Love the chef analogy - makes the point so easy to picture. AI really does feel like that unstoppable prep team: quick, precise, consistent. But the creative leap, the “what if” moment, that’s still very human
Based on my experience, I would say that the "transactional" mode of individualism and capitalism is also going to fall from grace. We will need more people skills, less conditioning of human connection for ROI.
This may be one of the more helpful AI use cases, to help us find what we've overlooked, where we could be more curious and creative in reframing problems.
Forget competing with AI on execution; it will always be the superior prep cook. Creative problem identification and innovation are now the most in-demand leadership skills. The ability to be the chef who knows what to cook and why.
Systematically developing these uniquely human skills is a key way to future-proof your career. Your advantage now is in spotting the right problems, not just executing solutions.
Connecting the nuance as humans allows us to creatively problem solve. We also carry a lifetime of experience to reflect and see things through a different lens. Great piece Joel.
This is right for right now, Joel. Execution is no longer the edge. AI accelerates that. The real gap now is seeing the right problems, wiring them to outcomes, and creating space where innovation compounds.
This is exactly what GoodMora’s tools do (shameless but relevant plug alert):
Diagnosis: The Business Genome shows where ambition disconnects from KPIs, so leaders know if the problem is even set up to deliver.
Comparative analytics: We benchmark structures against proven analogues to highlight patterns that unlock or block innovation.
Simulation: Instead of spending months and millions on pilots, leaders can test structural options up front and see ripple effects across revenue, cost, and risk.
By reducing risk at this structural level, we open space for genuine creativity. Leaders and teams can test bold solutions without gambling capital or credibility. This is the expertise organisations need to nurture now: the ability to design conditions where creative problem-solving is both safe and scalable.
These moves set your call into motion. Creative problem identification and innovation through connection become measurable, repeatable, and actionable.
That’s how structure and creativity meet in practice, not just in theory.
Thanks Joel, this is a great article. This line really stuck with me: "The capacity to combine insights from different domains, apply lessons from one context to another, and create solutions that didn't exist before, remains a distinctly human strength." As a academic researcher I could not agree more with this statement. This is where we have made some of our most amazing scientific achievements, and I always find it amazing when something that has been the norm in one field of expertise for decades is applied to another with revolutionary results. For example: the use of MRI technology, which was originally developed in physics research to study nuclear magnetic resonance, transformed medical diagnostics by allowing non-invasive imaging of soft tissues in the body.
Spot on! Execution is AI’s domain, but identifying the right problems and connecting ideas across industries is where human leaders shine.
For more AI trends and practical insights, check out my Substack where I break down the latest in AI.
Great points! I’ll check out your work
great insight, focusing on creativity and problem identification over pure execution is a powerful shift.
It's the uniquely human touch that will truly matter in the long run.
Yes! I see that same encouragement in each of your posts
Love the chef analogy - makes the point so easy to picture. AI really does feel like that unstoppable prep team: quick, precise, consistent. But the creative leap, the “what if” moment, that’s still very human
The what if moment remains humans, I love that!
Very clear!
Based on my experience, I would say that the "transactional" mode of individualism and capitalism is also going to fall from grace. We will need more people skills, less conditioning of human connection for ROI.
Yes! The “soft skills” that you don’t necessarily learn in a classroom. The transactional mode, I like that!
This may be one of the more helpful AI use cases, to help us find what we've overlooked, where we could be more curious and creative in reframing problems.
Helpful prompt, as well!
Thanks, Mike! I use it often, it’s seen so much that it’s incredibly good at telling you what you’ve overlooked
Forget competing with AI on execution; it will always be the superior prep cook. Creative problem identification and innovation are now the most in-demand leadership skills. The ability to be the chef who knows what to cook and why.
Systematically developing these uniquely human skills is a key way to future-proof your career. Your advantage now is in spotting the right problems, not just executing solutions.
It really is working on future-proofing your career!
Connecting the nuance as humans allows us to creatively problem solve. We also carry a lifetime of experience to reflect and see things through a different lens. Great piece Joel.
Great insight, Colette! And thanks!
This is right for right now, Joel. Execution is no longer the edge. AI accelerates that. The real gap now is seeing the right problems, wiring them to outcomes, and creating space where innovation compounds.
This is exactly what GoodMora’s tools do (shameless but relevant plug alert):
Diagnosis: The Business Genome shows where ambition disconnects from KPIs, so leaders know if the problem is even set up to deliver.
Comparative analytics: We benchmark structures against proven analogues to highlight patterns that unlock or block innovation.
Simulation: Instead of spending months and millions on pilots, leaders can test structural options up front and see ripple effects across revenue, cost, and risk.
By reducing risk at this structural level, we open space for genuine creativity. Leaders and teams can test bold solutions without gambling capital or credibility. This is the expertise organisations need to nurture now: the ability to design conditions where creative problem-solving is both safe and scalable.
These moves set your call into motion. Creative problem identification and innovation through connection become measurable, repeatable, and actionable.
That’s how structure and creativity meet in practice, not just in theory.
100%! That's why your tool is such a great fit for what's going on currently. Feel free to plug anytime!
Thanks Joel, this is a great article. This line really stuck with me: "The capacity to combine insights from different domains, apply lessons from one context to another, and create solutions that didn't exist before, remains a distinctly human strength." As a academic researcher I could not agree more with this statement. This is where we have made some of our most amazing scientific achievements, and I always find it amazing when something that has been the norm in one field of expertise for decades is applied to another with revolutionary results. For example: the use of MRI technology, which was originally developed in physics research to study nuclear magnetic resonance, transformed medical diagnostics by allowing non-invasive imaging of soft tissues in the body.
The mri example is so apt here! And becoming increasingly rare with niche specialization. Thank you for the comment!
Great article. We need to always be refining and upskilling… things are moving at light speed.