Why Business Owners and Leaders Should Use AI as Their Smartest Team Member

ByJeri Denniston

My head is about to explode—in the best way!

After three days at a MindValley summit on AI tools and finishing The AI-Driven Leader by Geoff Woods, I’m buzzing with ideas. This isn’t about AI replacing your job. It’s about how to use AI as a strategic thought partner to expand your leadership and unlock possibilities you’ve never imagined. Here’s what I learned—and how you can start.

The Big Myth About AI and Jobs

Let’s address the elephant in the room: AI is not here to take your job. It will change how you work. If you embrace it, AI can make you a more valuable leader and team member by enhancing your ability to think strategically, solve problems faster, and innovate more boldly.

Two Perspectives That Shifted My Thinking

  1. MindValley Summit
    Focused on tools that streamline work—organizing your day, managing tasks, creating content, and automating repetitive work.
  2. The AI-Driven Leader by Geoff Woods
    Took things further. Woods suggests using AI as your brilliant colleague—a partner that helps you think more broadly and challenge your assumptions, not just automate tasks.

How to Use AI as a Strategic Thought Partner

Think of AI as a genius collaborator in the room:

  • Give context: Share background details about your challenge.
  • Ask better questions: “What assumptions am I missing?” or “Give me 3 alternative strategies and rank them by potential impact.”
  • Use interview mode: Ask AI to pose one question at a time to pull ideas from your head.
  • Dig deeper: “Prioritize these solutions based on likelihood of success and provide your reasoning.”

This isn’t just for CEOs. Entrepreneurs, business owners, team leaders, and consultants can all benefit from using AI to expand your thinking before making decisions.

Beware of Pitfalls

  • Information Overload: Pause and review before acting.
  • Accuracy Issues: AI can “hallucinate.” Always fact-check.
  • Privacy Concerns: Use premium versions to protect sensitive data.

The Golden Rule: Only share with AI what you’d be okay putting on a public billboard.

The Bottom Line: AI isn’t just a tool—it’s your next strategic partner. Use it to challenge your thinking first, then to speed up execution.

How are you using AI today? Email me: jeri[at]dennergroup.com. I’d love to hear about your experience.

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