How AI Became a Leadership Accelerator:

✅ #ProjectBookshelf45—An AI-driven initiative that optimized book sales and logistics, achieving a payback period of under three months.
✅ #ProjectCustomerExperienceVer42—A holistic, AI-powered project improving the entire customer experience beyond price, focusing on order process, packaging, transportation, customer service, product quality, and marketing.
✅ AI Customization & Collaboration—I integrated and customized two Generative AI models via API moderation, developing optimized prompts for business alignment. Collaboration with an AI super user played a crucial role—acting as a devil’s advocate, challenging assumptions, and refining decision-making.
✅ Measurable Impact—Within twelve months, #ProjectCustomerExperienceVer42 significantly improved customer satisfaction and operational efficiency, proving that AI isn’t just automation—it’s a catalyst for smarter leadership.

Reflecting on the last two years of my life, I have distilled my experiences into a three-step rocket of leadership—blending AI, ethics, and self-awareness into a future-proof leadership framework.

Step 1: Be Before You Do – Leadership Through Presence

For years, for me leadership was associated with strategy, execution, and influence—making smart decisions, optimizing processes, and staying ahead of the curve. However, something was always missing.

Then, I discovered the power of shifting from a “human doer” to a “human being.”

John 1:1 – A Leadership Perspective:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

This isn’t just about language or divine presence—it’s about who we are before we act one way to interpret it is as !I am that I am” from Exodus 3:14.

A true leader doesn’t just do leadership activities—they become leadership.

Instead of asking, “What should I do to be a better leader?”
Ask, “How can I embody leadership before I take action?”

As a son – Being a source of strength for my parents, not just fulfilling responsibilities.
As a grandson – Being present and listening, showing patience and respect for past wisdom.
As a big brother – Being a protector, a guide, and a mentor, not just giving advice.
As a best friend – Being a person who lifts others up, not just someone who offers help when asked.
As a scout leader – Being an example, teaching by doing, not just instructing.
As a father and husband – Being love, being support, being patience—not just doing chores or fulfilling obligations.

As a leader in an organization, the same principle applies:

Be present before making decisions.
Be aware before reacting.
Be an example before expecting others to follow.

AI Reinforcement:
Even in AI-driven leadership, this principle holds true. Before applying AI solutions, I had to be an adaptive leader first—understanding how our thoughts, opinions, and decisions are influenced by hidden patterns, past experiences, or personal preferences—often without us even noticing. ethics, and human-centered decision-making before automating processes.

Actionable Step:

Practice intentional presence – Before taking any leadership action, pause and reflect on who you are being in that moment.
Audit your leadership identity – Are you leading from presence and values or just reacting to external pressures?
Shift from doing to being – Instead of rushing to fix problems, embody the solution through your example.

Step 2: Accelerate Leadership Growth with AI-Assisted Learning

AI isn’t just automation—it’s an accelerator of wisdom.

Leaders who embrace AI as a learning partner gain access to:

Instant stakeholder perspectives – AI can simulate different viewpoints, revealing what employees, customers, or even family members might think.
Faster failure cycles – Instead of fearing mistakes, AI helps leaders fail and recover faster by analyzing potential risks ahead of time.
More effective decision-making – By testing different leadership approaches in AI-generated simulations, leaders can refine their strategies before implementing them.

Just as a scout leader asks, “What can nature teach us today?”, modern leaders must ask, “What can AI reveal about our blind spots today?”

#ProjectCustomerExperienceVer42 proved this in action. By training AI to ask tough questions on behalf of stakeholders, customers, and team members, I was able to:

Identify hidden gaps in customer expectations before they became complaints.
Test leadership decisions in simulated scenarios before implementing them.
Refine strategic thinking by having AI act as a “devil’s advocate”, challenging assumptions and providing alternative viewpoints.

Actionable Step:

Use AI for Stakeholder Simulations – Before making decisions, ask AI to “think like” your employees, customers, or even your spouse and kids.
Fail Faster, Learn Faster – Utilize AI to analyze past failures and identify patterns that can help you improve.
Move from Bad to Excellent – Leverage AI-driven insights to bridge the gap between average and exceptional leadership.

Step 3: Integrate Leadership, Ethics, and AI for a Smarter Future

The Work Smarter, Not Harder 4.0 era isn’t just about productivity—it’s about merging presence, ethics, and technology into a seamless force for good.

If bad leadership is the result of stagnation and blind spots, then great leadership is the product of continuous questioning, reflection, and intentional adaptation.

As a Christian, I believe leadership is a calling, not just a role. Jesus led through wisdom, humility, and servant-hearted action. AI is a tool, but our moral compass must guide its direction.

As a big brother, best friend, and scout leader, I understand that leadership is about service, trust, and building lasting relationships—not status. While AI can enhance business strategies, it will never replace the power of listening, understanding, and leading by example.

Actionable Step:

Lead with Presence – Prioritize who you are before what you do.
Balance Innovation with Humanity – Ensure AI serves human well-being rather than replacing emotional intelligence.
Use AI as a Leadership Mentor – Train AI to challenge your assumptions and keep you accountable for ethical leadership.
See the Bigger Picture – Recognize leadership as a synergy of mind, technology, and social impact.

Final Thought: Smarter Leadership in an AI-Driven World

True leadership is not about control—it’s about consciousness and adaptability. AI will only be as ethical, responsible, and aware as the leaders shaping it.

By mastering being before doing, accelerating learning through AI, and integrating ethics into technology, we can ensure that the future of leadership is both innovative and deeply human.

The future is not just about smarter AI—it’s about smarter leadership.

Are you ready to lead the way?