Managing AI So It Doesn’t Manage You

Cathie Leimbach • November 13, 2023

"The biggest mistake you can make is thinking AI is just another chatbot."

-Dr. Radhika Dirks

Dr. Radhika Dirks sees AI as both a valuable aid and a dangerous tool. Who is Dr. Radhika Dirks? She is a leader in multiple AI companies and is considered one of the top women in the AI world by both Forbes and Deloitte.


Dirks believes humans do, and always will, have the potential to add value at a higher level than machines. However, she warns that realizing this potential requires people to proactively develop their potential. It requires organizational leaders to be intentional about leveraging human capacity rather than blindly trusting AI technology.


Dirks suggests that there are three waves of AI and that we, humans, need to strengthen our skills to respond to each wave prudently.


Wave 1 – Explosion of Creativity: AI creates content creatively. AI generates pictures, websites, and text which challenge the human identity. Many are questioning the future of human work. 


  • Leaders need to be adaptable and have a growth mindset to add value in the world around us


Wave 2 – The World of Illusions: AI generates fake news and realities, posing a threat to our ability to distinguish between fake and truth.  Many of the pictures which have accompanied media stories in the last month are computer generated. Many of the articles references in AI writings do not exist.


  • Leaders must rely on intuition and ethical decision-making as well as develop guidelines for the use of AI within their organizations.


Wave 3 – The Race to Intimacy: AI mimics human emotions and forms connections, posing a challenge to genuine human relationships. To truly feel cared about and connected with others, we need to hear the human voice. Machines can’t fill a relationship void.


  • Leaders must prioritize in-person interactions, emotional intelligence, and intuition.



What is one step you will take in your organization to use AI wisely and help people develop the skills to have meaningful lives in a world in which AI has an expansive reach? 

Looking Ahead to a Fruitful 2026

By Cathie Leimbach • December 30, 2025
As the New Year approaches, it’s a natural time to look forward and ask what you want the next chapter to bring. One simple way to reflect to ask yourself three questions to create a stronger year ahead, what should you: Stop?, Continue?, and Start? Stop focusing energy on habits, meetings, or expectations that no longer serve you or your team. This might mean letting go of outdated processes, unnecessary urgency, or ways of working that drain momentum without adding value. Continue the practices that helped you gain traction this year. Think about what worked—perhaps clear communication, strong collaboration, consistent follow-through, or time spent developing people. These are the behaviors worth protecting and reinforcing. Start being intentional about what will move you forward in 2026. This could include setting clearer priorities, investing in leadership development, building healthier team rhythms, or creating space for innovation and growth. Taking time to reflect now helps you enter the New Year with purpose rather than pressure. Small, thoughtful shifts can create meaningful impact over time. Ready to turn reflection into action?  👉 View our Stop • Continue • Start Worksheet for a simple, practical way to reset priorities, build on what’s working, and step into 2026 with clarity and momentum.

Take a Moment for Joy

By Cathie Leimbach • December 23, 2025
As the year comes to a close, it’s worth pausing to ask a simple question: What brought you joy this year at work and in life? Joy doesn’t always arrive in big, headline moments. Often, it shows up quietly—in meaningful conversations, shared laughter, progress made, lessons learned, or the steady presence of people who support us. Sometimes joy is found in growth, sometimes in rest, and sometimes in simply getting through a challenging season with resilience and grace. Take a few minutes to reflect. What moments made you smile? When did you feel most connected? For what are you grateful? This reflection isn’t about ignoring the hard parts of the year. It’s about honoring the bright spots that sustained you through them. Recognizing joy helps us close the year with perspective and open the next one with hope. As the holidays approach, give yourself permission to slow down, savor meaningful moments, and share joy with others—through kindness, gratitude, and presence.  May this season be filled with moments that lift your spirit, and may you carry that joy with you into the year ahead. 👉 Take a moment to pause this season—view the Reflecting on Joy one-pager and reflect on what brought meaning to your work and life this year. Wishing you a truly joy-filled Christmas season .