351: Navigating Leadership in the Age of AI

351: Navigating Leadership in the Age of AI

351: Navigating Leadership in the Age of AI

What if you had to step into a CEO role at just 22, with no formal business training? That’s exactly what Thiago Da Costa did, and he quickly discovered that leadership is best learned on the job. In this episode, Thiago shares what it was like to build and grow a company that Autodesk later acquired, leading teams of up to 300 people and adapting to constant organizational change. He reflects on the lessons learned about authenticity, cultural alignment, and the compromises leaders must navigate to stay true to their values while driving results.

You’ll also hear how Thiago is now leveraging AI to shape the future of work. From hiring and skill development to automating routine tasks, Thiago offers a fascinating look at how AI can enhance—not replace—human leadership. He shares practical insights about using AI for personalized guidance, preparing for tough conversations, and freeing leaders to focus on what matters most: engaging meaningfully with people. His vision of AI as a partner in leadership offers a compelling roadmap for today’s leaders who want to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.

Thiago is a product visionary, an AI futurist, and a serial entrepreneur. He sold his first company to Autodesk and is now building the future of work with Datagrid, where he’s Founder and CEO. Datagrid is an AI platform that turns your company’s data into intelligent agents. These agents automate workflows, surface real-time insights, and supercharge decision-making.

You’ll discover:

  • The hard-earned lessons Thiago acquired as a first-time CEO at 22.
  • Why aligning with an organization’s culture and DNA is essential.
  • How AI agents are transforming routine business tasks.
  • Ways AI can enhance communication and feedback for leaders.
  • The future of hiring in an AI-driven workplace.

Watch the episode:

Connect with Thiago

Thiago’s Website

Datagrid.com 

Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on Apple Podcasts
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Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.

Connect with Your Team Book - Grow Strong Leaders

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Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.,
and Meredith M. Bell
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Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.,
and Meredith M. Bell

326: Harnessing AI as a Strategic Thought Partner in Leadership

326: Harnessing AI as a Strategic Thought Partner in Leadership

326: Harnessing AI as a Strategic Thought Partner in Leadership

How can leaders use AI to unlock new levels of strategic thinking and team collaboration? Meredith sits down with Geoff Woods, author of The AI Driven Leader, to explore how AI is transforming leadership and decision-making. Geoff shares his personal journey from fear of AI to embracing it as a powerful tool for growth, offering practical examples of how leaders can use AI to tackle challenges like restructuring debt or addressing toxic workplace dynamics.

Geoff also dives into actionable strategies for empowering teams, including three essential questions every leader should ask to better understand their team’s strengths and needs. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or aspiring leader, this episode will inspire you to rethink your approach to leadership in the age of AI and equip you with tools to harness technology as a thought partner—not a replacement—for human judgment and creativity.

Geoff is not only the #1 bestselling author of The AI-Driven Leader, he’s also the host of the AI-Driven Leader podcast and Founder of AI Leadership. He’s created The AI-Driven Leadership Collective™, a network of executives collaborating to harness AI to build better businesses and better lives.

You’ll discover:

  • How artificial intelligence enhances strategic decision-making
  • What you can do to prompt AI to ask you thought-provoking questions
  • Practical ways to use AI as a thought partner
  • Strategies for overcoming fear of new technology
  • The CRIT framework for effective AI communication

Watch the episode:

Connect with Geoff

Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on Spotify
Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on Amazon
Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on Pandora
Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on YouTube
Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on iheartradio
Leader-team communication and character skills

Grow Strong Character

Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.

Connect with Your Team Book - Grow Strong Leaders

Connect with Your Team

Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.,
and Meredith M. Bell
Connect with Your Team Book - Grow Strong Leaders

Peer Coaching Made Simple

Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.,
and Meredith M. Bell