Künstliche Intelligenz: So verschaffen sich Führungskräfte im mittleren Management einen Wettbewerbsvorteil

In a report published in August 2026, a headhunter named Bernhard Stieger discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the demands placed on leaders. Stieger, who works for the personal consulting firm Spencer Stuart, emphasizes that AI is not only altering processes and business models, but it is also changing the skills required for leadership roles.

According to Stieger, intelligence cannot be determined by a leader's familiarity with the latest AI tools or their ability to "prompt" effectively. Instead, the true measure of AI-readiness is a leader's understanding of how AI impacts value creation, enables better decision-making, and makes organizations more future-proof.

Stieger's firm regularly tests candidates' AI competence through a specific set of questions. These questions aim to determine whether a candidate is merely claiming to have AI expertise or if they genuinely possess it. As Martina van Hettinga, co-chief of personal consulting company I-Potentials, explains, evaluating strategic thinking has become increasingly important in a world where AI cannot eliminate all aspects of decision-making.

Van Hettinga notes that while AI may not make judgment more essential, it has become a crucial leadership competency. However, she advises that relying solely on AI knowledge is insufficient for aspiring leaders. Instead, she encourages candidates to focus on developing strategic thinking, learning agility, and the ability to translate technology responsibly into leadership and business practices.

Ultimately, Stieger states that the most persuasive leaders do not rely on technical expertise, but rather on their strategic acumen, learning agility, and willingness to embrace change.