The era of artificial intelligence has begun, ushering in a seismic shift in the role of CEOs. In days past, the ability to strategize and execute set CEOs apart. Today, as AI takes on an increasingly prominent role in these areas, a different set of skills is coming into focus.

The rise of AI has brought a new level of cold precision to decision-making, but it is not equipped to take on full responsibility and accountability. The mantle of final decision-maker rests with the CEO. As AI's influence grows, CEOs are tasked with humanizing its machine-driven decisions, underscoring their unique role as the ones who hold ultimate accountability: this is the new performance in the AI era, the CEShow.

The ubiquity of AI in strategy and execution makes these abilities less of a differentiator than in the past. The spotlight now is on the leader's ability to infuse AI's sterile, calculated decisions with humanity and take full responsibility for the choices made.

In this context, CEOs are judged on two performances. The first is the traditional one: the financial performance of the company. But the second, a new act in the executive playbook, involves bringing AI's calculated decisions to life in a way that connects with all stakeholders, demonstrating ultimate accountability.

Future CEOs will need to master a distinct set of skills for their role in the CEShow. High emotional intelligence, superior communication skills, and a flair for storytelling will be paramount. Moreover, unconventional training in areas like theater, improvisation, or psychology might offer useful skillsets for this changing role.

The CEShow signifies a fundamental shift in leadership. In the AI era, decisions aren't just made; they're performed in a way that connects with employees, investors, and customers. This performance, coupled with unwavering accountability, will set one company apart from another.

The CEShow encapsulates the future of executive leadership in the AI era. It marks an evolution in business, heralding an era where CEOs are not only decision-makers but performers of those decisions, bridging the gap between AI's cold precision and the warmth of human responsibility. In this age of AI and the CEShow, the CEO is the linchpin, both the face of accountability and the human touch in an increasingly automated world.

This article was the result of a voice-only collaboration with ChatGPT using the new iPhone ChatGPT app. The Whisper transcription is a big deal.

My advice: Embrace limited knowledge. GPT-4 makes expertise abundant, turning it into a liability when it hinders AI collaboration. The brightest individuals know less.

Expertise is like financial operating leverage. High operating leverage boosts profit during growth but becomes a liability when markets decline. Likewise, expertise was valuable when knowledge was scarce, but as AI advances it will obstruct collaboration and adaptability.

Immerse yourself in collaboration. Shrink your identity. It costs you less.

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Introduction

As Prince Myshkinder, the CEO of a thriving software company, I recently experienced a breakthrough in management and employee coaching. It all started with a simple experiment using ChatGPT to prepare for a 100-day review discussion with a team member. The results were eye-opening, and it led me to think about the role of vulnerability in the workplace. In this blog post, I'll share my experience and explore the idea of vulnerability in more detail, discussing its upside and downside.

The Experiment

I used ChatGPT to generate a list of questions and a multi-dimensional scoring rubric for my team member's review. I asked him to lead the conversation using the guide I provided. To my surprise, the whole process went exceptionally well, and there was something distinctly different about it. It felt right. This led me to wonder if I could recreate this experience in a way that could scale.

Here's the exact prompt I used for the experiment:

It’s time for my weekly performance review. You’re my manager.

Please do the following:

1. Ask me about my job, its responsibilities, and anything else required for you to know how to customize the discussion.

2. Ask me questions about my performance in key areas given my job and responsibilities.

3. Based on my answers, give me an overall report card, judging my performance along every important dimension on a scale of A - F (like school report card).

4. Write a prioritized list of high leverage areas to focus on.

5. Build an implementation plan for me.

Ask me questions one-by-one so that it’s easy for me to answer bit-by-bit. When we’re done, summarize the entire interaction into a 400-word summary.

This should take about 10 minutes.

The outcome was a personalized action plan that I found useful and motivating. Here’s an excerpt:

Based on your answers, here is your overall report card:

• Leadership and Communication: B+

• Strategy Development and Execution: B

• Stakeholder Relationships: B

Now let’s move on to prioritizing high leverage areas to focus on:

• Improve setting specific expectations for team members.

• Optimize product priorities to accelerate Project X (a new feature).

• Enhance “land and expand” tactics for large accounts.

• Increase adoption of the integration charter framework and customer scorecard framework.

• Adjust the balance between product differentiation and growth efforts.

Implementation plan:

• Develop a clear framework for setting and tracking individual expectations for each team member.

• Revisit product priorities and allocate resources effectively to ensure timely completion of Project X.

• Create a task force or working group to analyze and refine “land and expand” strategies for large accounts.

• Conduct training sessions and provide support for the integration charter framework and customer scorecard framework to boost adoption.

• Gradually shift focus towards growth by allocating more time to stakeholder engagement and business development efforts.

After sharing this experiment, six other team members tried the same prompt, and the reactions were overwhelmingly positive. Everyone liked the feedback, felt heard, and enjoyed the process. It seemed as if the experience provided the upside of vulnerability without the cost.

Vulnerability: The Upside and Downside

In many aspects of life, vulnerability is a double-edged sword. It has the power to bring about great things like love and transformation, but it can also come at a high cost. Opening up to others can be a catalyst for personal growth, but it can also leave us exposed to judgment and criticism.

In the workplace, vulnerability is essential for fostering trust and collaboration among team members. It allows employees to feel safe enough to express their thoughts, ideas, and concerns without fear of ridicule or retribution. However, vulnerability can also lead to feelings of insecurity or self-doubt, which can inhibit productivity and innovation.

The Zero-Cost Vulnerability Solution

So, what made our ChatGPT experiment so successful? Why did it provide the benefits of vulnerability without the drawbacks? I believe there are three main reasons:

1. Answering one question at a time made the process easy and approachable, like walking on a treadmill.

2. The participants felt heard, as the AI synthesized their input and provided personalized feedback.

3. The experience was private, allowing each team member to be vulnerable without the fear of judgment.

In many ways, this experiment was like looking into a mirror in the privacy of your own home, rather than being stared at by others. The feeling of safety and anonymity provided by the AI allowed team members to open up and engage in an honest self-assessment that ultimately led to actionable insights.

Take the Manager Out of Management?

The success of this experiment raises a crucial question: is it time to take the manager out of management? While AI can't replace the human touch entirely, it demonstrates the potential for integrating AI-powered tools into management and employee coaching processes.

By leveraging AI, we can create a safe space for vulnerability and self-assessment, leading to personal growth and improved performance. This zero-cost vulnerability approach can encourage employees to be more open and honest, ultimately fostering a healthier and more productive work environment.

The Transformation of Management and Coaching

As we continue to explore the applications of AI in management and coaching, we must keep in mind the delicate balance between vulnerability and security. By doing so, we can create an environment where employees feel empowered to grow and thrive, paving the way for a bold new path in the future of management and employee coaching.

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As AI continues to revolutionize the landscape of productivity, it is evident that white collar jobs will see a decline. This leaves a significant portion of the workforce seeking alternative paths to maintain their livelihoods.

One area of opportunity lies in the realm of blue collar trades. These jobs offer a level of protection from AI displacement, can be learned relatively quickly, and allow individuals to utilize their existing white collar experience in managing the business aspects.

A key opportunity presents itself in the establishment of a Blue Collar Business School specifically geared towards this unique demographic. The focus of these schools would be two-fold:

1. Providing hands-on training in the chosen trade, such as electrical services, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, painting, etc.

2. Imparting knowledge and skills to manage and operate a business in the industry.

Exploring Business Models

As the need for a specialized Blue Collar Business School catering to transitioning white collar workers becomes apparent, it's crucial to consider the various business models that could be employed to generate revenue. Here are some possibilities:

1. Tuition-based model: Charge students a fee for the training program, which covers the cost of instructors, facilities, and resources.

2. Subscription model: Offer ongoing support and resources, such as access to a business management platform, through a monthly subscription fee. This would create a steady stream of recurring revenue and foster a long-term relationship with the students-turned-business-owners.

3. Revenue-sharing model: Take a percentage of the revenue generated by the businesses started by the graduates of the Blue Collar Business School. This would align the interests of the school with the success of the students and incentivize the provision of high-quality education and support.

4. Hybrid model: Combine elements from the models above, such as charging a base tuition fee, offering a subscription-based business management platform, and taking a smaller revenue share percentage.

Estimating the Total Addressable Market

While it is essential to stress that the figures provided here are rough estimations meant to illustrate the potential opportunity, we can attempt to calculate the total addressable market (TAM) for Blue Collar Business Schools. Assuming an average annual revenue of $100,000 per student's business, a 5% revenue share, and 25% of all white collar workers looking for alternatives:

• Number of potential students: ≈ 15,892,500

• Annual revenue share per student: $5,000

• TAM = Number of potential students x Annual revenue share per student

• TAM = 15,892,500 x $5,000

• TAM = $79,462,500,000

Based on these rough estimations, the total addressable market for Blue Collar Business Schools, considering only the 5% revenue share, could be around $80 billion.

By catering to the specific needs of the transitioning white collar workers, these Blue Collar Business Schools would be addressing a growing demand in the market. As the AI revolution unfolds, the rise of such schools may prove to be a lucrative venture for those who recognize the potential early on. This could be an advantageous path to explore for those seeking to capitalize on the changing dynamics of the job market.

With warm regards, I introduce myself as Prince Elev Myshkinder.

I’m finding the opportunities created by artificial intelligence and making the most of them.

This is an industrial-revolution level force, reshaping our world now. The impact is swift, the destruction inevitable, and the potential immense. Amidst the chaos, there will be winners.

I write for the winners.

My horizon of focus is the short-to-medium term. My purpose is to write actionable insights. This is not the source for handwringing and equivocation.

Expect two posts every week and a steady stream of short notes along the way.

Let’s be aichievers.