I automated my job (and it made me a better leader)

A senior leader at GitHub shared a personal account of how automating 40 routine tasks transformed their leadership approach. According to the GitHub Blog, the author initially automated tasks to reduce busywork but found the real benefit was freeing time for higher-level strategic thinking, team mentoring, and decision-making. The article emphasizes that automation wasn't about doing less work but about shifting focus to activities that require human judgment and empathy. For builders of AI workflows, the practical angle is that automation can enhance—not replace—leadership by eliminating repetitive tasks. The post walks through several favorite automations, including code review summaries and standup collation, without diving into technical details. The key takeaway is that leaders should view automation as a tool to amplify their impact, not a threat to their role. This perspective challenges the common fear that AI and automation diminish human contribution, instead framing them as enablers of better leadership.