More Human: Leading with Heart and AI – Marissa Afton on Awareness, Wisdom & Compassion in the Age of Machines #352

In this episode of the SuperCreativity Podcast, host James Taylor interviews Marissa Afton, co-author of More Human: How the Power of AI Can Transform the Way You Lead. Marissa is a Partner at Potential Project, where she works with companies like IBM, Eli Lilly, and Amgen to create more human-centered workplaces.

Together they explore how artificial intelligence isn’t here to replace leaders—but to amplify their humanity. Drawing from real-world examples, global executive interviews, and practical frameworks from the book, they unpack how leaders can become AI-augmented by developing awareness, wisdom, and compassion.

If you're a leader navigating the rise of AI, this episode will help you avoid dehumanizing traps and unlock a more mindful, emotionally intelligent, and ethically grounded approach to leadership.

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🔑 Key Takeaways:

• AI is an amplifier: It will magnify your leadership—for better or worse.

• Awareness, wisdom, and compassion are the three human capacities that will differentiate great leaders in the AI era.

• Time-freed ≠ time-used well: Leaders must reinvest AI-generated efficiency into more connection, creativity, and presence.

• Digital twins and psychometric AIs can help simulate and anticipate—but the human touch is still essential.

• Stillness enables awareness: The best leaders will use AI to create space, not just speed.

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💬 Notable Quotes:

“AI gives us the time to be better leaders—but we often just fill that time with more work.” – Marissa Afton
“The leader of the future is not more digital—but more human.” – James Taylor
“Awareness happens in stillness. Creativity happens in stillness.” – Marissa Afton
“AI is an exoskeleton for the mind and heart. But we still have to drive.” – Marissa Afton
“We must ask not only what AI can do for us—but what it can do to us.” – Marissa Afton

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⏱️ Timestamps:

• 00:09 – Intro to Marissa Afton and More Human

• 02:45 – How the book changed course due to generative AI

• 04:40 – What leaders misunderstand about AI’s permanence

• 06:28 – Why some leaders want AI to make decisions for them

• 07:58 – How to use time saved by AI for more human leadership

• 10:14 – Psychometrics, sales calls, and keeping the human in AI

• 12:34 – The risk of outsourcing too much to AI

• 13:31 – Avoiding AI echo chambers and reinforcing bias

• 16:10 – The “exoskeleton” model of AI + human leadership

• 19:46 – Perception, creative seeing, and blind spots

• 22:34 – AI as a reflective coach for the future version of you

• 24:15 – Contrasting reactive vs. AI-augmented leadership styles

• 27:22 – Using digital twins to improve boardroom dynamics

• 29:28 – Why companies must train the human, not just the tool

• 30:15 – The Ferrari analogy: AI without driver training

• 31:26 – Where to find out more about Marissa and Potential Project