Let’s be real, being a GM isn’t about sitting in meetings or hitting KPIs. It’s about people. It’s about looking at your team and seeing the potential they don’t always see in themselves.

And that’s not always easy.

Some people shine right away. Others need a nudge. Some have talents buried under years of doing the wrong job. I’ve been blessed with the gift of being able to unlock people’s greatness, and have coached hundreds for teammates over the years.

Now @GAS, with our abilities to use AI, I am surprised at how it can support me in coaching my team.

Not as some cold, robotic decision-maker. But as a mirror, showing me patterns, strengths, and blind spots I might not have noticed before.

AI as a Tool for Seeing People More Clearly

AI doesn’t just track productivity; it picks up on where people thrive. It notices:

🔹 Who’s always the first to help when a teammate is stuck
🔹 Who does their best work under pressure
🔹 Who lights up in collaboration, but struggles alone
🔹 Who’s detail-obsessed but might overthink things

It’s like having an extra set of eyes; ones that don’t get distracted, don’t play favourites, and don’t get caught up in daily chaos.

And here’s the thing: AI isn’t here to replace the human side of leadership. It’s here to make us better at it.

Coaching People into Their Strengths

When you know what someone’s naturally good at, everything changes. You stop forcing square pegs into round holes. You stop micromanaging. You start guiding instead of pushing.

• Got someone who’s a natural problem solver? Give them space to tackle challenges instead of drowning them in routine tasks.
• Got a team member who’s incredible with people? Let them take the lead on client interactions instead of keeping them behind the scenes.
• Got a deep thinker who struggles in fast-paced settings? Don’t write them off, find a role where they can go deep without the pressure of constant multitasking.

AI helps us see these things faster. But at the end of the day, it’s still up to us to create an environment where people can grow.

The Heart of Leadership Isn’t Data, It’s Connection

As much as not everyone agrees on this, I believe the heart of leadership is Connection. Here’s what AI won’t tell you:
🚫 When someone’s lost confidence in themselves
🚫 When a person’s personal life is affecting their work
🚫 When someone’s capable of so much more, but just needs to believe it

That part? That’s on us.

AI gives us insights, but it’s our job to have the tough conversations. To build people up. To coach, mentor, and sometimes it requires just listening.

Because at the end of the day, people don’t give their best because an algorithm told them to. They give their best when they feel valued, seen, and understood.

And that’s the kind of leader I want to be.

A GM Who Believes in the “Heart of People”.

Make February the “Month of Love”!

Connect with a team member or colleague in a meaningful way. You may just draw out the jewels within them, they didn’t even know were hidden. They will shine, and the business will benefit as a result, WIN WIN!