More human than ever: team building beyond AI

However, deciding how to address a sensitive situation still requires human judgement, particularly when a manager needs to consider individual perspectives and the dynamics within a team. As AI becomes more integrated into everyday work, companies have good reason to invest in the interpersonal skills that support effective leadership.

The Limits of AI in Evaluating Human Performance

This is no small matter. Underestimating the risk can have serious consequences, as the lack of human oversight in areas where decisions cannot be delegated to AI may cause irreversible harm. Consider one example: an AI system used to evaluate employee productivity based on the number of tasks completed, emails sent and response times. A manager who relied exclusively on these metrics might reward employees whose results are more visible while penalising those who take the time to listen to a colleague in need, train a new hire or prevent a conflict within the team. Over time, the company could end up discouraging the very behaviours that foster collaboration and mutual trust, which are also essential to productivity. A tool designed to improve performance could thus become a source of harm to the organisation.

For this reason, despite the growing role of AI in everyday work, companies have good reason to prioritise the interpersonal skills that underpin effective leadership.

The human skills behind effective leadership

In its article Building leaders in the age of AI, McKinsey examines how digital expertise can complement the human skills required for effective leadership. Managers regularly face decisions that call for sound judgement, particularly when they need to earn their colleagues’ trust and secure their commitment to a shared objective.

These demands become especially apparent when a team encounters uncertainty or disagreement. Even with reliable data and an AI-generated recommendation at hand, a manager must consider the consequences of a decision for the people involved and remain accountable for the outcome. Understanding different perspectives and listening carefully are therefore essential to leading a team, especially when the right course of action depends on circumstances that data alone cannot fully explain.

Why team building matters in the age of AI

Human skills are developed through experience, particularly when people have the opportunity to work with colleagues in situations that require them to adapt their approach. A carefully planned team building activity can provide this experience, encouraging participants to communicate clearly while working through a challenge together.

Research published in Small Group Research offers further insight into the relationship between leadership and team learning. A meta-analysis of 43 studies found that leadership behaviour accounted for 18% of the variation in team learning behaviour, highlighting the role managers play in creating an environment where colleagues feel able to exchange knowledge and reflect on their decisions.

Choose activities with a clear purpose

For a company investing in team building, the choice of activity should reflect the challenges the group faces in its day-to-day work. Do departments tend to shift responsibility onto one another when a problem arises? A simulation in which each participant has access to only part of the information needed to complete a task can highlight the importance of sharing knowledge. Are meetings dominated by a few people, with others’ suggestions often overlooked? A challenge in which each member must propose a solution and the group must agree on a final decision can reveal existing decision-making dynamics and help the team improve them.

Our experience in designing corporate activities has shown us how important it is to align each event with the company’s specific needs. An enjoyable activity can be valuable, but its design should also serve a clearly defined purpose. Since this requires an understanding of people, their relationships and the challenges they face, the choice of format ultimately depends on human judgement.