I never thought I’d leave the comfort of operating models.
They were my safe zone—clear frameworks, predictable outcomes, and a playbook I could rely on. If something broke, I knew where to look. If something scaled, I knew which lever to pull.
But then… the world changed.
Suddenly, operating models felt too rigid for a reality that was moving faster than our flowcharts could capture. Customers weren’t behaving in straight lines. Businesses weren’t scaling in predictable patterns. And technology—especially AI—was rewriting the rules before we even finished drafting them.
That’s when I realized: it was time for me to shift.
The scary (but necessary) mindset change
Moving into AI wasn’t about learning a new tool. It was about unlearning the old way of thinking.
I had to let go of control and embrace curiosity.
I had to shift from “this is how it should work” to “let’s see what the data tells us.”
I had to stop chasing just efficiency and start asking, what’s possible that wasn’t before?
And honestly? That was terrifying.
Building the bridge
The good news is—I didn’t have to throw away my old skills. My experience with operating models gave me a deep understanding of systems, dependencies, and outcomes. That became my anchor in the AI world.
I started small: experimenting with workflow automation, dabbling in predictive analytics, and learning just enough machine learning to have meaningful conversations with data scientists. Every step was messy, but every step moved me closer.
What I’ve learned so far
AI won’t replace you—but someone using AI might.
Your business sense and human judgment are your biggest assets. AI is powerful, but it needs context.
The best career move today? Becoming the translator between humans and machines.
Why I’m sharing this
Because maybe you’re where I was. Comfortable, capable, but sensing the ground shifting under your feet. If that’s you, here’s my advice: don’t wait for perfect clarity. Start small, stay curious, and build the bridge one step at a time.
The future of work won’t belong to those who know only processes. It will belong to those who can blend structure with intelligence—people who can move from operating models to AI without losing the human touch.
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