FREEDOM SCORE

#59 How to Use AI for Strategic Leadership (Not Just Tasks) with Geoff Woods

AI isn’t just a tool — it’s a leadership skill. And if you’re still treating it like a fancy assistant, you’re already falling behind.

Geoff Woods is the founder of AI Leadership and author of The AI-Driven Leader, the #1 bestselling book on strategic AI for executives. As former Chief Growth Officer of Jindal Steel & Power, Geoff helped grow the company’s market cap from $750M to $12B in four years — not by outsourcing AI, but by rethinking how leaders lead.

In this episode, Geoff breaks down why AI isn’t about tech — it’s about mindset. He shares a powerful daily habit that’s helping CEOs think bigger, lead smarter, and unlock new levels of strategic clarity. From creating an AI-powered “board of advisors” to reshaping how leadership teams think about growth, Geoff lays out a practical playbook for becoming an AI-driven leader.

We talk about:
🔹 Why most leaders are using AI wrong — and how to shift
🔹 The CRIT framework for writing smarter, more strategic prompts
🔹 How to use AI as your thought partner, not just a task-doer
🔹 The mindset shift from 10x to 250x growth
🔹 Why leaders can’t delegate AI — and what happens if they try
🔹 How to create your own AI board (and why Geoff put Steve Jobs on his)
🔹 Why AI is a liberator, not just a disruptor
🔹 The five human skills that matter more than ever in the age of AI

Whether you’re running a billion-dollar company or just starting to explore AI, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership, growth, and your future.

Quotes from the Episode:
💬 "You are the thought leader. AI is your thought partner."
💬 "Most CEOs aren’t asking the wrong questions — they’re not asking any at all."
💬 "Don’t delegate the future of your company to IT. Lead it yourself."
💬 "What if the thing that’s holding you back isn’t the tech — it’s how you think?"

Actionable Takeaways:
✅ Use the CRIT framework: Context, Role, Interview, Task
✅ Write one AI prompt every day — even just on a sticky note
✅ Stop focusing on 80% tasks and start thinking strategically
✅ Surround yourself with thinkers who challenge your vision
✅ Remember: the leader, not the tool, creates the competitive advantage

Resources from this episode:
→ Connect with Geoff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoff-woods-8534774
→ Learn more about AI Leadership: https://www.aileadership.com
→ Get the book The AI-Driven Leader: https://www.aileadership.com/book

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🎧 For more conversations on leadership, AI, and building companies that last, visit www.jeanmoncrieff.com