11/24/2025
When their most intelligent staff members are already alternating between ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Gemini like they are alternating between Slack channels, why are CEOs paying $200K consultants to teach AI?
To be honest, depending on the task, I employ three to four distinct AIs. Who are your innovators? The same thing. They are aware that Perplexity stymies research, ChatGPT manages creative chaos, and Claude produces brilliant strategy documents. Karen from accounting, meanwhile, continues to print emails while lamenting the fact that "AI will never understand real business."
Plot twist: Karen is correct. AI won't understand her job—because she'll be gone before it needs to.
Here's my controversial take: Stop wasting money trying to drag your tech-avoidant employees into 2025. They're self-selecting out of the workforce. Let. Them. Go.
Your top 10% doesn't need another workshop. They need you to stop treating digital transformation like a participation trophy. Assemble your AI innovation team from these internal renegades, who possess three tools that are more advanced than those of your IT department.
While you are scheduling "AI readiness assessments," your curious employees have built an entire shadow operation that is ten times more efficient. And your competitors? They're poaching them.
It's time to make a decision. The future's not waiting for Karen. https://www.vistage.com/research-center/talent-management/employee-development/20251119-digital-engagement/?ls=LinkedIn&lsd=li_organic-digital-engagement-lmag&utm_source=social&utm_medium=li_organic&utm_content=digital-engagement-lmag&utm_campaign=coschedule