The AI Paradox: 5 Human Skills That Are More Valuable Than Ever

You're being told You're being told where where where AI is going, that AI is going, that AI is going, that it's a it's a it's a coming wave, and every coming wave, and every coming wave, and every few months few months few months another skill of yours washes away another skill of yours washes away another skill of yours washes away from the beach, and everything from the beach, and everything from the beach, and everything looks pretty looks pretty looks pretty bleak. I believe bleak. I believe bleak. I believe this picture is false, this picture is false, this picture is false, and I have proof. It is and I have proof. It is and I have proof. It is tempting to say that tempting to say that only geniuses or only geniuses or people in people in people in superteams can create important AI-based products. This is the superteams can create important AI-based products. This is the superteams can create important AI-based products. This is the kind of story we kind of story we kind of story we usually hear about usually hear about usually hear about Alexander Wang, Alexander Wang, Alexander Wang, Nat Friedman, and the Nat Friedman, and the Nat Friedman, and the Muse team. But I'm here Muse team. But I'm here Muse team. But I'm here to tell you: to tell you: to tell you: the skills they the skills they the skills they used in Muse—these are used in Muse—these are used in Muse—these are exactly the skills that, exactly the skills that, exactly the skills that, first, they first, they first, they talk about publicly, and talk about publicly, and talk about publicly, and second, that I've second, that I've second, that I've been talking about on this been talking about on this been talking about on this channel for the channel for the channel for the past year, and you past year, and you past year, and you can master them can master them can master them and apply them. And I and apply them. And I and apply them. And I know this because I have know this because I have know this because I have spoken to spoken to spoken to hundreds of you and seen hundreds of you and seen hundreds of you and seen these skills in these skills in these skills in action. So we're action. So we're action. So we're going to talk about five going to talk about five going to talk about five skills skills skills that have grown in value in the that have grown in value in the that have grown in value in the AI ​​era over the past year, AI ​​era over the past year, AI ​​era over the past year, even as even as even as AI itself has become much more AI itself has become much more AI itself has become much more powerful. This is powerful. This is powerful. This is the opposite of the opposite of the opposite of what you hear, and if you're what you hear, and if you're what you hear, and if you're making plans for making plans for making plans for next year next year next year based on the based on the based on the "loss of skills" story, "loss of skills" story, "loss of skills" story, you're betting on the wrong you're betting on the wrong you're betting on the wrong horse. So let's horse. So let's horse. So let's fix this. If you fix this. If you fix this. If you are making plans for are making plans for are making plans for 2027, I would advise you 2027, I would advise you 2027, I would advise you to take another look at the projects to take another look at the projects to take another look at the projects you have already rejected. A you have already rejected. A you have already rejected. A service you service you service you couldn't launch without couldn't launch without couldn't launch without hiring employees, a hiring employees, a hiring employees, a problem your problem your problem your team understood but team understood but team understood but never had time to never had time to never had time to solve, an idea that solve, an idea that solve, an idea that required a required a required a technical technical technical expert you expert you expert you couldn't couldn't couldn't afford—because those afford—because those afford—because those decisions were based decisions were based decisions were based on the requirements of the time on the requirements of the time on the requirements of the time , and many of , and many of , and many of them have changed with them have changed with them have changed with the advent of AI, right?

the advent of AI, right? the advent of AI, right? This is what we This is what we This is what we talk about on this talk about on this talk about on this channel. My bet for channel. My bet for channel. My bet for 2027 is 2027 is 2027 is that more of us that more of us that more of us will be able to do the will be able to do the will be able to do the full amount of work full amount of work full amount of work that previously that previously that previously required the help of required the help of required the help of many people. And that many people. And that many people. And that means we means we means we need to develop need to develop need to develop the skills that the skills that the skills that will allow us will allow us will allow us to have this to have this to have this level of practical level of practical level of practical power. I'll give you five power. I'll give you five power. I'll give you five key takeaways, one key takeaways, one key takeaways, one for each for each for each skill. Taste, skill. Taste, skill. Taste, efficiency, focus, efficiency, focus, efficiency, focus, ingenuity and ingenuity and ingenuity and seeing things through to seeing things through to seeing things through to the end. For each one, the end. For each one, the end. For each one, we'll combine what we'll combine what we'll combine what this year has taught us this year has taught us this year has taught us with what you with what you with what you can work on can work on can work on next year. And next year. And next year. And in the end, you'll in the end, you'll in the end, you'll have a way have a way have a way to decide which of to decide which of to decide which of the projects that have been the projects that have been the projects that have been gathering dust on gathering dust on gathering dust on your to-do list your to-do list your to-do list deserve deserve deserve another chance and what it another chance and what it another chance and what it takes to do takes to do takes to do something truly useful. something truly useful. something truly useful. So, the first conclusion So, the first conclusion : taste. They often : taste. They often : taste. They often try to try to try to downplay it, but it is of downplay it, but it is of downplay it, but it is of enormous enormous enormous importance. Taste is importance. Taste is importance. Taste is acting on what acting on what acting on what you care about. And, you care about. And, you care about. And, by the way, not many by the way, not many by the way, not many people define people define people define it that way, it that way, it that way, right? Many say it's right? Many say it's right? Many say it's the ability the ability the ability to recognize what to recognize what to recognize what quality quality quality work looks like and what the work looks like and what the work looks like and what the situation requires, and I think situation requires, and I think situation requires, and I think that's true, but it's that's true, but it's that's true, but it's not all. When I wrote not all. When I wrote not all. When I wrote about taste about taste about taste last September, I last September, I last September, I emphasized emphasized emphasized that people early in that people early in that people early in their careers can their careers can their careers can have exceptional taste have exceptional taste have exceptional taste in a particular area. They in a particular area. They in a particular area. They watched closely watched closely watched closely because they have a passion because they have a passion because they have a passion for their work. They for their work. They for their work. They tried different things.

tried different things. tried different things. They compared them and They compared them and They compared them and developed their own developed their own developed their own understanding of what is understanding of what is understanding of what is quality. Since then, I quality. Since then, I quality. Since then, I have met many such have met many such have met many such people. Years of extensive people. Years of extensive people. Years of extensive experience don't experience don't experience don't automatically mean you have automatically mean you have automatically mean you have good taste. good taste. good taste. Last November, I Last November, I Last November, I also wrote about also wrote about also wrote about prudence, which I am prudence, which I am prudence, which I am here adding to the concept of here adding to the concept of here adding to the concept of taste. This includes taste. This includes taste. This includes protecting what you protecting what you protecting what you put on the back burner put on the back burner put on the back burner and and and deciding which actions should deciding which actions should deciding which actions should be a top priority. be a top priority. be a top priority. This year, This year, This year, the opportunities to act the opportunities to act the opportunities to act on this on this on this understanding have increased. understanding have increased. understanding have increased. Think about a Think about a Think about a part of your job part of your job part of your job where you keep where you keep where you keep noticing the noticing the noticing the same problem over and over again same problem over and over again same problem over and over again . Maybe new . Maybe new . Maybe new customers are getting confused in the customers are getting confused in the customers are getting confused in the same place same place same place on the site, or on the site, or on the site, or the explanation is clear the explanation is clear the explanation is clear to the team that to the team that to the team that wrote it, but you've had wrote it, but you've had wrote it, but you've had enough conversations with enough conversations with enough conversations with customers and know it customers and know it customers and know it won't make sense to them won't make sense to them won't make sense to them . You . You . You can almost can almost can almost predict predict predict the question they the question they the question they will ask. It is with will ask. It is with will ask. It is with such attention that such attention that such attention that taste begins. You taste begins. You taste begins. You care, and you care, and you care, and you notice nuances that notice nuances that notice nuances that other people would simply other people would simply other people would simply miss. Let's take an miss. Let's take an miss. Let's take an example with a client. example with a client. example with a client. In the past, you could In the past, you could In the past, you could write a note write a note write a note explaining the problem explaining the problem explaining the problem and wait for the other and wait for the other and wait for the other team to do something about it team to do something about it team to do something about it , thinking, "Oh, I'll , thinking, "Oh, I'll , thinking, "Oh, I'll just pass it on to just pass it on to just pass it on to them, right?" Someone else will them, right?" Someone else will them, right?" Someone else will figure it out. Now you figure it out. Now you figure it out. Now you can use can use can use AI to create an AI to create an AI to create an interactive interactive interactive guide or a draft of a guide or a draft of a guide or a draft of a better better better onboarding process. You onboarding process. You onboarding process. You can do something about it can do something about it can do something about it . You come up with . You come up with . You come up with something that something that something that a colleague or client can a colleague or client can a colleague or client can try. You are try. You are try. You are revealing details revealing details revealing details that were not that were not that were not apparent from the complaint.

apparent from the complaint. apparent from the complaint. Perhaps the client Perhaps the client Perhaps the client understands the explanation understands the explanation understands the explanation but does not know which but does not know which but does not know which choice applies to choice applies to choice applies to him. Maybe him. Maybe him. Maybe the sequence is the sequence is the sequence is wrong. When you wrong. When you wrong. When you offer them something offer them something offer them something specific, your specific, your specific, your understanding becomes understanding becomes understanding becomes more accurate. This gives you a more accurate. This gives you a more accurate. This gives you a chance to effectively act chance to effectively act chance to effectively act according to your according to your according to your taste and intentions and taste and intentions and taste and intentions and see the result. And see the result. And see the result. And AI can be helpful AI can be helpful AI can be helpful in this process, in this process, in this process, right? He may right? He may right? He may suggest an approach suggest an approach suggest an approach you haven't thought of. He you haven't thought of. He you haven't thought of. He can explain why the can explain why the can explain why the design you design you design you admire works. admire works. admire works. Your own taste can Your own taste can Your own taste can improve through improve through improve through collaboration with AI. I collaboration with AI. I collaboration with AI. I think this point is think this point is think this point is underestimated when we underestimated when we underestimated when we talk about taste. You talk about taste. You talk about taste. You can can can learn faster from the work you learn faster from the work you learn faster from the work you create and the create and the create and the intelligence that intelligence that intelligence that helps you helps you helps you do it. So, in do it. So, in do it. So, in 2027, I expect that 2027, I expect that 2027, I expect that more people who are more people who are more people who are closest to the closest to the closest to the problem will be able to problem will be able to problem will be able to simply say, " simply say, " You know what? To hell with everything You know what? To hell with everything . I will create a working . I will create a working . I will create a working solution." A solution." A solution." A support specialist, an support specialist, an support specialist, an operations manager operations manager , an expert who has , an expert who has , an expert who has been saying for years that something can be been saying for years that something can be been saying for years that something can be improved—you improved—you improved—you will have more ways will have more ways will have more ways to prove what you mean to prove what you mean to prove what you mean . You can . You can . You can just do it. And just do it. And just do it. And that changes what I that changes what I that changes what I encourage in the team.

encourage in the team. encourage in the team. When someone is deeply When someone is deeply When someone is deeply involved in a involved in a involved in a grueling part of the grueling part of the grueling part of the job, give them a chance job, give them a chance job, give them a chance to show you a better to show you a better to show you a better version of themselves. You know, their version of themselves. You know, their version of themselves. You know, their first attempt can first attempt can first attempt can reveal opportunities reveal opportunities reveal opportunities that would never be that would never be that would never be revealed in a revealed in a revealed in a problem meeting, problem meeting, problem meeting, because they are because they are because they are right at the right at the right at the epicenter of events. If epicenter of events. If epicenter of events. If this is you, and we all this is you, and we all this is you, and we all have something similar, have something similar, have something similar, choose something choose something choose something specific. Take specific. Take specific. Take the explanation that has always the explanation that has always the explanation that has always confused everyone. confused everyone. confused everyone. Take a report that Take a report that Take a report that never answers the never answers the question. Whatever it is that's question. Whatever it is that's driving you driving you driving you crazy, try crazy, try crazy, try doing an alternative doing an alternative . You will learn . You will learn . You will learn how useful your opinion how useful your opinion how useful your opinion really is really is really is , you will start a , you will start a , you will start a feedback loop feedback loop feedback loop and sharpen and sharpen and sharpen your taste. This is how I would your taste. This is how I would your taste. This is how I would develop taste in develop taste in develop taste in 2027. I would rely 2027. I would rely 2027. I would rely on that passion, I would on that passion, I would on that passion, I would make your make your make your standards work standards work standards work and start a feedback loop that you and start a feedback loop that you can can follow. The second follow. The second follow. The second conclusion is agency. conclusion is agency. conclusion is agency. Review what you Review what you Review what you think you think you think you can take on. can take on. can take on. Agency is the Agency is the Agency is the ability to take ability to take ability to take initiative, it is the initiative, it is the initiative, it is the ability to act where ability to act where ability to act where you can make an impact you can make an impact . This year in January, . This year in January, . This year in January, when I wrote about when I wrote about when I wrote about high agency, I high agency, I high agency, I emphasized the emphasized the emphasized the distance between saying distance between saying distance between saying you’re going to you’re going to you’re going to do something and actually do something and actually do something and actually doing it. I call doing it. I call doing it. I call this the " this the " said-done" ratio, and you said-done" ratio, and you said-done" ratio, and you can spend an can spend an can spend an enormous amount of enormous amount of enormous amount of time getting interested in time getting interested in time getting interested in a project, a project, a project, talking about talking about talking about it, gathering it, gathering it, gathering resources, getting ready resources, getting ready resources, getting ready to start, but never getting to start, but never getting to start, but never getting anything done.

anything done. anything done. AI gives you more AI gives you more AI gives you more help with the help with the help with the parts that used to parts that used to parts that used to stop you. It stop you. It stop you. It also gives you an almost also gives you an almost also gives you an almost unlimited supply of unlimited supply of unlimited supply of plans. God, how they plans. God, how they plans. God, how they love to plan. love to plan. love to plan. So, the willingness So, the willingness So, the willingness to make a real to make a real to make a real attempt is up to you attempt is up to you attempt is up to you . It depends . It depends . It depends on you. The important on you. The important on you. The important shift is shift is shift is what exactly limits you. what exactly limits you. what exactly limits you. Here's what changed Here's what changed Here's what changed this year. If you this year. If you this year. If you understand the problem, understand the problem, understand the problem, but solving it but solving it but solving it takes half a year of someone's takes half a year of someone's takes half a year of someone's time, time, time, maybe that's maybe that's maybe that's no longer the case. If this no longer the case. If this no longer the case. If this required access required access required access to a specific person, to a specific person, to a specific person, perhaps that is perhaps that is perhaps that is no longer the case. When AI no longer the case. When AI no longer the case. When AI helps you helps you helps you do enough do enough do enough work yourself, the work yourself, the work yourself, the levers of influence levers of influence levers of influence are in your are in your are in your hands. Your hands. Your hands. Your willingness to act willingness to act willingness to act today has a today has a today has a much more direct much more direct much more direct impact on whether impact on whether impact on whether problems are solved problems are solved problems are solved than it did last than it did last than it did last year. That's what I mean year. That's what I mean year. That's what I mean when I say that when I say that when I say that AI expands AI expands AI expands the reach and the reach and the reach and effectiveness of these effectiveness of these effectiveness of these skills. The same skills. The same skills. The same initiatives have initiatives have initiatives have much greater much greater much greater potential, so now it is up potential, so now it is up potential, so now it is up to you to to you to turn your turn your turn your intentions into results. intentions into results. intentions into results. This year has also changed This year has also changed This year has also changed my idea of ​​what it my idea of ​​what it my idea of ​​what it means to be means to be means to be prepared. In August, I prepared. In August, I prepared. In August, I gave the example of a gave the example of a sales manager who sales manager who needed a better needed a better needed a better way to track way to track way to track deals that needed deals that needed deals that needed attention. He couldn't attention. He couldn't attention. He couldn't describe the entire system describe the entire system describe the entire system in advance, like in advance, like in advance, like most other most other most other leaders. An AI agent leaders. An AI agent leaders. An AI agent can create a can create a can create a rough first version.

rough first version. rough first version. It can mark It can mark It can mark deals that have had no deals that have had no deals that have had no activity for activity for activity for 14 days. He can 14 days. He can 14 days. He can make a rough make a rough make a rough calculation. calculation. calculation. Looking at this, you Looking at this, you Looking at this, you begin to understand: " begin to understand: " No, this is not the signal No, this is not the signal No, this is not the signal I need." The I need." The I need." The real problem real problem is the contract, which has is the contract, which has is the contract, which has been sitting with the lawyers for been sitting with the lawyers for been sitting with the lawyers for 10 days without any movement, and that's what 10 days without any movement, and that's what 10 days without any movement, and that's what annoys me. In annoys me. In annoys me. In other words, the first other words, the first other words, the first version extracts information from you that version extracts information from you that you did you did n't even n't even n't even know existed, but know existed, but know existed, but it's there. it's there. it's there. Information you didn't Information you didn't Information you didn't know how to explain. know how to explain. know how to explain. So observing an So observing an So observing an imperfect attempt imperfect attempt imperfect attempt can really can really can really help you take action. help you take action. help you take action. I've paid a lot of I've paid a lot of I've paid a lot of attention to how attention to how attention to how difficult it is to clearly difficult it is to clearly difficult it is to clearly articulate exactly what articulate exactly what articulate exactly what you want. But you want. But you want. But one of the takeaways from one of the takeaways from one of the takeaways from this year for me is that this year for me is that this year for me is that you you you can develop this can develop this can develop this clarity in the process of clarity in the process of clarity in the process of working with AI. The process working with AI. The process working with AI. The process of creation helps of creation helps of creation helps you find a plan, so you find a plan, so you find a plan, so take action. This is important take action. This is important take action. This is important if you waited until you if you waited until you if you waited until you understood each understood each understood each step, right? Don't step, right? Don't step, right? Don't do this. The first do this. The first do this. The first useful attempt is already useful attempt is already useful attempt is already before you, so before you, so before you, so take advantage of it. take advantage of it. take advantage of it. So, my call to So, my call to So, my call to you for 2027: be you for 2027: be you for 2027: be willing to push willing to push willing to push the boundaries of what you're the boundaries of what you're the boundaries of what you're going to going to going to try. You should try. You should try. You should realize that your realize that your realize that your opportunities will likely opportunities will likely opportunities will likely increase increase increase every month for the every month for the every month for the next year. And next year. And next year. And you have a chance to admit it you have a chance to admit it you have a chance to admit it and say, "I'm and say, "I'm and say, "I'm raising the bar." I am raising the bar." I am raising the bar." I am raising the level of raising the level of raising the level of my ambitions. I'll my ambitions. I'll my ambitions. I'll take on something take on something take on something bigger. Now I bigger. Now I bigger. Now I can directly can directly can directly influence the business in a way I couldn't influence the business in a way I couldn't influence the business in a way I couldn't before.

before. before. Whether Whether Whether you work alone you work alone you work alone or manage a team, or manage a team, or manage a team, your personal your personal your personal initiative initiative initiative will scale will scale will scale thanks to AI. You can thanks to AI. You can thanks to AI. You can go back to go back to go back to projects you’ve projects you’ve projects you’ve been putting off and say, been putting off and say, “You know what? What's “You know what? What's “You know what? What's holding me back? Why can't I holding me back? Why can't I holding me back? Why can't I start? Why can't I start? Why can't I start? Why can't I start and start and start and develop a plan while I'm develop a plan while I'm develop a plan while I'm working?" This is an working?" This is an working?" This is an opportunity to act with opportunity to act with opportunity to act with real consequences real consequences , and this opportunity , and this opportunity , and this opportunity grows with each passing grows with each passing grows with each passing month. So month. So month. So try it. try it. try it. Find out what it Find out what it Find out what it reveals to you and reveals to you and reveals to you and let this let this let this experience change your experience change your experience change your next decision. next decision. next decision. Conclusion number three Conclusion number three is a focus. is a focus. is a focus. Focus your efforts Focus your efforts Focus your efforts as as as more more more opportunities arise. And I opportunities arise. And I opportunities arise. And I understand that this is a bit understand that this is a bit understand that this is a bit contrary to current contrary to current contrary to current trends. I've seen trends. I've seen trends. I've seen famous people in the famous people in the famous people in the AI ​​field say, "We can AI ​​field say, "We can AI ​​field say, "We can try many, try many, try many, many, many things many, many things many, many things because AI gives us that because AI gives us that because AI gives us that opportunity." And it's opportunity." And it's opportunity." And it's certainly true that there are certainly true that there are many things you can try. But that doesn't many things you can try. But that doesn't mean you're mean you're maximizing your maximizing your potential by trying potential by trying potential by trying everything at once. There is immense everything at once. There is immense everything at once. There is immense value in being value in being value in being focused in a focused in a focused in a world that tells you world that tells you world that tells you that anything is possible. Focus that anything is possible. Focus that anything is possible. Focus and determination and determination and determination allow you allow you allow you to put more to put more to put more leverage, leverage, leverage, intention, and passion intention, and passion intention, and passion into achieving into achieving into achieving results in results in any endeavor. Back in any endeavor. Back in any endeavor. Back in April last year, April last year, April last year, I wrote to companies about I wrote to companies about I wrote to companies about strategy. I told them that they strategy. I told them that they strategy. I told them that they needed to understand the needed to understand the needed to understand the problem. You have to problem. You have to problem. You have to choose what choose what choose what to focus on. You to focus on. You to focus on. You must act in such a way that must act in such a way that must act in such a way that these actions reinforce these actions reinforce these actions reinforce each other. This all each other. This all each other. This all sounds logical, sounds logical, sounds logical, right? But one of the right? But one of the right? But one of the things that things that things that struck me as I struck me as I struck me as I thought about thought about thought about strategy in the age of AI strategy in the age of AI strategy in the age of AI is that you have to is that you have to is that you have to have an intense have an intense have an intense focus on top of focus on top of focus on top of any

any any strategic plan. strategic plan. You have to take on You have to take on something, as something, as something, as baseball players say, " baseball players say, " fill the bases" and fill the bases" and fill the bases" and be be be determined to see a determined to see a determined to see a specific thing through to specific thing through to specific thing through to completion. And I think that's completion. And I think that's completion. And I think that's been given been given been given too little attention in the too little attention in the too little attention in the conversations about AI that conversations about AI that conversations about AI that I've been involved in. How I've been involved in. How I've been involved in. How long can you long can you long can you stay focused on stay focused on stay focused on one problem? How one problem? How one problem? How long can you long can you long can you stay stay stay interested in interested in interested in something difficult and something difficult and something difficult and boring? And how boring? And how boring? And how passionately do you passionately do you passionately do you want to see want to see want to see things through to the end? You things through to the end? You things through to the end? You will have the best will have the best will have the best tools in the world. tools in the world. tools in the world. Tools that are Tools that are Tools that are currently only available in OpenAI and currently only available in OpenAI and currently only available in OpenAI and Anthropic Anthropic Anthropic will be in our will be in our will be in our pockets in a year. So this pockets in a year. So this pockets in a year. So this year, my advice to you is to year, my advice to you is to become become become more demanding, more demanding, more demanding, as fewer and fewer as fewer and fewer as fewer and fewer ideas are rejected ideas are rejected ideas are rejected due to the cost of due to the cost of due to the cost of implementing them. implementing them. Set higher Set higher standards. To be against standards. To be against standards. To be against carelessness, to be carelessness, to be carelessness, to be passionate about seeing passionate about seeing passionate about seeing things through to the end, to be things through to the end, to be things through to the end, to be dedicated to dedicated to dedicated to doing exactly what needs to be done doing exactly what needs to be done doing exactly what needs to be done , and to leave , and to leave , and to leave your mark on the universe your mark on the universe your mark on the universe because you are obsessively because you are obsessively because you are obsessively focused and driven focused and driven focused and driven toward a goal—that's rare. toward a goal—that's rare. toward a goal—that's rare. This is rare. Imagine This is rare. Imagine This is rare. Imagine two people with the two people with the two people with the same same same AI tools.

AI tools. AI tools. Although you don't have to Although you don't have to Although you don't have to imagine, because now we imagine, because now we imagine, because now we all have the all have the all have the same ones, right? same ones, right? same ones, right? Everyone has it. One of Everyone has it. One of Everyone has it. One of them will spend a month them will spend a month them will spend a month starting 15 starting 15 starting 15 projects and abandoning them projects and abandoning them projects and abandoning them as soon as the work becomes as soon as the work becomes as soon as the work becomes difficult. This is the well-known difficult. This is the well-known difficult. This is the well-known problem of “starting problem of “starting problem of “starting a project on a wave of a project on a wave of a project on a wave of enthusiasm.” Another enthusiasm.” Another enthusiasm.” Another will choose one will choose one will choose one client problem and client problem and client problem and focus on it one hundred focus on it one hundred focus on it one hundred percent to percent to percent to solve it. The second solve it. The second solve it. The second person focused person focused person focused his attention on his attention on his attention on accumulation, on accumulation, on accumulation, on creation. She creation. She creation. She understands the problem better, and understands the problem better, and understands the problem better, and other people have already other people have already other people have already benefited from her work benefited from her work benefited from her work and have started providing and have started providing and have started providing feedback. You can have feedback. You can have feedback. You can have many diverse many diverse many diverse interests and still interests and still interests and still choose to choose to choose to focus. focus. focus. Exploring many Exploring many Exploring many directions is good directions is good directions is good for finding a problem, for finding a problem, for finding a problem, but once you've but once you've but once you've chosen one, chosen one, chosen one, believe me, the benefits of believe me, the benefits of believe me, the benefits of focusing in 2027 focusing in 2027 focusing in 2027 will be enormous. will be enormous. will be enormous. This will matter This will matter . AI can also . AI can also . AI can also make distractions look make distractions look make distractions look very productive very productive very productive . I'm telling you this for sure . I'm telling you this for sure . I'm telling you this for sure . By 5:00 PM, you might . By 5:00 PM, you might . By 5:00 PM, you might have a bunch of have a bunch of have a bunch of prototypes, three plans, prototypes, three plans, prototypes, three plans, and a very detailed and a very detailed and a very detailed version of an idea that you version of an idea that you version of an idea that you didn't even work on didn't even work on didn't even work on when you woke up. You when you woke up. You when you woke up. You did something, right?

did something, right? did something, right? But how much of this But how much of this But how much of this work has progressed far enough work has progressed far enough work has progressed far enough to to to change someone's life? change someone's life? change someone's life? So in 2027, I So in 2027, I So in 2027, I expect that deciding what to expect that deciding what to focus on focus on will become an increasingly will become an increasingly will become an increasingly important part of important part of important part of leadership. leadership. leadership. Next year, Next year, Next year, the team can the team can the team can bring you bring you bring you more more more compelling compelling compelling offers than ever before. And whether offers than ever before. And whether you work you work individually, are a individually, are a individually, are a manager or a manager or a manager or a thought leader, the choice of thought leader, the choice of thought leader, the choice of focus will become focus will become focus will become increasingly important. increasingly important. increasingly important. If you keep If you keep If you keep adding projects because adding projects because adding projects because each one seems each one seems each one seems easier, you can easier, you can easier, you can easily waste all the easily waste all the easily waste all the extra potential extra potential that AI provides, that AI provides, that AI provides, leaving important leaving important leaving important work unfinished. work unfinished. work unfinished. So when considering a new So when considering a new So when considering a new opportunity, opportunity, opportunity, ask yourself what ask yourself what ask yourself what deserves your deserves your deserves your attention. What attention. What attention. What will you continue to work on will you continue to work on will you continue to work on even when it even when it even when it stops being stops being stops being exciting? What are you exciting? What are you exciting? What are you willing to put willing to put willing to put aside to aside to aside to focus on what matters most focus on what matters most focus on what matters most ? It's a decision ? It's a decision ? It's a decision about how you about how you about how you live your life live your life live your life and how you manage and how you manage and how you manage your team's time. your team's time. your team's time. AI gives these decisions AI gives these decisions AI gives these decisions much more much more much more weight, because with such weight, because with such weight, because with such practical power you practical power you practical power you can achieve can achieve can achieve much more.

much more. much more. Fourth conclusion: Fourth conclusion: Fourth conclusion: ingenuity. ingenuity. ingenuity. Learn to go through the Learn to go through the Learn to go through the full project cycle. full project cycle. full project cycle. Ingenuity is the Ingenuity is the Ingenuity is the ability to find a way ability to find a way ability to find a way forward when you don't know forward when you don't know forward when you don't know what to do next, what to do next, what to do next, right? This is the ability right? This is the ability right? This is the ability to act in conditions of to act in conditions of to act in conditions of limited resources. limited resources. limited resources. It's the ability to dive It's the ability to dive It's the ability to dive into work and get your into work and get your into work and get your hands dirty. Last year, hands dirty. Last year, hands dirty. Last year, when I wrote about taste, when I wrote about taste, when I wrote about taste, I talked about people I talked about people I talked about people as flexible as flexible tool users. I think that's a tool users. I think that's a great description of us great description of us great description of us as a species. This year, as a species. This year, as a species. This year, the people who build on the people who build on the people who build on Open Brain, the Open Brain, the Open Brain, the knowledge system I shared, knowledge system I shared, knowledge system I shared, gave me a concrete gave me a concrete gave me a concrete example of what example of what example of what flexibility looks like. And flexibility looks like. And flexibility looks like. And I recommended that people I recommended that people I recommended that people try to combine try to combine try to combine Slack, Notion, Zapier, and the Slack, Notion, Zapier, and the Slack, Notion, Zapier, and the AI ​​model together. People started AI ​​model together. People started AI ​​model together. People started sending in different sending in different sending in different versions and additions: versions and additions: versions and additions: some used some used some used Discord, some Discord, some Discord, some integrated it into Obsidian, integrated it into Obsidian, integrated it into Obsidian, some into Mac Whisper, and some into Mac Whisper, and some into Mac Whisper, and some adapted it to the some adapted it to the some adapted it to the software software allowed in their allowed in their organization. organization. organization. No matter No matter No matter what they did, they what they did, they what they did, they understood the purpose of the understood the purpose of the understood the purpose of the system: to capture system: to capture system: to capture information and make information and make information and make it useful when it useful when it useful when you you you need it again, need it again, need it again, right? This understanding right? This understanding right? This understanding allowed them allowed them allowed them to change components in a way that to change components in a way that to change components in a way that was convenient for was convenient for was convenient for them. And so when them. And so when them. And so when they got stuck, they they got stuck, they they got stuck, they asked other asked other asked other people in the community people in the community people in the community who were facing who were facing who were facing similar problems and similar problems and similar problems and worked with AI to worked with AI to worked with AI to implement the implement the implement the next step. All next step. All next step. All I did was give I did was give I did was give people a starting people a starting people a starting point. They found point. They found point. They found ways to adapt ways to adapt ways to adapt this idea to their this idea to their this idea to their circumstances. This experience circumstances. This experience circumstances. This experience is a good example is a good example is a good example of why I'm of why I'm of why I'm betting on betting on betting on ingenuity in 2027 ingenuity in 2027 ingenuity in 2027 . The tools . The tools . The tools will constantly will constantly will constantly change. I can't change. I can't change. I can't say what the say what the say what the models will be like in models will be like in models will be like in 2027, other than 2027, other than 2027, other than they will be better, they will be better, they will be better, right? The ability to right? The ability to right? The ability to navigate navigate navigate unfamiliar territory unfamiliar territory unfamiliar territory will remain will remain will remain useful despite all these useful despite all these useful despite all these changes. I expect that changes. I expect that changes. I expect that more people will be

more people will be more people will be willing to take on willing to take on willing to take on projects with unusual projects with unusual projects with unusual elements because elements because elements because they can they can they can learn learn learn directly at the directly at the directly at the moment when this moment when this moment when this knowledge is needed. We knowledge is needed. We knowledge is needed. We all can. The next all can. The next all can. The next project becomes possible project becomes possible project becomes possible in part due to in part due to in part due to the experience gained the experience gained the experience gained during the completion of the during the completion of the during the completion of the previous one. And AI is previous one. And AI is previous one. And AI is really changing what it really changing what it really changing what it feels like feels like to be a beginner. to be a beginner. to be a beginner. Take an inexplicable Take an inexplicable Take an inexplicable error from a project error from a project error from a project you're working on. you're working on. you're working on. Ask the AI Ask the AI Ask the AI to explain what is to explain what is to explain what is happening. happening. happening. Ask if there is a Ask if there is a Ask if there is a simpler approach. simpler approach. simpler approach. This explanation has This explanation has This explanation has application application application because because because you need it to achieve you need it to achieve you need it to achieve something that you care about, something that you care about, something that you care about, right? This brings right? This brings right? This brings us back to focus and purpose. us back to focus and purpose. us back to focus and purpose. If you care about what If you care about what you do, you you do, you you do, you will be resourceful will be resourceful will be resourceful and and and use use use AI to achieve your AI to achieve your AI to achieve your goals. For a leader, this goals. For a leader, this goals. For a leader, this means that the skills means that the skills means that the skills listed on listed on listed on a person's resume may a person's resume may a person's resume may say nothing about say nothing about say nothing about how useful they will be how useful they will be how useful they will be in 2027. in 2027. in 2027. You should pay You should pay You should pay attention to how people attention to how people attention to how people approach approach approach unfamiliar problems. unfamiliar problems. unfamiliar problems. Do they find the Do they find the Do they find the right question? right question? right question? Do they change their Do they change their Do they change their perspective on the problem? perspective on the problem? perspective on the problem? Do they come back Do they come back Do they come back with a new attempt with a new attempt with a new attempt made on their own? made on their own? made on their own? How do they move How do they move How do they move work forward when work forward when work forward when things are unclear? And you things are unclear? And you things are unclear? And you can practice can practice can practice it yourself.

it yourself. it yourself. Choose something Choose something Choose something worthwhile that is difficult for you worthwhile that is difficult for you worthwhile that is difficult for you and that you and that you and that you don't yet understand. don't yet understand. don't yet understand. Learn enough Learn enough to get into it and to get into it and to get into it and start progressing. start progressing. start progressing. Every time you Every time you Every time you do this, you start to do this, you start to do this, you start to get evidence get evidence get evidence of what works and what does of what works and what does of what works and what does n't, and you can start to n't, and you can start to n't, and you can start to expand your expand your expand your ambitions. Fifth ambitions. Fifth ambitions. Fifth conclusion—see conclusion—see conclusion—see the matter through. the matter through. the matter through. Do the work Do the work Do the work until it until it benefits someone. Enough benefits someone. Enough prototypes. prototypes. prototypes. Following through Following through Following through means completing what means completing what means completing what you agreed to do and you agreed to do and you agreed to do and making sure it making sure it making sure it helped the person helped the person helped the person it was it was it was intended for. intended for. intended for. Last September, Last September, Last September, I wrote about I wrote about I wrote about using AI to using AI to using AI to improve improve improve business. This principle business. This principle business. This principle remains valid. What remains valid. What has changed this year is has changed this year is how much how much how much impact impact impact one one one person can have. I was talking about person can have. I was talking about person can have. I was talking about expanding the scope of expanding the scope of expanding the scope of our ambitions, our ambitions, our ambitions, right? We're becoming very, right? We're becoming very, right? We're becoming very, very good at very good at running running running things with things with things with AI. The first version may AI. The first version may AI. The first version may appear very soon appear very soon . She can look . She can look . She can look really good. It really good. It really good. It can give you a can give you a can give you a small idea small idea small idea of ​​the finished of ​​the finished of ​​the finished result. We sometimes result. We sometimes result. We sometimes call this “vibe call this “vibe coding.” And then you coding.” And then you coding.” And then you have to stay have to stay have to stay involved involved involved long enough for it to become long enough for it to become long enough for it to become important to someone. Let's important to someone. Let's important to someone. Let's go back to that go back to that customer support example.

customer support example. You are imbued with You are imbued with You are imbued with the problem of the problem of the problem of misunderstanding. You misunderstanding. You misunderstanding. You have created the best have created the best have created the best guide. Now the new guide. Now the new guide. Now the new client really has to client really has to client really has to go through the part go through the part go through the part that previously that previously that previously embarrassed them. Perhaps embarrassed them. Perhaps embarrassed them. Perhaps the manual should have the manual should have the manual should have appeared earlier. appeared earlier. appeared earlier. Perhaps a colleague Perhaps a colleague Perhaps a colleague needs to change the needs to change the needs to change the process for transferring process for transferring process for transferring cases. Maybe cases. Maybe cases. Maybe the explanation is still the explanation is still the explanation is still based on an based on an based on an assumption that assumption that assumption that the client doesn't quite the client doesn't quite the client doesn't quite accept, right? accept, right? accept, right? They don't quite They don't quite They don't quite understand him. I've been in understand him. I've been in understand him. I've been in situations like this. Your situations like this. Your situations like this. Your persistence in these persistence in these persistence in these circumstances, when you circumstances, when you circumstances, when you go back to the go back to the go back to the problem and say: " problem and say: " Yes, I left something out, Yes, I left something out, Yes, I left something out, but does the client really but does the client really but does the client really understand everything now?" Did understand everything now?" Did understand everything now?" Did it really help? it really help? » This persistence is what » This persistence is what connects the connects the connects the thing you create to what thing you create to what thing you create to what truly truly truly matters to the customer. Our matters to the customer. Our matters to the customer. Our example with the example with the sales manager is the same. The sales manager needs to sales manager needs to figure out how to change figure out how to change figure out how to change the way the the way the the way the sales funnel is measured in a way that is sales funnel is measured in a way that is useful to them. This cannot be useful to them. This cannot be done simply done simply done simply by by by brainstorming with AI. This is brainstorming with AI. This is brainstorming with AI. This is not enough. not enough. not enough. Think about what this Think about what this Think about what this principle means when principle means when principle means when you make you make you make promises to someone. Previously, you might promises to someone. Previously, you might promises to someone. Previously, you might only have been able to only have been able to only have been able to provide analysis or a provide analysis or a provide analysis or a recommendation. Now recommendation. Now recommendation. Now you can go you can go you can go much further in much further in much further in bringing the matter to a bringing the matter to a bringing the matter to a conclusion. You can conclusion. You can conclusion. You can provide something that provide something that provide something that really works, that really works, that really works, that really helps really helps really helps people do things people do things people do things they couldn't they couldn't they couldn't before, and you can before, and you can before, and you can stay stay stay engaged while people engaged while people engaged while people discover what else discover what else discover what else needs to be changed, needs to be changed, needs to be changed, give you feedback, and give you feedback, and give you feedback, and help you help you help you get better. Your get better. Your get better. Your ability to influence ability to influence ability to influence how people how people how people solve problems, solve problems, solve problems, your ability your ability your ability to create value to create value to create value has become greater, which has become greater, which has become greater, which means the value of means the value of means the value of persistence persistence persistence has increased. It takes has increased. It takes has increased. It takes effort to effort to effort to understand exactly what understand exactly what understand exactly what the person the person the person receiving your work needs.

receiving your work needs. receiving your work needs. Staying Staying Staying interested interested interested after you've proven an after you've proven an after you've proven an idea is possible—it's the idea is possible—it's the idea is possible—it's the effort to effort to continue continue paying attention and paying attention and paying attention and caring that often caring that often caring that often determines whether determines whether determines whether people will be glad you people will be glad you people will be glad you took on the project or whether took on the project or whether took on the project or whether it will become another " it will become another " graveyard of projects" graveyard of projects" graveyard of projects" that die. My that die. My that die. My expectation for 2027 expectation for 2027 expectation for 2027 is that the is that the is that the impressive first impressive first impressive first versions will become versions will become versions will become increasingly increasingly increasingly mundane and mundane and mundane and ordinary. People will have ordinary. People will have ordinary. People will have more of them than more of them than more of them than they will know what they will know what they will know what to do with. A person to do with. A person to do with. A person who consistently finishes what who consistently finishes what who consistently finishes what they start they start they start gains a gains a gains a whole different level of whole different level of whole different level of trust. If you trust. If you trust. If you manage a team, you manage a team, you manage a team, you know what know what know what that that that trust feels like. When someone trust feels like. When someone trust feels like. When someone takes on a problem, takes on a problem, takes on a problem, truly completes it truly completes it truly completes it and solves it. This is and solves it. This is and solves it. This is priceless. You learn priceless. You learn priceless. You learn this kind of dedication by this kind of dedication by this kind of dedication by observing observing observing others, by remaining others, by remaining others, by remaining attentive and attentive and attentive and engaged in the things engaged in the things that matter to you, and that matter to you, and that matter to you, and by choosing to act by choosing to act by choosing to act even when it's boring. even when it's boring. Before you start your Before you start your next project, next project, next project, ask yourself: ask yourself: ask yourself: Who is this for? What could this person Who is this for? What could this person Who is this for? What could this person do better? do better? do better? What do I need to What do I need to What do I need to do to do to do to make sure I have make sure I have make sure I have completed all the work completed all the work completed all the work completely? I don't know completely? I don't know completely? I don't know what it looks like in what it looks like in what it looks like in your case. I've your case. I've your case. I've seen many seen many seen many examples in examples in examples in programming, in programming, in programming, in product product product management, in management, in management, in technical support.

technical support. technical support. This usually looks This usually looks This usually looks like going beyond like going beyond like going beyond your job your job your job responsibilities. I've responsibilities. I've responsibilities. I've talked to talked to talked to engineers who engineers who engineers who say, "Well, if it's say, "Well, if it's say, "Well, if it's released, I've released, I've released, I've done my job." But done my job." But done my job." But the best engineers the best engineers the best engineers know that this is not the know that this is not the know that this is not the end of the work. They end of the work. They end of the work. They know they have to know they have to know they have to create create create software that software that software that will truly be will truly be will truly be useful to people. And useful to people. And useful to people. And such an intention now has such an intention now has such an intention now has much greater much greater much greater value. It means value. It means value. It means you truly you truly you truly care, in a world where care, in a world where care, in a world where many many many are using AI to are using AI to are using AI to replace their own replace their own replace their own caring. It's like caring. It's like caring. It's like the opposite of AI- the opposite of AI- the opposite of AI- written written written emails that emails that emails that no one no one no one pays attention to. It's pays attention to. It's pays attention to. It's a choice to care about how a choice to care about how a choice to care about how your work affects your work affects your work affects people. This is what will people. This is what will people. This is what will have the maximum have the maximum have the maximum effect in 2027. This is what effect in 2027. This is what effect in 2027. This is what you should you should you should pay attention to. This is what pay attention to. This is what pay attention to. This is what I call following through I call following through I call following through . . . And in fact, these five And in fact, these five And in fact, these five skills are interconnected skills are interconnected skills are interconnected . Such as taste, . Such as taste, . Such as taste, initiative, initiative, initiative, focus, focus, focus, ingenuity, ingenuity, ingenuity, seeing things through to the end. seeing things through to the end. seeing things through to the end. If you feel If you feel If you feel a connection, it's there, a connection, it's there, a connection, it's there, right? Together, they right? Together, they right? Together, they help you help you help you see promising see promising see promising improvements, improvements, improvements, strive for them, strive for them, strive for them, pay pay pay constant attention to them, constant attention to them, constant attention to them, learn what is necessary, and learn what is necessary, and learn what is necessary, and bring the result bring the result bring the result to its logical to its logical to its logical conclusion. This is the conclusion. This is the conclusion. This is the skill set I skill set I skill set I would develop by 2027.

would develop by 2027. would develop by 2027. I expect that more and more of the I expect that more and more of the I expect that more and more of the work between work between work between idea and useful idea and useful idea and useful result will become result will become result will become available to all of available to all of available to all of us, to anyone who us, to anyone who us, to anyone who understands the problem and is understands the problem and is understands the problem and is willing to work willing to work willing to work on it, regardless on it, regardless on it, regardless of your of your of your specialization. I can't specialization. I can't specialization. I can't say for sure say for sure say for sure what project what project what project you'll be able to tackle you'll be able to tackle you'll be able to tackle now, but I can now, but I can now, but I can assure you that these five assure you that these five assure you that these five skills skills skills will remain will remain will remain relevant. I am relevant. I am relevant. I am very sure of this. very sure of this. very sure of this. AI has expanded our AI has expanded our AI has expanded our capabilities faster capabilities faster capabilities faster than many of us than many of us than many of us have changed what we are have changed what we are have changed what we are willing to try. willing to try. willing to try. So, maybe So, maybe So, maybe take a minute, take a minute, take a minute, review your review your review your plans, your career dreams plans, your career dreams plans, your career dreams for the next year, for the next year, for the next year, think about a project think about a project think about a project you've been planning for a long time you've been planning for a long time you've been planning for a long time , and then , and then , and then remember that remember that remember that skill set. Think skill set. Think skill set. Think about the five skills about the five skills about the five skills I talked about in this I talked about in this I talked about in this video and give yourself video and give yourself video and give yourself a chance to find out if a chance to find out if a chance to find out if you can do you can do you can do more than you thought, and more than you thought, and more than you thought, and if you can actually if you can actually if you can actually see things see things see things through and get through and get through and get results. Let us results. Let us results. Let us know what exactly you know what exactly you know what exactly you are going to create. are going to create. are going to create. I'll be interested I'll be interested I'll be interested to see it in to see it in to see it in the comments.