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As AI continues to shape the future of work, it’s becoming an integral part of how we operate and innovate. At GS Lab | GAVS, AI is being leveraged to enhance the way we perform our roles, making us more efficient, precise, and capable of delivering greater value to our customers. The inclusion of AI in our workplace opens new opportunities to play our roles better and more effectively. But how we apply AI to improve our work and deliver even more impactful results is entirely in our hands. The success of this integration depends on how we embrace these changes and creatively use AI to bring more value to the organization as a whole.

As AI becomes more embedded into the workplace, it’s natural for employees to have a range of reactions. These varied reactions are a normal part of any change process, and it’s important that we acknowledge them as we navigate this shift together.

The spectrum of reactions to AI adoption spans from enthusiasm to resistance. Many employees will likely feel a sense of enthusiasm and curiosity, eager to explore the potential of AI to make their work easier and more impactful. These team members are keen to understand how AI can help them perform tasks more efficiently or open up new opportunities for innovation. On the other end of the spectrum, there may be those who feel apprehensive or anxious about AI’s impact on their roles. They may be concerned about the changing nature of their roles. Finally, there will inevitably be some skepticism and resistance, with employees questioning the true benefits of AI or fearing the unknown.

As leaders, it’s our responsibility to guide our teams through these reactions and ensure that the integration of AI is seen as a positive development. At our company, we believe in fostering a culture of open communication. From our leadership team to individual managers, we are actively discussing the positive impact AI will have on our work and the value we deliver. We encourage employees to voice any anxieties or doubts they may have, ensuring that their concerns are addressed and that everyone feels supported during this transition. Our CEO has provided us with a clear vision for AI integration, and we are fully committed to realizing that vision.

In addition to communication, providing support and training is key to ensuring that employees feel equipped to thrive in an AI-driven workplace. We are actively working to equip our employees with the necessary skills and knowledge through various courses and certifications. Our goal is to empower everyone to confidently embrace AI and leverage its potential.

Successful AI integration relies on a collaborative approach. We encourage our employees to view AI as a teammate, working in synergy to achieve common goals. Just as with any new tool, it’s important to understand both the advantages and disadvantages of AI, focusing on how we can harness its strengths to enhance our work. We are actively working with managers, colleagues, and our learning and development team to identify opportunities where AI can boost productivity and increase job satisfaction. By automating routine tasks, AI can free up our time and energy, allowing us to focus on more strategic and fulfilling aspects of our work.

In this era of rapid technological advancement, it’s crucial to maintain a growth mindset. We must be willing to learn, adapt, and stay ahead of the curve. By embracing AI and proactively seeking ways to integrate it into our workflows, we can unlock new levels of productivity, creativity, and success. Together, we can shape a future where AI is not just a tool, but a powerful partner in delivering exceptional results.

The involvement of Senior Leadership varies from organization to organization and the industry type. However, in general best practices recommends that since the landscape of Cyber Threat keeps evolving, we need to keep educating our leaders so that they understand the importance of Cybersecurity Awareness and Training in order to train the entire organization so they act as the first line of defense.

A new trend has been observed recently in the Cybersecurity pitch that senior leaders are taking initiative in hiring Cybersecurity consulting firms and vCISO services to address the policy gap that is arising because of the fast-pacing evolution of IT technologies, specifically AI based services in all segments of IT services and tools.

It is recommended that each organization that is onboarding new technologies, IT solutions, applications and tools to service their business needs should have a mandatory cybersecurity awareness program with focus on top-down approach. Cybersecurity should be discussed in every Department meeting to ensure that Cybersecurity is not only IT/Security responsibility but everyone’s responsibility.

University of California, Riverside (UCR) has published a paper that recommends leaders to leverage various leadership styles to an advantage when it comes to combating cybersecurity challenges in their organizations. Some of the leadership they recommended are:

  • Collaborative leaders promote cross-functional communication and cooperation, breaking down silos that may impede the sharing of crucial information. This open communication facilitates a more comprehensive understanding of potential threats and vulnerabilities, enabling a more robust cybersecurity strategy.
  • Transformational leadership In the context of cybersecurity, this style encourages a proactive approach towards identifying and addressing potential threats. Such leaders foster a transformational environment to instill a sense of responsibility and accountability among team members, promoting a collective effort to safeguard sensitive information.
  • Transactional leaders In the cybersecurity context, adhering to established protocols and compliance measures is the priority. Such leaders ensure that team members follow standardized security practices, reducing the likelihood of human error and exploitation of vulnerabilities.
  • Situational Leaders adapt an approach based on the specific challenge at hand, whether it’s a sudden breach or a sophisticated attack, these leaders guide their teams through effective crisis management and response strategies.
  • People-first leaders can contribute to a strong cybersecurity posture by prioritizing the well-being and development of team members. In the context of cybersecurity, this can translate to a workforce that is more vigilant and committed to upholding security best practices.

Apart from these leadership practices to develop a healthy and effective cybersecurity culture, it is important that an effective Cybersecurity program and tool is implemented to educate every employee, contractor and consultant who has access to the organization’s assets at any capacity.

Author

Sangeeta Malkhede | Global Head of HR, GS Lab | GAVS

A senior HR leader with strong convictions, values, and experiences, Sangeeta has an innovative approach towards HR practice and in her previous leadership roles she drove overall HR to enable Culture of Performance, Building Leadership Talent, Organization Effectiveness, Change Management and Employee Engagement etc.

Sangeeta is an avid reader and a keen observer of human behavior. She enjoys playing & following Badminton, Tennis and Cricket, has a passion for cooking, travelling and hydroponic farming.