Raising My Voice, Again.

Reflections on the Past, Present, and the Pursuit of More

In the early days of social media, I found myself at the forefront of a movement that reshaped how businesses engaged with their audiences. I spent years writing about content marketing? —?before Instagram became a household name, before Twitter transformed into a global conversation, and when Facebook was still a tool for college students. Through B2Bbloggers.com (since retired) and Make Good Media, I shared insights on how these new platforms (SmartBrief circa 2016) were more than just a trend?—?they represented a fundamental shift in how brands communicated with the world.

That era of social marketing felt like the dawn of something big?—?a technological leap that demanded new thinking, new strategies, and new leadership. It was exciting, unpredictable, and for those who could see beyond the noise, it was clear that we weren’t just managing new tools; we were navigating the future of business itself. Those early years taught me a key lesson: with every technological shift comes a need for new approaches to leadership and culture.

When I reflect on those early days, I’m reminded of the moment when the internet itself was emerging?—?an uncharted, rapidly expanding network that forever changed the way we communicate, share information, and do business. The rise of social media was part of that larger internet revolution, marking the beginning of a new era in digital communication. It wasn’t just about the technology; it was about the fundamental shift in how we connected with one another and how businesses reached their audiences.

Today, I see artificial intelligence as that same kind of leap forward, but with exponentially more potential. Just as the internet redefined communication, AI is now poised to redefine how we work and think. We stand at the edge of an AI revolution that will reshape industries, human potential, and leadership itself.

There is no shortage of fear surrounding AI. The headlines constantly tell us about the risks, the jobs it could replace, and the ethical dilemmas it raises. What many don’t realize is that we’ve already been living with AI for years. Tools like Siri, Alexa, and Hey Google?—?what I call “v1 AI”?—?were the early indicators of what’s possible. Those tools introduced us to the convenience of voice recognition, of tapping into AI for simple tasks. But now, with an abundance of intelligence at our fingertips, things are exponentially different. While that level of advancement may be scary for some, I’m choosing to lean in and embrace it. AI represents an opportunity to enhance the very essence of what makes us human?—?our creativity, our ability to problem-solve, and our drive to push beyond limitations.

What excites me most is the potential for AI to help bridge generational gaps in the workplace. Throughout my career, I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges of managing multigenerational workforces. Back when I started, technology was the great divider. Baby Boomers were accustomed to in-person meetings and phone calls, while Gen X began to embrace email and early forms of instant messaging. Then Millennials, digital natives, came into the workforce expecting a seamless blend of technology and communication. Fast forward to today, and the rise of Gen Z?—?who grew up gaming, with Snap, Insta and TikTok stories?—?has introduced yet another layer to this dynamic.

The modern world of work, leadership, and human engagement has been altered forever as a result of the pandemic, shattering conventional definitions of roles, locations, and interactions. Boundaries have disappeared, roles have evolved, and the idea of stability has been completely redefined. The challenge now is to lead with a mindset that welcomes uncertainty and strives for more. Leaders must understand that each generation brings its own strengths and values, and again technology is here to be the great unifier, helping us work together more efficiently, learn from one another, and ultimately unlock more potential.

It feels like the right moment to raise my voice again. Just as I added my perspective to the social media revolution over a decade ago, it’s time to add my voice to yet another technological shift. This time, it’s AI?—?a force that promises to reshape our work, our leadership, and the potential for what we can achieve as individuals and as organizations. AI is not just about automation or efficiency; it is about creating space for humans to do what we do best?—?collaborate, innovate, and solve complex problems.

As we continue to navigate this transformative period, it’s clear that AI will challenge us to think and lead differently. But this is just the beginning. Stay tuned, listen close, and over the next few days and weeks, I’ll be introducing more ideas and tools to help you Unlock More?—?more potential, more growth, and more possibility in this new era of work, life, and leadership.

I’m happy to be back, my hope is that you’re glad to hear from me again. Chat soon.