A.I. In Leadership (And You DON’T want it!)
Maybe the biggest buzz word of the decade is “A.I.” (That’s short for artificial intelligence for those of you scoring at home.) Everyone has their own opinion on whether Artificial Intelligence is a good or a bad thing. But, let’s cover a different “A.I.” It’s something you want to be sure you are guarding against in your leadership journey.
I’m talking about Arrogance and Ignorance…
When A.I. Invades Leadership
Perhaps you’ve witnessed the following scenario… A person finds themselves in a position of leadership within a business or organization. The promotion into that role may have been well-deserved. Or, as is sometimes the case, perhaps the individual was really good at one particular skill, and a superior assumed that because of that particular skill, that they would make a great leader as well (this is often not the case).
Whatever the case may be, sometimes the “leader” nametag can go to a person’s head.
The newly crowned “leader” begins to lord their position over others, in a prideful way, which in turn leads to arrogance. This arrogance will often breed ignorance, because it hinders a leader’s willingness to ask for advice and learn new things. This lack of learning will keep a leader from seeing things clearly, and unwise decisions typically follow.
We all know people like this, right? And maybe, just maybe… this is you right now.
Fight A.I. With Mentors
There is so much value for people (yes, and especially leaders) in having mentors… people who can give good advice and speak into your life because they have experience in one or more particular areas where learning is needed.
Mentors can certainly be great resources and role models when learning how to make wise decisions.
Sometimes it’s hard for leaders to humble themselves enough to ask someone to mentor them. Sometimes, it’s because they want to validate the position they have or prove to others how much they know. They are fooled into thinking that others may not feel they are qualified for the leadership position they have if they know that they need to ask advice from others.
I say this is backward thinking!
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary:
mentor
noun
men·tor ˈmen-ˌtȯr
a trusted counselor or guide, tutor, or coach
The student sought a mentor in chemistry.
One thing that makes mentors (especially older ones) so valuable to a leader is the amount of life that they have already experienced. Wouldn’t you want to seek advice from someone who can help you avoid some of the same mistakes they made along the way?
Wouldn’t you want to learn as much as you could from someone who has proven to be successful in areas that interest you?
In doing so, you are drastically reducing the amount the tough lessons that could be waiting for you on the path of life and leadership. If the bridge is out just over the hill, wouldn’t you want someone to let you know before you get there and risk driving off the edge of it?
Fight A.I. With Your Peers
Another good resource for guarding against arrogance and ignorance is your peers. Find friends and people you know who won’t tell you what you want to hear, but rather what you NEED to hear.
We all have blind spots. You might not think you have them… and that’s why they’re called blind spots!
Listen to people who will tell you the truth about yourself; people that will tell you where your blind spots are.
You may not like what they have to say.
But remember, the goal is to become a better leader, and to begin to change, you have to get a true assessment of where you are right now. Your peers can often help you in this area.
With this in mind, consider the list of 10 questions below. Ask these questions of your peers, friends and family (after all, our family usually knows us best) to assess where you are on the A.I. spectrum.
Arrogance and humility are at war with one another. And humility usually takes a lot more work. You have to battle your pride every day. But, if you will purpose in your heart to guard against arrogance and ignorance, you will gain respect with your peers and you WILL become a better leader.
Questions for Leaders To Ask Their Friends/Peers:
- What do I do well as a friend?
- What specifically do I lack in being a good friend?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being “Me” and 10 being “Others”… Do I appear to care more about MYSELF and MY success or about OTHERS and THEIR success? In what specific ways do I show this?
- When is the last time you heard me compliment someone else for something?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being negative and 10 being positive, do you see me as more of a positive or a negative person? How specifically do I show this positivity/negativity?
- In your opinion, what specific methods do you see me taking when I want to accomplish or achieve something?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being not likely and 10 being likely, how would you rate me in my willingness to seek out advice on something I don’t know much about?
- What is one thing I say I know a lot about, that in your opinion, I really don’t know much about?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being humility and 10 being arrogance, how would you rate me?
- List the top 3 things that you think would make me a better leader of others.
A.I. In Leadership Can Be Defeated
Arrogance and Ignorance are always lurking, waiting to pounce on leaders who are not vigilant in fighting them back. However, humility and learning are also there for the taking.
Humility takes courage.
Learning takes a willingness to stop what you’re doing, lay down your pride and ask someone who knows.
Choose humility and learning over arrogance and ignorance.
You’ll be a better leader for it… and you’ll be a better leader sooner than later!
