AI didn’t replace leadership—it raised the bar for it.
When a key leader leaves, the instinct is to backfill the role. But what if the real need has changed? In this episode, we break down how to make a smart, intentional hiring decision using three key insights:
- Not Backfilling a Role Is a Strategic Choice, Not Just a Cost-Saving Move. If you don’t hire, who takes on the leadership responsibilities? Your teams? Yourself? A mix?
- The Three Jobs of Management Define Whether a Leadership Role Is Needed. A manager is only valuable if they create clarity, increase capability, or improve systems in a way that multiplies their team’s impact.
- AI Changes Work, But It Doesn’t Eliminate the Need for Leadership. AI might automate tasks, but it raises the bar for leadership by shifting priorities, increasing complexity, and demanding new skills.
Through real-world examples—including a tech company that thrived without a director and a marketing org navigating AI’s impact—we’ll help you decide whether to hire, restructure, or rethink the role entirely.
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