From Strategy to Execution: Leading with AI Without Losing Judgment
Fri Feb 06 2026
In this episode of AI with Bry, we explore the widening gap between strategy and execution as AI accelerates how work gets done across organizations. While AI promises speed and efficiency, leaders are increasingly wrestling with a deeper question. Is moving faster actually making work better, or simply making everything louder, busier, and more disposable? This conversation examines how leaders can use AI to execute with clarity without surrendering judgment, creativity, or trust.
I am joined by Michael Baer, fractional Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Growth Officer at TechCXO. Michael brings an operator first perspective shaped by decades of experience helping leadership teams translate strategy into real world outcomes. Rather than treating AI as a buzzword, Michael focuses on how leaders can use it responsibly to support thinking, decision making, and execution without replacing the human work that actually drives value.
Michael and I unpack why AI’s first answer is rarely the best answer and why strong leadership still requires probing, challenging, and refining outputs rather than accepting speed at face value. We discuss how AI systems are designed to please users, why repeated prompting matters, and why good work sometimes requires intentional inefficiency. From writing and creativity to marketing performance, leadership decision making, and healthcare adoption, this episode highlights where AI helps and where leaders must slow down.
We also explore how AI is reshaping creative workflows through image generation, curriculum design, and coaching frameworks. Michael shares how he uses AI to build structured programs, workshops, and strategic exercises that would previously have required large teams or months of work. At the same time, we confront the risks of AI generated content saturation, declining trust, and the growing need for leaders who can think beyond automation.
Whether you are a founder, executive, marketer, or healthcare leader navigating AI adoption, this episode will help you rethink AI as an execution amplifier rather than a strategy replacement, and why leadership judgment has never mattered more.
What You Will Learn in This Episode
Why AI’s first response is rarely the right oneWhy repeated prompting and human guidance still matterHow efficiency can undermine creativity if left uncheckedWhy good writing and original thinking stand out more than everHow AI is changing marketing performance and audience trustWhy leaders must separate value creation from AI hypeHow AI can support coaching, workshops, and curriculum designWhy healthcare adoption requires trust, not just automationHow AI impacts jobs while increasing demand for strategic leadershipWhy judgment, not speed, is the real leadership advantageResources, Tools and Platforms Mentioned
AI Models and Platforms
ChatGPT https://chat.openai.comOpenAI https://openai.comClaude https://claude.aiAnthropic https://www.anthropic.com
Creative and Media Platforms
Spotify https://www.spotify.comNano Bananas https://nanobanana.io/
Organizations and Technology References
TechCXO https://www.techcxo.comXeroxIBM Selectric Typewriter
Watch and Follow AI with Bry
Full episodes and show notes https://bry.net/aiYouTube https://www.youtube.com/@aiwithbryInstagram https://www.instagram.com/aiwithbryFacebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575757332333TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@aiwithbry
Remember, the future does not wait. Learn, leverage, and lead.
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In this episode of AI with Bry, we explore the widening gap between strategy and execution as AI accelerates how work gets done across organizations. While AI promises speed and efficiency, leaders are increasingly wrestling with a deeper question. Is moving faster actually making work better, or simply making everything louder, busier, and more disposable? This conversation examines how leaders can use AI to execute with clarity without surrendering judgment, creativity, or trust. I am joined by Michael Baer, fractional Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Growth Officer at TechCXO. Michael brings an operator first perspective shaped by decades of experience helping leadership teams translate strategy into real world outcomes. Rather than treating AI as a buzzword, Michael focuses on how leaders can use it responsibly to support thinking, decision making, and execution without replacing the human work that actually drives value. Michael and I unpack why AI’s first answer is rarely the best answer and why strong leadership still requires probing, challenging, and refining outputs rather than accepting speed at face value. We discuss how AI systems are designed to please users, why repeated prompting matters, and why good work sometimes requires intentional inefficiency. From writing and creativity to marketing performance, leadership decision making, and healthcare adoption, this episode highlights where AI helps and where leaders must slow down. We also explore how AI is reshaping creative workflows through image generation, curriculum design, and coaching frameworks. Michael shares how he uses AI to build structured programs, workshops, and strategic exercises that would previously have required large teams or months of work. At the same time, we confront the risks of AI generated content saturation, declining trust, and the growing need for leaders who can think beyond automation. Whether you are a founder, executive, marketer, or healthcare leader navigating AI adoption, this episode will help you rethink AI as an execution amplifier rather than a strategy replacement, and why leadership judgment has never mattered more. What You Will Learn in This Episode Why AI’s first response is rarely the right oneWhy repeated prompting and human guidance still matterHow efficiency can undermine creativity if left uncheckedWhy good writing and original thinking stand out more than everHow AI is changing marketing performance and audience trustWhy leaders must separate value creation from AI hypeHow AI can support coaching, workshops, and curriculum designWhy healthcare adoption requires trust, not just automationHow AI impacts jobs while increasing demand for strategic leadershipWhy judgment, not speed, is the real leadership advantageResources, Tools and Platforms Mentioned AI Models and Platforms ChatGPT https://chat.openai.comOpenAI https://openai.comClaude https://claude.aiAnthropic https://www.anthropic.com Creative and Media Platforms Spotify https://www.spotify.comNano Bananas https://nanobanana.io/ Organizations and Technology References TechCXO https://www.techcxo.comXeroxIBM Selectric Typewriter Watch and Follow AI with Bry Full episodes and show notes https://bry.net/aiYouTube https://www.youtube.com/@aiwithbryInstagram https://www.instagram.com/aiwithbryFacebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575757332333TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@aiwithbry Remember, the future does not wait. Learn, leverage, and lead.