Leadership
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© Copyright Dr Rozana Huq. 3 June 2026
Leadership Learning with Dr Rozana™
Leadership Skills
A Positive Aspect of AI.
Critical Call To Human-Centric Leadership Skills.
My 23 years of leadership experience, learning, research, sharing knowledge and continuing…
It is interesting to notice that as AI is growing and entering industries, academic and working life, more demand is being placed on leaders to change from a ‘command and control’ leadership to more ‘human-centric’, and give team members freedom and flexibility to make decisions, and do their work. I view it as a positive aspect of AI. However, not all leaders are happy with this, because they are finding it difficult to adapt to this change and suddenly develop skills that are human-centric.
The pivoting nature of leadership means that a leader must adapt to changing environments, reshape strategies and continuously be aware of market conditions and rapid changes.
These can put heavy pressure on leaders resulting in stress, anxiety and job burnout.
Being a senior leader in a community organisation, taught me a great deal about human-centric leadership. Dealing with 20 plus communities from different backgrounds, ‘humans’ were the centre of my work. But, 23 years ago, it was different, I didn’t even come across the word human-centric. However, my philosophy and work ethic and everything we did in the community was centred around people. My added value - I understood the multi-cultural ethos, the difficulties and problems and was able to readily empathise with people, our clients.
Empathy, vulnerability was not recognised as being important skill for leaders. You are a senior leader you just got on with the job. It’s funny how most of my leadership qualities and skills are now coming under different categories that are now essential skills. It’s one of the positive aspects of AI, forcing a critical call to the human side of leadership skills.
For many leaders it can become overwhelming. One leader said to me, ‘it is becoming increasingly stressful to cope with the digital transformation and find the balance to manage people.’ When I said to him, ‘Most people can manage themselves. Why don’t you take some time out and take care of yourself and learn how to manage your stress.’
He looked at me in astonishment as if I said something impossible, and anything I said his answer was it’s okay he will manage somehow. He was finding it difficult even to listen properly to what I was saying, not letting me finish my sentences.
This persuaded him to listen when I said, ‘you are paying me to help you, and I will feel terrible if I just take the money and not being able to help. So, just say yes or no when I ask you these short questions. You don’t need to talk, sit back, relax and honest answers, yes or no, okay?’ He agreed.
Time to get the bullet points out, no point in talking in long sentences. His stress was turning into impatience. I realised his pain points, and questioned him:
Do you feel:
➡️ Stressed?
➡️ Burnout?
➡️ Emotionally drained?
➡️ Tired of meetings?
➡️ You are not adding value?
➡️ Under-appreciated?
➡️ Challenged?
Finally: Last, but not least:
➡️ Do you feel vulnerable?
OMG there I said it – to a grown up man about feeling vulnerable!
I will be writing more about leadership vulnerability in a few days.
To all the questions he just nodded, sometimes yeah, and at times a grunt that meant yes.
Wisdom gave in, and he agreed…the way he was leading wasn’t feasible and besides, it was leading nowhere, neither himself nor his team.
Out of the denial into recovery zone.
That was the challenge for me to get him to acknowledge his stress and some of the emotions surrounding it.
Finally, out of the denial into recovery zone.
My book ‘Gratitude and Healing’ is written with recovery in mind. How to get people to heal and come out of their stress zones and use poetry as a tool to talk about emotions and vulnerability and move forward with small steps in the journaling pages.
This combination also helps other professionals, managers, coaches, HR Leaders dealing with stress and burnout.
If you haven’t wakened to this now is the time to wake up.
Here is a reminder to one of my well-used quotes from my book.
“You cannot take action if you are not aware
Awareness creates compassion and
Compassion leads the way for
Gratitude and Appreciation.”
If you are interested in quotes, you can find 25 quotes in my book.
‘Gratitude & Healing For Leaders. A Collection of Poems for Reflection, Mindfulness and Inner Strength.’
My human-centric leadership approach is built around:
➡️ Empathy
➡️ Empowerment
➡️ Collaboration and
➡️ Trust
My work focuses on helping leaders create
➡️ Healthier, more
➡️ Inclusive workplace cultures
where people feel
➡️ Empowered,
➡️ Valued and
➡️ Motivated
Thank you, Professor Bruce Lloyd for your honest feedback about my book, ‘Gratitude and Healing for Leaders’ – for Reflection, Mindfulness and Inner Strength.
“In all today's discussions on purpose and meaning, Gratitude is such a powerful, under-recognised and under- appreciated concept.
It is closely linked with the feeling of being appreciated. Together they can make so much positive difference to our lives.
The insights and feelings conveyed by this impressive collection of poems by Dr Rozana Huq can inspire us all in these challenging times.”
Professor Bruce Lloyd
Emeritus Professor, London South Bank University.
To learn more:
➡️ Get the book.
https://www.rhmleadership.com/books-by-dr-rozana-huq
➡️ Get a free consultation, find out more about human-centric leadership and how to book a workshop.
➡️ Request a complimentary presentation. Don’t miss this one! Limited slots.
Leadership Learning with Dr Rozana™ is written by
Dr Rozana Huq
Founder and Director
RHM LEADERSHIP
➡️ Empower ➡️ Inspire ➡️ Lead
www.rhmleadership.com