Delegating AI Is a Death Sentence for Your Leadership—Here’s How to Dive In and Thrive

Let’s face it: AI isn’t just knocking on the door of your industry; it’s already inside, rearranging the furniture and rewriting the rules. Yet, too many executives are treating it like just another trend, assigning a task force or hiring a consultant to “handle it.” Big mistake. You don’t delegate disruption. You dive in.

Here’s the truth: To lead your organization through the AI revolution with urgency and excitement, you need to experience AI firsthand. That means getting your hands dirty, experimenting with tools, and playing with the technology. Why? Because only then will you truly appreciate its potential—and its accessibility.

Stop Overcomplicating It: AI Isn’t As Intimidating As It Sounds

AI often gets dressed up in buzzwords and technical jargon, but at its core, it’s surprisingly easy to use. Modern AI tools are designed with intuitive interfaces, pre-trained models, and ready-made applications. Translation? You don’t need to be a data scientist to figure it out.

Sure, the task force will come back with a PowerPoint deck. But reading about AI is like reading about swimming—you don’t really get it until you jump into the pool. Start small: ask ChatGPT to summarize your inbox, use an AI design tool for a presentation, or experiment with predictive analytics on real business data. You’ll quickly see that AI is less about complexity and more about creativity.

Three Simple Ways to Dive In Right Now

If you’re wondering where to begin, don’t overthink it. Here are three practical ways to get started with AI today:

1. Brainstorm with AI as Your "Consultant" Fire up ChatGPT and ask it to impersonate a management consultant. Brainstorm a new product idea, refine your go-to-market strategy, or explore customer pain points using advanced voice commands. AI won’t just give you answers; it’ll spark ideas you hadn’t considered. Plus, it’s available 24/7—no hourly rates or ego trips involved.
2. Automate Your Writing Workflow Start recording everything you do: meetings, brainstorming sessions, presentations—you name it. Then, use ChatGPT, Co-Pilot, or Gemini (depending on your office suite) to turn those recordings into polished memos, emails, or even blog posts. You’ll never have to stare at a blank page again. AI can transform your raw thoughts into clear, actionable communication, saving you hours every week.
3. Turn Research into a Commute-Friendly Podcast Use Google Notebook to organize your research on a topic like “practical applications of AI in the enterprise.” Once your notes are set, let AI generate an audio summary that you can listen to while commuting. It’s multitasking at its finest—learning and leading at the same time.

Leading by Example: The Power of Hands-On Leadership

When you engage with AI yourself, something transformative happens. You stop seeing it as a threat or an abstract concept, and you start seeing it as a toolkit—a way to work faster, think bigger, and do more. That’s the energy and perspective your team needs from you.

As an executive, your job isn’t to be the technical expert; it’s to champion the possibilities. Your excitement is contagious. When your team sees you enthusiastically using AI to solve real problems, they’ll follow suit. And when they sense your urgency, they’ll treat AI like the priority it is—not as “that thing we’ll get to when we have time.”

The Risk of Waiting: The Window Is Closing

The speed of AI adoption across industries is staggering. Every day you delay, competitors are gaining an edge—not because they’re smarter, but because they’re trying. The companies and leaders who embrace AI early are already reaping the benefits: faster decision-making, better customer experiences, and reduced costs.

By waiting for perfect plans or polished reports, you risk being left behind. Remember: in business, speed beats perfection. When it comes to AI, diving in now—even clumsily—is better than a well-orchestrated rollout a year too late.

From Hesitant Observer to AI Evangelist

When you experiment with AI, you’ll see its limitations and potential up close. This hands-on experience will prepare you to ask sharper questions, prioritize the right initiatives, and avoid the pitfalls of overhype. It will also position you as an AI evangelist—a leader who understands the technology enough to guide their organization with confidence and vision.

Most importantly, by diving in, you’ll rekindle your own curiosity. AI isn’t just about efficiency; it’s a playground for innovation. The more you explore, the more you’ll see possibilities for your business—and that’s where real transformation begins.

A Simple Challenge for Executives

Don’t just schedule a meeting about AI. Don’t just skim an article (well, except for this one). Instead, commit to trying one AI tool today. Start brainstorming, automate your writing, or create that podcast-in-the-car experience. Whatever it is, take it for a spin. It doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be real.

Because at the end of the day, AI isn’t waiting for you to figure it out. It’s moving forward with or without you. The question is, will you be leading the charge—or playing catch-up?

The future is here. Dive in, and bring your sense of urgency and excitement with you.