Written by Simon L. Dolan, Pedro C. Martínez-Moran, and Ishu Shrestha – Advantere School of Management
In academia, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment, navigating the complexities posed by the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. The challenge lies not just in assessing student work but in discerning authentic creativity and critical thinking from outputs that may be generated by AI, such as ChatGPT. We’ve observed a trend among students increasingly relying on technology, often driven by buzzwords and minimal engagement. As we prepare our graduate students to become the innovative leaders of tomorrow, it’s essential to embrace this evolving landscape. This article serves as a reflection of our insights and strategies, aimed at encouraging a more thoughtful and proactive approach to education in this new era. Perhaps we can foster a learning environment that values originality and critical inquiry while harnessing the best of technological advancements.
Welcome to the modern business world, where million-dollar deals are sealed with thumbs-up emojis, deadlines are moved via Slack “vibes,” and the CEO’s strategic vision is shared through a 90-second voice note recorded during their morning jog.
In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape, it’s truly fascinating how our communication methods have transformed. Gone are the days when formal meetings and lengthy emails were the norms. Now, we navigate the corporate world with a blend of casualness and creativity that reflects our contemporary style. Thumbs-up emojis and Slack “vibes” may seem trivial, but they represent a shift towards a more informal and agile workplace culture that encourages quick, effective communication.
Chatting, not Communicating
Remember when meetings had agendas and minutes? Adorable. Today, we prefer “quick pings.” Because nothing says clarity like a rapidly scrolling thread of out-of-context messages, six layers deep in a Teams channel called #general-but-urgent. Want accountability? Just scroll back 300 messages and find the one where someone maybe agreed to maybe investigate something.
Oh, the art of chatting! Isn’t it just the pinnacle of human interaction? You’ve got your casual exchanges about the weather, the latest office gossip, or that new coffee machine that everyone seems to be abuzz about. Yes, let’s all gather around and chat away as if that’s what truly drives progress and fosters understanding! Who needs meaningful communication when we can share our thoughts in bite-sized nuggets, right?
But wait! What if we told you that chatting, while delightful, often sails the boat of superficiality right past the shores of genuine connection? That’s right! While our mouths are busy flapping away, our brains can wander off to far more exhilarating topics like what we’ll have for lunch or whether we remember to turn off the coffee pot at home.
Now, don’t get us wrong; chatting has its charm. It keeps relationships casual and friendly, and who wouldn’t want a workplace filled with camaraderie? Yet wouldn’t it be thrilling to take a step beyond light banter and delve a little deeper into meaningful conversations? Imagine the possibilities! Ideas flourishing, insights being shared, and that unshakeable feeling of collaboration igniting the air around us.
In all seriousness, we have the incredible potential to transform mere chatting into impactful communication. Because chatting is nice, real communication? That’s what really drives success!
It’s not that we don’t communicate- we overcommunicate. We just don’t say anything.
Cheating, but Make it Collaborative
Cheating used to be dishonest. Now it’s a productivity hack. Why write your own proposal when ChatGPT, Copilot, or whatever new acronym just launched can regurgitate something vaguely convincing in seconds? Add a few “synergize,” “optimize,” and “transformative paradigm,” and voilà instant credibility.
It’s amazing to see how technology, like ChatGPT and other AI-driven platforms, can help us streamline our work processes. Cheating might have once been deemed dishonest, but now, leveraging these advanced tools can be viewed as an intelligent strategy for efficiency!
Why spend hours drafting a proposal when you can have an AI assist you, giving you a solid starting point? These tools are designed to support us in generating ideas and refining our thoughts, transforming our approach to work into one that embraces collaboration between human intellect and machine efficiency. By incorporating a few buzzwords like “synergize,” “optimize,” or “transformative paradigm,” you can instantly elevate the professionalism of your documents and presentations.
Need to pretend you read the report? Just drop in a buzzword soup and nod thoughtfully during Zoom calls. Bonus points if you throw in “blockchain” or “neurodivergent frameworks” without any follow-up.
Chilling Through the Apocalypse
The beauty of it all? We’ve learned to chill. The world might be melting, but if the Slack bot sends us a “You’re crushing it! 🚀” on Friday, we’re good. Crisis? Just turn off notifications. Layoffs? Ghost the calendar invites. AI replacing your job? Just vibe until HR remembers you still have a badge.
We’re not lazy — we’re asynchronously efficient. We’re not uninformed we’re strategically uninvolved. And when does everything break? We’re on it, right after this meditation app finishes telling us to “breathe into abundance.”
So here we are chatting, cheating, and chilling urging the machinery of modern business with half-read emails, half-written prompts, and fully ironic detachment. And yet, somehow, it all keeps spinning. Probably thanks to Jennifer in OPS, who still uses spreadsheets and reads things. God bless Jennifer.
Buzzwords: The Currency of the Clueless
Remember when “leveraging AI” meant something? Neither do we. In today’s corporate jungle, you don’t need to understand AI, you just need to say you’re using it. Throw in “generative,” “autonomous,” and “transformative insights” like confetti at a funding round, and you’re golden. Your product could be a glorified calculator and still get a TEDx talk, as long as you claim it’s “powered by AI.”
The AI Buzzword Industrial Complex is thriving. Why? Because it’s easier to talk about using AI than to use it. “We’re integrating GPT-based solutions to enhance stakeholder alignment”? Translation: We copy-pasted from ChatGPT and hoped no one would notice the formatting. And everyone nods.
Strategic Ghosting: A New Era of Leadership
Meanwhile, in the high towers of middle management, a quieter revolution is underway: strategic ghosting. This isn’t your garden-variety email silence. No, this is purposeful non-responsiveness rebranded as empowerment.
Why answer when you can “create space for ownership”? Why clarify expectations when vague inspiration works just as well? Just post a motivational quote and disappear into “calendar hell.” It’s not avoidance; it’s non-linear leadership.
Between buzzword bingo and vanishing managers, business today often feels like a well-lit improv show. Everyone’s yes-anding, no one’s steering, but hey we’re “innovating at scale.”
And it works – kind of. The illusion of motion is often enough. As long as someone’s updating the dashboard and your startup is “pre-revenue but post-vision,” the machine keeps humming.
In Summary
The emergence of AI is revolutionizing the way we communicate, and it’s fascinating to observe the latest trend: strategic ghosting. It’s incredible how leaders have embraced this new buzzword with open arms, all while neglecting the real issues that demand their attention. We’re seeing this phenomenon everywhere from boardroom discussions to casual team meetings creating an illusion of innovation and connection. However, it often seems that these strategies are being applied only in ways that leave us wondering if our messages have entered a black hole.
But here’s the silver lining! While it may feel frustrating to be left on read, it’s a great opportunity for us to rethink communication in our own roles. We need to ensure that we don’t fall into the trap of strategic ghosting ourselves. Instead, let’s prioritize genuine engagement, transparency, and meaningful conversations. The latter can create an environment where collaboration and connection thrive, turning this trend on its head. So, let’s rally together, be the change we want to see, and show how genuine effective communication can truly transform leadership!
Short Bio
Simon L. Dolan and Pedro C. Martínez-Moran are senior professors and researchers in the Master of Talent Management at Advantere School of Management ( S.Dolan@advantere.org; P.Martinez@advantere.org); Ishu Shrestha is a recent graduate student in this program (i.shrestha@stu.advantere.org)
Short Note:
This paper was written using the following methodology. It started as a debate/conversation amongst the authors on different occasions. A shorter version was created. Then some paragraphs were enhanced using ChatGPT and afterwords syntax and sarcastic tone were enhanced using Ghostwriter. Final review by the authors has reduced the length to fit into linkedin requirements
