The world of associations is transforming at a pace few could have anticipated. Generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) has shifted from being an abstract concept to a tangible presence in our daily workflows, decision-making processes, and member services. As an association executive, you may be grappling with its implications not only for staff and volunteers but also for the professions and industries you serve. The future belongs to those who adapt, strategize, and use AI to amplify uniquely human capabilities while addressing the challenges and risks it presents.

For associations, this means identifying and cultivating the skills that AI cannot replicate — skills that empower you to lead your staff, volunteers, and members through this era of transformation. Let’s explore the meta-skills essential for navigating the rise of Gen AI and ensuring your association’s continued relevance.

Strategic Thinking to Address Gen AI Obsolescence

While AI excels at analyzing data, generating insights, and predicting trends, it lacks the ability to align those outputs with an association’s mission, culture, and long-term goals. This is where strategic thinking becomes indispensable. For association leaders, strategic thinking involves connecting the dots between AI-generated insights and the unique needs of your members, volunteers, and the profession or industry you serve.

Consider a scenario where AI has automated member renewal forecasting, producing detailed predictions about which members are likely to lapse. While these insights are valuable, they require your strategic oversight to craft a response. Are lapsing members concentrated in a specific demographic or chapter? Could shifting resources to underperforming chapters boost engagement? Strategic thinking enables you to interpret AI-driven data and translate it into action plans that align with your mission and member needs.

To develop this skill, foster a culture of inquiry within your organization. Encourage staff and volunteers to ask “why” and “what if” questions, zooming out to consider the broader implications of AI-generated data. For example, when implementing a new AI-driven membership management system, assess how it aligns with long-term objectives like enhancing member retention or fostering inclusivity across chapters.

Adaptability: Thriving Amid Constant Change

Static workflows and rigid roles have no place in an AI-augmented world. For association leaders, adaptability isn’t just about adjusting to new technology; it’s about helping your entire organization — staff, volunteers, and members — pivot and grow as roles and workflows evolve.

Take the example of virtual conferences. When the pandemic forced associations to adopt virtual event platforms, many initially saw this as a temporary solution. However, as AI-powered tools for event management and engagement became more sophisticated, adaptable associations embraced these technologies to enhance year-round member value. They shifted from a mindset of returning to “business as usual” to exploring hybrid event models that combine in-person networking with AI-driven personalization.

Cultivating adaptability within your association requires proactive leadership. Challenge your team to pilot Gen AI tools and adopt a growth mindset — emphasizing learning over perfection. For instance, encourage your chapter leaders to experiment with AI tools for tracking local engagement metrics and share insights across the organization.

Creative Problem-Solving: Driving Innovation for Member Value

While AI can optimize existing processes, it cannot dream, innovate, or address ambiguous challenges. Creative problem-solving remains a uniquely human skill that allows associations to push boundaries and uncover opportunities.

Imagine your association is using AI to identify patterns in member engagement data. The system highlights declining participation in a particular professional development program. Instead of simply tweaking the program, you take a step back and reimagine the offering. By gathering input from members, volunteers, and staff, you design a new program format that combines AI-driven personalization with interactive, peer-led discussions. This not only revitalizes the program but also fosters deeper member connections — a value no AI can replicate.

To nurture creative problem-solving, create cross-functional task forces that bring together staff, volunteers, and members with diverse perspectives. Encourage these groups to approach challenges with curiosity and lateral thinking, leveraging AI insights as a starting point rather than a definitive solution. For example, when addressing low engagement in a specific chapter, invite input from members in high-performing chapters to brainstorm innovative strategies.

Why These Skills Matter for Association Employees

Strategic thinking, adaptability, and creative problem-solving are not just individual competencies; they are organizational imperatives. AI tools may streamline operations and provide efficiencies, but they cannot replace the intuition, empathy, and leadership required to guide an association and its members through change.

These meta-skills allow associations to:

• Enhance member value — By using AI as a tool to generate insights and free up resources, associations can focus on delivering the personalized, high-touch experiences members value most.
• Foster volunteer leadership — Equipping volunteers with these skills enables them to lead chapters and committees more effectively, ensuring alignment with the association’s mission.
• Drive industry standards — As associations set the standards for their professions, these skills empower leaders to navigate complex ethical and societal questions raised by AI adoption.

Client Case Study: Preparing an Association for the Gen AI Era

A national association representing healthcare professionals faced a dilemma: How could it integrate Gen AI tools into its operations without alienating its members, many of whom valued the human touch in professional interactions? The association’s leadership also wanted to ensure that staff and volunteers felt empowered — not displaced — by AI.

When I was brought in to consult, I conducted a readiness assessment that revealed several challenges. While the association’s staff and volunteer leaders excelled in their roles, they lacked training in strategic thinking and adaptability. Most relied on traditional workflows, and there was a general reluctance to experiment with new technologies.

I developed a comprehensive program to address these gaps, focusing on three key areas:

1. Strategic Thinking Workshops: These sessions helped staff and volunteers interpret AI-generated insights and align them with member needs. For example, they learned how to use AI tools to analyze member feedback and propose data-driven improvements to certification programs.
2. Adaptability Coaching for Volunteer Leaders: Chapter leaders were trained to pilot AI tools for local event planning and member engagement tracking. By starting with small, manageable projects, they gained confidence in using AI without feeling overwhelmed.
3. Creative Problem-Solving Labs: These labs brought together staff and volunteers to tackle real-world challenges. One group redesigned the association’s mentorship program using AI to match mentors and mentees based on shared interests while preserving the human elements of the relationship.

The program delivered measurable results within a year:

• Member retention increased by 15 percent: By using AI to personalize member communications, the association deepened member engagement.
• Volunteer satisfaction improved by 20 percent: Volunteer leaders reported feeling more confident and supported in their roles.
• Operational efficiency gains of 30 percent: AI-powered tools streamlined administrative tasks, allowing staff to focus on strategic initiatives.

The Future Is Yours to Shape

As an association executive, your role is not to compete with AI but to harness it as a partner in advancing your mission. By cultivating strategic thinking, adaptability, and creative problem-solving — in yourself, your staff, and your volunteers — you can ensure your association remains a vital force for members and the profession you serve.

The future isn’t about choosing between humans and machines. It’s about leveraging the best of both to create an AI-augmented world that elevates human potential. Lead boldly, think strategically, and empower your association to thrive in this new era.