Navigating AI Through Human Relationships
SUMMARY
Are you captivated by all the rhetoric going on about artificial intelligence? Many people I come across around the world are concerned that AI will come in, take over, and eliminate their jobs. If that resonates with you, that's understandable, so stick with me because this week I'll share the secret to ensuring that doesn't become a problem for you.
Hi, this is Grant Herbert, leadership and sustainable performance coach, and today I want to start a conversation around navigating AI through human relationships.
No matter how advanced AI becomes, I believe from experience, that your most valuable asset in developing your career and all other areas of life will always be your human-to-human connections—your relationships with other people.
Even robots need human programming, and while they can achieve impressive results, it's crucial to remember that they're here to serve us, not the other way around. That's a topic for another day, perhaps at a tech conference. For now, I want to focus on the importance of relationships as we explore 9 Crucial Shifts for leaders in the age of AI, VUCA, and other changes
One of the primary reasons for conflict is competition, whether consciously or subconsciously. Many people worry that others are trying to take their jobs or obstruct their path, and different opinions or agendas often come into play. Conflict arises because, at a basic level, humans tend to be selfish, with behaviour driven by self-preservation and the universal fears of not being enough, not belonging, or not being loved often come from our interactions with others. So, you need to shift your thinking about what other people are and their intentions. Doing so will allow you to build new, positive relationships.
This dynamic applies to everyone, whether you identify as an introvert or an extrovert. It’s deeper than that. It’s about cultivating curiosity, seeking understanding, and building high emotional and social intelligence to work well with others. It’s like children learning to play well together in a playground—the concept remains the same, though the age changes.
Well, that’s it from me for this week. Join me next week as we dive deeper into the topic of relationships by looking at what underpins great teamwork. I’ll see you then.
TRANSCRIPT
Are you captivated by all the rhetoric going on about artificial intelligence? Many people I come across around the world are concerned that AI will come in, take over, and eliminate their jobs. If that resonates with you, that's understandable, so stick with me because this week I'll share the secret to ensuring that doesn't become a problem for you.
Hi, this is Grant Herbert, leadership and sustainable performance coach, and today I want to start a conversation around navigating AI through human relationships.
There’s so much talk about artificial intelligence, ChatGPT, and similar technologies, creating a lot of uncertainty worldwide. People have various concerns, such as what it will mean at a macro level if we integrate all this AI into the way we do things.
Generative AI is highly popular right now, which is great, but I want to remind everyone that AI has been around for a very long time. Every time you click on something on social media, there’s an algorithm working in the background, feeding you more content based on your clicks—that’s artificial intelligence. If you’ve ever used a search engine, and I’m sure you have, that’s also AI. We’ve simply moved to a new level of what it can do, which, unfortunately, has created this uncertainty. But AI itself is not the problem.
No matter how advanced AI becomes, I believe from experience, that your most valuable asset in developing your career and all other areas of life will always be your human-to-human connections—your relationships with other people.
Even robots need human programming, and while they can achieve impressive results, it's crucial to remember that they're here to serve us, not the other way around. That's a topic for another day, perhaps at a tech conference. For now, I want to focus on the importance of relationships as we explore 9 Crucial Shifts for leaders in the age of AI, VUCA, and other changes.
This eighth shift is about moving from conflict to collaboration which is all about removing the uncertainty and confusion that arises when working with others.
Earlier this year, in the first shift, we talked about identity—specifically, the relationship you have with yourself. Now, let’s step into the relationships you have with others.
In my experience, this is where many technically skilled people face challenges. It’s the aspect of getting along and playing well with others. In my own corporate and military careers, this was a significant issue for me because I worried that others were competing against me, trying to prove myself constantly. This has been a major problem for me so I get it.
Many people get ‘promoted’ because of their technical abilities, and the reward often involves taking on a team. A lot of people might think, “Great, I can hardly manage myself, and now I have to lead others. And these people don't think or work the same way I do." So, this can create conflict.
This month, I’ll unpack key strategies and teach you skills to strengthen your human-to-human relationships, transforming them from a difficult area in your career into a strength.
As we go forward, keep in mind everything we’ve already covered. You need to bring a solid version of yourself into these relationships. Working on your identity, addressing approval addiction, imposter syndrome, the performance trap, and other self-doubts are essential. These aspects shape what you bring into any relationship. The people you interact with, whether it’s one person or a team, are also dealing with their uncertainties, challenges, perspectives, and issues of worth.
One of the primary reasons for conflict is competition, whether consciously or subconsciously. Many people worry that others are trying to take their jobs or obstruct their path, and different opinions or agendas often come into play. Conflict arises because, at a basic level, humans tend to be selfish, with behaviour driven by self-preservation and the universal fears of not being enough, not belonging, or not being loved often come from our interactions with others. So, you need to shift your thinking about what other people are and their intentions. Doing so will allow you to build new, positive relationships.
This dynamic applies to everyone, whether you identify as an introvert or an extrovert. It’s deeper than that. It’s about cultivating curiosity, seeking understanding, and building high emotional and social intelligence to work well with others. It’s like children learning to play well together in a playground—the concept remains the same, though the age changes.
Over the next few weeks, we'll explore foundational skills beneficial for individuals and teams. No matter your role in a team, consider sharing these insights. If you're watching or listening and subscribed, invite others to join in, learn, and go on this journey together. We'll talk about mastering communication, as confusion over what others say will often lead to conflict. By building understanding with high emotional intelligence, you can create mutually beneficial relationships for you, them, and the broader community.
We’ll also cover conflict from a fresh perspective, seeing how it can enhance relationships when managed strategically. Understanding that it’s not what you do but how you do it will determine whether conflict is constructive or unhealthy. Relationships will always be a critical skill set for thriving across all areas of life and career.
Well, that’s it from me for this week. Join me next week as we dive deeper into the topic of relationships by looking at what underpins great teamwork. I’ll see you then.
