Leadership Malpractice: Why Your Team's AI Readiness Can't Wait

Leadership malpractice in the age of AI has a clear definition: the failure to prepare your team for a future where artificial intelligence is transforming every aspect of work.

If you are not preparing your people for the world of AI, it is my firm belief that you are committing an act of malpractice, because you are entrusted with the futures, in many respects, of your team. 

- Amith Nagarajan, Sidecar Sync Podcast (Episode 61)

The Core of Leadership

The number one role and responsibility of a leader is to grow their people. Full stop. This fundamental truth shapes everything about effective leadership. You, as a leader, should be judged not by the work and output while you're at a place, but what happens after you leave – which is only predictable based upon the work you do to help other people grow.

This responsibility extends beyond managing current operations or hitting quarterly targets. It's about ensuring your team develops the skills and capabilities they need to thrive in their careers. Today, AI literacy has become as fundamental as digital literacy was a generation ago.

Why This Is Malpractice

We're at a critical juncture where AI is affecting every aspect of professional work. Your team members are looking to you as their leader to help guide them into the future, both for their organizational roles and their long-term career growth. This trust places a profound responsibility on leaders to ensure their teams are prepared for the AI-driven transformation ahead.

The reality is compelling: Without AI skills and knowledge, your team members risk becoming professionally outdated in a remarkably short time. The workplace is transforming rapidly, and those unprepared for AI will face significant barriers to career advancement and opportunity. As leaders, we have a responsibility to help our teams develop these crucial capabilities. By focusing on AI readiness, we strengthen both organizational efficiency and our teams' professional growth.

The Path Forward

Leaders must recognize and address the natural apprehension many team members feel about AI. Your staff may worry about how AI will change their roles, and these concerns deserve thoughtful attention. The best thing a leader can do is acknowledge those concerns and say: "We share those concerns. We don't have answers, but we do know that if we don't learn this stuff, we are definitely going to be obsolete."

For association leaders, this challenge presents itself on two critical fronts that are deeply interconnected. Your internal AI readiness directly impacts your ability to serve and guide your members through similar transformations.

First, there's Internal Preparation: Training your team, including both staff and close-in volunteer leadership, to ensure they can effectively operate in an AI-enhanced workplace. This foundational step is crucial because your team needs to understand and work with AI before they can guide others.

This internal capability then enables the second front: Member Development. Once your team is AI-ready, you're better positioned to create comprehensive AI learning opportunities for your members, helping them understand and adapt to how AI will impact their professions. Think of it as putting on your own oxygen mask before helping others – your team's AI proficiency becomes the platform from which you can effectively support your members' AI journey.

Taking Action

The path to AI readiness requires active engagement and sometimes tough decisions. Your members will find leadership in this space somewhere – if not from you, then from another source. While none of us can predict exactly what's coming next, especially beyond two years, we do know this: You have to get people started on their journey. You have to encourage them and, in some cases, mandate participation in AI training and development.

Here are specific steps you can take:

1. Start with Core Training Programs

• Implement AI training immediately for your team
• Start with practical tasks your team can tackle today

2. Build Internal Learning Structure

• Identify AI champions within your team to lead training initiatives
• Create a dedicated Slack or Teams channel for sharing AI tips and wins

3. Create Safe Learning Environments

• Set up test projects where teams can practice with AI
• Encourage sharing of both successes and failures with AI implementation

4. Measure and Track Progress

• Set clear AI literacy goals for different roles
• Track participation in AI training initiatives

5. Extend to Volunteer Leadership

• Include board members and committee chairs in AI training
• Brief volunteer leaders on AI impacts in your industry

The Cost of Waiting

The consequences of inaction are immediate and far-reaching. Your team's future employability is at stake. For associations, the stakes are even higher. Whether your members are accountants, lawyers, architects, or engineers, they're looking to you for guidance on AI's impact on their profession. If you don't provide that leadership, another organization will fill that void.

Your association's core purpose is to support and advance your profession or industry. By preparing your members for AI now, you strengthen their ability to succeed in an evolving professional landscape.

Moving Forward

The time for passive observation is over. Start by committing to your own AI education and creating robust pathways for your team to develop these crucial skills. Sidecar's AI Learning Hub offers a great starting point, with courses specifically designed for association professionals looking to implement AI in their organizations. Get unlimited access for your entire team at one flat rate—for more details on pricing, click here.

Remember: Leadership in the AI age isn't about having all the answers. It's about ensuring your team and members are equipped to adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving professional landscape. The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.