The Human Side Of Leadership In The Age of AI

• September 1, 2025

By Luke Bills

When I asked LibertyGPT—Liberty Mutual’s internal version of ChatGPT—about what leadership skills are necessary in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), it came back with items like digital literacy, change management and data governance.

All of these are important capabilities for leaders to have and to build within their teams. But when I think about the fundamental shift in technology we’re witnessing today, I can’t help but think about the shift we should also be undergoing as leaders.

At a time when it’s easier than ever to have AI analyze data, organize your day or write an email for you, it’s also easier to lose the human touch—that spark of connection that ignites curiosity, enables collaboration and makes people feel secure.

From my seat, the most sought-after leadership skills of the future will be the human ones, rather than the digital. The leaders who excel in the age of AI will be those who lean harder into the human touch when it matters most.

Here are three leadership philosophies I’m taking forward as AI continues to take hold:

1) Clarity through simplification. AI-generated content has flooded the internet. It’s inundated search results, inboxes and our social media feeds. An estimated 54% of longer English-language posts on LinkedIn are now AI-generated, according to a November 2024 analysis by Originality AI.

My response to this “more is more” trend is to do the opposite: to simplify. While clear and concise communication has always mattered, simplification takes it a step further. It means cutting through the details to bring forward a single core vision and message that is easy to understand, relatable and impactful.

2) Credibility over polish. Harvard Business Review recently published a study on employees’ perception of AI use by CEOs. When researchers asked employees how useful a CEO message was, employees rated messages they thought were AI-generated as less helpful—even when the message was written by the CEO themselves.

Leaders today face a new paradox, one where the most polished version of themselves may no longer be what employees want or need.

Credibility is the most valuable currency a leader has, and trust is essential to how we build it. There is value in letting yourself be less polished in favor of showing up more human, so people can trust they are getting the real you.

3) Consistency in authenticity. Consistency and authenticity can be contradictory concepts: Consistency is about showing up in the same way, while authenticity allows you freedom to truly react in the moment.

But by consistently showing up as our authentic selves—by being steady and predictable while creating space for the unpredictable—we can get the best of both. When AI’s strength is in its ability to replicate and bring consistency to communication, authentic moments and reactions are where true connection will be built.

Luke Bills is president of independent agent distribution at Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance.