Why Collaborating Always Wins (Even with AI)

One of my favorite things about leadership is that success is never a solo endeavor. The best outcomes—whether in business, innovation, or personal growth—happen through collaboration. And while we often think of collaboration in terms of teams and partnerships, it’s time to expand that definition.

What if I told you that AI could be one of your most valuable collaborators?

I know, AI can feel impersonal, maybe even intimidating. But in reality, it’s just another tool in your leadership toolbox—one that can help you delegate smarter, make better decisions, and free up time for the high-impact work only you can do.

Great leaders don’t just do the work; they build systems that ensure the work gets done well. That means leaning on both people and technology. It means knowing when to delegate to a human, when to automate, and when to combine both for maximum efficiency.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, I’m reminded that every great movement, every industry shift, and every breakthrough has been built on collaboration. Women supporting women. Leaders empowering teams. Visionaries leveraging tools to bring ideas to life.

So, this month, I challenge you to rethink collaboration. Where are you trying to go it alone when you don’t have to? What tasks, decisions, or processes could be improved by delegating—to a person or an AI-powered assistant?

If you need a place to start, my Delegation Coach AI is here to help. Think of it as your personal delegation strategist, ready to help you break down your workload and identify what you can offload.

Collaboration always wins. The question is—who (or what) are you inviting to collaborate with you?

Rooting for you,?

Amber????

Around The Treehouse??

Deep Roots: Partners in Productivity

Julie Couret

Business Coach, Couret Leadership Lab

Business leaders across New Orleans, regardless of industry or size, face the same daily challenges: finding a clear roadmap to success while continually eliminating costly distractions. When the time spent putting out fires overwhelms the time spent growing your business, something needs to change. Maybe you need a little help. ?

Enter widely sought-after and proven New Orleans Business Coach Julie Couret. Julie has the expertise and experience to create clear workflows and reliable systems to help your talented workforce remain aligned with your business and profitability goals. ?Business owners appreciate the ways Julie both challenges and supports their leadership team. ?Above all, they value her method is proven, meticulously tested, and continuously improved.? ?

Most business coaches offer the same outdated formula, following trends that scream ‘flavor-of-the-month’ without any proven track record of long-term success. That’s not how businesses in New Orleans, or anywhere else, thrive. Julie Couret and her team are able to identify inefficiencies and remove roadblocks to growth, develop accountability systems so your leadership team executes flawlessly, and build sustainable momentum to scale your business. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about creating a system where execution happens effectively. Business Coach Julie Couret does just that.

Julie's Trusty Oak Story

Julie had been mulling over the decision to hire a VA for some time but finally took the leap after multiple conversations with her own clients and their positive experiences with a VA. With three inboxes and multiple calendars in play, she often found herself juggling last-minute meeting requests/calls that led to cramped schedules, unnecessarily stressful inbox management, and missed opportunities. Maintaining her scheduling link was another administrative demand, leaving her trapped in a never-ending game of “calendar Tetris.”

Beyond her hectic calendar and email management system, Julie’s files were housed across different emails and digital folders, forcing her to spend the time she did not have on digital scavenger hunts. Meanwhile, important tasks—like reaching out for speaking opportunities and following up on proposals—slid down the priority list and into late nights and weekends. A recent bout of illness highlighted just how overextended she was, confirming that she checked four of the five classic signs for needing a VA: constant calendar conflicts, chaotic systems, no time for business development, and neglected self-care.

Enter Dana Goldman, a Trusty Oak VA who quickly became Julie’s go-to resource. Dana manages Julie’s inboxes and calendars, runs point on business development outreach, tracks client and project needs, and lends personal assistance when needed. With Dana’s help, Julie finally has the clarity and bandwidth to grow her business—while enjoying the journey instead of merely surviving it.

??Julie develops leadership teams and accelerates business growth for medium-sized business owners who have either hit a ceiling or grown so quickly that there is unmanageable chaos. Her website has more details.

Connect with Julie

"Dana is more than my Executive Assistant; she’s the key to unlocking opportunity and stability in my fast-moving business. I am eternally grateful to Trusty Oak for the high-touch process in connecting Dana and I."

~ Julie Couret

Ever feel like your to-do list has a never-ending sequel? You start the day with big plans to grow your business, but between client work, marketing, invoicing, and tech headaches, you’re drowning in tasks—let alone trying to learn something you dread. Whether it’s marketing, finance, sales, HR, or tech, these areas require skill, strategy, and time—things you don’t always have. Instead of spinning your wheels, you can outsource to experts who love these tasks and have the knowledge, skills, and desire to handle them with ease. Read More.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has gone from science fiction to an everyday reality, transforming the way we work. While the headlines often focus on AI breakthroughs in automation and robotics, the real story is about partnership. AI isn’t replacing humans—it’s enhancing how we think, create, and solve problems. This synergy is redefining productivity across industries, making work smarter, not just faster. Read More

Check out podcasts, books, courses, and other valuable resources & information provided by our valued clients and community.

???Stepping Into Your Leadership

This podcast is hosted by Trusty Oak client, Christine Courtney of The Leadership Program. In a recent episode, she spoke with Vince W., founder of Econify, to discuss how AI is transforming workflows, productivity, and business.

Listen to the episode here.?

Are you wondering what you can accomplish by partnering with a US-based virtual assistant? Schedule a Discovery Call with Bex Howell to learn more.