How to Become Exceptional in the Age of AI: The Theory of “Steppy Things”
Twenty years ago, a conversation with Jennifer Horrocks, then CEO of VisAlign, introduced me to the concept of “Steppy Things” — a framework that has profoundly shaped my approach to professional growth. Jennifer explained that people operate at three levels:
- Basic: Doing the bare minimum
- Expected: Meeting reasonable anticipations
- Exceptional: Delivering unanticipated value
Her words still resonate: “Deliver at the basic level, and you’ll quickly become irrelevant. To thrive, you need to step beyond what’s expected — sometimes, just a few extra steps make all the difference.”
In today’s AI-driven world, this concept has never been more relevant. As AI systems advance, they’re redefining what constitutes valuable human input. The challenge isn’t just meeting expectations — it’s about staying ahead of AI-powered systems that are automating more of what used to be valuable human work.
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The Shifting Landscape: Value in the Age of AI
AI systems today can handle tasks that once required human expertise — from data analysis to strategic planning. This new reality means that delivering basic or even expected performance levels is no longer enough to stand out. So, how do we remain relevant and exceptional when AI can perform many tasks faster and more precisely?
The answer lies in leveraging uniquely human qualities:
- Passion: The energy to go beyond what’s required
- Curiosity: A drive to explore possibilities and learn continuously
- Emotional Intelligence: The ability to build relationships and respond with empathy
- Critical Thinking: Using brainpower to navigate complexity and apply nuanced judgment
The Four Pillars of Exceptional Performance: Thriving in the AI Era
As artificial intelligence reshapes industries, exceptional performance is no longer just about working harder — it’s about working smarter and more holistically. By focusing on four essential pillars — passion, curiosity, emotional intelligence, and the blend of critical thinking with creativity — you can thrive in today’s competitive world. Here’s how to integrate these pillars into your professional life.
1. Passion: Your Driving Force for Growth
Passion is the energy that pushes you beyond mediocrity. It’s not just about loving your job but finding purpose in what you do.
- Align with your values: Identify and focus on the tasks that resonate most with your core beliefs.
- Set goals that excite you: Ambitious, meaningful goals give your work direction and purpose.
- Explore passion projects: Find or create opportunities to dive into the areas of your role that bring you the most joy.
- Share your enthusiasm: Let your excitement show — it can inspire those around you.
When your work aligns with your values and ignites your excitement, you’ll naturally be motivated to go the extra mile.
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2. Curiosity: The Catalyst for Innovation
In the AI era, staying curious is a game-changer. Curiosity fuels learning and innovation, helping you uncover new possibilities in your personal and professional life.
- Ask “why” and “what if”: Challenge assumptions to uncover deeper insights and alternative solutions.
- Cross-pollinate ideas: Dive into subjects outside your field and look for connections.
- Experiment with AI tools: Try new technologies to understand their potential and how they can enhance your work.
- Dedicate time to learning: Make it a habit to explore topics, even ones unrelated to your current role.
Curiosity keeps you adaptable, which is essential in a workplace where change is the only constant.
3. Emotional Intelligence: Building Strong Relationships
Success isn’t just about what you know, but how well you connect with others. Emotional intelligence (EQ) helps you navigate relationships, foster collaboration, and create a supportive environment.
- Listen mindfully: Focus on truly hearing what others say without jumping to respond.
- Practice empathy: Try to see things from others’ perspectives to understand their motivations better.
- Master non-verbal communication: Pay attention to the tone and body language of others and yours.
- Stay calm under pressure: Use simple techniques like deep breathing to regulate emotions during stressful situations.
The stronger your EQ, the easier it becomes to create meaningful connections that drive success.
4. Critical Thinking + Creativity: Smarter Problem-solving
In today’s information-rich world, combining critical thinking with creativity is more important than ever. Together, they help you analyze situations and come up with innovative solutions.
- Break problems down: Simplify challenges into smaller, manageable steps.
- Brainstorm freely: Use divergent thinking to generate many ideas, then refine them with convergent thinking.
- Collaborate with others: Different perspectives spark fresh ideas and help avoid blind spots.
- Embrace constraints: Use limitations as opportunities to think outside the box.
By balancing analysis and imagination, you’ll be better equipped to tackle complex challenges and deliver unique solutions.
The Decline of Traditional Knowledge and Experience
In an AI-driven world, knowledge’s shelf life is shortening at an astonishing speed. Today, AI can replicate and exceed many aspects of traditional expertise within seconds.
This doesn’t mean the experience has lost its value. However, it does mean that the older the experience, the lesser its value, as AI has likely captured and made that knowledge publicly available. What matters most is how you leverage your current experiences and interactions to deliver value.
Rethinking Experiences for Value Extraction
As humans, our experiences stem from two types of interactions:
- Human Interactions: Conversations, mentorships, and collaborations that build trust and emotional rapport.
- Non-human Interactions: Engaging with AI tools, databases, and online resources to stay updated and spark new ideas.
The key is to derive value from both kinds of interactions — improving yourself, helping others, and contributing meaningfully to your organization.
Becoming Indispensable: The New Standard for Exceptional Performance
To become indispensable in the age of AI, you must find ways to extract value in one or more of these critical areas from your present experiences:
- Value to Yourself: Develop new skills and stay curious. Pursue experiences that challenge you to grow personally and professionally.
- Value to Others: Build meaningful relationships by being empathetic and exceeding expectations in these interactions.
- Value to Your Organization: Understand your company’s goals and anticipate opportunities to add value. Be proactive—identify problems before they arise and deliver solutions beyond the expected.
The New Path to Relevance and Excellence
The AI-driven world demands adaptability, a willingness to learn, and a strong foundation in emotional intelligence. Here are some valuable tips for this new path:
- See Things Through Others’ Eyes: Understand others’ perspectives to anticipate needs and respond with empathetic solutions.
- Deliver the Unexpected: In a world where AI handles the expected, delivering unexpected value makes you stand out.
- Work Smarter, Not Harder: Combine your human strengths with AI capabilities. Let AI handle repetitive tasks while you focus on high-impact, strategic work.
Take a moment to reflect:
At what level are you currently operating — Basic, Expected, or Exceptional?
How are you using passion, curiosity, and emotional intelligence to stay ahead?
Are you deriving value from every interaction — with both people and AI?
In an era where AI is raising the bar for everyone, the only way to stay ahead is to become exceptional — and that journey begins today. Remember, becoming exceptional often only requires a few extra steps. It’s about making those steps count, leveraging your uniquely human qualities, and embracing AI’s possibilities to enhance, not replace your contributions.
