Wisdom in the Age of AI: Servant Leadership and Responsible Innovation in GovCon
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Over the past few weeks, I’ve heard comments like:
“AI is the antichrist.”
“Using AI to create content is cheating.”
These are some strong words. But here’s the truth: AI is not a soul. It’s a tool. A logic engine. And like any tool, its impact depends on the hands—and hearts—that wield it. For servant leaders in the GovCon industry, the question isn’t “Should we use AI?” It’s “How do we use it responsibly?”
The Servant Leader’s Call: Stewardship Over Shortcut
AI can do many things: It can accelerate workflows, enhance analysis, and even help craft content. But speed without stewardship is dangerous. Servant Leaders shall approach AI with the same posture they bring to budgets, teams, and technology: care, humility, and accountability. (See what I did there?)
Scripture reminds us:
“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” — 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NKJV)
Leadership is a trust.
Tools are a trust.
AI is no exception.
But what is our responsibility when using AI to draft content for GovCon tasks?
Five Responsibilities for Servant Leaders Using AI
1. Preserve Integrity
AI sometimes gets it wrong. It’s a logic engine, not a fact checker. Servant Leaders verify facts, cite sources, and ensure that content reflects reality, not just the algorithms that created the content.
“Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,” — Colossians 3:9-10 (NKJV)
2. Protect Voice and Values
AI can mimic style, but it cannot embody conviction. Servant Leaders ensure that every output aligns with organizational mission and ethical standards. AI should amplify your voice, not erase it. AI should emphasize your individuality, not meld you into the group’s identity.
“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.” – 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NKJV)
3. Prioritize People Over Productivity
Efficiency matters, but not at the expense of relationships. Servant Leaders use AI to free time for mentoring, listening, and serving, not for replacing human connection. One criticism I’ve heard is that AI is too “perfect”, too “mechanical”. That’s why every responsible AI user in history retains the “human in the loop”.
4. Guard Confidentiality and Compliance
GovCon work often involves sensitive data. Servant Leaders must ensure AI tools are used within security protocols and do not expose proprietary or classified information. That requires human intervention, care, and caution. Check the settings on your tool to avoid spillage.
“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” — Proverbs 27:12 (NIV)
5. Keep God in the Loop
We say to keep the “human in the loop,” but what about keeping God in the loop? As with any tool in a servant leader’s arsenal, God is the first, last, and ever present guide in every use of every tool—including AI.
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” — Colossians 3:17 (NKJV)
How do we stay within the guardrails of responsible AI use in GovCon? Let’s borrow from the 80’s (IYKYK)…
Top 10 Practical Guidelines for GovCon Leaders
1. Anchor Every Decision in Mission
Before inserting AI content into a proposal or pivoting a project based on AI feedback, ask: Does this serve the client’s mission and the greater good?
2. Communicate with Radical Transparency
Share the “why” behind decisions—not just the “what.” And be clear whenever AI has aided in that decision. Clarity builds trust in uncertain times.
3. Validate Every Output
AI drafts are starting points, not final answers. Fact-check, edit, and ensure compliance before publishing.
4. Protect Confidentiality and Compliance
Never feed sensitive or classified data into AI systems. CMMC would love that! Follow all security protocols and ethical standards.
5. Preserve Human Voice and Values
AI should amplify—not replace—the unique perspective and integrity of your organization. AI, trained on professional data, referencing your organization’s library, may sound legit…always check.
6. Use AI to Empower People, Not Replace Them (This is the “Avoid Skynet” clause.)
Leverage AI to reduce administrative burden and free time for mentoring, collaboration, and innovation. Is 80% of your workforce’s workload comprised of repetitive tasks? Responsibly developing an AI Agent can empower your team to do more—to do better.
7. Measure Impact Beyond Efficiency
Don’t just track speed gains. Ask: Did AI improve quality, strengthen relationships, and serve the mission? And if it didn’t, ask yourself why.
8. Maintain Ethical Guardrails
Avoid bias, plagiarism, and shortcuts. Ensure AI outputs reflect truth and fairness. AI is a logic engine based on human-generated content…and humans are biased and can be lazy. (making AI the ultimate self-licking ice cream cone) Keep the human in the loop to ensure ethical compliance.
9. Commit to Continuous Learning
AI evolves rapidly. Stay informed on best practices, legal requirements, and emerging risks.
10. Seek Wisdom, Not Just Algorithms (Keep God in the Loop)
Technology offers data; God offers discernment. Pray for guidance to steward AI responsibly.“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” — James 1:5 (NKJV)
Conclusion: Tools Don’t Define Us—Trust Does
AI is not the antichrist. It’s not a shortcut to character—or away from it. It’s a tool, and tools can serve or sabotage, depending on the heart behind the hands. For Servant Leaders in GovCon, the mandate is clear: use AI responsibly, lead transparently, and let wisdom—not algorithms—set the course.
Because in the end, the best leaders don’t just adopt technology—they steward it.
**Some of this content was generated with the help of AI. I challenge any of you “experts” to discern which parts are AI and which are mine. 😊
