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

Senior leadership roles are challenging not due to specific tasks but because of the fragmented nature of work spread across various platforms, which can overwhelm one's cognitive capacity. Ashley Willis, a senior director at GitHub, experienced this firsthand and found refuge in automations using the GitHub Copilot app. These automations streamline her workflow by synthesizing crucial information from multiple sources, thereby reducing cognitive load and allowing her to focus on the creative and strategic aspects of her role. The automations run scheduled prompts across her workspaces, providing her with essential updates and reminders, which not only help in maintaining her professional responsibilities but also accommodate her neurodivergence by offering consistency in her leadership regardless of her cognitive state. Automations are positioned as an accessibility tool that assists with executive function and working memory, thus preventing burnout and allowing her to engage with her team meaningfully. Willis highlights the potential of AI to alleviate invisible labor and enhance productivity, emphasizing that while automations cannot rectify organizational issues, they can reclaim enough mental bandwidth to focus on the core job functions.