Summary: Rasmus Hougaard doesn’t teach you how to outsmart AI. He shows you how to stay human while using it — and why that might be your greatest competitive edge as a leader.
Leadership is Evolving. Fast.
One day you're learning how ChatGPT fits into your workflow. The next, a new AI protocol changes the game again. Just as you start to understand one innovation, another emerges — and suddenly your strategy feels outdated.
That’s the pressure facing today’s leaders — not just entrepreneurs, but enterprise executives too.
Whether you're leading a scrappy startup or managing a global team of 500+, AI is transforming how decisions get made, how teams connect, and how fast work moves.
More Human steps in with a bold thesis: the future of leadership isn't about becoming more technical — it's about becoming more human.
Who Should Read This
C-suite leaders navigating enterprise-scale AI adoption
Entrepreneurs and startup founders managing rapid change
Team leads balancing tech efficiency with people-first culture
HR and L&D professionals building future-ready leaders
What This Book Actually Teaches
Hougaard argues that AI doesn’t replace leaders — it reshapes leadership.
And those who thrive will do so not because they mastered the newest tool, but because they mastered awareness, wisdom, and compassion — the core human traits machines can’t replicate.
These aren’t soft skills. They’re what keep organizations aligned, resilient, and competitive when everything else is changing.
3 Takeaways That Stand Out
1. Self-Leadership Is the First Move
Hougaard isn’t talking about productivity hacks or morning routines. He’s talking about the inner work of leadership: clarity, emotional control, presence. The kind of traits that allow you to hold steady when AI, markets, and teams all move faster than ever.
For enterprise leaders, this means staying calm under uncertainty — and making decisions from a centered mind, not a cluttered inbox.
“Leadership begins in the mind. Without mastering that, no tool or strategy will truly land.” — More Human
2. Context Is the Leader’s Superpower
AI can surface insights. But only humans can apply them with nuance.
Hougaard shares real-world examples — like Cisco’s use of AI to assess employee sentiment — where tech handled the data, but human leaders provided the context.
This is especially relevant in larger organizations where misaligned messaging or a tone-deaf rollout can ripple across hundreds of employees. AI helps you see patterns; leadership gives them meaning.
3. Compassion Scales Better Than You Think
If you’re in the enterprise space, “compassion” might sound like a branding workshop term. But Hougaard backs it with research.
According to studies cited in the book, leaders who are perceived as compassionate see:
More than double the trust from their teams
70%+ higher psychological safety
60%+ increase in employee commitment
In a distributed workforce or hybrid team, those numbers aren't fluff — they’re performance drivers.
Imagine a CTO who uses AI to handle repetitive engineering reviews, then uses that saved time for one-on-one team check-ins. That’s not less efficient. That’s smarter leadership.
Real Application: How I Used This
After reading More Human, I made a few subtle shifts in how I work:
Instead of using AI to “do more,” I started using it to “free up space” — space to think, to coach, to lead.
I blocked off 10 minutes before every major client meeting. No tech. Just reflection. The result? Clearer direction, calmer execution.
I shifted campaign debriefs from AI tasks to human check-ins: “What do you need next week to stay focused and supported?”
These may sound small — but they compound fast, especially in teams.
Enterprise Lens: Where This Book Really Shines
This isn’t just a “founder’s mindset” book. It’s deeply relevant for enterprise leadership. Hougaard includes interviews with senior leaders from:
Cisco
Accenture
Pfizer
Mastercard
IKEA
Starbucks
The patterns? Leaders using AI not to eliminate roles, but to enhance relationships, simplify communication, and create more intentional leadership moments.
For example: a CHRO at IBM used AI to streamline promotions, freeing leaders to focus on “moments that matter” with their teams. That’s strategic compassion — and it scales.
FAQs
Q: Can AI really help me lead better? A: Yes — but only if you're using it to enhance your human skillset. It’s a tool, not a replacement.
Q: How do I stay relevant when tech shifts weekly? A: Stop trying to master every new tool. Focus on timeless traits — self-awareness, strategic thinking, and emotional intelligence — and use AI to support those.
Q: What if my team is burned out by all the change? A: This book offers tools to prevent burnout by helping leaders refocus on empathy, clarity, and purpose — even when everything else speeds up.
Final Verdict: Is This Worth Buying?
Absolutely — especially if you're in a leadership role where people and performance intersect daily.
Hougaard doesn't offer easy answers. He offers a blueprint for becoming the kind of leader AI won’t replace — because your value lies in your humanness, not your technical expertise.
🎯 Buy "More Human" by Rasmus Hougaard — and read it before your next strategy session, board retreat, or AI initiative.
If you're serious about staying future-proof and people-first, this book belongs on your desk — not just your bookshelf.
