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

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