We Need to Talk About How We Talk About AI
At CES two weeks ago, I coupled my time wandering the exhibition floor with sitting in on several panels. They were all, as you might guess, about AI. The speakers were smart. Most of the arguments were reasonable. But as these sessions went on, I noticed something striking: the panelists were not having the same […]
Hot Trends Aren’t Strategy: How to Lead with Vision in 2026
Every year brings a familiar set of “must-discuss” topics into executive conversations. Last year’s topics won’t be a surprise – Data and privacy. IoT, sensors, drones, and digital twins. And, of course, Artificial Intelligence and its implications on the workforce. Sure, these forces are shaping the next decade and they deserve attention. But this year, […]
The Next Internet Isn’t For Us
You have a great idea for a meme to share with your group chat. You’re not an artist, but luckily you have help: ChatGPT. You prompt the model and, after a few iterations, get it just right. You proudly post it to Discord or Slack, wherever. You have your joke, and you’re happy. You know […]
How to See Lines Where Others See Dots
When the average person thinks of innovation, they probably imagine someone like Steve Jobs having a eureka moment. But I’m going to let you in on a little secret: the future isn’t built by eureka moments. It’s built by people who see connections where others see isolated dots. Take the iPhone. Now, the iPhone wasn’t […]
The Autonomy Illusion: Pay No Attention to the Human Behind the Curtain
Late last year, attendees of an exclusive tech showcase in Burbank, California, bore witness to a true marvel of space-age innovation, a figure previously seen only in the far-off, fantastical worlds of science fiction – a walking, talking, autonomous humanoid robot. The robot (a crew of them, in fact) left guests awestruck as it danced, […]
Bringing a Community Mindset to Corporate Strategy
One of the more surprising lessons in my career didn’t come from a consulting engagement or an MBA case study… it came from managing my neighborhood’s homeowners association. And, of course, running my son’s T-ball league. If you’ve ever volunteered for either, you know the drill: no org chart, no playbook, and no shortage of […]
How to Spot a Strategist
Years ago, as a first-semester MBA student, I asked one of my favorite professors who else I should study under during my time at NYU. He told me to look up Amy Webb. “She’s a futurist,” he explained, adding, “…And she’s the real deal.” Trusting his judgment, I enrolled the following semester in Professor Webb’s […]