How to identify future-ready leaders in the era of AI
AI is not a reskilling revolution. It’s a restructuring revolution. We must rethink what we need in leaders.
In the age of AI, where machines are redefining work at every level, identifying great leaders isn’t just important—it’s existential. But here’s the twist: the best leaders for the future won’t be the ones who code. They’ll be the ones who can reimagine, restructure, and lead humans through an era of unprecedented transformation.
Yet we’re still relying on outdated leadership models. Traditional 360 reviews can’t predict how someone will lead in a hybrid, algorithm-enhanced, and disruption-rich environment. And reskilling alone isn’t enough.
This is not a reskilling revolution. It’s a restructuring revolution.
To thrive, we must recognize that leadership in the AI era demands a fundamentally different blueprint—a mindset-first model.
The 15 leadership mindsets that matter most in the AI era
At MyInnerGenius®, we’ve mapped the traits that separate yesterday’s managers from tomorrow’s transformational leaders. These 15 mindsets are the foundation of future-ready leadership:
Critical thinking
Leaders must question AI outputs, identify bias, and make informed decisions in data-saturated environments.Problem solving
As AI automates tasks, human judgment becomes the differentiator. Great leaders quickly diagnose and solve real-world problems.Innovation
It’s no longer a bonus—it’s a requirement. AI opens doors, but leaders must reimagine workflows, products, and models.Communication
In hybrid and global teams, alignment happens through clear, persuasive messaging across humans and machines.Collaboration
Innovation thrives in cross-functional teams. The future belongs to those who can lead across disciplines.Ethical principles
As AI introduces complex ethical questions, leaders must be the moral compass in the boardroom and beyond.Adaptability
Change is no longer a phase—it’s the norm. Adaptable leaders pivot with purpose and inspire resilience.Stress tolerance
In uncertain times, leaders with clarity under pressure are the steady hands we all need.Self-development
Continuous learning isn’t a checkbox—it’s a survival skill. Great leaders are relentless about self-growth.Assuming leadership
Initiative, ownership, and execution define those who can rally teams in uncertain terrain.Envisioning and strategizing
The future is for those who can see around corners and build the path forward.Influencing and persuading
AI strategies fail without buy-in. Leaders must rally hearts and minds across the org chart.Empowering others
The best leaders create leaders. They foster ownership, accountability, and growth at every level.Enabling transformation
Beyond change management, these leaders reshape culture, structure, and possibility itself.Digital affinity
Comfort with technology isn’t optional. Leaders must embrace tools they don’t yet fully understand—with confidence.
Why traditional tools fall short
Leadership isn't about who performed best last year—it’s about who can lead tomorrow.
That’s where most evaluations fail: they look backward. We need tools that look forward.
Enter FutureFocus® by MyInnerGenius®.
FutureFocus doesn’t just assess performance. It reveals the mindsets that drive high-impact leadership in an AI-first world. It uncovers the core wiring of your people—so you can identify, elevate, and accelerate the leaders who will define your future.
Used by some of the world’s most trusted brands, FutureFocus empowers organizations to:
Identify mindset-driven leadership potential
Provide personalized development journeys
Build teams ready to thrive through uncertainty and innovation
If you’re serious about future-ready leadership, now is the time
AI won’t replace leaders. But it will expose the ones who can’t adapt.
If you're ready to stop guessing and start growing next-gen leaders with precision, it's time to see what FutureFocus can do for your workforce, your institution, or your organization.
But here’s the truth that no one wants to say out loud: AI is only as good as the data it consumes. And in HR, that data is broken.
AI inference engines today rely heavily on resumes, job descriptions and historical performance data to make predictions. But what if the data is biased, outdated, incomplete—or just plain wrong? Then the inference is wrong. The promise of precision becomes a prophecy of error.
About the Author:
David Leaser is an award-winning strategist, C-Suite consultant & program lead in L&D and HCM, Vice President at MyInnerGenius.. He is the founder of the IBM Digital Badge program, a leading-edge digital credential program, the IBM New Collar Certificate Program and IBM’s first cloud-based embedded learning solution. David was a senior strategist for IBM’s Smarter Workforce and the Global Skills Initiative. David is a Commissioner for The RSA (The royal society for arts, manufactures and commerce)'s Digital Badge Commission, a member of the 1Edtech Board advisory group for digital credentials, the national Credential As You Go Advisory Board and a senior advisor to New Markets Venture Capital Group. He provides guidance to the US Department of Labor and the US Department of Education as an employer subject matter expert.
David was appointed as an Industry Fellow in the Center for the Future of Higher Education & Talent Strategy in the College of Professional Studies at Northeastern University, an American Tier 1 university. He is the author of thought leadership white papers on talent development, including “Migrating Minds,” “The Social Imperative in Workforce Development” and Wiley’s “Connecting Workplace Learning and Academic Credentials via Digital Badges.”
David holds an M.A. in Communications Management from USC’s Annenberg School and a B.A. in Communications from Pepperdine University. Connect with David through LinkedIn.