What skills do we need to navigate and thrive in a rapidly evolving job market and an AI-driven future? 

In a new episode of the Cornell Keynotes podcast from eCornell, executive coach and Cornell Tech lecturer Keith Cowing discusses the decreasing value of tasks and the increasing value of judgment and leadership in an AI-driven future.

“I interviewed a Navy Seal for a role in a company and asked, ‘What skills do you have that would be applicable here? We understand how wildly skilled you are, but how does that apply here?’ He thought about it for a second and said, ‘I'm very skilled at making critical decisions under pressure with limited information, quickly.’

I’ve always remembered that line because what really resonated with me is that's a tremendously valuable skill. Not having that skill is going to be incredibly hurtful for people [who] could get by, by just doing the tasks. The people with exceptional judgment would rise and have different areas where they were rewarded for it. I think the difference in reward for tasks versus that kind of judgment is going to get magnified.”

—Keith Cowing

Listen to the episode to learn:

• Why judgment and leadership are becoming even more valuable and how they contribute to personal fulfillment and career advancement
• Practical methods for enhancing one's own judgment and leadership abilities
• Effective techniques for training teams in judgment and leadership, ensuring these skills are integrated into organizational culture
• How to think about the ethical implications of helping the workforce transform

Tune in to Episode 45, Level Up: Training and Team Building for an AI Future.

The Cornell Keynotes podcast is brought to you by eCornell, which offers more than 200 online certificate programs to help professionals advance their careers and organizations. Learn more from Keith Cowing in these programs:

• Product and Tech Executive Leadership Program
• Product Management 360
• Product Management

Visit Simplecast to read more about this episode, and join Cornell’s most celebrated scholars and industry experts for candid conversations on trending topics and current events by subscribing to the Cornell Keynotes podcast.

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Quotes have been edited for clarity.