by Veronica Wortman Ploetz, ATD Nebraska Member

Last week I had the opportunity to attend the ICAN conference in Omaha, Nebraska. The theme this year centered around adapting to lead in the digital age. The challenges leaders will face in the digital age will make strategy, vision and human relation skills even more important. A future workforce will include leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and technology to automate processes and complete repetitive and predictable work. A successful leader will need to be fluent in human relation skills that a machine can not be programmed to execute, such as creativity, collaboration, empathy, confidence, and compassion. 

The highlight of the conference for me was keynote speaker and author, Mike Walsh who spoke about leaders needing to adjust to a world of algorithms, automation and AI. He maintains the algorithmic leader of the future will have two key qualities - the ability to understand human behavior, and a flair for computational thinking.

Check out this video on YouTube for a sliver of his presentation.

Download or order his most recent book, The Algorithmic Leader: How to Be Smart When Machines Are Smarter Than You, is available in hard cover, Kindle and audio formats.

Follow up questions for contemplation and future discussion:

• How often do you think about the future of training and talent development how it will change?
• Do you have thoughts around leveraging AI and technology in training and talent development?
• How will you, as a training and talent development professional, focus on growing the critical human relations skills within your area of influence?