How can leaders leverage AI to facilitate better collaboration and streamline their management?
By Ms. Hemalatha Raghuvanshi
In today’s dynamic business environment, leaders are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) as an essential tool to increase productivity and streamline business processes. Incorporating AI into an organisation’s routine functioning allows for improved productivity, and an active and creative workforce.
Enhancing communication and collaboration
Communication is an essential prerequisite of seamless collaboration. Real-time communication and interaction tools such as Slack or Microsoft Teams bypass the physical boundaries of time zones or locations by providing instantaneous chats, video meetings, or even file transfers; in doing so, they enable all the members of a group to work without any obstructions. These tools often incorporate features that prioritise messages based on their relevance, so that important conversations are not overlooked. AI tools also allow managers to identify any shortcomings or inefficient patterns within teams and address them before they escalate.
Balancing synchronous and asynchronous communication
Even though a great percentage of India’s workforce considers in-person meetings meaningful and productive, there is an increasing need to balance synchronous (in real time) and asynchronous (on-demand) communication methods. A judicious combination of both types of communication can reduce the burden on the team of attending more meetings than required, while still facilitating effective collaboration. For instance, AI can be utilised to set up meetings by considering the relevancy and urgency of the discussion points as well as the preferences of the attendees and can also be leveraged to determine the most suitable time for all members.
Streamlining workflow and enhancing productivity
Recruitment is made smoother by AI automating processes such as data entry, calendar management and even the first review of applicants. For instance, HireVue records video interviews and then pinpoints key moments, including those where candidates made certain facial expressions during interview that are of interest to recruiters – such measures go beyond traditional resume evaluations. Automating such functions can allow leaders to reallocate their valuable time (and that of their team) to more pressing activities that require their strategic focus and undivided attention.
Resource allocation and performance management
Managers looking to allocate resources can lean on AI tools such as IBM Watson and Microsoft Azure AI, which analyse patterns and predict potential bottlenecks. This improves the efficiency of their scheduling as well as their productivity levels. Also, performance management systems that utilise AI can automate the collection of feedback and even evaluate employee performances without a supervisor’s direct intervention. Such data can empower leaders to make calculated decisions on training needs and resource distribution.
Fostering a culture of continuous learning
Employee development helps in maintaining a skilled labour force. AI-driven learning platforms can offer personalised training recommendations based on individual skill gaps and career goals. For instance, LinkedIn Learning employs AI algorithms to recommend courses that are pertinent to professionals’ areas of interest, which ensures that employees acquire relevant skills efficiently. This individualised approach not only improves the skills of employees, but also the overall effectiveness of the team.
Encouraging strategic AI collaboration
To use AI effectively, business leaders must encourage their teams to become strategic collaborators with AI rather than just end-users. Various studies have revealed that teams that engage more with AI in meaningful ways, such as instructing AI tools to go through data or come up with relevant insights, benefit from improved work quality as compared to those that only apply it superficially. Leaders must highlight to their teams, successful examples where AI was used strategically to devise solutions or improve productivity.
The role of leadership in AI adoption
The attitude and mindset of an organisation’s leadership significantly influences AI acceptance and its percolation across the organisation. By fostering a culture where employees can test AI tools with some leeway offered for mistakes, leaders can encourage the integration of AI into their workflows. Both the organisation and, by extension, its leadership stand to gain tremendously where a culture that is open to AI innovations is fostered, and AI is used mindfully across the organisation – there is significant data to highlight how such interventions can improve productivity per employee and overall optimisation.
Conclusion
The application of AI in management presents a tremendous opportunity for business leaders and the organisations they lead. There is an urgent need for leaders to move beyond traditional approaches by embedding tools for communication, workflow management, individualised training and collaboration into their teams, to foster creativity and efficiency. As organisations continue to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace, leveraging AI will be essential for building resilient teams that are capable of thriving in an increasingly competitive landscape.
(The author is Ms. Hemalatha Raghuvanshi, Co-founder and CHRO, Sekel tech, and the views expressed in this article are her own)
