AI Is Automating Work; Leaders Still Have to Lead People, Says Software COO
AMHERST, N.H., Sept. 1, 2026 — Artificial intelligence is rapidly automating tasks once performed by humans, but as technology takes over more of the work, the human side of leadership may become more important than ever. Don Gregori, COO of multinational software solutions provider First Factory, argues that empathy is no longer a “soft skill” for leaders, but rather, one of the most important skills during this time of AI disruption.
“Real empathy is operational. It means knowing employee capabilities, fears, motivations and what they need from you to move forward, especially in this rapidly changing landscape,” Gregori said. “That’s not a personality trait; that’s a skill you build. And it’s more important than ever.”
His 2026 Literary Titan Award-winning book, The Emergent Leader: A Guide to Brand Building, Leadership, and Self-Mastery, offers a practical framework for developing the human skills leaders need to guide employees through change and prepare them for decisions they will face in the future.
The book’s hyper-tactical architecture sets it apart. Gregori distills the lessons, frameworks and hard-won truths gleaned from 25 years of leading operational transformation across startups and Fortune 500 companies — as well as his unique background in theater and film — into 61 short, punchy chapters across six critical categories. Each chapter closes with a Take Away (the lesson distilled to one sentence) and a Take Action (one concrete, immediate step). Readers can move sequentially or jump directly to the current challenge they’re facing.
From start-up founders to new managers, experienced leaders and aspiring CEOs, The Emergent Leader is for any business professional hungry, capable and ready for a guide that respects their intelligence and cuts through the noise, especially in these unpredictable and disruptive times.
The book has earned advance praise from Barry Z. Posner, Ph.D., bestselling author of The Leadership Challenge, who calls it “the starting point for anyone serious about leveling up their leadership.”
“My goal was to give leaders at every stage, from first-time managers to seasoned COOs, a rapid-fire, honest guide to surviving, thriving and building a company that lasts. The Emergent Leader is that book,” Gregori said. “It’s a desk reference you can grab every day to keep building the habits that matter.”
The Emergent Leader: A Guide to Brand Building, Leadership, and Self-Mastery
Publisher: Torchflame Books
Release date: June 16, 2026
ISBN: 978-1-61153-724-6 (paperback)
Available from https://www.amazon.com/
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Don Gregori is the COO of First Factory, Inc., a multinational nearshore software solutions provider headquartered in New York with its primary service office in Costa Rica. A certified AI Business Leader with 25-plus years of experience, Gregori has led operational transformation and employee development across industries. First Factory has earned five consecutive years on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies and has been named an Inc. Magazine Power Partner. Gregori’s background in theater and film — he is a SAG-AFTRA member — underpins his distinctive approach to leadership: breaking down character motivations, crafting compelling narratives and driving high-performing creative teams. He is based in Amherst, New Hampshire, and New York, and can be found at emergentleader.co.
