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Business excellence for decision-makers & managers by and with Sanjay Sauldie

KIROI - Artificial Intelligence Return on Invest: The AI strategy for decision-makers and managers

Start » Leadership Development: Achieving AI Competence with KIROI Step 9

8 October 2025

Leadership Development: Achieving AI Competence with KIROI Step 9

Digital Leadership Digital transformation HR work and Teams 4.0 Artificial intelligence

Leadership development is increasingly important in today's working world. Especially in the context of digital transformation, competences in dealing with artificial intelligence are indispensable. KIROI Step 9 therefore represents a significant milestone for specifically qualifying leaders for the challenges of AI-supported working methods. It offers practice-oriented approaches to combine technical skills with social and methodological competence, thereby enabling sustainable development in everyday leadership.

AI competence as the key to modern leadership development

In the context of leadership development, the focus today is on much more than just knowledge transfer. KIROI Step 9 concentrates on systematically analysing existing competencies and creating individual development plans. This approach not only builds technical knowledge of AI applications but also promotes agility in dealing with change processes and social leadership skills.

An example from the logistics sector shows how managers can optimise routines and simultaneously hone their analytical skills through the targeted use of AI-powered algorithms. In a production environment, practical training enables the efficient use of digital control systems. In the financial sector, targeted management development, in turn, trains professionals in the secure use of AI-powered risk analysis to better meet compliance requirements.

BEST PRACTICE with a client (name withheld due to NDA agreement): At a leading energy utility company, a special development program focused on AI competency was implemented through KIROI Step 9. Individual coaching and practice-oriented workshops supported managers in strengthening their technical know-how and social skills. This led to an improved innovation culture and closer collaboration between technical and administrative teams.

Practical implementation of leadership development with KIROI - Step 9

Practice shows that a mix of formal and informal learning formats significantly increases success in leadership development. KIROI Step 9 combines classic methods such as seminars and coaching with innovative approaches like Action Learning and 360-degree feedback.

For example, leaders benefit from practical workshops where they can try out AI-based tools and reflect on how these can support their leadership work. Within peer coaching, they exchange ideas about challenges and solutions in the digital environment. In the media industry, leaders use feedback systems to better assess the impact of their communicative behaviour during digital transformation.

Regular development plans are also essential in the IT industry: managers set realistic milestones to gradually build up their digital expertise. In the healthcare industry, experienced coaches guide the learning process to responsibly address ethical questions surrounding AI, in addition to technical expertise.

Impetus for your own leadership development

It is advisable to actively shape your own leadership development and integrate the KIROI Step 9 as an important building block. Initial measures can include a sound needs analysis, the identification of individual learning goals and the selection of suitable development formats.

Companies in the service sector report that targeted coaching and peer exchange have increased the acceptance and understanding of AI applications. In the manufacturing sector, meanwhile, learning pathways that strengthen social skills alongside technical expertise are showing sustainable success in leadership development.

Systematic support along practice-oriented, individually adapted learning pathways helps managers prepare themselves and their teams for digital challenges. Reflection and continuous feedback are essential elements for making progress measurable and ensuring transfer into everyday working life.

Leadership development and the future viability of companies

Leadership development remains a crucial topic for companies wanting to thrive in an increasingly complex and digitised world of work. With KIROI Step 9, this process is elevated to a new level by enabling technological and social competencies to be developed in parallel.

Medium-sized retailers, in particular, report that targeted development programmes lead to improved internal collaboration and a more agile leadership culture. New potential is also opening up in the public sector through the development of AI expertise to design services in an innovative and user-oriented way. In the research institution, responsible individuals experienced how important insights from leadership development directly contribute to more effective project management.

BEST PRACTICE with a client (Name withheld due to NDA agreement): An international technology company implemented a modular learning system, integrating KIROI Step 9, as part of its leadership development. This enabled leaders to acquire well-founded AI knowledge and simultaneously strengthen their change management capabilities. This fostered an openness to innovation and propelled the company forward in the competitive landscape.

My analysis

Leadership development today is a complex, continuous process that combines technical, methodological, and social skills. KIROI Step 9 supports this development by specifically promoting competencies for dealing with AI and digital transformation. Practical training, individual support through coaching, and the use of diverse learning formats create a sustainable elite of skilled individuals within companies. Clients often report that this approach not only deepens their technical knowledge but also strengthens their overall leadership capabilities. Thus, modern leadership development plays a crucial role in making companies fit for the future and actively shaping digital change.