The AI Bridge: Why Gen X Leaders Are Perfectly Positioned for the Next Big Shift
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Gen X leaders have seen it all—floppy disks, dial-up, the rise of email, and the shift to remote work. So why does AI feel like such a curveball? In this episode of Things Leaders Do, Colby Morris explores how Gen X is uniquely positioned to lead through digital transformation—not by mastering every tool, but by mastering what really matters: people-first leadership.
From past transitions to today’s AI moment, Colby walks through five key steps Gen X leaders can use to bring clarity, confidence, and wisdom to an AI-enabled future. You’ll learn how to avoid the common traps of reactive tech adoption and instead guide your team with intentionality, purpose, and trust.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
- Why Gen X is the “bridge generation” and how that gives you a strategic advantage
- What Harvard Business Review says about why most AI initiatives fail
- A five-step framework for leading AI adoption the right way
- How to create psychological safety around new technology
- Real stories of Gen X leaders making AI work—without losing their people
Your Weekly Action Plan:
- Identify one real problem AI could help solve.
- Pair two team members to explore a use case collaboratively.
- Ask each person on your team what questions or concerns they have about AI.
- Draft your team’s principles for ethical, human-centered AI adoption.
Connect with Colby:
If you're a Gen X leader navigating uncertainty in the age of AI—this episode is your roadmap. Let’s not fall behind. Let’s lead forward.
Because those are the things that leaders do.
Chapters
1. Gen X at the Digital Crossroads (00:00:00)
2. Leading Through Technology Shifts (00:02:19)
3. Five Steps for Thoughtful AI Implementation (00:05:01)
4. Success Stories from Gen X Leaders (00:10:46)
5. Your Action Plan for Next Week (00:14:48)
6. Conclusion and Next Steps (00:16:20)
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