.
Create An AI-Positive Culture For Workers
A manufacturing firm initially faced resistance when introducing AI quality control systems. Rather than mandating adoption, leadership organized small pilot projects where teams could experiment with the technology in low-stakes environments. They celebrated early successes with the systems publicly and treated setbacks as valuable learning experiences. Within a year, employees were proactively suggesting new AI applications across the organization.
Pro Tip
Foster this environment by investing in basic AI literacy training for you and your staff. Create safe spaces for experimentation where teams can explore AI applications without fear of failure. Recognize and reward both successful implementations and instructive failures that generate organizational learning. Share real case studies of how AI has enhanced (not replaced) human work in your organization. Demonstrate your own willingness to learn from and adapt to AI insights, modeling the curiosity and openness you hope to foster.
Evolve As A Leader Who Thrives With AI
The most effective future leaders won’t just adopt AI tools. They’ll reimagine leadership with an AI-enhanced lens while still leveraging soft skills like awareness and empathy. As AI evolves, so will new opportunities for leaders to amplify their impact, overcome cognitive limitations, and drive innovation. The future belongs to those who view AI not as a threat but as their most powerful ally in creating meaningful change.