The Management development takes on a whole new meaning in times of digitalisation. The targeted development of skills, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), helps managers to meet the challenges of the modern working world and ensure sustainable corporate success. This is not just about imparting knowledge, but about holistic support that promotes individual potential and actively shapes change.
Leadership development as the key to digital change
In various industries, it is becoming clear how essential the Management development for dealing with new technologies. In the automotive industry, for example, managers with AI expertise enable earlier recognition of market trends and competitive situations, which improves strategic positioning. In the healthcare sector, managers rely on AI-supported analytical processes to make patient care more efficient while maintaining ethical standards. In retail, managers with an understanding of AI help their teams to better identify customer needs and develop personalised offers that increase sales.
Managers who inspire their teams and accompany them through the transformation process not only promote innovation, but also support an open learning culture. In this way, digital change is perceived as an opportunity rather than a risk.
BEST PRACTICE with one customer (name hidden due to NDA contract)
In a medium-sized technology company, management development focussing on AI skills was implemented in a targeted manner. The managers received individual coaching sessions to learn how to use AI tools and at the same time promote critical reflection. Within a year, many reported improved decision-making quality and increased team communication, which positively stimulated innovation processes.
Methods and practical examples for successful leadership development
The Management development uses a wide range of methods to specifically promote various skills:
Coaching supports managers individually in recognising their own strengths and mastering challenges in a professional context. In the financial sector, for example, a coach helps a manager to better understand AI-supported risk assessments and derive strategic decisions from them.
Mentoring is particularly widespread in industry, where experienced managers pass on their knowledge of AI applications to junior staff. Reverse mentoring is increasingly valued here, for example when younger employees introduce digitalisation and AI, while established managers contribute strategic expertise.
Workshops and training courses allow the rapid development of technical knowledge. In the pharmaceutical industry, these formats enable managers to familiarise themselves with new AI-supported methods for data analysis and apply them in projects.
BEST PRACTICE with one customer (name hidden due to NDA contract)
A retail company introduced regular workshops on AI skills for its managers. The focus was on practical scenarios, such as the use of AI to analyse customers. The managers began to use AI as a strategic sparring partner, which, according to internal surveys, noticeably improved the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.
AI expertise as an integral part of management development
The development of AI expertise in management training is not just an additional building block, but also fundamentally changes the nature of leadership. Managers learn to view AI as a team member who takes on routine tasks and thus creates scope for strategic decisions.
In the area of IT services, for example, managers use AI assistants to automatically analyse errors. This saves time and also enables more targeted personnel development. In mechanical engineering, AI systems complement the expertise of managers by monitoring plant data in real time and thus pointing out potential faults at an early stage.
Leadership development also implies responsibility for the ethical and transparent use of AI. In public administration, managers expect themselves to establish control mechanisms that ensure data protection and curb algorithmic distortions.
BEST PRACTICE with one customer (name hidden due to NDA contract)
A large logistics company integrated AI skills coaching into its management programme. The managers were trained to ask critical questions about AI systems and to understand their decisions. The result was increased acceptance of AI solutions and improved collaboration between humans and machines.
My analysis
The Management development remains a key issue in making companies fit for digital change. The targeted development of AI expertise helps managers to promote innovation, improve decision-making processes and lead teams in a future-oriented manner. Various methods such as coaching, mentoring and workshops offer practical opportunities for individual support and skills development. Companies that utilise this potential strengthen their competitiveness in the long term.
Further links from the text above:
AI for managers: AI demands new leadership skills
Leadership development: methods and concepts
How can leadership development succeed? - Methods
Leadership trends with AI 2025
The future of leadership development with AI
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