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The Made Leader Podcast

AI in Leadership: Essential Strategies for Success with Theresa Fesinstine

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Theresa Fesinstine

Are you and your team ready for AI, or are you still hoping it’s just another business fad that will fade away? While executives debate high-level AI strategies, middle managers are caught in the trenches, needing practical approaches that balance real-world implementation with their team’s day-to-day responsibilities.

Theresa Fesinstine joins the podcast to discuss the evolution of AI in workplaces and how middle managers can lead through this transition. As an AI consultant, trainer, and author of “People Powered by AI,” Theresa works with HR teams and organizations to develop thoughtful approaches to integrating AI tools.

In this candid conversation, Theresa explains that many companies are still waiting for someone else to “lead the charge” on AI policies, while employees quietly experiment with tools on their own. She dives into the specific challenges facing different demographics in AI adoption, particularly women over 40 in the workplace often use AI less frequently. 

We explore the balance between using AI for tactical efficiency versus strategic thinking, and whether organizations will truly allow the time saved through AI to be reinvested in human-centered leadership activities. Lastly, Theresa breaks down exactly how middle managers can start using AI in practical ways beyond just polishing emails.

Whether you’re an AI skeptic or enthusiast, this episode provides realistic, down-to-earth advice on how to navigate these tools with your team. Theresa’s no-nonsense approach cuts through the hype and gives you actual next steps you can implement starting today.

Key Highlights

  • Companies are becoming more intentional about AI adoption, moving from “shiny object syndrome” to strategic implementation
  • Many organizations are still developing proper AI guidelines – not heavy-handed policies but flexible roadmaps
  • Women over 40 in the workplace often use AI less, potentially leaving them behind as technology advances
  • Start small: begin with daily AI interactions about personal interests before moving to work applications
  • Custom AI assistants represent a high-value opportunity for managers to enhance team collaboration
  • Have proactive conversations with team members about how and when they’re using AI
  • The “next level” beyond email polishing is creating custom assistants and building automated workflows
  • Begin your AI journey today with a simple approach: install ChatGPT on your phone and ask one question daily

Links Mentioned

Guest Bio

Theresa Fesinstine is a strategic force at the intersection of artificial intelligence and human resources. With over 25 years in executive HR leadership, she now leads the charge in translating AI into clear, actionable solutions for non-technical professionals. As the Founder of peoplepower.ai, she equips organizations to move beyond buzzwords and start using AI to solve real business problems, elevate talent strategies, and future-proof their workforce.

She is a dynamic keynote speaker, published author of “People Powered by AI,” and trusted advisor to AI-first HR tech startups. Her signature framework, “Flatten the AI Learning Curve,” reflects her deep commitment to making AI approachable, inclusive, and results-driven. Her leadership has earned recognition such as PYN’s 50 Over 50 Women in Tech and the Dextego AI Award for AI Thought Leadership.

Theresa serves as an Adjunct Professor of AI for Business at City College of New York, where she prepares future leaders to enter the workforce with both strategic vision and a strong foundation in applied AI. She advises early-stage founders and emerging teams, offering high-impact HR insights that accelerate innovation and scale.

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