Apple’s latest Intelligence ad gives us a fascinating glimpse into the future of AI in workplace communication. While AI can refine messages, does it actually improve emotional intelligence in leadership? In the ad, a likely ‘Rebel Base’ employee writes an emotive email to his boss. Before sending, he clicks ‘professional,’ and instantly, AI transforms his message into polished, value-driven language that lands well with his superior. This demonstrates how AI is already capable of adapting tones. Right now, it’s mostly limited to ‘friendly’ and ‘professional,’ but more nuanced styles will come, making it easier to match different communication preferences.
So, does this mean emotional intelligence and people skills are dead?
Let’s take a closer look.
AI can help - but only if you know what you're doing
To use AI effectively, we still need a fundamental awareness that people have different communication styles and psychological needs. If we don’t understand this, how would J (the boss) know how to respond to the employee? Would he realize that an emotive response is needed? AI doesn’t yet recognize these variations on its own—you have to prompt it.
If people have even a basic awareness of different styles and needs, they can use AI to adjust their writing accordingly, making their communication more effective. For example, I can already use ChatGPT to tailor messages for different personality types and address their specific psychological needs. This allows me to create messages that remain constructive and positive, avoiding distress-driven communication.
To give you an example, AI and I can easily write the following messages that would hit the mark for all types without distress:
Thinker Base
Subject: Project Optimization Thoughts
Good Morning J,
I’ve been analyzing the project, and I think there’s room for some improvements. You have the big-picture strategy. Would you be open to share your thoughts?
Looking forward to your input,
Warren
Persister Base
Subject: I Value Your Opinion on This Project
Good Morning J,
I believe this project could be even stronger with a few refinements. Your opinion is important, and I value your insight on what really matters here. Would you share your perspective?
Thank you,
Warren
Harmoniser Base
Subject: Let’s Collaborate on This Project
Dear J,
I hope you’re doing well. I feel like this project could use a little extra love. Since we harmonise well as a team, I’d love to collaborate and find a way to make it even better together.
Warm Regards,
Warren
Rebel Base
Subject: This Project Needs Some Pizzazz!
Hey J,
This project could use a little zhuhzing. I’ve got a few awesome ideas, but I bet you’ve got some tricks up your sleeve too. Let’s make this thing pop!
Hit me up,
Warren
Promoter Base
Subject: Time for Some Action on This Project
J,
This project could use a little extra push to really hit the mark. You make things happen, so let’s take action and get it done.
Let's talk,
Warren
Imaginer Base
Subject: Reflecting on the Project’s Potential
Hey J,
I’ve been pondering this project, and it’s a bit like a spaceship that’s got all the right parts but isn’t quite in orbit yet. Maybe a small adjustment could give it the right trajectory.
Let me know what you think,
Warren
AI as a mediator and coach? The future is coming
AI will continue to improve at this. I can see a future where AI mediators help facilitate constructive solutions and de-escalate conflicts in a win/win style. We might have AI coaches supporting teams in adapting their communication styles, or customer service systems that recognize communication preferences and distress signals, adjusting responses to de-escalate situations.
Why AI alone won't solve people problems
But AI can’t replace human connection—at least, not for a long time. Eventually, people will have to interact directly. Take the Apple Intelligence ad: at some point, Warren and J will need to discuss the project face-to-face. Imagine J trying to connect with Warren using only a ‘professional’ tone. How well would that conversation go? At what point would Warren completely check out?
Consider the wider angle of this story: Warren is currently disengaged, unproductive, and, frankly, dead weight. But why? Because he’s being completely mismanaged. He lacks opportunities to use his creativity, doesn’t have enough interaction, and isn’t being communicated with in a way that resonates with him. The less engaged he is, the worse his performance gets.
J, as a leader, has a responsibility to engage with Warren on his level. Good leadership skills include the ability to build trust, communicate effectively, and adapt to different personalities—something AI in workplace communication can’t yet replicate. This is where PCM skills shine, and where AI falls short. AI can tweak messages, but it can’t create genuine engagement, inspire teams, or solve deeper issues like a completely underutilized and demotivated team member.
Without people skills, AI can make things worse!
If J, Warren, and their team were trained in PCM, this situation wouldn’t even happen. Instead, Warren would probably walk into J’s office, they’d have a bit of banter about the project, and then get down to business. Warren would bring his creativity, J would bring his structure, and they’d collaborate effectively.
Used without people skills like PCM, AI can actually make communication worse. It doesn’t truly engage, it doesn’t inspire, and it certainly doesn’t solve the root problem—like a disengaged employee who’s becoming less and less productive.
Good leadership skills in an AI-driven world
Good leadership skills go beyond managing tasks—they involve emotional intelligence, effective communication, and adaptability. Leaders who excel in AI-driven workplaces are those who:
- Communicate effectively with different personality types using models like the Process Communication Model (PCM) to tailor their approach.
- Use AI as a tool for efficiency, but not as a replacement for human connection and emotional intelligence.
- Recognize disengaged employees and adapt leadership styles to re-engage them rather than relying on AI to fix communication breakdowns.
- Foster collaboration, creativity, and trust by understanding what each personality type needs to thrive.
Learn how PCM improves leadership communication here: https://pcmoceania.com/your-voice-your-leadership-its-how-you-say-it/
More output means more collaboration - and more need for in-person communication skills
AI has changed my workday completely, and I’ve increased my productivity by a magnitude. But this only works if I can communicate my results, projects, articles, and findings effectively with the people I collaborate with. We need to connect and trust each other. If you have more output, you have a greater need to collaborate, and this means your communication must be even more precise and on target.
So yes, AI in workplace communication will keep evolving, but good leadership skills—like emotional intelligence, adaptability, and effective communication—will always be essential. The future belongs to those who can use AI as a tool while still mastering the people skills that great leaders rely on.
What do you think? Will AI ever replace people skills in leadership?
