Leadership Influence: How to Grow Leadership Awareness in the AI Revolution (You Version)

Leadership Influence: How to Grow Leadership Awareness in the AI Revolution (You Version)

I recently posted this leadership development article on LinkedIn: Harness the AI Revolution to Strengthen Your Leadership Strategies (& Influencers Podcast). 

In response, Cooper Buss, a trusted Millennials Matter Reviewer, commented with tremendous Awareness about the leadership challenges in today’s AI-infused world.

He says, “I think the fear is real and justified. And the key to being a leader with character is helping your staff on a very personal level come to terms with what AI is and where things are moving in your business. Then working with the organization at large to make sure we aren’t accelerating headlong into something where we make way more money but squeeze the life out of people and the environment (which is what all technology tends towards).”

Insightfully, he continues, “I think leaders will have to take a stand alongside their teams to slow things down. I am increasingly believing that a top skill of a business leader is the discernment of minimalism. Doing only what is really necessary. Fighting complexity for simplicity and allowing humans autonomy and the time and space to bring as much of themselves to the table in their jobs as they can. Don’t add processes and tools; remove them. Allow people and relationships to solve the problems. Slow your growth so that you put people first. Who cares what your growth rate is if your company is a revolving door? Have machines do only machine things and let people be creative and expressive in everything else.”

Since you’re following this series, you know that I started with my original YouVersion Devotional on Awareness. As Cooper illustrates through his comments, the truths of five years ago are still true, perhaps even more so.

This original is followed by updated insights based on the challenges Millennials and Gen Z are facing, based on AI. I’m curious about your feedback. What’s helpful? What would you like to talk about more regarding this topic? I look forward to hearing from you.

Original YouVersion: Awareness

Awareness is the capacity to gain knowledge about the unique components of our character. It is reflected in how we apply those insights in all our relationships, including with God, ourselves, and others.

The millennial generation lives in a media-saturated world. Every day, they are bombarded with marketing messages of who they should be, what they should look like, and what they should care about. The noise is deafening, distracting, and deceitful.

These messages sidetrack next-gen leaders from developing a keen awareness of (1.) their identity as children of our Heavenly Father and of (2.) their responsibility as ambassadors of the Most High King. They forget that they are a Joshua-in-training.

How might you activate greater awareness in your young Christian leader?

Focus inward. Proverbs 4:23 invites us to guard our hearts. Due to today’s culture, it’s increasingly difficult to guard what’s coming into our hearts. Encourage them to be discerning of what’s entering their minds. Once in, they need to be aware of how it affects their character core. Help your young Joshua to double check with Scripture and to develop spiritual practices so they become increasingly adept at sensing God’s voice, in the midst of those world’s chaotic messages.

Also, encourage them to take a survey like StrengthsFinder. If you haven’t taken it recently, take one yourself, too. Share your strengths as well as your potential weaknesses. Explore what resonated with them and what surprised them. This will help them gain more awareness of their natural gifts and talents.

Focus outward. Discuss with your emerging leader how their God-given strengths can be leveraged in their budding vocation and how they can be leveraged in building professional and personal relationships.

Encourage them to lean into these strengths to accomplish their personal, professional, and faith goals. Remind them to thank the Lord and to ask for wisdom on how to use their strengths. Tell your story, reminding them that our spiritual life impacts what we do relationally, physically, intellectually, and financially.

Focus upward. Invite your young Christian leader to identify their spiritual gifts. Online are many resources to aid in this discovery.

Character is strengthened when a Christian disciple bolsters awareness of oneself, those in his or her community, and God. Pray with those you disciple that God reveals to them of awareness of their spiritual gifts and how, as ambassadors of God, they can use them to further his kingdom.

Updated Reflections: Leadership Awareness is the Inner Edge that AI Cannot Replace

The greatest leadership skill isn’t found in a machine or device. It’s found in the mirror.

In the AI era, leadership begins with self-awareness—leaders must look inward, outward, and upward to stay anchored in identity, integrity, and divine purpose.

Yet, in this digital and data revolution, the pressure to optimize, adapt, and perform is immense. But leadership isn’t just about productivity—it’s about your presence, perspective, and purpose.

Check out the first two articles in this series: Convergence Moment and Determination. In this article, we lean into Awareness—the second character trait in the D.A.K.O.T.A. Framework.

What’s Hiding Behind Your “Leadership Suit”?

From personal experience, it seems that when I’m too busy meeting expectations and attacking my To-Do List, it’s hard to hear my own inner voice.

Awareness helps leaders rise above the noise, recognize their true identity, and lead from the inside out.

Let me take you into one of my own “aha” moments. This happened at a time when I was doing everything I could to keep all the balls in the air. But something deeper needed my attention.

Early one morning, I’m standing in front of my closet, contemplating my lineup of corporate navy-blue suits. With various fabrics and styles, each serves its own purpose. There’s the First Call Suit, the Presentation Suit, the Closing Suit…

Suddenly, it hits me. I’ve been donning these beautifully tailored suits like armor, protecting myself from the harshness of the real workaday world.

Ironically, these suits also mask the real Danita—from me and from my prospective customers. On the outside, the got-my-act-together-armor looks nice and shiny, like I belong in the corporate world. But on the inside, it’s darker and more chaotic. I’m wrestling with how to hold the titles of Super Sales Leader, Super Parent, and Super Spouse all at the same time. Like a broken record, the questions loop: How can I do it? How can I excel in a high-pressure corporate career and still be the best wife to Gordon and mom to three young school children? Others do it. Come on, Danita, you can figure this out!

Like every mom, I feel the weight of guilt—guilt about not being good enough.

Standing in front of my navy-blue armor, I realize I’m exhausted. I’ve been pulled in too many directions for too long, all while hiding and giving in to the expectations of others.

Right then, I make a personal vow to rediscover who I really am and what I’m truly called to do in this season of life. My awareness moment is radical—but symbolic. I burn one of the navy-blue suits. Yes, I actually do it. The flames are a visual reminder of the internal commitment I’m making to start living as the real Danita—not the polished version in the navy-blue suit.

Have you experienced a moment like this—when you realized you couldn’t keep living someone else’s version of your life? When you know something had to change?

Awareness is what brings these moments into focus.

It’s the capacity to gain a deep understanding of the unique components of our character. And it’s reflected in how we apply those insights in all our relationships—including with God, ourselves, and others.

Use These Action Steps to Grow Leadership Awareness in the AI Era

Guide your Next-Gen leader to grow in awareness by cultivating quiet reflection, purpose-driven service, and a God-centered identity.

1. Focus inward – on personal identity and emotional/spiritual health.
2. Focus outward – on how one’s gifts serve others.
3. Focus upward – on God’s calling and shaping work.

These steps are a practical coaching roadmap for building self-aware, spiritually grounded leaders.

Without awareness, leaders risk burnout, disconnection, and even ethical compromise. This is even more prevalent in our tech-driven world.

Many leaders tell me that it feels as if they’re operating on autopilot. When do you also experience these feelings? You get pulled in every direction by external expectations, digital distractions, and performance pressures. You live in a noisy world full of highlight reels and the hustle culture. It’s so easy to lose sight of your true self.

Awareness is the ability to understand what’s happening inside you—spiritually/motivationally, relationally, physically, mentally, and intellectually.

• How might you apply that understanding to how you live and lead?
• How might awareness help you to build a foundation of emotional intelligence, one of the cornerstones of strong character?

With awareness, leaders grow in character, integrity, and wisdom. Let’s dive into three action steps to build a strong foundation for you and those you lead. This is your Moses mandate to lead your Joshua.

Focus Inward: Rediscover the Leader Within

In the Age of AI, it’s increasingly difficult to guard what’s coming into our hearts.

Try This to Focus Inward:

Make space for quiet reflection. Find 10 minutes in your day to sit quietly with no distractions.

Here are key questions to explore during your quiet time:

• • What are you allowing into your heart and mind each day?
  • How do those influences shape your sense of purpose and self-worth?
  • Are they aligned with your values—or someone else’s expectations?

Answer these questions honestly to step back from the pressure of performance and reconnect with your core identity.

Practices like journaling, quiet prayer, reading scripture, or reflecting on your personal values create space for self-awareness to grow.

Consider self-assessment tools like StrengthsFinder or the Enneagram. But remember, they’re simply mirrors. What matters most is what you do with what you see.

Ask yourself:

• • What strengths am I leaning into right now?
  • Where am I being stretched—and why?

Awareness doesn’t mean perfection. It means honesty. And honesty is the first step toward transformation.

Focus Outward: Connect Your Gifts to a Greater Purpose

AI can sharpen your skills—but without awareness of purpose, you risk losing sight of the greater good you’re here to serve.

Awareness isn’t meant to make you self-absorbed. It’s meant to make you service-oriented.

Try this to focus outward by reflecting on these questions:

• • Where are my strengths showing up in my relationships or work?
  • How might my gifts be used to meet a real need?

It’s tempting to view your gifts as resources to help you reach your goals. But true leaders ask: How can I bless others? How can I make a difference?

Tell your story. Reflect on how awareness of your own strengths and weaknesses has shaped your leadership journey. Don’t be afraid to share both the highs and the humbling moments—because that’s what builds trust.

When you grow in self-awareness, you connect more deeply with those you lead.

Focus Upward: See Your Leadership from God’s Perspective

As leaders, we often wear “suits” to look the part—but without awareness of God’s perspective, we risk missing the deeper purpose He’s shaping within us.

What “suit” are you wearing to gain approval? The most powerful source of awareness isn’t internal or external. It’s upward.

Try this to focus upward:

Reflect on the following: We’re not just wired with gifts—we’re created with a purpose. Take time to revisit your spiritual gifts. If you’ve taken a test before, reflect on what’s changed. If you haven’t—start there.

Without a mentor, it’s easy to get lost. Identify someone you trust who can help you grow in self-awareness—or consider mentoring a younger leader yourself. Joshua had Moses, and I believe many in your sphere of influence will benefit from your leadership. Growth multiplies when we walk the journey together.

Reflect on these questions:

• • What’s God calling me toward in this season?
  • Where do I sense His invitation to grow, serve, or surrender?

Invite God into your awareness journey. Ask God to show you what He sees in you. What is He shaping in your character right now? When you listen, you’ll gain clearer direction and deeper peace.

Awareness in the Age of AI: The Competitive Advantage

AI will continue to reshape the landscape, but as a leader with awareness, you can inspire a vision worth following.

Cooper Buss, a trusted Millennials Matter Reviewer’s comments about the leadership challenges in today’s AI-infused world deeply resonate with me.

“The key to being a leader with character is helping your staff on a very personal level come to terms with what AI is and where things are moving in your business.”

Cooper reminds us that leaders with character must walk closely with their teams as they navigate AI. He encourages leaders to help them understand what’s changing, resisting the push to accelerate blindly, and refusing to “squeeze the life out of people and the environment. His call to “slow things down,” remove unnecessary tools, and give humans the autonomy and space to bring their full selves to their work is exactly what awareness empowers us to do.

Cooper’s insights echo my own “navy-blue suit” moment. I’m sure you also feel the pressure to armor up, speed up, and stay productive at any cost. It seems to be what this AI age demands. But awareness asks us to pause, pay attention, and choose a different path: one where simplicity and human connection are valued.

Heed Cooper’s advice and slow down. Then, follow the action steps in my article and coach young leaders to look inward, outward, and upward. This is the foundation on which every other virtue rests. Because leaders who cultivate awareness today will be the ones who value the human connection, build trust, and create healthy cultures in tomorrow’s AI-driven workplace.

Our journey continues next with Knowing—the deep moral clarity that directs wise decisions in a world where speed, data, and convenience often drown out what truly matters.

Leadership Lesson: The best leaders focus inward, outward, and upward.

Leadership Question: Where in your leadership are you being invited to stop performing and start leading with greater awareness?

© Copyright Danita Bye – (Edited by ChatGPT for clarity and flow).