By 2035, leadership will be transformed by AI. Discover how augmented leadership blends technology and human skills — and how leaders can prepare now.

1. Standing on the Brink of a New Leadership Age

In the early 1900s, leaders who mastered electricity and mass production didn’t just run businesses — they reshaped entire industries.

Fast forward to today: we’re at a similar turning point. This time, it’s not machines on factory floors that are changing the game — it’s thinking machines in our laptops, phones, and embedded into our daily decisions.

If you think AI is just another tech trend, like the fax or the cloud, you’re already behind. The leaders who treat AI as a colleague, not just a tool, will be the ones who stay ahead.

Full disclosure here, personally I dislike the term AI.

Amazing and as useful tools as they are, for me they fall short of a biological high intelligence.   Using complex statistical modelling then can outperform humans on many defined tasks. All without needing to understand any meaning or nuance at all.

It no denying it is impressive what large language models can now do and the pace of improvement is still fast for now.

Even as little as 5 years time  (By 2030) its probable AI will be as common in leadership as email is today.

What does that mean for leadership?

I saw a great quote in HBR last year “Humans have always been better at inventing tools that change the way we live and work than adapting to the big changes these tools cause”.

We and many others believe the real differentiator? Leading with AI — not just using it.

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2. What “Augmented Leadership” Actually Means

Think of leading in 2030 like piloting a high-tech aircraft. Of course the autopilot (AI) can handle much of the mechanics — but it’s still the pilot (you) who chooses the path, navigates uncertainty, and keeps people calm during turbulence.

One way of looking at it is that:

In Augmented Leadership = AI handling logic plus you handling meaning.

Information technology is already impacting on leadership approaches we believe AI will likely accelerate these key shifts in leadership:

• From Command-and-Control → Collaborative Orchestration
  (Think: human-AI orchestra conductor)
• From Information Processor → Human Connection Architect
  (Not just reading notes — interpreting music)
• From Sole Decision-Maker → Ethical AI Steward
  (Providing the moral compass AI lacks)

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3. Three Leadership Archetypes in 2035

The old model of the all-knowing “hero leader” will be (hopefully) obsolete by 2030+. In its place? A blend of conductor, ethicist, and translator between people and machines.

a) The Human Connection Architect

• Designs meaningful human experiences in an AI-powered world
• Excels at empathy, culture, and purpose
• Uses AI to enhance relationships, not replace them

b) The Ethical AI Steward

• Sets clear boundaries for AI use
• Guards fairness, transparency, and mitigates bias
• Builds trust between humans and technology

c) The Adaptive Orchestrator

• Blends human and AI team members seamlessly
• Adapts quickly to new information
• Uses AI to create synergy greater than the sum of parts

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4. The Neuroscience Case for Staying Human

Science backs what great leaders already know: trust, empathy, and shared purpose light up the brain’s reward centres.

Call me naive but by 2030, empathy will be the currency of leadership.
AI can analyse and optimize, but only a human can inspire, reassure, and create psychological safety.

AI can write the sheet music.
Only you can bring it to life.

Leadership Mindset Shifts

To thrive in augmented leadership and ensure it has a positive impact , it’s not just about learning tools — it’s more about changing how you think.

Essential Mindset Shifts:

1. Fear → Curiosity – AI won’t replace you; it could extend you.
2. Fixed Expertise → Growth Mindset – Learning never ends.
3. Short-Term Wins → Long-Term Value – Focus on ethical, sustainable impact.

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5. The Five Core Skills of Augmented Leaders

To lead in 2035, you’ll need to master both AI fluency and human connection.

Build These Now:

1. Digital Fluency & AI Literacy – Know what AI can and can’t do.
2. Systems Thinking – See the patterns and complexity in challenges.
3. Adaptive Agility – Change course fast, stay true to purpose.
4. Advanced Emotional Intelligence – Lead with heart and perception.
5. Ethical Decision-Making – Bring the values that AI lacks.

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6. What Leaders Should Start Doing (2025–2026)

A practical checklist to get ready now:

✅ Test AI in low-risk areas (e.g., meeting summaries, scenario planning)
✅ Create your own AI rulebook (ethics + usage guidelines)
✅ Build team-wide AI literacy
✅ Run a human-AI pilot project
✅ Sharpen your EQ (coaching, feedback, reflection)

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7. Why This Matters for Organisations

Companies that embrace augmented leadership will unlock massive advantages:

• Better, faster decisions – AI handles data, leaders manage nuance
• Continuous innovation – AI + human creativity = endless ideas
• Magnetic culture – Purpose and trust that attract top talent
• Resilience under pressure – Hybrid teams that out-adapt competitors

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8. The Mantle Perspective

At Mantle, we anticipated this shift early.

We believe the leaders of the future will blend technology with neuroscience — using behavior science and human connection to drive real impact.

Our programs are designed to equip leaders with:

• The right mindsets
• The right skills
• The right ethical compass

So they can use technology to serve human flourishing — not the other way around.

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Final Thought

AI won’t take your leadership role…
But a leader who knows how to use AI will.

The question isn’t if AI will change leadership.
It’s will you still be the one leading when it does?

AI might be the co-pilot,
But leadership still needs a human in the captain’s seat.