The AI-Driven Leader

In this insightful discussion, Brian Lang, CEO of UpsideCFO, shares his expertise in financial strategy for SMBs. He explores the challenges of scaling leadership and reveals how AI can be leveraged to create a robust leadership playbook. Brian discusses the Working Wealthy Operating System, emphasizing its role in aligning goals and providing clarity through metrics. Key tactics include integrating visual dashboards and strategic questions in forecasting. The conversation highlights how AI amplifies leadership capacity and transforms instinct into effective systems.

Brian Lang, CEO of UpsideCFO and an expert in fractional CFO services, explores the transformative power of AI in business leadership. He shares his innovative approach of creating AI personas, like a virtual CRO that revives lost deals and a tailored business coach that delivers strategic advice. Lang reveals how he compressed an 80-hour workflow into a 4-hour playbook with an AI-driven system called the 'Clarity File.' His insights show that AI can be a significant multiplier for leadership and operational efficiency, both in business and personal life.

Rusty Cagle, founder of 100YearImpact.org, aims to transform philanthropy by helping nonprofits build endowments. His innovative approach involves using AI to recruit a legendary advisory board for long-lasting impact. Cagle's journey reveals the importance of crafting a compelling invitation and the influence of an audacious vision. In a unique twist, AI role-plays as Steve Jobs, advising Rusty to frame his initiative as a revolutionary movement rather than a mere charity. The result is a powerful legacy blueprint where board members become co-founders of change.

Rusty Cagle, CEO & Founder of ASE Private Wealth™, shares his journey of transforming his firm into an AI-driven powerhouse. He reveals how a painful past loss spurred him to declare a swift 90-day transition to AI. Cagle discusses slashing process times from hours to mere minutes with AI's help and highlights the critical mindset shift he fostered in his team. He also dives into regulatory hurdles, overcoming resistance, and using AI to secure a $10M line of credit, emphasizing that failing to adapt could erode enterprise value.

Josh Wand, founder and CEO in the CPG space, explores the emotional yet strategic challenge of CEO succession. He discusses the role of AI as a daily coach during this transition, enhancing leadership without replacing it. The conversation highlights creating structured communication and prioritization frameworks using CRIT, 30-minute weekly check-ins, and a powerful AI dashboard. Josh shares newfound possibilities revealed by AI, showcasing how it can elevate a founder’s role from merely playing instruments to conducting an entire orchestra.

Josh Wand, the Founder and CEO of ForceBrands and PINATA, reveals how he uses AI to enhance leadership rather than diminish humanity. He illustrates how AI helps him craft bulletproof letters of intent in record time, transition quarterly planning into biweekly sprints, and assess talent culturally and skill-wise. Wand shares insights on refining prompts through dialogue and developing a future-self persona to gain personal insights. His approach emphasizes integrating AI as a strategic thought partner for clearer decision-making and deeper human connection.

Todd Schmiedeler, Founder of Thumbprint Consulting, shares his expertise in utilizing AI to address the massive challenge of tracking grants for workforce investment boards. He reveals how a 20-minute AI solution transformed weeks of manual work into an efficient process for identifying funding opportunities. Todd discusses the importance of timely grants and the role of Salesforce as a data backbone. The conversation also touches on innovative tools like Browse AI and Zapier, enabling teams to streamline their workflow and focus on building crucial funder relationships.

Todd Schmiedeler, Founder and President of Thumbprint Consulting, shares his journey of transforming his company through AI. He discusses a pivotal mindset shift that allowed him to see AI as a strategic partner rather than just a tool. Todd reveals how he tripled revenue during funding freezes, launched five new companies, and integrated AI into his company culture. He even created an AI clone named Todd AI to streamline operations and enhance productivity, ultimately making him more present at home.

The discussion emphasizes the urgent need for leaders to embrace AI rather than delegate it. Exciting stories unfold as six leaders share their transformative journeys with AI, revealing breakthroughs and innovative strategies. The CRIT framework is introduced as a way to tackle real challenges using AI. Insights emerge on using AI to synthesize complex knowledge and drive strategic thinking, especially in high-stakes scenarios like debt restructuring. Ultimately, it's about collaboration, asking the right questions, and not needing to be an AI expert to lead effectively.

Every leader knows AI is the future, but they don’t know where to start. The AI-Driven Leader Podcast teaches you how to harness AI to stop thinking tactically, and start acting strategically.Turn data into decisions, align your team with your vision, and accelerate growth–without the chaos.Learn more at aileadership.com.