By 2030, Artificial Intelligence is expected to contribute over $15.7 trillion to the global economy (PwC, Global Artificial Intelligence Study). From strategy to creativity, AI is transforming how we work, think, and lead.
This level of advancement is exciting to some, but hugely daunting to many, and can be quite divisive. If I look at my family, for example, I’m probably using it the most, my husband more and more. My Gen Z daughters are cynical of its inauthenticity and worried about the impact on the environment, whereas my mum sees it as a dark art, akin to witchcraft.
So how is it affecting the workplace, right now?
In a recent masterclass I ran for a senior leadership team, all perspectives were reflected. One leader admitted they had defaulted to AI for every presentation, and had noticed that their unique tone was diminished. Another leader was reluctant to use it at all, worrying about the impact it would have on everyone’s jobs. Both perspectives reflect the tension at the heart of leadership today: how can we harness the power of AI without losing our human voice?
As technology accelerates, whether you’re an early adopter or watching from the sidelines, tapping into the qualities that define exceptional leadership — authenticity, empathy, and gravitas — has never been more essential.
In Leading with Gravitas, I define gravitas as “the ability to command respect, get taken seriously and get your voice heard, while retaining your authentic style.” In the AI era, gravitas is not a “nice to have” — it’s what sets real leaders apart.
Connecting the Dots
Steve Jobs famously said: “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.” AI can analyse data points faster than any human, but it cannot create them. Those “dots” — your lived experiences, challenges, and reflections — form the foundation of leadership insight and authenticity. If we let AI do all the thinking, we stop creating our own dots, and our voice becomes less distinctive, less human.
Leadership, AI and the Role of Gravitas
The Innovation Paradox
In his Harvard Business Review article, “The Hard Truth About Innovative Cultures” (Gary P. Pisano, 2019), Pisano highlights a critical tension: while innovative cultures are often seen as collaborative, psychologically safe, and open to failure, they also depend on what might be perceived as opposing traits: rigour, accountability, and strong leadership. Without balancing these opposites, innovation collapses under its own weight.
AI can help leaders experiment and scale ideas, but it cannot replace the discipline and candour required to sustain innovation. Managing this paradox demands human judgement — the very essence of gravitas.
Lessons from the Field
At Microsoft, CEO Satya Nadella has become a model for what I call authentic intelligence. He champions AI as a productivity tool but places equal emphasis on empathy and emotional intelligence, calling for a “growth mindset” culture. Under his leadership, Microsoft’s AI integration has been grounded in humanity — empowering, not replacing, human potential.
Meanwhile, a creative agency I work with has introduced “AI-free zones” — intentional spaces where people brainstorm without digital tools. The result? Bolder ideas, richer discussions, and a renewed sense of ownership. Their leaders found that by consciously stepping away from AI at key moments, they reconnected with their authentic creative instincts — their gravitas.
Leading with Authentic Intelligence
To lead effectively in this AI-driven age:
- Use AI as an accelerator, not a substitute. Let it handle process, not purpose.
- Keep creating your own dots. Reflect, journal, and build the experiences that inform your perspective.
- Model authenticity. Be transparent about when and why you use AI — and when you choose not to.
The leaders of the future will be those who integrate AI into their toolkit while holding onto the human depth that technology can’t replicate. Gravitas — that powerful blend of confidence, compassion, and authenticity — will be one of their defining traits. Because in the end, it’s not artificial intelligence that inspires trust and innovation, it’s authentic intelligence.
For more, check out this article: Gravitas is about Presence, not Pretence: lessons from Antoinette Dale Henderson
