As a technological tool, AI is invaluable, potentially generating trillions of dollars in productivity improvements across the global economy. There is, however, one significant thing that AI cannot do: produce values-based leaders.
Values-based leadership requires people who are deeply committed to their values and use them as a moral compass to lead themselves and others. However, as AI continues to change the landscape—with reductions in middle management and the elimination of white-collar jobs—it raises the obvious question: How will we develop tomorrow’s values-based leaders if middle management is on the chopping block while AI drives efficiencies?
Cuts are running deep among major employers, such as Amazon, which is eliminating 14,000 corporate jobs and plans more reductions in the future. In addition, Nestlé recently announced plans to lay off 16,000 people, with 12,000 of them being white-collar workers. In a statement, Nestlé CEO Philipp Navratil said: “The world is changing, and Nestlé needs to change faster. This will include making hard but necessary decisions to reduce headcount over the next two years.”
Across organizations, there is greater urgency for values-based leadership at all levels. The answer as to where to find them—among everyone, everywhere.
Values-Based Leadership—Not Just At The Top
Early in my career, I practiced values-based leadership when I had only myself to lead and did so by defining and living my values. Later, when I was promoted to lead a small team, values-based leadership kept me focused on what mattered most—to ensure I was developing every person on the team to their full potential.
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