Leadership in the Age of AI
Discover the transformative principles of leadership, habits, and community with Lan Phan, founder of Community of Seven, in this insightful episode of Redefining Work.
Today’s episode of LinkedIn Presents: Redefining Work was a deep dive into leadership, habits, and community with none other than Lan Phan.
Lan is the founder of Community of Seven and the author of the new book, Do This Daily: Secrets to Finding Success, Happiness, and Purpose in Work and Life. Let’s break down some of the key insights from our conversation.
The Four Pillars of Daily Success
Lan’s book outlines four main principles that are pivotal for personal and professional success:
Intentionality: Knowing what matters most to you is crucial. Lan often finds that even top executives struggle to answer the question, "What brings you joy?" Without intentionality, navigating life is like trying to reach a destination without an address. Purpose and core values act as your GPS coordinates.
Mindset Mastery: Your mindset shapes your destiny. Quoting Henry Ford, Lan reminds us, "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right." A growth mindset is essential, especially for those in the latter stages of their careers who are seeking deeper purpose beyond traditional success markers.
Consistency: Change is built on daily actions. Lan emphasizes, "We become what we do daily." This principle highlights the importance of small, consistent efforts over time, aligning with the concept of momentum as opposed to fleeting motivation.
Adaptability: Change requires change. It's simple but not easy. Success involves both adding positive influences and removing negative ones. Lan underscores the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, as "we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with."
Momentum vs. Motivation
A fascinating point Lan and I discussed is the difference between momentum and motivation. Drawing inspiration from Arnold Schwarzenegger, we noted that motivation is fickle and unreliable.
Momentum, however, is built through consistent action, regardless of daily fluctuations in motivation.
This compounding effect is what drives true change.
The Evolving Leadership Mindset
Lan’s extensive background as an executive across various industries has given her unique insights into leadership evolution.
She highlighted a significant shift from the command-and-control model to one that values trust, empathy, and emotional intelligence.
In today’s AI-driven world, these human-centric skills are more crucial than ever.
Leadership in the AI Era
We are in the early innings of AI integration in the workplace, and its impact is unprecedented.
AI can handle many of the "hard skills" traditionally valued in leaders, such as data analysis and decision-making processes. However, it cannot replicate empathy, motivation, and human connection.
As Lan pointed out, "AI is ten-fold, twenty-fold more intelligent than any human, but it cannot replace the humanist part of us."
Continuous Learning: A Necessity
In this rapidly changing environment, continuous learning is essential. Lan and I discussed how companies need to provide space for deep work and learning.
Individuals should focus on progress rather than perfection. Lan shared the insightful advice from Jerry Seinfeld—“Don’t break the chain”—emphasizing daily practice and incremental improvement.
Building a Culture of Trust and Safety
A significant part of Lan’s work with Community of Seven involves helping organizations build cultures rooted in trust and psychological safety.
This involves clear definitions, shared values, and consistent language throughout the organization.
She advocates for smaller, more effective meetings and time dedicated to curiosity and creative pursuits.
Community of Seven: Transforming Leadership
Lan’s Community of Seven started as a support system during the COVID-19 pandemic and has evolved into a powerful force for leadership development.
By focusing on personalized, immersive training, Lan helps organizations create meaningful transformation.
Key Takeaways:
Intentionality and Purpose: Clarify what matters most to you and align your actions accordingly.
Mindset Mastery: Cultivate a growth mindset to navigate challenges and find deeper purpose.
Consistency: Focus on daily actions that build momentum over time.
Adaptability: Embrace change by adding positive influences and removing negative ones.
Human-Centric Leadership: Develop emotional intelligence and empathy, which are irreplaceable by AI.
Continuous Learning: Create systems that encourage ongoing personal and professional development.
For those interested in diving deeper into Lan’s insights, her book Do This Daily is a must-read.
You can find it on her author’s website, and follow her work with Community of Seven on LinkedIn and Instagram.