AI is impressive. You can summarize meetings, generate content, and automate tasks in seconds. It saves time, and that matters.
But speed doesn’t equal leadership. And automation doesn’t replace accountability.
The real risk isn’t that AI will take your job. It’s that you’ll start working like it already has. Rushing. Reacting. Checking boxes without thinking. In the name of productivity, we’ve lost sight of what actually matters.
Leadership is not about getting more done. It’s about making sure the right things get done.
Real ownership isn’t about saying yes to everything. It’s knowing what’s worth your attention. It’s not about picking up slack. It’s about knowing what needs your brain, your gut, and your leadership.
We see this often with high-performing women. We step in because we’re capable. We manage the chaos. We fill in the gaps. But capability isn’t the same as strategy.
And strategy is what your business actually needs.
Right now, our team is reading The AI-Driven Leader by Geoff Woods (our current StringCan Interactive book club read). One of the best takeaways? Productivity doesn’t mean doing more. It means doing the right things.
Obvious? Sure. But most people miss it in practice. Especially women.
We’ve been trained to over-function. To stay ahead of the problem. To make everything seamless. But we rarely stop and ask: Is this mine to own? Or am I just stepping in because I know how?
That question changes everything.
Leading doesn’t mean doing it all. It means understanding what only you can do and protecting your energy so you can do it well.
Women tend to see what others don’t. The tension no one names. The way one change ripples across a team. The risks hiding behind a polite yes. That insight is powerful. But it’s not meant to make your life heavier. It’s meant to help you decide where you’re needed most.
Leadership is about solving the right problems. Not all the problems.
AI can help. It can speed things up. It can take work off your plate. But it can’t read the room. It can’t hear what’s not being said. It can’t tell you what’s important right now.
That part is still yours.
So yes, use the tools. Let them support your workflow. Just don’t confuse output with impact. And don’t confuse motion with leadership.
You’re still the one steering.
At StringCan, we help growth-minded leaders clarify where they’re headed, align their team, and focus on the work that matters most. Reach out today!