Why Your Leadership Influence Matters NOW— More Than Ever, in the AI Age (YouVersion)
In my original YouVersion devotional, I talked about the leadership development concept of Convergence – but I didn’t name it as such. So, hang on. This concept challenges me. As my job shifts and my health changes, I wonder what’s happening to my leadership influence. Convergence challenges me to reconsider God’s perspective.
Original YouVersion: Character and Faith
Now is an unprecedented time in history, for millennials especially. Born between 1980 and the mid-2000s, millennials are entering a global economy that’s filled with challenges and opportunities beyond the imagination of any previous generation. Understandably, they’re filled with mixed emotions, ranging from fear to excitement, about making a positive difference in the world. This fear and excitement extend to their faith.
Many are looking for mentors on how to live out a 24/7 faith in our culturally and religiously diverse world. Your young leaders need your guidance.
In the ancient world, a great patriarch, Moses, mentored another great leader, Joshua. As we look at today’s chaotic challenges, we know young Christian leaders, like Joshua, are needed. However, Joshua became a Joshua only because he had a Moses, someone who invested time pouring into him. We cannot expect an emerging Joshua to lead the charge into the future without there being a Moses to mentor, encourage, and disciple.
It is our calling to build well-grounded young Christian men and women of character and virtue. You are being called to make a difference for them – to be a Moses.
Who are the Joshuas in your life? Of course, there’s your family. In addition, is there someone you regularly interact with—at church, at work, at the gym—who is a Joshua in need of a Moses? It’s easy to overlook the Joshuas when we focus on our own lives. It takes intentionality to see the Joshua that God is placing near us in our sphere of influence.
For us to guide them in building their faith and influence in the world, we need fresh insight into how God wants us to mentor this generation. And here’s a secret. This Moses/Joshua mentoring stems from a courageous character core. A courageous core provides a stable footing so a person can impart or develop a positive influence. Our core character impacts everything we do.
One’s character core will influence how he or she will handle relationships, tackle new responsibilities, and withstand tests of faith. That’s where D.A.K.O.T.A comes in.
Updated Reflections: Your Convergence Moment – Why Your Leadership Matters Now
Why do I always end my articles with, “Your leadership matters, NOW, more than ever?” Might this be the time when your calling as a leader becomes most clear, through mentoring others in the AI era?
Have you ever looked back on your life and thought, “Oh… now I get it”?
Maybe you didn’t see it at the time. But somehow, all those job challenges, faith tests, late-night conversations, and quiet moments of obedience were building toward something.
I write about leadership expert, Dr. Robert Clinton, author of Making of a Leader, in Millennials Matter. He calls this Convergence—when your character, your calling, and your competencies finally align for maximum Kingdom impact. You realize: This is the moment I was made for.
Right now, in the swirl of uncertainty, disruption, and the rise of AI, we need your voice, your wisdom, and your walk of faith more than ever.
The Challenge – Next-Gen Leaders Are Being Discipled by Algorithms
We’re living in the Age of AI. The Next Generation is being shaped—yes, discipled by digital voices more than human ones. Constant social media scrolls, 24/7 access to global influencers, and personalized AI recommendations are training their hearts and minds. We’re in an Era of Exponential Growth.
Here’s the kicker: It’s happening whether we notice or not.
Instead of being formed by faith-filled mentors, many are being shaped by machine-learning algorithms. With every interaction, their virtues, values, and opinions are being shaped.
We have to ask: Are they becoming wise and grounded decision-makers, or simply data-driven reactors?
The Disconnect – Faith That’s Fragmented
Beyond digital overwhelm, there’s another challenge.
Many emerging leaders are searching for how to live out their faith, not just on Sundays. They long for mentors who embody integrity, humility, and faith in every space: the workplace, the digital world, and around the dinner table.
They’re asking:
“What does real character look like at work?”
“Can you lead with faith in a high-stakes boardroom or while engaging AI tools?”
Sadly, they don’t see many role models who integrate faith and leadership. What they see instead is spiritual compartmentalization—Sunday morning values that disappear by Monday morning meetings.
That’s where you come in.
Your Leadership Influence on Character is Essential in the Age of AI
Character isn’t old-fashioned. It’s essential, especially in the AI era.
Why? Artificial intelligence can replicate data, but it can’t discern values. It can suggest decisions, but it can’t weigh what’s right or wrong. That takes a human soul grounded in truth and guided by virtue.
Your character—shaped over years of real-life challenges—is what your Next-Gen leader is craving.
You don’t need to know every new tech term. But you do need to know how to live and lead with conviction, especially when AI tools tempt us to outsource our thinking, our creativity, and even our moral compass.
Ancient Wisdom to Develop Great Leaders
Think of Moses. He wasn’t just a powerful leader. He was a mentor. And he didn’t mentor just anyone—he mentored Joshua, a young leader who would go on to conquer new territory and face incredible unknowns.
But Joshua didn’t wake up one day fully formed. He became Joshua because he had a Moses. Someone who invested time pouring his wisdom and experience into Joshua.
That’s the invitation for you, right now.
Ground Next-Gen Leaders in Virtues That Endure
In today’s chaos-filled world, we need a fresh but timeless framework to mentor emerging leaders. One that helps them build inner strength for an expanded leadership influence.
That’s why I developed the D.A.K.O.T.A. Framework. I grew up on the Triple T Ranch in the outback of North Dakota. In Little-house-on-the-prairie conditions, I discover that character connects to faith in real time.
As we proceed, you’ll discover how the D.A.K.O.T.A. Framework connects to the timeless wisdom of the 7 Cardinal Virtues in a fresh, actionable approach. (Check out the summary of the D.A.K.O.T.A. Framework in the Intro to this series.)
Mentor From Your Convergence Moment – Be a Moses and Find Your Joshua
Who’s your Joshua—or your Joshua-ette? Maybe it’s someone in your family. Or a young professional in your church or workplace. Perhaps it’s someone you bump into regularly—at the gym, the grocery store, or even online.
Don’t underestimate your leadership influence. Your presence, your words, and your consistency can be the mentorship they’re praying for.
This isn’t about adding something new to your plate. It’s about being intentional with what God has already placed in your path.
Because here’s the truth: Your leadership matters now, more than ever. You are standing in your Convergence moment—the culmination of your calling, character, and competencies—for Kingdom impact that expands through the Next-Gen leader you mentor.
As you stand in your Convergence Moment, I invite you to mentor with purpose.
In the next post in this series, your journey begins with building one of the most foundational leadership virtues—Determination.
su_box title=”Need fresh insights for your next podcast series? ” style=”soft” box_color=”#5c83c2″ title_color=”#262729″ radius=”6″]
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[/su_box]
No Comments