
Can AI ever be “just another teammate”?
As AI grows more capable, HR leaders must carefully weigh its impact on team dynamics before treating it as just another teammate, says IMD’s Ginka Toegel....
by Michael R. Wade, Andrew Tarling, Rainer Neubauer Published March 11, 2021 in Leadership • 3 min read
To address this question, the Digital Business Transformation Center at IMD undertook a major study along with specialist HR Consultancy metaBeratung. Data was collected from two sources: a survey of 1,042 executives, and in-depth interviews with nineteen digital leaders.
The research revealed that leadership effectiveness in disruptive environments shared many of the same characteristics as leadership in more stable environments, but with a few notable differences. We were able to identify a number of key competencies and business behaviors of Agile Leaders who thrive in this type of environment.
Four characteristics distinguish agile from non-agile leaders. Agile leaders are:
1. Humble: They are able to accept feedback and acknowledge that others know more than they do.
2. Adaptable: They accept that change is constant and that changing their minds based on new information is a strength rather than a weakness.
3. Visionary: They have a clear sense of long-term direction, even in the face of short-term uncertainly.
4. Engaged: They have a willingness to listen, interact, and communicate with internal and external stakeholders combined with a strong sense of interest and curiosity in emerging trends.
In addition, we found that Agile Leaders exhibited three key behaviors helping them to successfully navigate disruptive environments. They are:
1. Hyperawareness: They are constantly scanning internal and external environments for opportunities and threats.
2. Making Informed Decisions: They make use of data and information to make evidence-based decisions.
3. Executing at Speed: They are able to move quickly, often valuing speed over perfection.
We found that Agile Leaders, those leaders who rated highly on the competencies and behaviors mentioned above, tended to significantly out-perform other leaders on measures such as work engagement and leadership effectiveness.
TONOMUS Professor of Strategy and Digital
Michael R Wade is TONOMUS Professor of Strategy and Digital at IMD and Director of the TONOMUS Global Center for Digital and AI Transformation. He directs a number of open programs such as Leading Digital and AI Transformation, Digital Transformation for Boards, Leading Digital Execution, Digital Transformation Sprint, Digital Transformation in Practice, Business Creativity and Innovation Sprint. He has written 10 books, hundreds of articles, and hosted popular management podcasts including Mike & Amit Talk Tech. In 2021, he was inducted into the Swiss Digital Shapers Hall of Fame.
Researcher and consultant in digital transformation strategies and ‘Agile Leadership’ at the Global Center for Digital Business Transformation in Switzerland
Andrew Tarling is a researcher and a consultant in digital transformation strategies and Agile Leadership at the Global Center for Digital Business Transformation in Switzerland. He also specializes in digital business transformation and championing cultural change to a digital-first mentality.
Head of Learning and Development at metaBeratung GmbH, Germany
Rainer Neubauer is Head of Learning and Development at metaBeratung GmbH, Germany. With extensive experience across agile leadership, culture transformation, change management, and performance management he supports leadership in top-tier organizations.
August 15, 2025 • by Ginka Toegel in Innovation
As AI grows more capable, HR leaders must carefully weigh its impact on team dynamics before treating it as just another teammate, says IMD’s Ginka Toegel....
July 29, 2025 • by Jean-François Manzoni in Innovation
Rohit Jawa, CEO of Hindustan Unilever, outlines how he is reshaping the company’s strategy to meet the evolving needs of India’s growing middle class, leveraging digital transformation, talent development, and a future-focused...
July 23, 2025 • by Howard H. Yu in Innovation
To continue to grow at the exceptional rates we have seen over the last two decades, Chinese automakers need to conquer markets outside of China. However, they face significant strategic and cultural...
July 10, 2025 • by Tomoko Yokoi, Michael R. Wade in Innovation
The healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors are experiencing radical evolution through artificial intelligence, driving competition, and improving clinical outcomes. IMD's AI Maturity Index highlights effective approaches from industry frontrunners like Bayer, Medtronic, and...
Explore first person business intelligence from top minds curated for a global executive audience