Leadership in the Age of AI
Just In Case vs Just In Time
Two leadership mindsets. One determines AI readiness.
Just In Case
Stockpile tools before knowing the problem
Buy licenses, hire headcount, hope for the best
"Go figure out how to use AI"
Delegation without direction. Hope someone stumbles into the answer.
React when AI disrupts
No documentation. No architecture. No readiness infrastructure.
700 support agents
No documentation to train AI on. Chaotic transition.
"Which AI tool should we buy?"
Technology-first thinking. The wrong first question.
Just In Time
Invest in documentation and architecture first
Build readiness infrastructure before the AI moment arrives
"Here's our documentation standard"
Clear direction. Named orchestrator. Infrastructure before tools.
Prepare so AI activates
Document processes. Clean data. Build architecture. Then activate.
2-month documentation sprint
Leaders ordered the preparation. AI activation was trivial.
"Show me our documentation"
Readiness-first thinking. The right first question.
From A Value-First Guide to Surviving the SaaSpocalypse · AI Data Readiness Series with Trisha Merriam
valuefirstteam.com