True Voices in a Tech-Driven World: Insights on AI, Authenticity, and Emotional Intelligence

- EI … AI … OH! -

Interesting times we’re living in.

If something looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck … don’t tell people they’re looking at a parakeet.  Don’t gaslight their intelligence. It’s insulting.  To the audience.  And the duck.

Look inside (and outside, for that matter) and express an authentic voice.   Be honest with yourself and in what matters to your audience.  Consider the role of emotional intelligence when communicating your message -- in particular, when data is filtered through the learning models of artificial intelligence.

As they say, garbage in = garbage out.  Can AI be empathetic?  Maybe.

- Human Touch in an AI World: Finding Inspiration and Authenticity -

Self awareness.  Self management. Social awareness.  Relationship management.

According to Daniel Goldman of the Korn Ferry Institute, the above are four pillars of emotional intelligence.  It’s a good place to start. 

Based on specific data, AI can inform a multitude of possibilities and suggest workable strategies -- but decisiveness is human.  Human insight, human intuition and human experience is a vital complement to the data-infused, artificially informed output of AI. 

This week, Oliver, a friend of mine in Denmark, sent the family an AI created song about my husband’s Honda, which has accumulated close to 390,000 miles on its odometer.  My daughter was in stitches, listening to the impending demise of her father’s long time ride in “Heartbreak Honda”.  It’s pretty funny, yes, but with apologies to Oliver, I don’t see it making the charts.

Unlike our girl Taylor.  You know the one.  My fellow Swifties can relate.  In Taylor Swift’s lyrics we find truth, we find simplicity, we find a lot of things.  Most of all, we find inspiration.  Something most of us yearn for.  You just have to be willing to look.  

Because it’s everywhere.

As difficult as it is to step outside of your comfortable tribe, do it.  And reap the emotional reward in your intelligence.  Especially when people are insisting you not believe your lying eyes.  

- Unexpected Wisdom: Emotional Intelligence in Diverse Places -

Anime … Who Knew?

Not me, I must admit.  I do understand that anime has a huge fan base, it’s just that, I’m not one of them.  The world of anime is just not my thing … or so I thought.   I came across a quote on Pinterest … “Loneliness is often the byproduct of a gifted mind.”  

That’s good.  There’s emotional intelligence behind that quote. 

It came from the writers of “Arcane ... The League of Legends,” a popular Netflix anime series. And it demonstrates that knowledge can indeed resonate from places you may not have expected.  Admittedly, I have not seen the show, but based on that little nugget of wisdom, I may just give it a shot.  Because inspiration comes to those willing to listen to anyone, anywhere, anytime.

That’s the essence of B2(A) - Business to Anyone marketing.  Listening.  Personalization.  Connection.

In a statement today, the Prime Minister of the largest democratic nation on earth, Narendra Modi of India expressed an empathy for his friend, and for the American people. 

“Violence has no place in politics and democracies.”

That’s emotional intelligence.  And that kind of leadership resonates around the globe.

It ain’t easy being an independent thinker in a herd of sheep.  But sometimes, that’s where greatness lies.  It doesn’t necessarily mean creating something entirely unique or uber-different.  Maybe it’s just something nuanced, something that radiates from a foundation of emotional intelligence.  Something that resonates.  Like a note of true kindness from a world leader.

The ability to communicate meaning, from whatever platform you speak, that matters.  Be it a global platform with millions of followers like Modi, or a marketing team of five. Often times, we might be speaking for people that don’t have a voice.  Speak with authenticity.  Or sing, like Taylor.  That’s relatable.  That’s leadership.  

As a B2(A) marketer, finding common ground is key.  Working with quality, actionable data to produce best-case AI outcomes is key.  Because in the end, human oversight is paramount.  Just ask Google, whose Gemini AI search engine was shut down due to questionable outcomes in image generation.  Garbage in, garbage out.

Artificial intelligence is here.  It is an amazingly valuable tool.  But the buck still stops with the human mind.  Use it wisely.

- Embracing Emotional Intelligence -

We’ve been referencing the inspirational power of music this week, so let’s continue the fun and ruminate on the beauty of emotional intelligence -- Kenny Chesney style:

From “Get Along” …. Turn it up!

Get along, on down the road

We've got a long, long way to go

Scared to live, scared to die

We ain't perfect but we try

Get along while we can

Always give love the upper hand

Paint a wall, learn to dance

Call your mom, buy a boat

Drink a beer, sing a song

Make a friend, can't we all get along

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