Chris Barry is the president of Microsoft Canada
In today’s workplace, artificial intelligence is more than just a tool for automation – it’s a catalyst for transformative productivity. AI can raise the capability of an entire organization, boosting skills for everyone and amplifying expertise. It can lift the weight of work and empower employees to focus on higher-value tasks. It’s reshaping the way we work, think and connect, offering leaders new opportunities to not only boost performance but also enhance a skill often seen as distinctly human: emotional intelligence.
Emotional intelligence – our ability to recognize and manage emotions, both in ourselves and others – has long been a critical factor for success in the workplace. In fact, more than half (58 per cent) of overall job success is tied to emotional intelligence, and 75 per cent of Fortune 500 companies are investing in training to strengthen it, according to research from TalentSmart, which helps create better leaders by improving emotional intelligence. But what many leaders might not realize is that AI can help enhance this vital skill, transforming not just how we work, but how we interact.
Transforming the way we work and connect
AI adoption is accelerating across industries, from healthcare to finance to retail. According to Microsoft’s 2024 Work Trend Index, the use of generative AI nearly doubled in just six months, with 62 per cent of knowledge workers already integrating AI into their workflows. This technology allows employees to focus on higher-value tasks while automating the routine – but it’s essential that leaders strike a balance between AI-driven productivity and preserving the human elements that make work meaningful. When used thoughtfully, AI can help us focus on what we love most about our jobs.
In my conversations with business leaders across Canada, they often ask how to implement AI without losing the human touch. The answer lies in using AI to empower teams, lessen workloads and enable them to focus on more creative, collaborative and fulfilling tasks – the things we’re innately great at as humans. AI can also offer insights that sharpen our ability to recognize emotional cues, monitor well-being and foster deeper connections among teams. This technology isn’t here to take over empathy; it’s here to enhance it.
Sharpening emotional intelligence to build stronger teams
As AI becomes more embedded in daily operations, it can help leaders gain a clearer view of team dynamics by identifying patterns that may indicate heightened stress or decreased engagement. For example, AI-driven platforms can highlight areas where employees might need additional support, allowing leaders to step in early and foster a healthier work environment. This proactive approach helps create a more empathetic and supportive culture, where technology empowers leaders to further prioritize the well-being of their teams.
AI-powered sentiment analysis tools can analyze textual data to determine emotional undertones and further complement these efforts. They serve as a valuable resource in a manager’s toolkit to help ensure employees stay engaged and maintain a healthy work-life balance. By identifying subtle shifts in team morale, AI enables leaders to stay attuned to their teams’ emotional states and respond thoughtfully. This creates an environment where employees feel genuinely supported, ultimately strengthening connections and building more resilient teams.
When looking to implement AI solutions, leaders should prioritize a balanced approach. It’s not just about driving efficiency – it’s about using AI to empower people. The key is to deploy AI in ways that preserve and enhance human relationships. Leaders should focus on AI strategies that emphasize both productivity gains and emotional intelligence, ensuring their organizations stay competitive without losing sight of the human element.
Emotional intelligence is a competitive advantage in business
Emotionally intelligent leadership isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a business necessity. AI-driven tools can provide real-time feedback on team dynamics, offer insights into interpersonal relationships and help leaders foster a culture of connection. This matters not only for employee engagement but also for the bottom line. There’s this incredible opportunity ahead for leaders and companies to channel employee enthusiasm for AI into business transformation. This will look different for every organization, but going from experimentation to transformation requires engagement at every level of the organization, from the CEO to the entry-level employee.
New research conducted by Accenture for Microsoft shows that AI could generate up to $180-billion annually by 2030 in productivity gains for Canadian businesses, saving workers up to 125 hours a year (30 minutes a day). By allowing AI to handle routine tasks, leaders can focus on building stronger relationships with their teams, driving both productivity and emotional connection.
Preparing for the future of work
In the evolving workplace, those who embrace AI as a tool to not only improve processes but also foster deeper human connections will lead the way. AI doesn’t just raise the bar, it can break the career ceiling. The power user payoff is clear: more impact for businesses, more fulfilment for people. The future isn’t about choosing between AI and emotional intelligence – it’s about using both to build more engaged, productive and resilient teams.
This column is part of Globe Careers’ Leadership Lab series, where executives and experts share their views and advice about the world of work. Find all Leadership Lab stories at tgam.ca/leadershiplab and guidelines for how to contribute to the column here.
