When 25% of Leadership Tasks Become Obsolete: Building Tomorrow's Capabilities
By 2030, AI will affect up to 25% of white-collar duties, yet the companies thriving will be those who invested in human capabilities today (systematic review, 2025).
Here's what keeps CEOs awake: The more we automate, the more critical human leadership becomes. But most organizations are preparing for the wrong future.
The Data Behind the Disruption
Recent studies project significant workforce impacts across industries. Manufacturing faces 45% displacement rates. Financial services: 25% of labor duties affected. Information technology sees 2.4-5.77% decline in non-AI postings for every doubling of AI adoption (Mäkelä & Stephany, 2024).
These aren't abstract projections. They're happening now.
Yet focusing solely on displacement misses the larger transformation. The OECD's analysis of 100+ case studies reveals that in knowledge-intensive roles, task reorganization—not replacement—predominates.
Starting Where Others Don't: The Stakeholder Lens
Most leadership development starts internally: What skills do our leaders need? We've learned to flip this question.
Start with your stakeholders. What do customers need from your leaders when AI handles routine decisions? What do investors value when algorithms optimize operations? What do employees seek when machines manage workflows?
This outside-in approach changes everything.
Mientras otros consultores focus on AI-proofing jobs, en The RBL Group we've discovered that stakeholders don't want leaders who compete with technology. They want leaders who amplify distinctly human value.
Three Capabilities That Matter Most
Our work across global organizations reveals which leadership capabilities create measurable impact:
1. Contextual Intelligence Studies consistently rank communication, critical thinking, and adaptability as top requirements (Squicciarini & Nachtigall, 2021). Why? Because while AI excels at pattern recognition within defined parameters, leaders navigate ambiguity and unstructured challenges.
2. Collaborative Creation The ability to synthesize diverse perspectives and build collective intelligence. Research shows teams with strong collaborative capabilities achieve 60% faster adaptation to technological change.
3. Ethical Navigation As AI shapes more decisions, leaders who ensure technology serves human flourishing become invaluable. This isn't philosophy—it's pragmatic stakeholder value.
Evidence From the Field
A global manufacturer faced predictions of 23.4% workforce disruption. Instead of focusing on downsizing, they asked: "What would our stakeholders value most in an AI-enhanced operation?"
Their approach:
Results: 87% retention during technological transition and 40% increase in innovation metrics. They didn't just survive disruption—they leveraged it.
Building Leadership Capabilities: A Practical Framework
Phase 1: Stakeholder-Driven Assessment (30 days) Map what customers, investors, and employees need from leaders in your AI-augmented future. Use structured interviews and data analysis, not assumptions.
Phase 2: Capability Building Through Collaboration (30 days) Create cross-functional learning groups where leaders practice:
Phase 3: Co-Creation and Measurement (30 days) Launch pilots where leaders and teams design new ways of working. Measure impact on stakeholder outcomes, not just operational metrics.
What the Research Tells Us
Organizations developing these capabilities report:
But perhaps most importantly, they create sustainable competitive advantage through their people.
The Path Forward
The evidence is clear: AI will reshape every industry. The variable is how organizations respond. Those investing in human capabilities—particularly leadership that amplifies rather than competes with technology—position themselves to deliver superior stakeholder value.
Start with one actionable question for your leadership team: Based on our stakeholder needs, which human capabilities will create the most value as AI handles routine operations?
Then systematically build those capabilities. Because while others debate AI's impact, leading organizations are already creating the future.
How is your organization building leadership capabilities for an AI-augmented world?
#HumanCapability #LeadershipDevelopment #OrganizationalCapabilities
Senior Director Business Transformation APAC at HCL Tech Leadership Alignment I Change Influencer I Thought Leader I Business Architecture I EtoE Business Transformation
1wThanks for sharing Rory van der Merwe. The work we are doing is very aligned and plugged into actual existing approaches and philosophies in the market, that we are finding fit in the development of a multi-disciplinary way to deliver changes (which includes the new perspectives on human, leadership, the vast array of complexities impacting how we work and what is expected of how leaders navigate this landscape, organizational design flexibility to pivot rapidly, amongst other considerations. It is so good that this thinking is being elevated and thank you The RBL Group for this article! Brad RilattDr Aiden M. A. ThorntonMike BengoughAlyssa PoynerTheodore D'Souza
Fueling HOPE for adaptive mastery of positive change. Consulting psychologist making change work.
1wReally like the pragmatic 90 day action plan It all starts with the leaders engaging their people by initiating conversations to invite contributions that matter! Great reinforcement to our conversation yesterday Dr Aiden M. A. Thornton Peter Cully Brad Rilatt Max Theseira Radan Kocourek Positive framing for your upcoming HR disruption event Ross Thornley, MABP AQai - Adaptability Assessments & Coaching
Member Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches. Marshall Goldsmith Certified Leadership, Executive & Team Coach. Global Leadership Coach. Helping Leaders Become The Leaders They Would Follow. Visionary Leadership Coach.
1w🔁 This is the shift most boards still underestimate. We don’t just need AI-aware leaders. We need AI-integrated leadership systems—where human capabilities aren’t an afterthought, but the core design constraint. ✅ Contextual Intelligence ✅ Ethical Navigation ✅ Stakeholder-centred decision design These aren’t “soft skills.” They’re structural differentiators in a world where algorithms handle the obvious—and leaders must navigate the ambiguous, the ethical, and the emergent. At HSSL and Telos-Centred Design (TCD), we always ask: “What does the system require of the human—not just what does the role require of the leader?” Because leadership without stakeholder coherence is just performance management with better branding. Brilliant framing from The RBL Group. This isn’t just smart—it’s a future-proof blueprint. Would love to compare notes, especially around Phase 2 and how peer-based learning intersects with architecture-level redesign. #LeadershipByDesign #SystemicLeadership #HSSL #TCD #DaveUlrich #HumanCapability #AILeadership
Growing Mensch.work, a company that helps business leaders adopt AI in a way that actually works. We deliver digital coworkers—plus the training, integration, and support to make them stick.
1wExcellent points made in this article from the The RBL Group.