According to Forbes, the fundamental dynamic of leadership is undergoing a massive shift thanks to AI’s democratization of information. The traditional model where leaders earned authority by being the most experienced or knowledgeable person in the room is breaking down. Now, even junior team members can access insights and data that leaders haven’t seen simply by querying tools like ChatGPT. This creates a power shift similar to what happened in medicine when patients started arriving with their own research. The article draws on insights from author Kevin Kruse, arguing that leadership value now comes not from what you know, but from how you guide others to use what they know.
The expertise trap
Here’s the thing: leaders who try to maintain the “I’m the expert” facade are basically fighting a losing battle. And you can feel it when someone’s doing it, right? That subtle defensiveness when a team member shares an AI-generated insight they haven’t considered. The article hits on something important—this often comes from fear. Fear of being replaced, fear of looking uninformed, fear of losing control. But that fear-driven response is exactly what kills curiosity and innovation. When leaders stop asking questions because they’re worried about appearing ignorant, everyone stops learning.
The new leadership playbook
So what actually works? The piece suggests focusing on growth, recognition, trust, and communication. Basically, create an environment where people feel safe experimenting with AI and sharing what they learn. The most powerful move might be the simplest: admitting when you don’t know something. Saying “That’s interesting, tell me more” instead of pretending to understand builds more respect than any display of expertise ever could. It takes confidence to be vulnerable like that, but it sets the tone for the whole team.
AI can’t replace this
Look, AI can process information faster than any human. But it can’t replace human judgment, wisdom, or the ability to connect with people. The leaders who will thrive are the ones who recognize that their real value isn’t in competing with machines but in enhancing human collaboration. They’re the ones building learning circles, asking better questions, and helping teams make sense of the AI-generated flood of information. Anyone can have data—what people need is perspective. And that’s something no algorithm can provide.
