Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

I'm thrilled to welcome Cheryl Strauss Einhorn, author, decision strategist, and creator of The Area Method. Her new book, The Human Edge, really challenges a core assumption we're all making right now that more technology automatically leads to better outcomes. What I love about her work is that it's not anti-AI, it's pro-human. She gives us a framework to think more clearly, challenge what we're seeing, and ultimately make decisions with more confidence and intention. Because at the end of the day, the question isn't whether we'll use AI, it is whether we will lead it or it will lead us.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone using AI in their work and wondering how to make better decisions without losing their human edge.

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…AI can make you faster but it doesn't automatically make you better. Cheryl breaks down why decision-making, not technology, is the true competitive advantage. While AI can accelerate research, generate ideas, and even mirror your voice, it lacks context, judgment, and an understanding of what truly matters to you. Cheryl introduces the concept of "strategic stops" which are intentional moments to reflect, question assumptions, and ensure you're solving the right problem in the first place.

KEY TAKEAWAYS…

AI is only as good as the context you give it. Without that critical piece, you risk getting answers that sound right but aren't useful.
Strategic pauses ("friction") improve decisions by helping you question assumptions and refine your thinking.
AI can reinforce bias or limit perspective if you don't actively challenge its outputs.
The most important decisions still require human judgment especially when stakes are high and outcomes are uncertain.
The future belongs to strong decision-makers, not just companies with the best AI tools.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Cheryl's perspective that AI isn't replacing thinking but is actually demanding better thinking. The idea that we're all "chief deciders" in our own lives is a powerful reminder: no matter how advanced the technology gets, the responsibility to think critically is still ours.

Running Time: 25:56

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Cheryl's Book: The Human Edge: Smarter Decisions in the Age of AI