18 Comments
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Suhrab Khan's avatar

Starting to build, not just learn, is the real leadership differentiator in AI. Theory informs, but action shapes expertise and influence.

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Joel Salinas's avatar

Well said, I enjoy your comments Suhrab

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ToxSec's avatar

Nice stuff here on your Substack lately, thanks for writing!

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Joel Salinas's avatar

My pleasure, writing as I learn :)

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Dallas Payne's avatar

This is something that really motivates me - I don't want to miss out and never catchup. I got such a surprise when I first opened up a vibe coding app and saw what was entirely possible, knowing it was just the tip of the iceberg. Totally agree that building creates momentum.

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Joel Salinas's avatar

I had a very similar surprise with vibecoding, as a non coder

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Melanie Goodman's avatar

I appreciated how you reframed fear as a mindset gap, not a technical one. That shift alone could unlock so much progress.

Joel, what do you notice most in people once they stop learning and actually start building?

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Joel Salinas's avatar

Great question! To me, it moves those concepts from knowledge to actual understanding, from memory to something much deeper that engages your entire cognitive capacity. It's similar to watching videos and reading articles on swimming, its history, its importance, but never jumping in a pool.

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Dennis Berry's avatar

It’s a wild time right now. Need to be prepared

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Joel Salinas's avatar

Its why I follow wise gurus like you!

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Dennis Berry's avatar

Aw thank you that’s nice… but I’m far from a guru.

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Joel Salinas's avatar

Isn’t that what a guru would say? 🤣

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Stateless Shaun's avatar

The line “building surfaces questions learning never raises” was gold.

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Ian Browne's avatar

I do fear most traditional leaders won’t make this transition. They are surrounded by a heavy weight human eco system that brings them insight, tells them where they need to be, what to say when they get there, even gets their lunch. They are likely so busy being busy we will see Kodak and Blockbuster all over again

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Data Frank's avatar

This resonates deeply. I’ve noticed that once you start building consistently, clarity replaces hesitation. Systems turn ideas into momentum, and suddenly learning becomes a byproduct of doing.

What helped you stay consistent once you started?

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Bechem Ayuk's avatar

So much gold here. I think people underestimate how building something small rewires your confidence completely. Even a scrappy prototype makes you see possibilities everywhere.

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John Brewton's avatar

Leadership in this era starts with curiosity but proves itself through shipping.

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Joel Salinas's avatar

Never heard it like that before! I like it!

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