This article, titled "My AI Coach Made Me a Better Leader (No, Really!)", was written by Roberta Gogos and first published on the Brandon Hall Group on September 27, 2024. It is shared here with the author’s permission. You can find the original article here.
“Can we start with your motivations for exploring outside opportunities?” I asked. I was having a difficult conversation with Jennifer, a reliable team member who had blindsided me with an unexpected email about leaving the company. Except Jennifer wasn’t real, and I was sitting in a virtual classroom with other participants, all of us navigating the choppy waters of AI-powered leadership training.
As an analyst and researcher at Brandon Hall Group™, I’ve seen my fair share of learning technologies. But when I experienced first-hand Abilitie’s AI case studies, I realized I was witnessing a significant step forward in leadership development tools.
The Leadership Training Conundrum
Leadership training has come a long way from droning lectures and awkward role-playing exercises, but even slick eLearning modules often leave new managers floundering in the real world. Enter AI case studies: the new kid on the block promising to bridge the gap between theory and those “oh cr*p” moments every leader faces.
Sounds revolutionary, right? Well, hold onto your ergonomic office chairs. Despite this AI buzz, our recent Brandon Hall Group™ study (The Learning Revolution: Cutting-Edge L&D Practices in the Age of Transformation) found that a mere 26% of organizations are actually leveraging learning simulations. That’s right — only about a quarter of companies are tapping into these high-tech tools to develop their leaders. It’s a head-scratcher, given the Grand Canyon-sized gap between leadership theory and the messy reality of managing actual humans.
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“Abilitie doesn’t have a ‘one-size fits all’ offering. Their ability (pun intended) to adapt to our needs in such a short amount of time highlights the flexible nature of their product design and construct. As a client, that’s a highly valuable attribute of their offering.”
However, change is on the horizon. The Learning Revolution study shows that 73% of organizations plan to implement or expand VR/AR-driven simulations for learning. The industry appears to be recognizing the potential of immersive, AI-driven experiences.
Dancing with Digital Dilemmas
My journey through Abilitie’s AI case studies was eye-opening. In just a few hours, I tackled three increasingly challenging scenarios: motivating a top performer (Tanya), addressing an unexpected resignation threat (Jennifer), and managing disappointment after a missed promotion (Karl).
Each interaction felt surprisingly authentic. The AI-driven characters responded to my approaches with nuance and complexity. When I asked Jennifer about her motivations, she didn’t give a canned response. Instead, she opened up about feeling undervalued and the attractive aspects of the new opportunity she was considering.
What struck me most was how quickly I forgot I was talking to an AI. The stakes felt real. I winced as I tried to navigate Karl’s disappointment without damaging his morale or the team dynamics. It was a marked improvement over the often-awkward feel of traditional role-playing exercises.
These scenarios weren’t just abstract exercises; they mirrored real-world situations that leaders grapple with daily. From motivating high performers to handling potential resignations and managing post-promotion fallout, these AI-powered simulations tackled the messy, often unpredictable challenges that define modern leadership.
The AI Advantage: More Than Just Fancy Tech
As I explored this AI-powered leadership development experience, several key advantages became clear:
Safe Space for High-Stakes Practice: In the AI simulation, participants can experiment with different approaches without real-world consequences. It’s a playground for developing leadership skills, allowing for rapid learning through trial and error.
Personalization at Scale: The AI adapted to my responses, creating a unique learning journey. It wasn’t just about right or wrong answers, but about understanding the nuances of each situation.
Immediate, Detailed Feedback: After each interaction, I received comprehensive feedback on my approach. It wasn’t generic advice; it was specific to my conversation, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement.
Consistency with Flexibility: These AI simulations can be deployed across an organization, ensuring consistent quality and messaging while still providing personalized experiences.
Encouraging Self-Reflection: There was something about interacting with these AI characters that promoted honest self-assessment. When the ‘person’ you’re talking to isn’t real, it’s easier to recognize your own biases and areas for improvement.
However, challenges remain. Our learning research at Brandon Hall Group™ shows that 59% of organizations have concerns about data privacy and security when it comes to AI adoption in learning. Another 58% cite a lack of AI expertise as a significant barrier. These are real issues that need addressing as we move into this new era of training.
The Human in the Machine
As impressive as the AI was, I wondered: Are we removing the human element from leadership development?
The answer, I discovered, was no. If anything, this technology highlights the importance of human skills in leadership. The AI served as a practice ground, but the real learning happened in the reflection and application that followed.
What set this experience apart was the blend of AI-driven practice and human-led debriefing. After each scenario, we broke into small groups to discuss our approaches, learning from each other’s perspectives. Then, we reconvened with our instructor to dive deeper into best practices and real-world applications.
Comprehensive Skill Development
One of the strengths of Abilitie’s approach is the breadth of skills covered. The AI case studies touch on a wide range of critical leadership areas, grouped into three key domains:
People Management:
Enabling Peak Performance
Navigating Critical Conversations
Shifting Mindsets and Behaviors
Influencing Without Authority
Business Acumen:
Managing Profitability
Balancing Growth and Risk
Strategic Thinking:
Creating Strategic Alignment
Strategic Problem Solving
This comprehensive approach ensures that participants are exposed to a variety of scenarios across different leadership competencies, preparing them for the multifaceted challenges they’re likely to encounter in their leadership journeys.
The Road Ahead
As we look to the future, the potential of AI in leadership development is significant. The Brandon Hall Group™ HCM Outlook 2025 Study indicates that 74% of organizations believe AI will have at least a moderate impact on leadership development next year.
Imagine a world where aspiring leaders can practice difficult conversations, strategic decision-making, and crisis management in hyper-realistic scenarios, all powered by AI. We’re not just talking about incremental improvements in training; we’re looking at a fundamental shift in how leaders learn and grow.
For organizations looking to dip their toes into AI-powered leadership development, the journey can start small. Pilot programs with select teams or integrating AI simulations into existing leadership courses can provide valuable insights. The key is to view AI not as a replacement for current programs, but as a powerful complement that can enhance and accelerate leadership growth.
But with this potential comes responsibility. As we embrace AI in leadership development, we must grapple with ethical considerations, ensure the technology supplements rather than replaces human interaction, and stay vigilant about data privacy and security.
My experience with Tanya, Jennifer, and Karl — the AI-powered scenarios — was more than just an interesting technological demonstration. It was a glimpse into an emerging approach to leadership development — one where aspiring leaders can practice, learn and grow in ways that bridge the gap between theory and real-world application.
As I logged out of the simulation, I reflected on the experience. The future of leadership training is evolving, and it’s asking us to navigate complex scenarios with empathy, strategy and adaptability. Who says AI can’t help us become more human in our leadership?
My AI Coach Made Me a Better Leader (No, Really!) - Abilitie
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