Can Leadership Be Reduced to an Algorithm?

May 4, 2017

As machine learning and brain science advance with remarkable speed, it's not implausible to imagine leadership behaviors reduced to a component of a master algorithm. Thankfully, there are some distinctly human attributes that may be difficult to capture in this format. Use them as if your survival as a leader depended on it.

Can we create a working leadership algorithm?

Yes.

Probably.

Maybe not.

I hope not.

Discuss.

For the moment, the end of leadership by humans sounds like some form of dystopian science-fiction plot complete with profound existential implications for the race.

Emphasis on, “for the moment.”

[bctt tweet=”Lead like you’re worried that you’ll be rendered obsolete. ” username=”artpetty”]

As researchers gain more insight on the algorithms that drive our brains, and those in the world of machine learning continue to push the boundaries of artificial (when does it become not artificial?) intelligence, a “machine” mastering the behaviors we associate with leaders, is not implausible.

Perhaps we should raise our game as a bit of insurance.

Lead like you’re worried that you’ll be rendered obsolete.

Empathy. Love. Help. Kindness. Curiosity. Caring.

Those are the difficult ones to reduce to an algorithm.

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Leadership Books by Art Petty

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