In my early career, I saw first-hand the impact of disruptive technology as computer-aided design threatened the traditional electronic drafting profession. It would take us on average two weeks to draw a complex electronic circuit diagram by hand. The clients we served were dissatisfied with the lengthy delays and were hungry for the promise of computer-aided design, which could reduce that time to a few days or hours. But the response of senior drafting leaders at the time was, “Nothing will replace the skill of a human being!”
It was a mindset that was blind to the threat and opportunity of technology disruption. In the space of only a few years the entire profession was wiped out by the new technology. Those who identified the opportunity of the disruption embraced the new technology and their careers took off in a new direction. Those in denial shook their heads in disbelief as the world changed around them.
Today, we see a similar resistance as leaders adopt a ‘wait and see’ approach to Gen AI. This reluctance may be fuelling a dramatic drop in trust with leaders. DDI’s Global Leadership Forecast 2025 reports trust in immediate managers fell from 46% to 29% between 2022 and 2024.
The report also highlights a growing leadership divide—frontline managers, tasked with AI implementation, are three times more concerned about its impact than senior leaders, and low trust only deepens this gap.
Trust is foundational to leadership. When it declines, so does engagement and performance. Here’s the trust paradox: AI should free leaders to connect more with people, but without intention, automation can make teams feel ignored or replaceable, increasing skepticism and resistance.
This is where Transactional Intelligence™ stands out. Leaders skilled in this approach understand others’ needs and contexts, building authentic relationships and trust. Empathy, active listening, and nuanced collaboration become essential. These leaders create environments where people feel valued, turning AI from a threat into a tool for deeper connection.
🙋♀️ In your view, what are the most important things leaders can do to maintain and strengthen trust in an AI-driven era? 🙋
Best regards, Brian
PS: If you would like to invest in developing your Transactional Intelligence™ then please join the next cohort of the Personality and Behaving Transactionally Program.