Overview
The ACE model—Altruism, Compassion, and Empathy—is emerging as a key framework for ethical leadership in today’s AI-disrupted business world. In Expert Humans by Michael Jenkins, these values are positioned not as "soft skills" but as strategic tools that make leaders more resilient, trustworthy, and effective—especially for founders navigating burnout, automation, and algorithmic pressure.
Quick Breakdown
• What is the ACE model? A leadership framework based on Altruism (selfless giving), Compassion (relieving suffering), and Empathy (mindful listening).
• Why it matters: According to the Edelman Trust Barometer, 75% of business trust capital stems from ethical behavior—not competence alone.
• How founders can apply it: Lead with purpose, scale empathy through customer and team interactions, and treat kindness as a measurable business asset.
We live in a time where notifications outrun thoughts. Where AI writes your emails before you finish typing. Where leadership feels more like survival than vision. "Expert Humans: Critical Leadership Skills for a Disrupted World" by Michael Jenkins walks right into this chaos—and instead of fighting it with more noise, it invites us to listen.
If you're a small or medium business owner trying to keep your head above water in a world of automation, algorithmic pressure, and burnout, this book might be what your soul (and strategy) have been quietly asking for.
How a Book on Leadership Hit Me Like a Dharma Bell
I didn’t expect this book to echo Buddhist teachings. I borrowed it casually from a friend. But within the first few pages, it tapped into something deeper. Jenkins isn’t just talking about business—he’s talking about being. And as someone who has walked the path of Buddhism for years, I found myself nodding more than once. Not from agreement, but from recognition.
The core of Jenkins’ message lies in the ACE model: Altruism, Compassion, and Empathy. In Buddhist terms, that’s Dana (generosity), Karuna (compassion), and Metta (loving-kindness). These are not soft skills. They’re survival skills for the heart, especially when business feels like a war zone.
Technology Disrupts, but Disconnection Destroys
The book opens by mapping out what many of us already feel: work has become unrecognizable. Algorithms make hiring decisions. Chatbots replace real conversations. Metrics matter more than people. Jenkins calls it "the tyranny of the algorithm," and he’s not wrong.
From a Buddhist perspective, this is what happens when craving (tanha) meets ignorance (avijja). We automate to save time, but lose connection. We optimize for efficiency and erode empathy. The human gets squeezed out of the process.
But Jenkins flips the narrative. He suggests that the future of work doesn’t belong to machines—it belongs to humans who remember how to be human. And here, Buddhism offers a deeply relevant framework.
AI: Tool, Not Threat
One of the most insightful aspects of this book is how it reframes the role of artificial intelligence. Jenkins doesn’t position AI as the enemy. Instead, he makes a crucial distinction: AI cannot replace the essence of being human—our emotional intelligence, moral compass, and capacity for meaningful connection. But we, as humans, must learn how to utilize AI without losing ourselves.
This aligns beautifully with Buddhist mindfulness. We are not to reject tools or technology, but to use them with intention. Mindless use leads to suffering; mindful integration leads to liberation.
The author notes that AI can free up time, reduce repetitive tasks, and streamline operations. But it is still the human behind the screen who brings purpose, values, and ethical nuance to decision-making. In this sense, AI is not competition. It is an invitation to go deeper into what makes us irreplaceable.
Real Story: What I Learned from My Toughest Client
Years ago, I had a high-spending client in digital marketing. His Facebook ad spend topped $10,000 a month. One quarter, conversions tanked. Panic set in. I was stressed, calling daily to explain my plan, yet he listened calmly. No yelling. No blame. Just curiosity.
It struck me—this man was practicing something rare: compassionate leadership. I later learned he studied mindfulness. That experience shaped how I lead my own projects today. Jenkins would call him an "expert human."
This book reminded me that the most successful leaders I’ve worked with weren’t the loudest or the smartest. They were the calmest. The most grounded. The most human.
ACE Through a Buddhist Lens
Jenkins’ three pillars mirror Buddhist principles almost exactly:
Altruism: Not just giving, but giving without expectation. Like the Bodhisattva ideal, where we work for others' liberation, not our own gain.
Compassion: The sincere wish to alleviate suffering. It’s not a tactic. It’s a commitment.
Empathy: Mindful listening. Seeing others as they are, without projection.
The brilliance of this book is that it translates spiritual truths into business practices without ever using spiritual jargon. That makes it accessible. But if you do follow a path like Buddhism, it’ll hit different.
Data Meets Dharma: The Business Case for Compassion
Jenkins cites the Edelman Trust Barometer, which highlights that ethical behavior accounts for over 75% of business trust capital.
From a Buddhist standpoint, this makes perfect sense:
Karuna (Compassion) builds trust—essential in any business relationship.
Metta (Loving-kindness) fosters loyalty and psychological safety.
Sila (Ethical behavior) ensures sustainable, long-term growth.
In short: Compassion isn’t just moral. It’s measurable.
What Small Business Owners Can Take Away
Purpose precedes profit: Jenkins argues that people don't just want to work—they want to matter. The same applies to your customers. Lead with purpose.
Empathy scales: No matter how advanced tech becomes, people still crave to be seen. Build this into your customer experience.
Kindness is a KPI: Employees stay longer, customers come back, and partners trust you more when kindness is baked into your culture.
Human skills are the new hard skills: Emotional intelligence, not technical expertise, is what will keep you relevant in the AI era. Jenkins cites data from LinkedIn and WEF backing this up.
You can't outsource integrity: In a world full of automation, your values are your brand.
Buddhist Bonus: The Leadership Sila
In Buddhism, we talk about the Five Precepts—ethical guidelines for right action. Jenkins doesn't use this language, but his ideas align beautifully:
Avoid harming → Foster psychological safety
Avoid false speech → Build trust through honesty
Avoid stealing → Respect others' time and energy
Avoid intoxicants → Stay mindful, present
Running a business with these values doesn’t make you naive. It makes you resilient.
Where the Book Falls Short (and Where Buddhism Helps)
Jenkins touches briefly on the inner development of these traits, but Buddhism offers a more systematic method: meditation. To truly embody compassion, you need to train the mind. You don’t just "decide" to be empathetic. You become empathetic through practice.
That’s why I’d recommend business owners pair this book with a daily mindfulness practice. Even 10 minutes a day can transform how you lead.
Final Thoughts: A Gentle Revolution
"Expert Humans" isn’t just a business book. It’s a quiet revolution. It reminds us that being human—deeply, authentically human—is not a liability. It’s a superpower. Especially when the world keeps pushing us to become faster, colder, more efficient.
AI will never replace the warmth of eye contact, the nuance of a tough conversation, or the inspiration of a leader who truly listens. But it can support those moments—if we stay awake.
If you're building a team, running a brand, or even just trying to navigate the daily grind with integrity, this book offers more than strategies. It offers soulful structure.
A Daily Practice for Leaders (Mini Meditation Prompt)
Want to bring ACE into your everyday leadership? Start with this simple one-minute breathing practice:
Breathe in and mentally say: “I calm my body.” Breathe out and say: “I lead with compassion.” Repeat for five slow breaths.
Doing this before a difficult conversation, a big decision, or even your morning meeting can center you in presence—so your leadership starts from within.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars. A must-read for anyone seeking to lead with heart in a disrupted world, enriched by its alignment with timeless Buddhist values.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Is this book only for corporate leaders?
No. While the book speaks to leaders, its lessons are highly applicable to small and medium business owners, entrepreneurs, freelancers, and anyone managing people or systems. Jenkins’ core message is about being human first, no matter your role.
Q2: Does the book reference Buddhism directly?
Not explicitly. However, many of its concepts—altruism, compassion, empathy—resonate deeply with Buddhist principles. This review highlights those overlaps, making it especially insightful for readers on a spiritual path.
Q3: Can I still benefit from this book if I already practice mindfulness or meditation?
Absolutely. You’ll likely find that the book validates your practice and gives you real-world examples of how to apply those values in leadership and organizational settings.
Q4: How is this different from other leadership books?
Most leadership books focus on performance, strategy, or metrics. Expert Humans flips the script by centering on ethical behavior, human connection, and inner development as the core of sustainable leadership.
Q5: Does the book offer practical steps?
Yes. Jenkins provides both conceptual insight and actionable frameworks like the ACE model. These can be immediately applied to improve team culture, decision-making, and client relations.
Buy this book. Not just to lead better. Buy it to be better. Your staff, your customers, your community—they all deserve an expert human at the helm. Why not you?
