Episode 674

full
Published on:

18th Feb 2026

AI Will Expose How You Think with Geoff Woods

Is the end really nigh? Will AI replace you?

In this episode, Bill sits down with Geoff Woods, author of The AI-Driven Leader, to unpack what actually separates leaders who dabble in AI from those who use it to transform decision-making. They explore why AI adoption fails when leaders treat it like a productivity hack instead of a strategic thought partner. Geoff introduces the CRIT framework (Context, Role, Interview, Task) and explains why the quality of your input determines the quality of your output.

Topics explored in this episode:

(05:50) Strategy First, Technology Second

*AI adoption should never be the goal, business strategy is the goal.

*AI can either accelerate your objectives or distract you from them.

*The difference isn’t the tech, it’s the leader using it.

(14:55) The CRIT Framework for Better AI Thinking

*Garbage in --> garbage out. Rich context determines quality output.

*Have AI interview you one question at a time to deepen clarity.

*Ask for “top 3 high-impact, non-obvious strategies” and not generic answers.

(18:55) The First Output Is Always the Worst Output

*AI’s first answer is just a draft and never the final product.

*Give feedback: what you like, dislike, and want changed.

*Switch personas (e.g., challenger, ideal customer, board member) to pressure-test ideas.

*AI improves through iteration, just like strategic thinking does.

(37:25) AI as a Strategic Question Engine

*A CEO facing bankruptcy used CRIT to consult AI as a debt restructuring expert.

*AI asked sharper questions than he had considered; uncovering hidden leverage.

*Within minutes, it generated a “non-obvious” strategy that restored hope.

Thanks to Geoff Woods for being on the show!

Connect with Geoff on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/geoff-woods-8534774

Learn more about his work: https://www.aileadership.com/

Get his book: The Ai-Driven Leader: Harnessing AI to Make Faster, Smarter Decisions – https://www.aileadership.com/book

Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth.


Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop


Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGall


Bill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach


Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth.


Did you enjoy today’s episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.


Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJ

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00u


Bill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/

Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall

Mentioned in this episode:

Q20 Diagnostic Offer

Stuck? Q20 Growth Diagnostic will give you a fresh perspective and it's free. ScalingCoach.com/Q20

Busy is Broken book

Our new book, Busy is Broken, coming this September. Sign up for the release at busyisbroken.com

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Support Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher

A huge thank you to our supporters, it means a lot that you support our podcast.

If you like the podcast and want to support it, too, you can leave us a tip using the button below. We really appreciate it and it only takes a moment!
Support Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher
A
We haven’t had any Tips yet :( Maybe you could be the first!

Listen for free

Show artwork for Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher

About the Podcast

Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher
Do you dream of an easier way to scale and grow your business? Do you wish you didn’t have to work so hard and put in as many hours? Do you find growth too slow, or hard to sustain?

This podcast—Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher—can help you achieve and maintain the growth you want.

A message from your host: “I’ve been in your shoes as a founder, CEO, and executive leader. I’ve coached and trained many leaders just like you over more than 15 years to grow their businesses successfully and profitably. But more than that, I’ve helped give them their time and sanity back. My core strength is making the growth process easier, faster, and way more fun.”

A dynamic thought leader, Bill talks with fascinating and brilliant guests each week, including visionary CEOs, trailblazing entrepreneurs, best-selling authors, renowned business strategists, and more.

Broadly, each episode focuses on one of the four major decision areas every entrepreneur and company must get right: People, Strategy, Execution, and Cash. More specifically, the show explores topics such as:

* Business Growth & Scaling.
* Customer Experience & Marketing.
* Innovation & Differentiation.
* Leadership Development.
* Delegation & Accountability.
* Vision & Strategy.
* Team Dynamics.
* Hiring & Talent Management.
* Company Culture.
* Employee Engagement.
* Crisis Management.
* Effective Communication.
* Influence & Persuasion.
* Business Strategies.

Running a business is ultimately about freedom. Subscribe to this podcast to learn how leaders like you can get your organizations moving in sync, create something significant, and still enjoy the ride. Subscribe if you want to elevate your business to unprecedented heights by tuning in to a masterclass in business excellence.

For information on Bill Gallagher’s coaching and training programs, and Scaling Up Workshops, visit www.ScalingCoach.com
Support This Show

About your host

Profile picture for William Gallagher

William Gallagher