Is AI Your Strategy or Just Your Latest Distraction?

Nov 10, 2026

Connect

It seems like every company wants to become AI-first these days. But I'm wondering how many CEOs have really thought through what that means.

I was recently preparing for a new client's strategy session when I saw that becoming an AI-first company was one of their big priorities. Great ambition. But I had to wonder, what business problem were they trying to solve? And as I dug deeper, I realized they didn't have anyone internally with the expertise to lead it.

Here's what concerns me. Companies are spending a LOT of money on AI without knowing what problem they're solving, what return they expect, or who's accountable for making it work.

Before you invest another dollar in AI, ask yourself three questions:

1. What's the biggest constraint holding our business back?
2. Can AI actually help us solve it, and what's the expected ROI?
3. Who's responsible for making it happen?

I'm a huge believer in AI, but technology doesn't fix bad strategy, broken processes, or poor execution. Don't make AI the goal. Make building a better business the goal.

This is why Execute with Discipline is one of the six capabilities in my Free dom Goal System®.You can have the greatest strategy in the world, but without the right people, clear ownership, and the ability to execute, it's just an idea.

Here's to building a better business and reaching your Freedom Goal,

Jen & The Freedom Goal Group

Responses

Join the conversation

t("newsletters.loading")

Who’s developing your People leader?

Your People leader spends a lot of time thinking about everyone else’s growth. But who’s thinking about theirs? Some of the best People leaders we know are already really good at what they do. They know HR. They care about the organization. Their teams trust them. But as the business grows, there’s a chance for them to become more than just great HR leaders. They can become strong business lead...

How to Run a Town Hall Your Team Actually Cares About

Most company town halls start with good intentions, then somehow they turn into long update meetings where leadership talks, employees listen, and everyone quietly waits for the calendar invite to end. A strong town hall should feel like a two-way conversation with a scoreboard. Your team should leave knowing where the company stands, what matters right now, what has changed, and what they are ...

Your Holiday Gift: A Clear Look at Your Operations Leadership

Happy Holidays from all of us at Freedom Goal Group! As the year wraps up, this is a perfect moment to step back, reflect, and make sure your business is truly set up to support the life and growth you want, not just today, but moving into the new year. That’s why we created this for you: Download The Operations Leadership Scorecard for CEOs Want to know how effectively your operations are dri...