Welcome to episode #1041 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation).

At a time when every leadership team is being told that artificial intelligence will change everything, Charlene Li has spent her career helping organizations separate signal from noise. A New York Times bestselling author and trusted advisor to CEOs and boards, Charlene first became widely known for helping leaders understand transformative shifts through books like Groundswell, Open Leadership and The Disruption Mindset. Her latest book, Winning With AI - The 90-Day Blueprint For Success, co-authored with Dr. Katia Walsh, tackles one of the most pressing questions facing business leaders today: not what AI is, but what to do about it. Drawing on research, executive interviews and practical experience, Charlene argues that organizations do not need an AI strategy… they need to rethink how AI serves their existing business strategy. In our conversation, she explores why most organizations are still struggling to move beyond experimentation, why leadership and transformation matter more than technology selection, and why the greatest opportunity may not be efficiency at all, but creating more human-centered organizations. Along the way, Charlene challenges conventional thinking about AI pilots, workforce transformation, organizational design and the future role of leadership in an era where intelligence itself is becoming abundant. Enjoy the conversation…

Running time: 1:01:50.
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Here is my conversation with Charlene Li.
Winning With AI - The 90-Day Blueprint For Success.
Dr. Katia Walsh.
Groundswell.
Open Leadership.
The Disruption Mindset.
Charlene's other books.
Follow Charlene on LinkedIn.

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction to AI and Leadership. (03:02) - Navigating the AI Landscape. (05:57) - Understanding AI's Impact on Organizations. (09:09) - The Human Element in AI. (12:10) - Rethinking Workflows and Decision-Making. (14:45) - Strategic AI Roadmaps. (17:54) - Investment and Governance in AI. (20:52) - Creating Value with AI. (23:53) - Emergent Thinking and AI Adoption. (31:00) - The Role of Leadership in AI Implementation. (34:50) - Ownership and Accountability in AI Strategy. (39:01) - Creating Value Beyond Efficiency with AI. (45:07) - Navigating Workforce Changes and Reskilling. (48:59) - Addressing Employee Concerns About AI. (54:54) - The Case Against AI Pilots. (55:54) - The Importance of Speed in AI Adoption.