Ken Banta Examines Leadership in the Age of AI Anxiety

Ken Banta, Founder and CEO of The Vanguard Network, has published a new Substack article titled “AI, Anxiety, and Leadership: Getting Comfortable with the Discomfort,” released November 9, 2025.

Drawing on candid peer discussions among senior leaders and general counsels, the article explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping roles, expectations, and leadership behavior across organizations. Rather than focusing on fear or job loss, Banta highlights a more pressing challenge: how leaders guide teams through rapid change while maintaining judgment, ethics, and trust.

The piece examines legal departments as a frontline case study, where AI adoption is accelerating and governance questions are becoming board-level concerns. Banta argues that policies alone are insufficient. What matters most is leadership tone, culture, and the ability to normalize learning amid uncertainty.

“AI is not just a technology shift,” Banta writes. “It is a leadership test.” The article offers timely insight for executives navigating transformation without losing clarity or confidence.

To read the full article on Substack, click here.

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The Vanguard Network is a leadership community and advisory platform that helps senior executives sharpen foresight, strengthen performance, and achieve impact. Through forums, exchanges, and programs, Vanguard convenes leaders across industries to share challenges and solutions in a confidential, collaborative setting.