Leadership Strategy in the AI Revolution Thrives on Grit and Gratitude (Grandsons & Women at the Top Podcast & Video)
It’s a pressing Leadership Strategy question: Will you manage AI, or will AI manage you? Or, as a Millennial friend recently asked – Will AI enslave you?
This question came to life twice recently. First, with my grandchildren on a Cancun family vacation, watching the “robot-taking-over-the-world” movie. Next, during my conversation with Regina Barr on the Women at the Top podcast.
It’s also the central question of my upcoming book, Character Mandate: Winning Strategies for Leading in the AI Revolution. As we step into a 500-year shift—where technology outpaces our moral frameworks—it’s clear that character must become our compass.
Leadership Insights from Grandsons
One evening, after a full day of swimming, we curl up together for movie night —“The Mitchells vs. The Machines,” the “robot-taking-over-the-world” movie. I expected fun and laughter. And we got that! But tucked inside this animated adventure was something deeper…a surprising leadership strategy lesson.
The movie follows an ordinary, quirky family on a wild road trip that turns into a mission to save the world from a rogue Artificial Intelligence. Sure, there were plenty of giggles and goofy chaos. Beneath the surface, it raised some powerful themes on grit and gratitude, as well as:
- Our growing dependence on technology,
- The power of real human connection, and
- Leading with character when the future feels uncertain.
The next morning, sipping coffee on the hotel deck overlooking the ocean, I asked my older grandsons—ages 10 and 8—what they
thought about the “robot-taking-over-the-world” movie. (Of course, that’s what any leadership-development coach…or Gramma…would do, right?)
Since they visit The Triple T Ranch, I’m curious how they compare today’s world to ranch-country world. They start comparing:
- Candles vs. flipping a light switch,
- Riding horses vs. driving a car,
- Warming by a fire vs. turning up the thermostat.
We discuss the importance of grit when life is tough, and the power of gratefulness. Plus, we talk about the pros and cons of growing up in a world where everyone carries an iPhone. I shared that some leaders take “technology sabbaths”—turning off their devices for a day to reconnect with life beyond the screen. Their eyes lit up. “That’s a great idea!” they said.
In that moment, I realized something: if an 8-year-old is already sensing the tension between a tech-driven world and a simpler life, how much more must today’s leaders be prepared to guide the next generation with wisdom, discernment, and character?
Because here’s the truth—in a world racing forward with AI breakthroughs and dizzying change, leadership isn’t just about keeping up with the latest technology. It’s about staying grounded in timeless virtues like grit and gratitude.
FYI: For a D.A.K.O.T.A. character analysis of “The Mitchells vs. The Machines,” the “robot-taking-over-the-world” movie, go HERE.
Leadership Insights from Podcast with Regina Barr
As I reflect on the conversation with my grandchildren, I remember one of my favorite Women at the Top podcasts, How to Use Your Leadership Influence with Grit and Gratitude: Hard Wired for Success (Video). Regina and I explore how leaders can use their influence—with both grit and gratitude—to guide future leaders to deal successfully with the AI Revolution.
You’re welcome to listen to the podcast. Plus, I’ve pulled together these podcast resources for you:
- 9 powerful quotes from the podcast, per ChatGPT’s opinion 🙂
- Quick-read ChatGPT summary.
- Blog Article: How to Use Your Leadership Influence with Grit and Gratitude: Hard Wired for Success
- Podcast Transcript: Transcript of Women at the Top Podcast_Regina Barr and Danita Bye
Ready? Let’s get started with these 13 hand-picked quotes to fuel your leadership with gratitude, grit, courage, and character.
ChatGPT Quotes: 9 Quotes to Fuel Your Leadership Strategies in the Age of AI
These leadership quotes might work well as daily reflections, discussion starters, or personal leadership checkpoints as you’re coaching Next-Gen leaders. Let’s shape a future where character—not just technology—defines great leadership.
Gratitude – A Leadership Strategy That Disarms Fear and Sparks Creativity
- We tap into our greatest gifts by being grateful for what’s already in our hands.
- Leaders thrive when they unlock every talent and resource within. Gratitude holds the master key.
- Gratitude dismantles the blame game and disarms fear—it’s the antidote our culture craves.
- Gratitude keeps you light on your feet. When you trip, you rise—stronger, more creative, more grounded.
Grit – A Leadership Trait That Drives Ownership and Outcomes
- High performers own their outcomes—no matter the economy, they don’t outsource responsibility.
- When you strip away criticism, condemnation, and complaint, you uncover the power of gratitude.
Guidance – A Leadership Virtue That Breaks Through the Noise
- The more grounded we are in our identity, the more fear loses its grip.
- Clarity sharpens focus, and focus silences fear.
- Fear-driven cultures breed self-preservation—leaders with character break that cycle.
ChatGPT Quick-read Summary: Gratitude, Grit, and Guidance for the Future
Years ago, my 23-year-old son, Westin, came to me with a soul-stirring challenge: “Mom, you must prioritize passing your leadership wisdom on to the next generation.” His words went straight to my core. As an experienced leader yourself, I imagine you’ve had similar moments, where you realize the most enduring legacy isn’t just about what you’ve built, but who you’ve helped rise.
That conversation sparked my first book, Millennials Matter: Proven Strategies for Building Your Next Gn Leader. This theme continues to shape my current work: equipping wise, seasoned leaders to coach and empower emerging leaders with the virtues they’ll need to thrive.
Gratitude: A Powerful Leadership Strategy Tool
In your coaching conversations, you’ve likely seen how fear shows up in today’s rising leaders—fear of failure, of not measuring up, of being overwhelmed by uncertainty. Gratitude is one of your most powerful tools to counter that fear. Gratitude:
- Disarms fear, allowing creativity to flourish.
- Breaks the blame cycle, replacing finger-pointing with ownership.
- Energizes the mind, sharpening clarity and focus in high-stress moments.
During the podcast, Regina and I talked about our daily gratitude rituals—hers during early morning dog walks, mine before bed, listing eight specific things I’m thankful for. It’s a practice I encourage you to model and share. Because what stands out isn’t the accomplishments—it’s the connections. The conversations. The moments of meaning.
Grit: The Leadership Strategy Antidote to Victimhood
You and I both know that top-tier leaders don’t blame—they take ownership. My research in the sales world, which includes over 2 million data points, confirms it. The best performers aren’t perfect, but they consistently ask:
- What might I do to make a positive impact?
That’s the Ownership Mindset. It’s something you can help younger leaders build—not just through training, but through the example you set. Invite them to notice excuse-making. Teach them how to pivot from fear to curiosity, from complaint to responsibility. That’s how grit gets built.
Guidance: Fear-Free Leadership Strategies in the AI Era
Let’s be real: fear is rampant in today’s workplaces. AI only intensifies that anxiety. But here’s what neuroscience confirms – fear shuts down everything else.
- It blocks creativity.
- It kills connection.
- It silences courage.
In fear-based cultures, people retreat. But as a mentor, you have the power to help reverse that trend. Remind your team:
- Gratitude activates creativity.
- Courage breaks through chaos.
- Grit drives determination.
- Character calls us to something greater than ourselves.
Gratitude. Grit. Guidance: Character-Based Leadership Strategies for This AI Era
That’s what this new era requires—not just tactics, but a moral compass. Not just speed, but substance. AI can simulate intelligence, but it cannot develop virtue. That’s your job. That’s our job.
Leadership Insights Summary
As I told Regina, we need every resource available—our intellect, our talents, our networks, and most of all, our character—to lead well during these unprecedented times where technology is outpacing our ethical frameworks. And to help Next-Gen leaders, especially our grandchildren, do the same.
Only leaders of virtue will know how to manage AI, rather than be managed by it.
Your leadership matters – now more than ever.
Leadership Lesson: Virtue-based leadership—rooted in gratitude, grit, and courage—is the only way to stay grounded in an AI-driven world.
Leadership Question: How are you intentionally modeling character to prepare the next generation for a future shaped by AI?
Copyright, Danita Bye 2025, with AI-generated summary input from ChatGPT.
Let’s discuss a tailor-made interview to meet your audience’s needs.
Virtual speaking event? No problem!
Check out my Speaker page HERE.
To schedule a call, contact me at danita@danitabye.com
No Comments