It's the last Friday before Christmas, so I thought "why not?" Let's dive into AI. Everyone else is doing it! But before you spend two minutes reading my blog about AI and expecting some nascent nugget of acute technical knowledge, this isn't your typical discussion about AI.
Ok. Here's some background.
At the start of 2024, we investigated a few Generative AI (GenAI) tools at my former company. I partnered with a longtime associate whose own company had done significant research into GenAI for proposals. They had developed a list of hard-hitting questions that led to a B2B partnership with one of the current leaders in proposal-related GenAI. After a month of discussions and research though, we decided the company wasn't well positioned for their tool or other similar GenAI tools. Our resource library was too limited and there were too many unanswered questions around security. Where good answers existed, cost was prohibitive. So, we recommended the company take a "wait and see" approach to GenAI tool development.
Fast forward three months. It was the middle of summer, and we were asked to revisit GenAI with clear instructions to find something that would "benefit the proposal operation." So, I chaired a working group, and we spent two months reviewing 30 tools. At the end of those two months, the working group made their choice.
I made a different choice.
That's the real story here, Servant Leader. Sometimes we must have the confidence to make an unpopular decision - and live with the consequences.
I know what you're thinking. The working group chose one tool, and I chose a different tool? Why have a working group at all, especially if Proverbs 12:15 (ESV) says...
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
Why didn't I listen to advice? Well, the veterans among us will tell you...
You can delegate authority, but not responsibility.
You see, Servant Leader, there's fact, then there's reality. Without getting into detail, the responsibility to steward the company's funds, capacity, and ability outweighed the facts in this case. The reality of the situation required me to disagree with the group's counsel. For a servant leader, the importance of stewardship cannot be understated. Good stewardship in the face of adversity is even more important. After all, Luke reminds us...
But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’ (Luke 14:28-30, NLT)
So, the next time you feel pressured to solve a problem with a short-term or partial solution, count the cost. You may save money and avoid commitment on the front end, but what cost will you incur later? Being unpopular is a small price to pay for making the right stewardship call.
God bless, Servant Leader. And get your shopping done. It's almost Christmas!
