Empowering Future Leaders by Using AI

Paul Carney, Senior Vice President, Human Resources Director, Carter Bank & Trust

There is no doubt: the Human Resources (HR) landscape has shifted so much over the past 10 years, that many might not recognize it any longer. And to add to the chaos, generative AI (GenAI) dropped onto the scene and sparked a rapid evolution of many aspects of HR, including leadership development strategies. Join me as we study the innovative ways HR professionals can harness GenAI to cultivate a new generation of leaders, offering practical examples to map the path forward.

Leadership Training with Generative AI

GenAI has opened new horizons for customized leadership development, tailoring learning experiences to individual leaders’ unique needs and skills. By analyzing vast amounts of data, AI can identify specific areas where leaders need to improve, suggest personalized training modules, and even simulate real-world challenges for hands-on learning.

This laser-like focus in development not only enhances the efficiency of training programs but also significantly boosts their effectiveness, ensuring that leaders are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of modern business environments. Regardless of industry, tomorrow’s leaders need an updated understanding of what it means to lead. By using GenAI, HR professionals can provide the advanced training that will support the organization’s future business needs.

Fostering Inclusion and Diversity through AI-Driven Insights

The journey to creating inclusive work environments can be complex, requiring a nuanced understanding of diverse workforce needs. GenAI offers a groundbreaking approach to this challenge, as demonstrated by Heineken’s global diversity and inclusion program. By conducting a series of introductory interviews, Heineken harnessed AI to analyze responses and identify key areas for improvement, crafting a program that addresses the multifaceted layers of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. This AI-driven approach ensures a holistic focus on inclusion, helping to create an environment where every employee can thrive.

How can you tell if GenAI is having an impact on creating an inclusive workplace? HR professionals can now gather data from all aspects of the business, then feed it to GenAI and ask it questions like, “Please review this data and summarize the level of inclusion detected, using a scale of 1-10 where 1 is low inclusion and 10 is the highest level. The summary should include the process by which you did the analysis and conclude with at least 3 recommendations on how to improve our leadership training programs to build a more inclusive work environment.”

"As we continue to explore the potential of GenAI, it is clear that its impact on leadership development is just beginning to unfold"

Empowering Choice and Flexibility in Leadership Paths

The traditional trajectory to leadership often assumes a onesize-fits-all approach. However, companies like Upwork are challenging this notion by offering multiple career tracks, acknowledging that leadership can take many forms. GenAI can play a pivotal role in such models by helping to identify potential leaders early in their careers, suggesting tailored development paths, and facilitating mentorship connections. This flexibility not only enriches the leadership pipeline but also ensures that individuals are engaged and motivated, contributing their best to the organization.

It also allows for a path to leadership that may not be focused on leading people, but leading projects. These types of “leadership” require a different set of skills and training. Recognizing this early helps all leaders determine their path and then pave the way for them to be successful through specialized training programs that GenAI can help your team develop.

Simulating Success: Preparing Leaders with Business Games

Business simulation games stand at the forefront of experiential learning, offering leaders a safe space to test decisions, strategies, and leadership styles. StratX ExL’s leadership development programs are a prime example, using simulations to immerse leaders in realistic business challenges.

GenAI enhances these simulations by dynamically adjusting scenarios based on current market trends, participant decisions, and learning objectives. This realtime feedback loop accelerates learning, enabling leaders to quickly adapt and apply new skills in actual business contexts.

How Will You Respond?

GenAI is not just a tool for automation; it’s a catalyst for transformation in leadership development. By offering customized learning experiences, fostering diversity and inclusion, providing flexible career paths, and simulating real-world challenges, AI enables HR professionals to prepare leaders for the demands of the future.

As we continue to explore the potential of GenAI, it is clear that its impact on leadership development is just beginning to unfold. The examples of Heineken, Upwork, and StratX ExL demonstrate the practical applications of AI in crafting the next generation of leaders, highlighting a future where leadership development is not only more effective but also more inclusive and adaptable.

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