AI is exposing a leadership gap
Why some product teams are pulling ahead fast
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One of the most striking patterns I’m seeing early in 2026 is how fast the gap is widening between AI front-runners and everyone else.
A small number of teams are operating with a clear sense of direction. They’re using AI to move faster, but more importantly, they’re using it to push proactively. They’re shaping what’s next, rather than waiting for clarity to emerge.
Most teams, though, are just reacting. When the environment moves this fast, waiting for certainty becomes the slowest possible strategy. This creates a new tension for product leaders.
What’s interesting is that front-runners aren’t necessarily more experimental. In many cases, they’re doing fewer experiments, but they have stronger product judgment. They decide what matters, then use AI to accelerate in that direction.
This is where the Product Alpha Effect™ shows up again. The real advantage is the ability to form a point of view, commit to it, and use AI as leverage rather than as a compass.
None of this means reactivity disappears. Some amount of response is inevitable when markets move this fast. But the teams that will excel in 2026 are the ones that know when to react, and when to lead.
If this resonates, I encourage you to forward this to a colleague and compare notes on where your team actually falls today. And if you want to continue the conversation publicly, tag me on LinkedIn, I’d love to hear how others are navigating this shift.
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Check out some of our recent content from top voices in the product space.
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