#232 | How To Lead Using AI With Cheryl Strauss Einhorn

There’s a lot of noise right now about AI. Depending on who you ask, it’s either going to save us all or take all our jobs by next Tuesday. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably had moments where you wondered, Should I be using this more? Am I already behind? Is it cheating? The truth is, most of us are trying to figure out where AI belongs in our work and lives without losing the parts of ourselves that make us, well, us. That’s why my conversation with decision-making expert Cheryl Strauss Einhorn felt so refreshing. Her perspective wasn’t rooted in fear or blind enthusiasm. It was a reminder that technology works best when we remember who’s actually in charge.

Surgeon Vs Lamborghini

One of my favorite ideas Cheryl shared is that AI should be treated as an assistant, not the boss. She described two ways of using it that really stuck with me. Sometimes, you need “surgeon mode,” a precise tool to help gather information, organize thoughts, or answer a specific question. Other times, you need “Lamborghini mode,” where AI can help you explore possibilities, brainstorm ideas, or consider different directions. The catch? You still have to keep your hands on the wheel. It’s easy to accept the first polished response AI gives us simply because it’s fast. But speed isn’t the same thing as wisdom. Human judgment, context, and experience still matter more than ever.

Fact Checking AI

Another takeaway I loved was Cheryl’s encouragement to question what AI gives you instead of assuming it’s correct. Ask where the information came from. Ask how it could be wrong. Ask what perspectives might be missing. We often think confidence comes from having all the answers, but strong decision-makers know that curiosity is just as important. AI can offer options, but it doesn’t understand your values, relationships, goals, or the nuances of a difficult conversation. Whether you’re writing an email, making a career move, or deciding on your next big project, you are still the chief decider. The ability to pause, think critically, and trust your own judgment is what keeps you from slipping into autopilot.

Protecting Our Creativity

The third idea that really resonated with me was the reminder to protect our creativity. While AI can save time on repetitive tasks, it can’t tell you what matters most to you. It can’t draw from your lived experiences or understand why one story moves you while another falls flat. Cheryl shared that she often uses AI to generate alternative headlines or challenge her own thinking, but the final version always gets filtered through her perspective. I loved that approach because it removes the pressure to see AI as either all good or all bad. Instead, it becomes a thought partner that helps you expand your thinking while preserving your voice. The curiosity to ask better questions and the creativity to imagine something new are still deeply human skills.

If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this conversation, it’s this: your value doesn’t disappear because technology evolves. The people who stand out won’t necessarily be the ones who use AI the fastest. They’ll be the ones who know when to speed up and when to slow down. They’ll question easy answers, stay connected to their values, and bring empathy, creativity, and discernment into every decision they make. AI can absolutely help us work differently, think more broadly, and save time. But the human edge has never been about having all the information. It’s about knowing what to do with it. And that’s something no tool can do for you.

Timestamps:

04:49 The human edge and understanding how we make choices

12:58 Integrating human qualities in a tech-driven world

16:00 Treating AI as a conversation partner, not a replacement

20:32 Enhancing presence and memory with handwritten notes

25:03 Recognizing biases in AI and human judgment

29:20 Balancing speed, curiosity, and creativity

35:28 Practicing confrontation and role-playing with AI

40:08 Cautions around AI’s potential to manipulate attention

49:16 Resources for ongoing learning and staying current with AI

Links:

Cheryl‘s new book: The Human Edge

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