What leaders usually get wrong first

1. AI strategy often begins as theater with budget

Teams often spend to signal progress before they define the real strategy.

2. The workflow matters more than the headline

Start with workflow clarity, not model selection.

3. Cost is a system behavior problem

Real AI cost appears in production behavior, not in the initial estimate.

4. Ownership is not always leverage

Own only the layers that create clear strategic advantage.

5. Readiness is usually overstated

A polished demo is not proof of operating readiness.

6. Cleanup work is not strategy

Late decisions create expensive cleanup; make the hard calls early.