Leading in the Age of AI: What Makes Us Truly Human?
AI can process, analyse, and optimise—but it can’t lead.
This was the heart of my conversation with Gary Crotaz on The extra-Ordinary Leader podcast. As AI tools become more advanced, we need to ask ourselves: what makes us irreplaceable as leaders? What can we do that AI never could?
Gary put it bluntly: "If a human can't be distinguished from a bot, then they're not intelligent." That one hit hard. It’s not about fearing AI—it’s about leading in a way that no AI ever could.
The Human Edge in Leadership
Leadership isn’t about just having the answers; it’s about asking the right questions. It’s about reading between the lines, sensing what’s not being said, and holding space for real connection. AI can’t replicate the moment when a leader pauses, truly listens, and knows the right question to ask next.
True leadership is built on:
Emotional intelligence – Understanding what motivates people and making space for growth.
Deep listening – Picking up on the things that aren’t being said, not just responding to what is.
Wisdom over data – Knowing that some problems don’t have a perfect answer, and being okay with that.
Adaptability – AI follows patterns, but human leaders navigate the unknown with intuition and vision.
Where AI Fits In
None of this means we should ignore AI—it’s an incredible tool. Leaders who embrace it smartly will be the ones who free up time for real leadership. Imagine replacing hours of admin with AI-generated insights, so you can focus on strategy, mentorship, and vision.
Gary shared how leaders are already using AI to become five times more productive, streamlining tasks like research, briefing notes, and data analysis. Instead of fearing automation, leaders should be asking: What can AI take off my plate so I can focus on what truly matters?
The challenge is not will AI take my job? but rather how can I lead in a way that AI never could?
The Reverse Turing Test: What Sets Humans Apart
Gary introduced an idea that stuck with me—the Reverse Turing Test. The original Turing Test measures whether AI can be mistaken for a human. The Reverse Turing Test flips this: if a human leader is indistinguishable from AI, are they really leading?
This is a wake-up call for leaders. If your leadership is purely transactional—assigning tasks, monitoring KPIs, and following rigid frameworks—AI will soon do that better. But AI cannot:
Tune into the emotions of a team before making a decision.
Foster trust and psychological safety.
Create culture that drives performance and belonging.
Make ethical judgments that balance logic with human experience.
The leaders who will thrive in this new era aren’t the ones who can memorise the most data points or work the longest hours. They’re the ones who bring humanness into every room they enter.
Practical Ways to Lead Beyond AI
So how do we lead in a way that AI never could? Here are three strategies to keep your leadership human-first:
Master the Art of Asking Better Questions
AI provides answers, but true leaders ask the right questions. Instead of “How do we fix this?” try “What are we not seeing?” or “If we had no constraints, what could we achieve?” Big, open-ended questions invite deeper thinking and innovation.Hold Space for Reflection
AI processes at lightning speed, but great leadership often requires slowing down. Take moments to pause, reflect, and encourage your team to do the same. Silence and stillness can lead to the most profound insights.Embrace Imperfection
AI strives for precision, but leadership is messy. Don’t fear mistakes—lean into them. As Gary humorously pointed out, "There’s probably dog hair in here—it doesn’t have to be perfect." Leadership is about learning, adapting, and showing up as your full, imperfect self.
A Call to Lead Differently
We don’t need to fear AI, we need to make sure we’re leading in a way that it can’t. AI can’t replace human intuition, creativity, or emotional connection.
So, the real question isn’t how we keep up with AI—it’s how we make sure AI never catches up with us.
And together, we’ll figure that out. extra-Ordinary leadership isn’t about resisting change—it’s about leading beyond it.
[00:00:00] – Introduction to the episode and guest, Dr. Gary Crotaz
[00:00:25] – Overview of Gary’s expertise and the topic of AI in leadership
[00:03:25] – Asking Gary about his shift in perspective on AI over Christmas
[00:06:37] – Reacting to Gary’s AI experience and discussing potential company applications
[00:08:02] – Agreement on AI’s potential role in corporate environments
[00:11:05] – Discussing AI’s limitations and human-like qualities
[00:12:05] – Introducing a real-life use case for testing Gary’s AI platform
[00:14:35] – Concern about AI replacing human roles and discussing the importance of uniquely human skills
[00:17:15] – Sharing concerns about AI companionship replacing human connection
[00:20:35] – Noting the risk of lazy thinking due to AI
[00:24:07] – Preparing to test Gary’s AI with a real-time question
[00:25:02] – Reading the AI’s response on how to ask better questions and reacting to its effectiveness
[00:28:28] – Asking how businesses can integrate their knowledge bases into AI tools
[00:34:06] – Testing the AI with "How can I have an unlock moment?" and reacting to its answer
[00:39:02] – Discussing the distinction between intelligence and wisdom
[00:41:35] – Asking Gary for a household item that represents extraordinary leadership
[00:42:44] – Concluding the episode and thanking Gary
[00:43:01] – Final thoughts and talking about book
