AI and the Future of Consulting - Embedding Strategy in Organisations (Just Great People podcast)
Manage episode 496465737 series 3367134
What if the greatest threat to AI-powered strategy isn’t technological limitation, but human implementation failure?
Following the publication of our article “AI, Strategy Implementation, and Human Collaboration”, I had the opportunity to explore these themes in depth with Barry Eustance on the Just Great People podcast. The conversation revealed fascinating insights about why human-centred approaches become more crucial as AI capabilities advance, not less.
Link here to the orignal podcast and show notes: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316310/episodes/17521116
Current Reality:
- Only 14% of employees can describe their company strategy
- 71% can't recognize their own strategy when shown options
- 85% of leadership teams spend <1 hour monthly on strategy
The Acceleration Paradox
AI generates strategies faster, but intensifies human implementation challenges rather than solving them.
Key Insights
The Airline Question: "Would you board a plane with no human pilot?"
- High-stakes situations require human judgment and "shared jeopardy"
- Same applies to AI strategy implementation
The Neuroscience Factor:
- People's brains respond to AI change like "a lion on the savannah"
- Triggers fight-or-flight, shutting down rational thinking
- Risk: "Computer Says No" syndrome—disengaged employees
Solutions
- Team Design Principle: Those delivering strategy should help design it
- Reframe AI: From "Artificial Intelligence" to "Agility and Implementation"
- Human-AI Symbiosis: AI generates options, humans provide context and implementation
Bottom Line
"If you don't invest in human-centered AI integration, your organization will die."
Organizations must develop human capabilities to thrive alongside AI, not be replaced by it.
Chapters
1. AI and Change Management Introduction (00:00:00)
2. The Problem With Strategy Implementation (00:03:30)
3. SCARF Model and Change Psychology (00:09:10)
4. Balancing AI Capabilities With Human Context (00:14:30)
5. Creating Buy-in Through Team Ownership (00:19:40)
6. The People-Centric Leadership Framework (00:24:15)
7. Agility and Implementation: The True AI (00:26:40)
30 episodes