I came across this TED talk a while back called What Makes Us Human in the Age of AI by Brian Lowry,  and there was this one line that really stuck with me.

The speaker said that as technology gets more predictable, our spontaneity, gut instincts, and emotional depth become what truly distinguish us. I can’t shake that thought as it keeps coming back, especially when I think about the people I work with now.

The real MVPs of the workplace

The teammates who really make a difference are the ones who can roll with uncertainty, pick up on subtle cues when something feels wrong, and read the room during tense team discussions. They ask questions that completely flip our perspective and stay cool when everything’s falling apart.

The inner stability they exude and quiet influence become the human traits I find myself turning to. AI has definitely sped things up for us, handling drafts, keeping us organised, crunching numbers, and even helping us brainstorm. Yet the person who actually changes the game brings something entirely different to the table.

One question that changed everything

There’s this moment from a hiring process last year that really drove this home for me. We had this one candidate who asked something near the end of our chat that caught me off guard: “What does success actually feel like for this team once we’ve reached our goals?”

The question showed me they were thinking in layers; they’re actually wondering and considering people, timing, ripple effects, and relationships. That question has stayed with me. We hired them, and it turned out that kind of layered thinking and emotional intelligence was exactly what we needed, even though I have stepped down from that company and she left not long after, we keep in touch to make sure we’re both still human.

Also Read: My mission: Creating space for diverse voices in leadership

Empathy > efficiency

This person just had this natural way of moving through our team with genuine empathy. They stayed steady when the pressure was on. When our tools crashed or we had to pivot plans, they were the one making sure everyone felt grounded through their presence. When we’d hit creative walls, they’d pause, ask something thoughtful, and gently guide us in a new direction. It shifted our whole dynamic in ways no project management tool ever could.

I’ve started noticing these moments more now. When someone creates space for the quiet person in the meeting. When they sense a teammate is struggling and check in because they genuinely care. When they instinctively know whether to push ahead or take a step back. These qualities are hard to capture on a job posting, yet I find myself looking for them constantly.

The long game

The technology will keep changing and improving. What I’m focused on now is building that ability to be a steady presence in all the chaos. I want to work with people who understand their own emotions and can support others while still moving things forward.

I want teammates who recognise what actually matters beyond just what’s urgent. In a world that’s always rushing, it’s easy to miss the long-term value of things like trust, subtlety, and genuine care. These are exactly what make work meaningful and keep teams healthy and creative.

So, what makes us human?

What I’m prioritising these days centres on thinking with integrity and interacting thoughtfully. I’m drawn to that kind of emotional intelligence that doesn’t need to be the loudest voice to create the most impact. So much of our future work will involve partnering with technology. The real challenge lies in preserving what makes working with actual humans so valuable.

So here’s what I’ve been wondering and I’m curious about your take:

How do you think about what makes us human, and what keeps you and your team genuinely human in this AI-driven world?

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