The Human Advantage: Why EQ Beats AI

Now that AI is inundated across everything that we do at work, what are the most  important leadership skills to prioritize in your organization?

In this episode of Spiraling Up, Dr. Mikah Sellers takes on our Blind Rankings challenge — and the results reveal the true skill gaps shaping the future of business leaders.

From EQ and power skills to AI literacy and data fluency, this playful experiment uncovers the capabilities leaders must prioritize as technology accelerates faster than ever. Stay to the end for a Pivotal Story with Hinge Managing Partner, Liz Harr, adding a real-world lens to the trends redefining the professional services landscape.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Welcome
03:33 Introduction and Guest Welcome
04:17 Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
06:50 Blind Rankings Game Introduction
08:38 Data Fluency and Literacy
10:01 Inspirational Communication
12:04 Relationship Building
18:40 AI Interfacing Skills
24:30 Emotional Intelligence
31:15 Key Skills for Future Marketers
31:27 AI's Role in Seamless Customer Journeys
33:42 Adaptability and Continuous Learning
35:52 Maintaining Core Principles in Marketing
41:20 Ethical AI and Responsible Innovation
48:08 Concluding Thoughts on AI and Leadership
49:17 Introduction to the 2026 High Growth Study
51:44 Key Insights from the High Growth Study
54:20 The Impact of Hosting Events and Conferences
58:04 Final Thoughts and Podcast Sign-Off

Connect with Dr. Mikah Sellers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikah-sellers/