Can AI make you more authentic? Why this debate matters more than ever.

You're drowning in content creation demands. Your team expects thought leadership. Everyone wants authentic communication whilst producing at breakneck speed.

Then comes the tempting solution: "Just use AI! Why struggle with deep thinking when technology can do it faster?"

But this question is sparking intense debate everywhere – from boardrooms to social media, from new tool launches to everyday conversations – with companies scrambling to adopt new tools, social media buzzing with opinions, everyone feeling pressure to stay current. 

Which begs a second question: Is deep thinking with AI possible?

I've been living in the middle of it for months, and it’s messier and more nuanced than I expected. Let me share two different approaches to this question, through the lens of thoughtful leadership.

The case for thoughtful leadership: Mindy's perspective

When I recently interviewed Mindy Gibbins-Klein on my ROAR! podcast episode "The Thoughtful Leader" listen here, she articulated something profound about what authentic leadership actually requires.

Mindy, author of The Thoughtful Leader, believes "thoughtfulness is what society needs most - caring consideration of people and ideas combined with more intentional thinking before speaking, writing, or acting." This philosophy shapes everything she teaches about leadership development.

Her stance on AI flows from this deeper framework: "If you want to improve your thinking, stop turning to ChatGPT because that actually stops people thinking." Why? "People type something in, get something back, think they're having a dialogue with themselves, but they're not. They're leaning on content provided from wherever."

I see this concern playing out everywhere - my teenage son recently got in trouble at school for submitting ChatGPT-generated work that was immediately recognisable as generic. My cousin, a graphic designer, had clients use his original artwork to train AI systems that then replicated his unique style without credit or payment. Shocking!

For Mindy, authentic leadership requires what she calls "deep work" – the kind that "is the only way to feel really fulfilled about what you think, what you believe, what you personally are saying."

But her message goes beyond AI. She advocates for what she calls "compete to complete" - "Forget about the competition. Forget about everybody else out there and what they're doing. And work on yourself." This connects to her "Centerpreneur" concept: when leaders are "centred, grounded, strong and resilient, it gives other people confidence... everybody can relax and breathe."

The case for intelligent collaboration: My experience

Here's where I respectfully offer a different perspective, whilst honouring Mindy's wisdom about thoughtful leadership.

I've been writing MOAR! Making Work Magic Inside & Out with AI support - specifically Claude. Not to replace my thinking, but to enhance the very qualities Mindy champions: clarity, depth, and authentic expression.

My process looks like this:

• I bring the insights, experiences, and authentic voice
• AI helps me articulate thoughts more clearly
• I use specific prompts to maintain my unique perspective
• The collaboration actually pushes my thinking deeper

The result? Content that feels more authentically me than when I write alone, because I'm having a dialogue that sharpens the very thoughtfulness Mindy advocates for.

Why this debate matters more than ever

What's fascinating is that both approaches actually serve the same goal: authentic, thoughtful leadership that integrates what Mindy beautifully describes as "head and heart."

Mindy's "clarity and confidence cycle" applies regardless of tools: "When you have clarity, you get confidence... if you can be confident that you are strong, you're resilient, you believe in yourself... you can do a better job when you're looking for clarity."

Here's what I believe is really at stake: In the world of AI, authenticity is becoming the new superpower, the new commodity. As AI-generated content floods every channel, people will have to be authentically themselves – showing up as their whole selves – in order to cut through the noise.

This raises the stakes for both approaches. Whether you choose a path of deep, solo thinking or whether you embrace AI for collaborative thinking, the same principles apply:

• Are you bringing your authentic insights and experiences?
• Does your prompting (communication with AI) enhance your authentic voice? 
• Are you using the right prompts to give instructions and ask questions?
• Do you get excited when the outputs reflect your authentic voice?

What this means for leaders

Both Mindy and I agree on the fundamental truth that authentic leadership starts with authentic self-development. Your primary responsibility as a leader is dealing with your fears, doubts, concerns - the inner work that creates the energetic presence that helps everyone around you relax and gain confidence.

The danger isn't in the tools we choose or avoid. The danger is using any approach - whether it's AI shortcuts, endless frameworks, or ghost writers - to bypass the essential work of being authentically you.

Your experience matters

I'm gathering insights from leaders across this spectrum for MOAR! Making Work Magic Inside & Out. Whether you're on team "deep work in solitude", or on team "intelligent collaboration", or somewhere in the “thoughtful middle” – your experience matters.

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The future belongs to leaders brave enough to define authentic thinking for themselves.

What's your path to authentic, thoughtful leadership?

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