AI Shows You Patterns. Walking Around Shows You People.
Before You Trust the Dashboard, Talk to Your People
AI can analyze every message, but the real insights still come from the conversations I stumble into when I slow down, show up, and make space for people to be real.
I recently watched a demo of an AI‑powered tool that analyzes communication patterns across Slack, Teams, and other platforms to surface insights about an organization’s culture. It was impressive—rich trend lines, sentiment shifts, collaboration patterns, even early indicators of burnout or disengagement. As someone who loves learning and sees data as a strategic asset, I found myself nodding along.
But I also felt a familiar tug of concern.
Tools like this are incredibly valuable for understanding the what and the where of cultural patterns. What they can’t replace is the why—and that’s where leadership still needs to show up in a very human way.
One of the most effective “old‑school” practices I ever used was MBWA: Management By Walking Around. And yes, it works beautifully with remote teams too. The magic wasn’t in the walking—it was in the intentional presence. Dropping into someone’s space (physical or virtual), not with an agenda or a slide deck, but with curiosity and genuine interest.
Those conversations were rarely polished. They were personal. They were real. And they created a natural rhythm of communication across levels that didn’t feel like “leadership outreach”—it felt like part of the workday.
AI can surface patterns.
MBWA uncovers meaning.
AI can show you where conversations are happening.
MBWA helps you understand what people aren’t saying out loud.
AI can highlight cultural drift.
MBWA lets you feel it.
A few simple ways to bring MBWA back into your leadership workflow:
Schedule short, informal check‑ins—not status updates, but human conversations.
Visit team channels or virtual spaces with curiosity, not critique.
Ask open questions like “What’s getting in your way this week?” or “What’s something you wish leadership understood better?”
Show up consistently, not only when there’s a problem to solve.
Share what you learn so people see their insights shaping decisions.
As AI becomes more embedded in how we understand culture, leaders have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to balance digital insights with human presence. The combination is where real organizational intelligence lives.
How are you balancing AI‑driven insights with human‑centered leadership practices? What’s working in your world? Share your insights and let’s learn together.
And if you’re looking to strengthen communication rhythms, build trust across levels, or integrate AI tools without losing the human heartbeat of your culture, I’m always happy to help.
#LeadershipDevelopment #AIInTheWorkplace #OrganizationalCulture #HumanCenteredLeadership