About The Author
Taylor MacKinnon, PharmD, MS, BCPS, is pharmacy manager of clinical and operational services at University of Michigan Health and is an adjunct clinical instructor at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy.
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Leaders Must Continue to Prioritize Empathy and Human Connection.
The intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and leadership has become increasingly prominent in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.1 In 2022, the health care sector saw significant AI investments of $6.1 billion. This was followed by significant investments in data management, processing, and cloud services ($5.9 billion); financial technology ($5.5 billion); cybersecurity and data protection ($5.4 billion); and retail ($4.2 billion).2
The growing attention on AI in pharmacy highlights the potential to identify both beneficial and potentially detrimental patterns within health care, particularly with the use of machine learning.3 Pharmacy leaders must pay close attention to this dynamic intersection as the health care industry’s growing reliance is unavoidable, especially within medication use processes.4 As health care organizations embrace tools to streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and drive innovation, pharmacy leaders face the unique challenge of integrating these powerful tools while maintaining authenticity in their leadership roles.
Moreover, it is essential to acknowledge that technologies do not stand alone; they require careful consideration of human and procedural factors.5 Although technology can offer efficiency and objectivity, pharmacy leaders must ensure their leadership approach preserves essential human qualities, including common sense, situational awareness, context, and compassion. Striking a balance between leveraging AI for its benefits and upholding authenticity is pivotal for effective leadership in the pharmacy sector. Authenticity is a critical aspect of effective leadership, involving being true to oneself, showcasing genuine emotions, and aligning actions with values and beliefs. In today’s fast-paced world, in which technology is becoming increasingly prevalent, leaders must navigate the challenges of maintaining authenticity while leveraging these advancements for the benefit of their strategies and decision-making processes.
THE IMPACT OF AI
According to one study, AI adoption has the potential to create an additional $13 trillion in global economic activity by 2030, showcasing the immense prospects presented by these tools.6 However, this integration also poses challenges for leaders. Reliance on technology may cause leaders to become detached from the human elements of leadership. They must balance leveraging tools and maintaining their authentic leadership style.7
AI fundamentally alters traditional leadership practices, offering valuable insights, automating tasks, and enhancing productivity.8 In health care, AI has played a pivotal role in improving diagnostic accuracy and speeding up decision-making processes.9 Integrating AI technologies significantly shifts how leaders approach strategic planning, problem solving, and decision-making. AI tools save leaders time in the collection, filtering, and interpretation of data. This allows them to focus on data analysis and developing subsequent action plans.10
AI’s influence on health care leadership and decision-making will only grow. It will reshape how organizations operate and make critical choices while prioritizing patient care. This transformation underscores the urgent need for leaders to adapt and effectively utilize AI tools while preserving the essential human aspects of leadership.
BENEFITS
Embracing AI tools offers leaders myriad specific advantages, revolutionizing the way they operate and make decisions. Some examples of these advantages include the following:
To effectively navigate AI integration, leaders must actively engage in discussions, share insights, and stay informed about the evolving AI-leadership relationship. This fosters a culture of curiosity and collaboration, paving the way for a future marked by trust, innovation, and shared success. Additionally, to maximize AI benefits, leaders must prioritize data availability. Access to accurate and reliable data is crucial for informed decision-making. However, they must also be mindful of authenticity challenges that AI integration poses, such as the potential loss of emotional intelligence.
CHALLENGES
One critical challenge leaders face when embracing AI is the potential loss of human connection. AI excels at data analysis and automation but cannot replace the empathy, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills vital in leadership.1 Leaders must remain mindful of this and prioritize authentic relationships with their teams and stakeholders.
Integrating AI into leadership roles raises concerns about authenticity. Although AI streamlines decision-making and provides valuable insights, there is a risk of overshadowing the human touch that authentic leadership emphasizes. Authentic leadership is rooted in genuine relationships, self-awareness, and ethical decision-making. Overreliance on AI for crucial leadership tasks may lead to a perception of detachment and lack of empathy, potentially undermining the authenticity and trust that leaders strive to cultivate.11,12
Another challenge lies in the potential perception of AI tools as a threat to job security. Leaders must proactively address concerns or fears among team members, emphasizing that AI tools are designed to augment human capabilities, not replace them. This requires effective communication and transparency to build trust and foster a positive work environment.
Although AI offers numerous benefits, its use in leadership can inadvertently diminish the interpersonal interactions vital for building trust and empathy. Using AI for tasks such as communication, feedback analysis, and performance evaluations may reduce opportunities for the personal connections so important to authentic leadership. Additionally, reliance on AI for tasks that require emotional intelligence can hinder leaders’ development of this essential skill. To address this, health care leaders should pay special attention to preserving human connection in patient care and team collaboration, striking a balance between leveraging AI’s capabilities and preserving authentic personal connections and emotional intelligence.11,12
ACTIONABLE STRATEGIES
In this rapidly evolving landscape, there are some important, actionable strategies leaders can adopt to maintain their authenticity amid the rise of AI, as follows:
By implementing these strategies, health care leaders can navigate technological advancements while maintaining their authenticity and preserving the human touch in patient care and organizational culture.
PROACTIVE EMBRACE
To effectively embrace the potential of AI, leaders must proactively adapt their practices, seamlessly integrating AI tools into existing workflows. This strategic approach ensures that AI becomes integral to leadership practices rather than a separate entity. As AI evolves, leaders must adopt a future-oriented mindset, identifying areas where AI offers the most significant value and proactively preparing for future advancements. Some strategies for this include the following:
By embracing these strategies, leaders can position themselves and their organizations at the forefront of AI adoption. Taking a proactive approach ensures leaders are not simply reacting to technological change but actively shaping its integration in a way that maximizes benefits, safeguards authenticity, and builds a resilient organization ready to thrive in the AI-driven future.
Taylor MacKinnon, PharmD, MS, BCPS, is pharmacy manager of clinical and operational services at University of Michigan Health and is an adjunct clinical instructor at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy.
CONCLUSION
As AI tools advance, the future of leadership authenticity hinges on striking a delicate balance between leveraging technology and nurturing human connections. Leaders who successfully navigate this landscape will find themselves well prepared to inspire and guide their teams in the era of AI.
Although leadership authenticity remains paramount, the benefits brought by AI tools are substantial. Leaders must acknowledge and address the challenges posed to authenticity. By implementing strategies such as self-reflection, transparent communication, and seamless integration of AI into workflows, leaders can embrace technology while remaining genuine. They must ensure that technological advancements enhance patient care rather than detract from the compassionate and personalized approach that defines the health care profession, and pharmacy in particular. Organizations play a pivotal role by providing robust training and development programs that equip leaders with the necessary skills to navigate AI tools effectively.
Looking ahead, leaders and organizations must stay abreast of ongoing developments in AI and leadership. This dynamic landscape calls for continuous learning and adaptation. By actively engaging in discussions, sharing insights, and staying informed about the evolving relationship between AI and leadership, we can shape a future marked by trust, innovation, and shared success.