The Leaders AI Innovation Needs

To generate and scale innovative AI solutions, leaders rely on a repertoire of interrelated roles, what we refer to as the “ABCs” of leadership: architects, bridgers, and catalysts. 

Architects know they cannot mandate innovation; they foster the culture and capabilities that enable co-creation. These leaders start by raising their organization’s collective aspirations through a shared sense of purpose and values. By re-shaping the social environment of their organizations, these leaders encourage their colleagues to work through the inevitable conflicts of collaborating with others and the fear of failure. They reward thoughtful risk-taking, treat intelligent failures as learning opportunities, and provide people the tools, data, and perhaps most importantly, the permission to try.

Bridgers work at the boundaries of their enterprises, building trust-based partnerships with those outside their walls. No company, no matter how well-resourced, has all the talent and tools they need for innovation given the unprecedented pace at which technology is advancing. With AI, I hear that there is a shortage of individuals who know how to translate and work across technology and business. Technical experts who are developing AI solutions typically do not have the contextual intelligence about the realities of business and what customers want, while the businesspeople do not appreciate the opportunities and risks of implementing the technology.