Why Emotional Intelligence Still Matters in the Age of AI

Send us a text What does it mean to lead in a world increasingly shaped by algorithms? In this episode, Jeremy Williams, certified emotional intelligence practitioner and expert on collective intelligence, argues that how we work together is becoming even more critical than what we do. As generative AI automates more functions, Williams says emotional intelligence will define the teams—and leaders—that remain relevant. We dig into the dangers of toxic positivity, the difference between cyborg leadership and “copy-paste” management, and how to operationalize emotional intelligence at scale. Jeremy also unpacks the idea of collective intelligence, why psychological safety is a business imperative, and how to future-proof your team’s humanity. Topics Discussed:What emotional intelligence really means—and why AI can"t replicate itThe rise of collective intelligence and its strategic valueHow to spot toxic positivity and why it erodes trustEmotional reasoning vs. rational leadership“Copy-paste” management: the hidden risk in fast-moving orgsHow to scale emotional intelligence without making it performativePreparing teams for ambiguity, volatility, and changeHow EQ is the new “why” in an AI-powered world Resources:Follow Jeremy Williams on LinkedInThe Fluent Executive