Have you noticed how easy it is to leave a meeting believing you’ve solved the problem?

Then, an hour later, something still doesn’t sit right.

I think that happens more often than we’d like to admit.

Most leadership teams don’t struggle because they’re short on information. They’re surrounded by it. The harder challenge is recognizing whether they’re discussing the real issue or simply the most visible one.

That’s one reason I’ve become increasingly interested in using AI as a thinking partner rather than an answer machine. Before an important conversation, I’ll often ask it to challenge my assumptions or point out perspectives I may have missed.

Then I close the laptop and pay attention to the people.

That’s where the real work begins.

Someone leans back before responding.

A customer describes a symptom instead of the problem.

A talented manager says very little.

Those moments don’t show up in a report, but they often reveal what matters most.

One simple habit has helped me over the years, and it’s become even more valuable today. Before offering a recommendation, I ask myself one question:

‘What am I not hearing yet?’

That question slows me down just enough to keep curiosity ahead of certainty.

If you try it this week, I’d love to know what changes in the conversation.

Monday Morning Question:

What decision on your calendar would improve if you listened just a little longer before trying to solve it?

#leaderswholisten #AI #crazysmart #listen #trust