> Knowledge hub > Four ways to enrich leadership development in an AI-driven worldThe rapid expansion of conversational and generative AI is causing mixed feelings among HR and L&D professionals worldwide – from excitement to concern about the technology’s impact on the future of work. This era of innovation presents a twofold problem: how to capitalize on the competitive advantages offered by AI and how to mitigate concerns about job loss and the changing nature of work.
The rapid expansion of conversational and generative AI is causing mixed feelings among HR and L&D professionals worldwide – from excitement to concern about the technology’s impact on the future of work. This era of innovation presents a twofold problem: how to capitalize on the competitive advantages offered by AI and how to mitigate concerns about job loss and the changing nature of work.
At Blanchard, one of our core values is to transform together. This motto embodies the belief that transformation is best based on a blend of human intuition and artificial intelligence, including live dialog and strategic use of technology.
Our extensive research into the use of large-scale language models and generative AI has revealed promising prospects for the development of leadership skills and manager effectiveness. Here are four key areas where we see the strategic application of AI unfolding.
We plan to use AI to personalize learning paths. This technology will help leaders and managers find content and resources that fit their specific challenges. Using AI analytics, we will customize learning modules and deliver up-to-date, appropriate resources. These promote continuous professional development. We are developing a mobile app in our innovation lab. It is designed to help the next generation of managers do just that.
Learning experiences often require translation and localization around the world. AI tools save enormous amounts of time and effort in translating educational materials to make them culturally appropriate. The impact of new technologies ranges from quick text translations to localization of synthetic media where avatars or experts can speak hundreds of languages. Blanchard has been using AI technology for translation for many years and is using newer AI tools for innovative video projects.
AI has the transformative potential to support the practical application and mastery of leadership skills. Practice is critical to developing the art of effective communication, whether it’s giving constructive feedback, having difficult conversations or discussing career ambitions with team members. Tools that combine video feedback technology with AI-driven analytics offer an innovative approach to skills development. These platforms allow learners to record their practice sessions and provide a unique opportunity to not only rehearse important conversations, but also receive immediate, objective feedback on their performance and competence.
At Blanchard, we will be using a platform called Bongo in the coming months to evaluate participants who complete our SLII® Train-the-Trainer program and help them build their confidence and competence in facilitating Blanchard programs. With Bongo and others, AI algorithms analyze aspects of communication such as tone of voice, clarity, body language and language use, offering nuanced insights that might be missed in a self-assessment or even by human evaluators. This immediate feedback accelerates the learning process and allows individuals to quickly iterate and improve their approach. In addition, the use of video feedback promotes a deeper level of reflection and self-awareness – critical components of effective leadership.
By providing a safe, supportive environment for practice and application, leaders can build confidence in their skills, refine their communication strategies and ultimately improve their effectiveness in leading teams and driving organizational success. This blend of high-tech solutions and human-centered development embodies the future of leadership training, where innovation amplifies human potential.
Providing real-time feedback and targeted stimulus are critical elements in the continuous development of leadership and management capabilities. Real-time feedback mechanisms offered by platforms such as Cloverleaf and LeadX harness the power of AI to provide instant insights into individual and team dynamics, communication effectiveness and overall performance. These insights enable leaders to make immediate adjustments and foster a culture of agility and responsiveness.
At Blanchard, the SLII® chatbot we created with MobileCoach helps learners apply and master the leadership skills taught in SLII® training by providing quick access to frequently asked questions. It also enhances and reinforces key content by linking to videos, worksheets, tools and assessments and sending reminders for critical tasks. This integrates conversational AI to respond to unstructured comments and provide additional advice and support based on hundreds of pages of SLII® content.
Another area where AI can revolutionize the L&D field is in content creation – especially when grounded in research-based frameworks. By using these frameworks as a data foundation, AI can generate content that aligns with established principles and insights, ensuring that the output is not only informative but also deeply rooted in proven content. This approach enables the creation of microlearning, moderation notes and resources that are relevant and accurate.
Blanchard’s point of view is simple: our content is generated by humans and our learning offerings are AI- and technology-enabled. The integration of AI with human expertise and experience in content development enables a powerful synergy to create solutions that go beyond what either approach could achieve alone.
AI can personalize content at scale, but it is human expertise that understands the intricacies of leadership development. AI can simulate realistic scenarios for practice, but only human trainers can provide the empathetic feedback and nuanced guidance that AI lacks. AI can generate a variety of ideas and perspectives, but it is the creative insight of human experts that sift through these perceptions and identify truly innovative solutions to leadership challenges that AI alone might not conceive. Combining AI and human expertise in leadership development leverages the strengths of both.
At Blanchard, our core values guide the journey of transformation. We harness the potential of Artificial Intelligence to enhance leadership styles while upholding the vital importance of genuine human interaction. We envision a future where leaders are encouraged to operate with heart, creative innovation and constant effectiveness. We dream of a world where technology enhances human potential rather than diminishing it.
As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence together, we encourage you to join us and explore the synergistic potential of AI to enhance the experiences of leaders, employees and learners.
