Whether you love it, hate it or are somewhere in between, it’s clear that artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way we work. And it isn’t just the case for technical work; leaders find themselves at the forefront of AI adoption and implementation in a variety of ways.

Leaders are AI users: We see leaders using AI tools to help with their communication to their teams, help them manage their emails and as a development tool in dealing with their day-to-day challenges. Building familiarity with these tools and how they work early on can give you the confidence to support your team in doing the same.

Leaders are the face of change: Often, we are the ones informing our teams and getting their buy-in on any AI tools or processes our organizations want to take advantage of. In some cases, this can be a difficult task. We’ve all been in conversations where even the mention of AI is met with grumbling, anxiety and even denial.

We’ve also seen the other side, team members who can’t wait to get their hands on the newest tools and start innovating. Guiding your team through this range of initial reactions is complex. It requires you to build trust, set expectations, practice empathy and communicate clearly, giving your people what they need when they need it.

Leaders are builders of tomorrow’s foundation: AI is already changing the skills we need in the workforce today, and we can expect even more change in the future. As leaders, we play a critical role in preparing our teams and organizations for that future. It’s important to know what those skills are and how to develop them. So, let’s focus there.

At a recent Frontiers of Business Conference, AI took center stage on the panel “Bridging the Skills Gap: Aligning Workforce Skills with Labor Market Demands.” Throughout the event’s presentations and conversations, the picture became clear: There is a serious skills gap in today’s workforce, and it will only grow if we don’t take action now.

Here are the skills you need to build on your teams.

• Communication: As we increasingly rely on technology, it is human skills that will set top performers apart. Effective communication leads to fewer mistakes, more efficiency and higher engagement.
• Problem-solving: The problems we face in the workforce will only grow more complex. AI often lacks the context and creativity that real people bring to the table. It’s not just about “knowing your stuff” — it’s about knowing how it applies and why it matters.
• Adaptability: We are entering a new era of technology that allows for rapid change at a pace we’ve never seen before. The teams that will perform the best are the ones that can adapt and pivot quickly in response.
• Discernment: If you’ve spent enough time with AI, you know that its “intelligence” only goes so far. Without expertise, people can take misinformation from AI and run with it. This can lead to embarrassment or disaster depending on the stakes. This is why critical thinking and expertise in your field will continue to be necessary even if AI takes over some of the technical tasks.

Assess these skills within your team. What level of ability are they currently demonstrating? If you’re seeing a gap, that needs to be a focus of development moving forward.

As leaders, we can influence how our people experience this major change in the workplace. You can set your team up for success by being proactive and equipping them for the future of work.