In some organizations, the person using AI most often suddenly looks like the smartest person in the room. Their emails are crisp. Their decks are clean. Their reports read like they came from a consultancy.

Meanwhile, the person asking harder questions, flagging risks, or thinking two steps ahead can fade into the background.

Why? Because AI optimizes for presentation, not depth.

I’ve watched leaders reward the polish without realizing the real value is coming from the strategic thinking happening behind the scenes.

That’s the trap. Mistaking output quality for actual contribution.

If you lead a team, this matters. You have to separate substance from cosmetics.

Bottom line: AI is changing what “good work” looks like, but strong leadership still knows what actually moves the needle.

Contact Us:

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.stringcaninteractive.com

Reach out to the hosts on LinkedIn:

Jay Feitlinger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayfeitlinger/

Sarah Shepard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahshepardcoo/

Buy the Revenue Rewired book: https://www.amazon.com/Revenue-Rewired-Identify-Leaks-Costing-ebook/dp/B0FST7JCXQ