LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — As more companies use artificial intelligence, leadership experts say the human skills that machines cannot replace may matter more than ever.
Virginia Knudsen is the CEO and co-founder of BOAR, a personal and professional development company. She said the company’s “NextGen Evolution” program trains emerging leaders in communication, emotional intelligence, public speaking and handling difficult conversations, before they receive a leadership title.
“AI helps us communicate faster, get information faster, and make decisions,” Knudsen said. “That does not help us connect with people.”
Skills AI cannot replace
Knudsen said great leaders understand themselves, connect with others and build trust.
“AI cannot replace vulnerability, empathy, trust,” Knudsen said. “It can’t replace that human connection that people are drawn to and that they need in order to follow great leaders. I think great leaders understand themselves, their strengths, their weaknesses. They surround themselves with people who are better than them at the things they don’t have so that they can stay in their own lane and be great leaders. And AI does not provide that.”
Knudsen said people do not follow perfect leaders; they follow real leaders.
“The ability to be vulnerable, to have empathy, and to be able to communicate in a way that people get it and understand is a critical part of leadership that I don’t believe that AI can provide for us,” Knudsen said.
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Preparing leaders before the title
Knudsen said organizations often promote top performers into leadership roles without preparing them first.
“They get into leadership positions and no one’s taught them how to navigate conflict, have the tough conversations, create a culture of accountability,” Knudsen said. “These are key things that leaders need to be able to lead effectively. And I think it’s something that we start before we even enter into that leadership role.”
Knudsen said developing leaders early also gives organizations a bench of prepared candidates for future openings.
“It also helps organizations provide a bench of leaders so when the next position comes available, they have a strong team that they can have a succession plan and utilize when the need arises,” Knudsen said.
About the program
Knudsen described NextGen Evolution as a 12-month leadership program covering topics including difficult conversations, organizational life cycles, executive presence, public speaking, finance, strategy and execution.
“You walk out of every single class with tools that you can implement and practice immediately in the workforce and in your personal lives,” Knudsen said.
Knudsen said participants have ranged in age from 22 to 55.
“All you need to become a NextGen participant is the desire to become a better leader, the desire to improve your emotional intelligence and your leadership skills,” Knudsen said.
Knudsen said Nevada’s growth is a reason to invest in developing leaders now.
“Nevada is growing,” Knudsen said. “We’re inviting new businesses and new companies in, and we need leaders that can adapt, that can communicate, that listen effectively, and help us grow our communities and our organizations.”
The next Las Vegas NextGen Evolution program begins Aug. 20. Knudsen said a program is also launching in Reno later this month.
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