The Friday Future of Work (Vol 25) – AMPLIFIED
Hi everyone
Welcome back to The Friday Future of Work – your insight into AI, leadership, and the tectonic shifts reshaping the way we work.
🚀 This week, I took the conversation to the mic and to the world. as I was on a podcast diving deep into how AI is amplifying leadership, decision-making, and the future of work.
It’s one thing to write about these ideas—but talking about them? That’s where the real energy kicks in. More on that soon.
But first—let’s talk about what I was discussing on the podcast.
Why data is the new power play in the AI era. Which is chapter 2 in my new book about AI and leadership and the future of work. (Available now to buy here)
THE BIG IDEA: DATA + AI = AMPLIFIED LEADERSHIP
Everyone talks about AI. But here’s what really matters: AI is useless without data. And that’s where the best leaders are pulling ahead.
🚀 McKinsey reports that data-driven organizations are more likely to acquire customers, more likely to retain them, and therefore be, more profitable.
Meanwhile, the companies that haven’t embraced AI-powered data insights? They’re drowning in outdated reports, gut-feel decision-making, and slow-moving processes.
The leaders who win in this era won’t just use AI—they’ll use AI-powered data to amplify their decision-making.
THE FUTURE OF WORK: AI DOESN’T THINK. IT CALCULATES.
The biggest misconception about AI? That it "thinks."
It doesn’t. It calculates. It processes billions of data points at speeds humans can’t comprehend.
But humans bring context.
📈 AI can analyze market trends, but leaders decide where to invest.
🧠 AI can surface hiring patterns, but leaders shape company culture.
💡 AI can generate insights, but leaders create vision.
This is the real Fifth Industrial Revolution—not AI replacing humans, but AI amplifying those who know how to use it.
THE DATA-DRIVEN LEADER VS. THE GUT-FEEL EXECUTIVE
Most leaders fall into one of two camps:
1️⃣ AI-Driven Leaders:
Use real-time AI-powered analytics to make faster, smarter decisions.
Build data-driven cultures where teams leverage AI for innovation.
Invest in AI literacy so their workforce isn’t left behind.
2️⃣ Gut-Feel Executives:
Still rely on intuition over insights.
Wait for "perfect data" before taking action—while AI-driven competitors move ahead.
Fear AI replacing jobs instead of using AI to enhance human potential.
💡 Which one do you want to be? Which one do you want your boss to be?
AMPLIFY OR FADE: THE CHOICE LEADERS MUST MAKE
I said this on the podcast, and I’ll say it again here:
The biggest risk isn’t AI taking over jobs. It’s leaders failing to adapt to AI-powered decision-making.
In 2025 and beyond, the best employees won’t be the ones who work the hardest.
They’ll be the ones who work smartest—with AI as their co-pilot.
So here’s my challenge to you:
💭 Are you amplifying your leadership with AI and data? Or are you waiting for disruption to happen to you?
WHAT’S NEXT?
🎙️ The podcast is dropping soon—where we dive even deeper into AI, leadership, and the real-world impact of data-driven decision-making. I’ll share the link in our next newsletter.
Until then—keep leading, keep learning, and keep amplifying.
As remember, we have to do what the machines can’t do.
Or be replaced by those that do so :)
Yours as ever
🚀 Dan Sodergren
PS Find out more about my new training workshops to “Empower Your Leadership And Team With Bespoke AI Training”
PPS. Want to know what level you are at with your AI for your business. Take The Artificial Intelligence Maturity Survey. Answer the following 8 questions and we’ll send you a personalised report based on our AIMS level.
