In a fast-paced world where innovation drives industries forward, leadership is often criticized for being either too traditional or too radical. Over the past year, I’ve faced a unique criticism in the leadership groups I participate in—being told I am "ten years ahead of my time." While this might sound like a compliment, it was framed as a critique, implying that my ideas were premature, out of sync with the current landscape of the business world. However, I’ve consistently argued the opposite: those dismissing AI advancements as unnecessary or overhyped are the ones falling behind. In reality, they are ten years too late.
This debate about the pace of technological change is not new, but it has become more urgent as AI reshapes industries in ways we’ve never seen before. Listening to Chris Hyams, CEO of Indeed, discuss his own experiences in leadership and AI, I found a parallel between his story and my own. Both of us have faced skepticism in leadership roles, but we share a fundamental belief—those who fail to embrace the future today will find themselves scrambling to catch up tomorrow.
The "Ahead of Your Time" Dilemma
Being criticized for being ahead of one’s time can feel like standing at a crossroads. On one hand, it is a recognition of foresight, but on the other, it reflects a hesitation in your peers to move forward. In my case, the criticism emerged from discussions around AI and how it will revolutionize not just specific industries but the very way we work. AI is no longer a far-off dream. It is already embedded in recruitment, decision-making processes, and daily operations.
Hyams shared a similar sentiment in his journey. Early in his career, his leadership style and technology-driven insights were questioned. Yet, Indeed’s success—growing to a company of over 11,000 employees—has proven the critical importance of leveraging data and AI to stay relevant in the global job market. He reflects on how companies that fail to adopt AI and other innovations risk falling behind.
In leadership groups, I have been vocal about this urgency. AI is not a “future innovation”; it is today’s opportunity. Being “ahead of the time” isn’t the issue—the real problem is that businesses are often ten years too late.
The Reluctance to Adapt: A Ten-Year Setback
Over the past year, I’ve noticed a pattern in leadership: hesitation and resistance to change. There’s a common belief that innovations like AI are overhyped, that they will take decades to fully mature. Leaders often cling to the comfort of familiar processes, dismissing the need for radical transformation. It’s the same mindset Chris Hyams encountered when he was first introduced to the nascent tech industry. His story is a cautionary tale for today’s leaders.
Hyams talks about being at the forefront of digital transformation in the early 1990s, pre-Netscape, when even the concept of a web browser was new. As he studied computer science, he found himself in a world that was evolving faster than most could comprehend. “The web thing is a fad,” some people said, just like how some now view AI with suspicion or skepticism. Today, we know how integral the web is to every aspect of life and business. Similarly, in 2024, many leaders are still treating AI as an optional add-on, unaware that their delay is widening the gap between forward-thinking companies and those clinging to the past.
The truth is that companies resistant to AI today will be playing catch-up for the next decade. It is not just about technology—it is about mindset. As Hyams emphasizes, the job market is changing faster than ever, and companies need to hire based on skills, not degrees or traditional qualifications. AI is helping companies identify and leverage hidden talent, and those who wait too long to adapt will miss out on opportunities, potentially losing their competitive edge.
The Impact of Generative AI: A Game Changer
One of the areas where AI is most misunderstood is in its potential to disrupt industries and change the nature of work. Chris Hyams and his team at Indeed are using AI to transform the hiring process. For years, companies and job seekers have struggled with an inefficient hiring system—too many applicants, too few resources to identify the best talent. Indeed’s platform now uses AI to match candidates with jobs more intelligently, predicting the best fits and streamlining the application process.
This is where generative AI, specifically, is a game changer. Hyams describes how AI-driven recommendations, similar to those used by Netflix to suggest shows, are now applied to hiring. AI can process vast amounts of data, making personalized recommendations for job seekers based on their skills, not just their job titles. By analyzing 2,600 distinct skills and matching them with job opportunities, AI is reimagining how people find work and how companies hire.
From my perspective, this represents a major shift in how businesses must operate. AI is not just a tool for automation—it is fundamentally reshaping the future of work. This isn’t something companies can afford to ignore. In leadership discussions, I’ve often pointed out that waiting for AI to “prove itself” is not only unnecessary but dangerous. We already have proof that AI is transforming industries; companies that hesitate will simply fall behind.
Leadership in the Age of AI: Responsibility Without Authority
Another point from Chris Hyams’ story that resonated with me is the concept of leadership without formal authority. Hyams shared how, early in his career, he was able to influence major business decisions despite not having official titles or responsibilities in certain areas. He built trust, gained respect, and demonstrated his value through action, not just authority.
In the context of AI, this lesson is vital. Leaders who understand the power of AI must champion its adoption, even if they face resistance from the top. Being a leader today means more than just managing teams; it’s about anticipating the future and preparing your organization to thrive in it. I have personally advocated for AI in leadership meetings, often in the face of skepticism. The lesson here is that leadership isn’t always about having the right title—it’s about driving the right change, even when others are hesitant.
The Future of Work: A Call to Action
As we look toward the future, leaders have a choice. They can either stay ahead of the curve by embracing AI and its potential, or they can risk being left behind. The companies that will succeed are the ones that understand how to leverage AI not just for efficiency but for innovation.
To those who continue to criticize me for being “ahead of my time,” I pose this challenge: In ten years, when AI is as integral to business as the internet is today, will you still believe that holding back was the right decision? Or will you realize that the future has already arrived, and you were the one who failed to meet it?
The time for hesitation is over. The future of leadership, work, and innovation is now,
and those who don’t embrace it today will be playing catch-up tomorrow.
By Chris...
On this episode of Fortune’s Leadership Next podcast, host Diane Brady talks to Indeed CEO Chris Hyams. The interview was conducted live in front of an audience at Deloitte’s Next Generation CEO Program. During the discussion, the conversation covered Hyams’ nontraditional route to the C-suite, which included jobs at an adolescent psychiatric hospital and a two-year stint as a full-time (aspiring) rock star. The hospital job, he says, taught him lessons in empathy that he has carried forward throughout his career. Hyams also talks about the surprising impact AI is already having on the job market and the reason his 27-year-old daughter is top of mind when planning the future of Indeed.
Listen to the episode or read the transcript below.
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