More Human: Leading with Heart and AI – Marissa Afton on Awareness, Wisdom & Compassion in the Age of Machines #352

In this episode of the SuperCreativity Podcast, host James Taylor interviews Marissa Afton, co-author of More Human: How the Power of AI Can Transform the Way You Lead. Marissa is a Partner at Potential Project, where she works with companies like IBM, Eli Lilly, and Amgen to create more human-centered workplaces. Together they explore how artificial intelligence isn't here to replace leaders—but to amplify their humanity. Drawing from real-world examples, global executive interviews, and practical frameworks from the book, they unpack how leaders can become AI-augmented by developing awareness, wisdom, and compassion. If you're a leader navigating the rise of AI, this episode will help you avoid dehumanizing traps and unlock a more mindful, emotionally intelligent, and ethically grounded approach to leadership. 🔑 Key Takeaways: AI is an amplifier: It will magnify your leadership—for better or worse. Awareness, wisdom, and compassion are the three human capacities that will differentiate great leaders in the AI era. Time-freed ≠ time-used well: Leaders must reinvest AI-generated efficiency into more connection, creativity, and presence. Digital twins and psychometric AIs can help simulate and anticipate—but the human touch is still essential. Stillness enables awareness: The best leaders will use AI to create space, not just speed. 💬 Notable Quotes: "AI gives us the time to be better leaders—but we often just fill that time with more work." – Marissa Afton "The leader of the future is not more digital—but more human." – James Taylor "Awareness happens in stillness. Creativity happens in stillness." – Marissa Afton "AI is an exoskeleton for the mind and heart. But we still have to drive." – Marissa Afton "We must ask not only what AI can do for us—but what it can do to us." – Marissa Afton ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:09 – Intro to Marissa Afton and More Human 02:45 – How the book changed course due to generative AI 04:40 – What leaders misunderstand about AI's permanence 06:28 – Why some leaders want AI to make decisions for them 07:58 – How to use time saved by AI for more human leadership 10:14 – Psychometrics, sales calls, and keeping the human in AI 12:34 – The risk of outsourcing too much to AI 13:31 – Avoiding AI echo chambers and reinforcing bias 16:10 – The "exoskeleton" model of AI + human leadership 19:46 – Perception, creative seeing, and blind spots 22:34 – AI as a reflective coach for the future version of you 24:15 – Contrasting reactive vs. AI-augmented leadership styles 27:22 – Using digital twins to improve boardroom dynamics 29:28 – Why companies must train the human, not just the tool 30:15 – The Ferrari analogy: AI without driver training 31:26 – Where to find out more about Marissa and Potential Project