How we can learn from Daniel Pink to compete against AI
Almost 20 years ago, Daniel Pink wrote a compelling book, "A Whole New Mind." He proposed that for most of human history, physical strength was the most important characteristic for job success.
The Industrial Revolution in the late 1800s produced machines that could do most of the heavy lifting, so intelligence became the key to success. But at the end of the 1900s, computers became able to think faster than people can and globalization enabled employment of smart people in other countries who would work less expensively than Westerners. So brains were no longer the differentiator they had once been. Pink’s thesis posited that the way to excel in the contemporary workplace was through so-called right-brain skills: design, story, symphony, empathy, play and meaning.
Pink’s formulation was bang on when it was published. But now we have artificial intelligence to contend with. Design, the ability to create things that are both functional and beautiful, and symphony, seeing the big picture and putting disparate pieces together in new ways, are well within the skill set of AI. What now?
Time to take a hard look at ‘soft skills’
At a recent program hosted by Jenner & Block and Ravinia Capital, “Battle of the Economic Experts,” one of the speakers proposed that in the age of AI, “soft skills” will become the most highly valued skill set. It’s ironic, because for years business leaders have tended to downplay the value of these skills. Let’s face it, in the world of big business, calling something “soft” is rarely a compliment.
The skills that are highly relevant now include Pink’s other competencies:
Story: the ability to fashion a compelling, persuasive narrative
Empathy: understanding what makes people tick, building relationships and caring for others
Play: laughter, games, and humor
Meaning: purpose, transcendence and spiritual fulfillment
Molding business leaders for an AI world
As we think about how to select and develop business leaders for this new era, we would do well to pay increased attention to these “soft” skills. Maybe someday AI will master those as well, but in the meantime, we will need people to provide those abilities.
And frankly, in the short term, AI still has a long way to go. As one of the other program speakers said, ChatGPT—at least for now—is about as useful as a “stupid intern” who has limited experience and makes a lot of mistakes. Interns usually get better, and so will AI, but when it comes to soft skills, I’ll bet on the interns.
If you’d like to have a conversation about leadership skills and AI, get in touch with me at ggolden@gailgoldenconsulting.com.
