I’m realizing that the leaders who thrive now aren’t the ones with the most answers—they’re the ones willing to explore the most possibilities.
I love this time of year. Everywhere I look, people are sharing their predictions for the next twelve months—some bold, some familiar, and some that make me pause and think. One trend that truly resonated with me reframes a long‑standing leadership tool: the after‑action review.
Instead of waiting until the end of a project to reflect on what happened, AI now gives us the ability to shift that model forward—to run a before‑action preparation. By changing the persona, context, and intent of a project, we can explore multiple possible outcomes in advance. It’s a chance to pressure‑test decisions, anticipate risks, and surface options before they become urgent.
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But here’s the part that matters most: this only works when we bring our human skills to the table at the same time.
The leaders who thrive in this new framework won’t be the ones who rely on AI to think for them. They’ll be the ones who use AI to think with them—treating it as a partner to explore scenarios, challenge assumptions, and widen the lens. Curiosity, judgment, emotional intelligence, and the ability to read the room will matter more, not less.
As I look ahead, I see a clear trend emerging. Organizations will broaden and build leaders at all levels who can blend technical fluency with human depth. They’ll need people who understand how these platforms work and how people work—leaders who can translate insights into action, guide teams through ambiguity, and create the conditions for innovative, practical solutions.
A few actions to consider as you prepare for the year ahead
- Experiment with before‑action thinking. Use AI to model scenarios, test assumptions, and explore “what if” pathways before committing to a plan.
- Strengthen your human skills. Curiosity, empathy, and judgment are the differentiators that make AI‑supported work meaningful and effective.
- Build digital fluency across your team. Not everyone needs to be an expert, but everyone needs to be comfortable enough to participate.
- Invite diverse voices into the planning process. The people closest to the work often see the risks and opportunities first.
How are you using AI to prepare for the year ahead? Have you experimented with before‑action reviews or scenario modeling? What human skills are proving most essential in your leadership practice? Please share your lessons learned so we can all grow together.
Bill Ryan
Bridging Distance, Building Excellence – As founder and CEO of Ryan Consulting, I transform how organizations thrive in remote and virtual environments.
For over 25 years, I’ve been fascinated by one question: How do we create extraordinary connection and performance when teams aren’t in the same room? This question has guided my career helping organizations harness the full potential of their distributed workforce.
My approach is refreshingly practical. I align what I call the 3P’s—Purpose, People, and Process—creating frameworks where remote teams don’t just function, they flourish. In today’s landscape of rapid change, this alignment isn’t just helpful—it’s your competitive edge.
Working together, we’ll craft solutions precisely calibrated to your organization’s unique challenges. Whether through customized workshops on performance support, process refinement, mobile solutions, or organizational effectiveness, I bring proven strategies that deliver measurable results.
My greatest satisfaction comes from watching leaders, teams, and individuals discover they can collaborate more effectively across distance than they ever thought possible. In a world of constant change, that’s not just good business—it’s transformational.
Ready to reimagine what your remote workforce can achieve? Let’s connect.