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Leading Yourself Through the AI Inflection Point

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

It’s a question that has been asked since the beginning of time.

When I was growing up, the answers were predictable: firefighter, astronaut, doctor, lawyer, etc.

But if you haven’t been paying attention lately, the answers might shock you. Today, teenagers are aspiring to be YouTubers, content creators, or influencers, which careers that didn't even exist 20 years ago. (In fact, YouTube didn't even launch until 2005!)

A lot has changed in two decades!

This shift got me thinking about my own journey and reflecting on the many stories I’ve heard from guests on the podcast.

I noticed a common theme almost immediately: People rarely stay in the career they envisioned as kids, or even the one they studied for in college. 

But why is that?

The truth is, the future is a mystery to everyone. As leaders, it’s vital to have a vision for the organization, but it’s even more critical to have a vision for yourself.

The best leaders I’ve ever worked with shared one trait: They led themselves better than they led others. 

They were disciplined, they were hopeful, and they inspired people to achieve more than they ever thought possible on their own.

Right now, we are at a massive inflection point with the rise of AI. I’ve been having a lot of deep conversations about this lately (stay tuned for new podcast episodes are coming soon!), and I know there is plenty of apprehension.

But with any technological leap, the most important thing we can do is use our voices to shape how that technology serves us.

AI is here to stay, whether we like it or not. The real question is: Are we going to let it think for us, or are we going to engage with it to become better humans?

The Path Forward: Lead with Curiosity

The mystery of the future isn’t a reason to freeze, but it’s a reason to double down on what you can control. Leading yourself through this shift starts with a mindset of expansion, not replacement. Instead of outsourcing your creativity to an algorithm, use it as a springboard. Let’s use these tools to free up our time for more empathy, more deep thinking, and the kind of human connection that no machine can replicate.

If you’re feeling the pressure to have your entire 10-year plan figured out, take a breath. It’s okay not to see the whole staircase yet. 

Most of the successful leaders I know didn't see their current roles coming, either.

Here are three steps to take this week:

• Follow the Spark: What excites you today? Follow that curiosity without worrying if it fits into a "traditional" career path.

• Ask the "Dangerous" Questions: Don't be afraid to be the one in the room asking "How does this work?" or "How can we make this better?"

• Be Intentional with Your Circle: Reach out to one person in your network this week just to learn. Growth happens in the gaps between what we know and who we meet.

Hold onto hope, stay disciplined in your curiosity, and remember—the best way to predict the future is to be an active participant in building it.

TL;DR: Career paths aren't linear, and that’s okay! In this AI-driven era, leading yourself is your greatest asset. Don’t outsource your thinking—use AI to amplify your human creativity and empathy. You don’t need a 10-year plan to lead effectively today. Follow your curiosity, ask the tough questions, and lean into your network. The future is a mystery, but you are the one building it. Stay disciplined, stay hopeful, and stay incredible!

STREAM THIS WEEK’S EPISODE

In this episode of IncrediPaul Leadership, Paul Faronbi shares his diverse career experiences across academia, corporate, entrepreneurship, and startup life. He emphasizes the importance of internships, the nuances of different career paths, and the value of leadership in various settings. Paul encourages listeners to explore multiple career options and not to be afraid of change, highlighting that personal growth and learning are continuous processes.

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