350. AI Isn't The Problem. Your Decisions Are.

Leaders often adopt AI as a solution without identifying an actual problem.
Executives make major decisions while only seeing ~4% of real issues (Iceberg of Ignorance).
“Tool-first thinking” creates chaos — automating broken processes makes them worse.
Real problems have four traits: pain, cost, clarity, and measurable improvement.
AI amplifies dysfunction when companies skip foundational fixes like processes and tech debt.
Winning companies focus on human problems first, tools second.

Define the pain before choosing any tool — get input from frontline teams who experience issues daily.
Ask what success looks like without AI to reveal whether the AI push is just hype-driven.
Map broken processes before automating — fix clarity, steps, ownership, and workflow first.
Validate problem statements in one sentence; if people can’t articulate it, it’s not a real problem.
Evaluate tech debt honestly — unstable foundations will make AI less reliable and more costly.
Prioritize customer experience; AI is not a replacement for genuine human connection unless the problem truly requires it.