Beyond Automation: The New C-Suite Mandate for AI Leadership (bignorthmarketing.com)

On November 18, 2025 the leadership playbook Managing AI: Humans, Agents, and the Future of Work will be published, reframing AI adoption as a C‑suite leadership challenge rather than a purely technical one. The book warns against the “Automation Trap” — short‑term efficiency gains that create a trust deficit, an ingenuity gap, and a retention crisis — and argues for a Stewardship Shift: managing two workforces (humans and AI agents) so AI amplifies human creativity instead of replacing it. Based on interviews with SaaS and tech CEOs, it emphasizes behavioral psychology, governance, and human capital strategy over code and infrastructure. Practically, the book offers a three‑part Executive Protocol: (1) the 10X Human Audit — map “Low‑Value Drag” tasks and deliberately reinvest AI‑saved time into high‑impact “10X Zone” work; (2) the Co‑Pilot Launch Protocol — appoint nontechnical “Agent Stewards,” grant human veto and ownership to reduce fear, and set transparent governance/communication rules; and (3) new KPIs measuring “Ingenuity Gains” (innovation output, leadership pipeline, employee satisfaction) instead of raw time saved. For AI/ML teams and leaders, the message is clear: success will hinge on orchestration, metrics, and governance that prioritize human-led augmentation to secure long‑term competitive advantage.