The Gap Between AI Strategy and AI Execution
Exploration Vs Expectation
The AI Air Sandwich: When Strategy Doesn't Meet Execution
I was talking to friends about AI adoption in their organizations recently, and they shared the EXACT same perspective: "AI is a giant waste of my time."
Upon digging deeper, I discovered a pattern. Each company was distributing AI tools and instructing employees to use them—but not explaining HOW or WHY these tools should be integrated into their workflow.
In one instance, my friend who crafts exceptional proposals found that AI did nothing to improve his writing. For another friend in training and development, AI was generating content that simply wasn't useful for her needs.
This is the "AI Air Sandwich" happening in organizations everywhere right now: leadership strategy at the top, frontline workers at the bottom, and a whole lot of nothing in between.
The Communication Breakdown
My hypothesis? Companies KNOW they need to embrace AI now, but they don't know exactly how to do it. Yet admitting this uncertainty feels risky and requires vulnerability—something many leaders avoid.
Instead of saying: "We want to figure this out together. Here are some tools—help us understand where and when they make sense for our work,"
They say: "Here's AI. Use it."
I experienced a similar scenario years ago when a company pushed us to "take more risks" but never explained how to do this safely or outlined the boundaries of our experimentation.
The Solution: Transparency
Some people naturally excel with AI tools, while others struggle to find value. By framing AI adoption as exploratory—where LEARNING is the primary outcome—organizations can change the conversation entirely.
The path forward requires:
Acknowledging that this is a learning process for everyone
Creating spaces to share information, results, and lessons learned
Recognizing that different roles will benefit from AI in different ways
Only with this transparency can organizations harness AI's potential without wasting countless hours in the process.
The air sandwich only gets filled when we connect strategy to execution with clear communication, specific guidance, and a culture that values learning over immediate results.
Are you experiencing an AI air sandwich in your organization? Contact us about our Build the Future with AI collaborative workshop!
We have facilitators in New York City, San Francisco, Austin, Tampa Bay, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Tampa Bay, San Diego, and more! Contact us for more information and session options.
