Leadership development is becoming increasingly important today, especially if companies want to make their management teams fit for the digital future. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly seen as a key factor in enabling managers to fulfil their role successfully. The development of AI expertise is therefore a crucial component of modern leadership development.
Leadership development through AI expertise: a new approach
Leadership development involves more than traditional seminars or coaching. Especially in times of digital transformation, the ability to understand and apply AI technologies is becoming increasingly important. Companies support their managers not only in traditional management tasks, but also in dealing competently with data-based decisions and automation processes.
For example, managers in the automotive industry benefit when they use AI-supported analyses to optimise production processes or control product developments. The ability to interpret customer behaviour with the help of intelligent algorithms is also becoming increasingly important in the retail sector.
In the financial sector, on the other hand, AI expertise enables risks to be assessed more precisely and automated reporting processes to be introduced. These practical examples show how targeted management development focussing on AI skills can help companies across all sectors.
Methods for integrating AI expertise into management development
Management development offers various approaches that can be combined well to promote AI skills. Practical learning directly in everyday working life („on the job“) supports the rapid application and consolidation of new skills.
In the chemical industry, for example, division managers complete systematic job rotations in which they familiarise themselves with different AI-controlled production systems. In the customer service department of telecommunications companies, managers are mentored in order to better understand and implement the use of AI-supported data analysis.
Seminars and workshops are also important formats in which theoretical knowledge about AI is imparted and linked to case studies from the company's own market. For example, managers from the pharmaceutical industry can take part in workshops that delve deeper into the handling of AI in the context of research and regulatory requirements.
Coaching and mentoring as targeted support
Individual coaching sessions support managers in recognising personal strengths and development potential in dealing with AI. Experienced coaches or internal mentors accompany managers through practical challenges and reflection sessions.
BEST PRACTICE with one customer (name hidden due to NDA contract) A manager in a large mechanical engineering company received coaching to implement an AI-based decision-making process in purchasing. The project was successfully introduced and management skills in the digital context were strengthened at the same time thanks to the personalised advice.
Managers in technology companies also benefit from reverse mentoring, in which younger employees impart AI expertise to older managers and at the same time open up new perspectives for digital transformation.
Practical tips for promoting AI skills in management development
In order to effectively integrate AI expertise into management development, a structured needs analysis is recommended. Managers should specifically familiarise themselves with those AI applications that are relevant to their industry and role. A manufacturing industry, for example, concentrates on AI-supported process automation, while in retail the focus is on customer data analyses.
The integration of learning modules in the form of e-learning or blended learning formats ensures flexibility in terms of time. This allows managers from the healthcare sector to use their own time slots to delve deeper into AI topics without interrupting their normal workflow too much.
It is also beneficial to visualise successes with AI in leadership. Leadership development also includes setting milestones and regular feedback to document progress and keep motivation high.
Leadership development and dealing with challenges
Many managers report that getting started with AI topics initially seems complex. Topics such as data ethics, legal requirements and technical basics require support and time. Others are unsure about how AI will change team collaboration.
Here, management development provides support with transparent communication formats and by establishing a positive error culture when dealing with new technologies. Companies from the logistics sector recognise the need to closely support managers in the implementation of AI solutions and regularly provide space for questions and exchanges.
My analysis
The integration of AI skills makes leadership development more relevant to the times. Managers who understand and actively shape the use of AI receive important impetus to lead their teams effectively and help shape the digital transformation. The combination of practice-oriented learning formats, individual support and organisation-wide strategy makes this approach particularly effective.
Companies that consistently expand their management development to include AI expertise not only strengthen individual managers, but also promote the innovative strength and competitiveness of the entire company.
Further links from the text above:
How can leadership development succeed? - Methods
Leadership development: Comprehensive guide
Management development: trends and measures
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