Is AI a threat to our humanity, or is it the ultimate tool for unlocking our potential? In this episode of Owlcast, host David Morelli and co-host William Oakley are joined by Tim Harrison, an executive coach and AI innovator who sits at the nexus of technology and personal development. Tim shares his inspiring journey from a D1 athlete facing an identity crisis to a pioneering executive coach who turned down a lucrative consulting job to launch a nonprofit, EPOG Academy. He explains how a challenge in scaling his nonprofit led him to discover the power of generative AI, not just as a tool for efficiency, but as a catalyst for human potential. The conversation explores the practical application of AI, reframing it as a digital assistant that can be managed with the same skills used in leadership. Tim introduces his "Four A's of Innovation" framework (Automation, Augmentation, Amplification, and Adaptation) and discusses how AI can free us from busy work to focus on our "zone of genius," ultimately pushing us to define our value by who we are, not just what we do.

In this episode -
·      Find What Makes You Come Alive: Inspired by Howard Thurman's quote, "Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive...because what the world needs is people who've come alive," Tim emphasizes that true potential is unlocked by pursuing your passion, not just a prescribed path.

·      The Cost of Inaction is Greater Than Failure: Often, the biggest risk isn't aiming too high and missing; it's aiming too low and hitting. Answering a "calling" is more important than the fear of failure or stepping away from a "safe" path.

·      Manage AI Like a Person: The skills required to effectively use AI agents—providing clear objectives, giving context, and offering iterative feedback—are the same skills great leaders use to manage their teams. You don't have to be a tech expert, just a good communicator.