Michael Polanyi, a philosopher and scientist, once said: “We know more than we can tell.”
That line—often called Polanyi’s Paradox—is worth keeping in mind today as AI races into every corner of our work.
Polanyi’s point was simple. Much of what we do as humans, we do without being able to fully explain it. You recognize your best friend’s face instantly. You know when a colleague is off their game even if they say everything’s “fine.” You make judgment calls under pressure that can’t be reduced to a formula.
That’s tacit knowledge—the stuff we know but can’t put neatly into words, spreadsheets, or step-by-step instructions.
AI runs on what we can tell. It thrives on patterns, data, and codified knowledge. But the most important parts of leadership often live in the things we can’t tell. That's why, more than ever, we need to keep it human as leaders.
Why this matters for leaders
Every leader I’ve ever worked with wants to know the same thing: “Where do I add value in the age of automation?”
Here’s the answer: you add value where machines can’t go.
- Inspire: You don’t inspire people with spreadsheets. You inspire with presence, passion, and the way you connect to someone’s heart. That’s tacit knowledge at work.
- Empower: You empower people not just by handing them resources, but by knowing what they need before they ask—sensing frustration, recognizing untapped potential, hearing what’s not said. AI can’t replicate that.
- Guide: A mentor doesn’t just share information. They share lived experience. Stories, scars, and lessons learned in the trenches. That’s the kind of guidance no algorithm can provide.
The trap of competing with machines
Leaders get into trouble when they try to compete with AI on its turf. If you spend all your time proving how efficient or data-driven you are, you’re going head-to-head with a machine that will always be faster and more precise.
But people don’t follow leaders because of efficiency alone. They follow leaders because they feel cared for, because their work has meaning, and because they’re given the chance to grow. Those are deeply human needs—and they require deeply human leadership.
Leading through uncertainty
Here’s where Polanyi’s Paradox really hits home: leadership in uncertain times.
AI is built for certainty. It analyzes what’s known. But when the future is cloudy—or when a crisis hits—leaders can’t just crunch data. You have to act on intuition, values, and the kind of wisdom you can’t reduce to an algorithm.
That’s why your people look to you in uncertain times. Not for perfect answers, but for courage. For stability. For inspiration.
The human-centric edge
The paradox is actually good news. It means leaders have a built-in advantage in the age of AI. Machines can tell. Leaders must show.
Show up. Show you care. Show people that their work matters. Show them that even when the data is incomplete and the future is unclear, they can count on you to lead the way. That’s how you keep it human. And that’s how you stay not just relevant—but essential—in the age of AI.
