Every major leap in my career, and every transformation I've led, began with a decision that involved risk, uncertainty and discomfort. If you're a leader, you've likely faced similar inflection points. Years ago, at Washington State University, we launched one of the first fully online undergraduate Management Information Systems (MIS) programs. At the time, it was uncharted territory. Few business schools had ventured into online learning, and many questioned whether students or employers would take the format seriously.
When we're children, we think in black and white and believe rules are hard and fast. As adults, as life experience kicks in, we begin to understand there are different sorts of rules. We understand that not stealing is a hard rule. We might also understand that 'don't wear jeans to work' means don't wear ratty jeans, or don't wear jeans on days the corporate team are visiting.
As AI takes on more analytical and operational decision-making, the leaders who will stand out are those who can do what machines can't: read emotional cues, build trust, and inspire teams to act. In this new landscape, emotional intelligence is more than a soft skill. It's becoming the core differentiator of effective leadership. I once advised a CEO whose metrics looked flawless. Revenue was rising, costs were under control, and the company was steadily gaining market share.