Most leadership books tell you to take charge, command the room, and be the smartest person in the building.

They’re leading you into a trap.

In the Marine Corps, we are taught that leadership isn’t about being the “hero”; it’s about being the architect of a mission that survives without you. But today, leaders are facing a new kind of “enemy” that wasn’t in the manual: the “robot.”

Principle 21: You’re Leading Humans and “Robots”

In my upcoming book, Lead Last, I introduce Principle 21: YOU’RE LEADING HUMANS AND “ROBOTS”. This is one of the biggest pain points for modern high achievers.

The fear isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about replacement. Many leaders are paralyzed by the perception that “robots,” or advancements in technology, will continue to decrease available jobs and devalue human ingenuity. If we’re honest, many of us have become resistant to the future because we’re afraid we won’t have a place in it.

But here is the counterintuitive truth: Technology is indispensable, but humans are irreplaceable. Effective leaders must excel in guiding both the emotional complexities of humans and the cold precision of the “robots.” Bottom line: If you aren’t leading your technology, the technology is leading you.

The Architect vs. The Power Tool

One of the most frequently asked questions concerns how I’ve published four books, over 200 articles, and contributed to outlets such as Military Families Magazine, Forbes, and the Marine Corps Gazette while serving as an active-duty Marine, husband, father, entrepreneur, etc. “Where do you find the time?!” They ask.

Well, the secret isn’t a “hack.” It’s a systematic approach in which AI and humans coexist. I treat AI like a power tool, but I remain the architect. I don’t let AI write for me; I build an “AI Executive Team” to support me. For example, I have “Dev” (the Developmental Editor) to identify my logic gaps, “Scout” (the Marketing Strategist) to identify trends, “Fact” (the Research Assistant) to verify my data, and “PM” (the Project Manager) to keep me on task and on target. This isn’t about working harder; it’s about leading a more efficient team.

Get the Blueprint: The D.O.P.E. Guide

I want to give you the exact framework I use to scale my writing and leadership. My D.O.P.E. Storytelling Quick Start Guide outlines the four essential prompts to build your own AI writing team today.

DOPE_Storytelling_Quick_Start_GuideDownload the D.O.P.E. Storytelling Quick Start Guide Here

Join Me: Behind the Scenes (Live)

Systems are great on paper, but leadership is caught, not just taught.

I’m inviting you to a FREE live session where I’m going to pull back the curtain. I’ll give you a rare, quick, behind-the-scenes look at my “Command Center”—exactly how I write and use this systematic approach during my live writing workshop.

We are becoming through action. Are you coming?

• What: So You Want to Write a Book?: D.O.P.E. Storytelling in the Age of AI
• When: Saturday, February 21, 2026. The event starts at 11:00 AM EST; my session starts at 12:20 PM EST.
• Where: Register Here: becomingthroughaction.live (Did I mention that it’s free?!)

Stop being a leader who fears today’s technology. Master the tools, lead your team, and Lead Last!