Becoming AI-First: Breaking Habits and Harnessing Generative AI for Growth
TL;DR:
Even AI companies can struggle to adopt an “AI-first” mindset, as ingrained habits often limit how leaders approach problem-solving. To fully leverage generative AI like ChatGPT, leaders must break old habits, embrace AI as a partner for exploring unfamiliar challenges, and elevate AI’s generic outputs with human creativity. This article outlines how founders, executives, and boards can shift their mindset to unlock AI’s potential for growth and innovation.
An Irony That Inspired Change: Lessons from an AI Company Not Being AI-First
Not long ago, I worked with a new client, an AI-heavy company developing an AI-powered service. You’d think a business like this—centered on artificial intelligence—would naturally be “AI-first” in every sense of the term. Yet, as we worked through their strategy, discussing marketing, product-market fit, pricing, and go-to-market plans, one glaring issue stood out: they weren’t using AI to help solve their own business challenges.
Despite their expertise in building AI products, they hadn’t considered leveraging generative AI tools to tackle fundamental questions. It wasn’t intentional—they simply didn’t think of AI as a tool for those tasks. For me, it was a profound moment of irony: here was an AI company that wasn’t AI-first.
This realization drove home an important point: embracing AI isn’t just about having access to cutting-edge technology. It’s about changing habits and adopting a mindset where AI is a natural part of your decision-making process. The ability to unlock AI’s potential isn’t tied to expertise; it’s tied to behavior.
This article explores how leaders can overcome old habits, adopt AI as a core part of their problem-solving toolkit, and use human creativity to amplify the results generative AI provides.
What Does “AI-First” Really Mean?
Being “AI-first” doesn’t mean replacing your team with machines or relying on AI for every decision. It means approaching challenges with the mindset that AI can be a partner in solving problems, exploring ideas, and creating efficiencies across your business.
For example:
• When designing a marketing campaign, you could use tools like ChatGPT to generate messaging ideas or research target audiences.
• When pricing a product, you could use AI to simulate customer reactions or compare industry trends.
• When brainstorming a new go-to-market strategy, you could ask AI to draft a starting framework or analyze competitor moves.
Adopting this mindset starts with breaking free from the tools and habits that no longer serve you.
The Habitual Trap: Relying on Familiar Tools
One of the biggest challenges I’ve seen when working with founders, executives, and board members is their reliance on familiar tools. Whether it’s how they approach problem-solving, learning, or planning, most people stick to what they know.
When it comes to using tools like ChatGPT, this often means asking questions only within their existing “tree of knowledge.” For example:
• A seasoned marketer might ask sharp, insightful questions about ad campaigns.
• A veteran in operations might seek AI’s help in optimizing logistics.
But when faced with a task outside their expertise, they often don’t know where to start. The idea of asking, “Help me understand this topic I don’t know,” or, “What are best practices for solving this unfamiliar problem?” doesn’t come naturally.
This is where habits need to change. AI is most powerful when you use it to explore unfamiliar territory, but that requires asking the right questions—something most people need to be taught.
A Generational Advantage
Younger professionals often adapt to AI tools more readily. Without decades of ingrained habits, they naturally treat AI as a resource for everything. If they don’t know something, they simply ask ChatGPT or another tool to guide them.
In contrast, those who’ve spent years relying on traditional tools often default to those methods, even when AI could save time or produce better results. For them, adopting AI requires unlearning habits as much as learning new ones.
Overcoming the Expertise Barrier
Adopting an AI-first mindset isn’t about expertise—it’s about curiosity and openness to change. If you’re unsure how to start using AI, try these steps:
Start Small: Identify a manageable task, like drafting an email or researching a competitor, and use AI to assist.
Ask for Guidance: If you’re unsure how to approach a problem, ask ChatGPT for help. For example, “What are the key questions to ask when evaluating a new market?”
Iterate and Refine: Use AI’s output as a starting point, then add your insights and expertise to improve the result.
Remember, you don’t need to “master” AI—you just need to know how to use it effectively for your needs.
The Generic Answer Problem
Even once you’ve mastered asking AI the right questions, you’ll face another challenge: AI’s output can often feel generic. Generative AI, like ChatGPT, synthesizes knowledge from a broad range of sources. By design, it gives an “average” response—a good starting point, but rarely a perfect solution.
For example:
• AI might draft a clear but uninspired press release.
• It might suggest a pricing strategy that’s functional but lacks innovation.
This isn’t a flaw—it’s the nature of AI. It’s a tool to generate ideas and frameworks, not a replacement for human creativity.
Adding Back the Human Element
This brings us to the second key to succeeding with AI: injecting your own creativity. While AI can provide the structure or baseline, it’s up to you to make the output stand out.
Here’s how to elevate AI-generated results:
• Add Storytelling: Frame the content with a compelling narrative that resonates with your audience.
• Bring Insights: Use your experience to highlight unique angles or emphasize key takeaways.
• Tailor the Message: Adapt AI’s output to fit the tone, voice, and needs of your business.
By adding these human elements, you transform AI’s generic answers into something extraordinary.
Becoming AI-First: A Two-Step Approach
To embrace AI fully, focus on these two practices:
Break Old Habits
Recognize how your past tools and processes shape your thinking. Train yourself to see AI as a partner for exploring new ideas and solving problems outside your expertise.
Elevate AI’s Output
Use AI’s responses as a foundation, then add your creativity and insights to make the results truly impactful.
Conclusion: The Path to Growth
Becoming AI-first isn’t about technology—it’s about mindset. It’s about recognizing that the tools we’ve relied on in the past may not be the best tools for the future. By breaking old habits and harnessing generative AI for creativity and growth, you can lead your business into a new era of innovation and efficiency.
The journey starts with a simple question: “What don’t I know, and how can AI help me discover it?”
This updated version incorporates practical advice, a beginner-friendly tone, and strategies to overcome the expertise barrier. Let me know if additional changes are needed!