A step-by-step plan for building the capabilities your leadership team needs—before the gap becomes permanent. In March 2026, Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey told CNBC that AI had significantly influenced his decision to step down from his post. The company needed, in his words, “someone with the energy to pursue a completely new transformation of the enterprise.” A few months earlier, Walmart’s Doug McMillon stepped aside for essentially the same reasons: he could, he said, start the next big set of AI transformations, but he couldn’t finish the job. According to McMillon, Walmart needed someone faster to lead them into the AI era and so he was passing the baton on to a new CEO.
Your leadership team isn’t ready for AI. Here’s a 90-day plan to change that
Why This Matters
This article highlights the urgent need for tech companies to prepare their leadership teams for AI integration, emphasizing that failure to do so can hinder transformation efforts and competitive advantage. As industry giants like Coca-Cola and Walmart demonstrate, leadership readiness is crucial for successful AI-driven change. Implementing a structured 90-day plan can help organizations bridge this gap effectively.
Key Takeaways
- Leadership teams must develop AI capabilities quickly to stay competitive.
- A structured 90-day plan can accelerate AI readiness among executives.
- Failure to adapt leadership for AI can lead to missed opportunities and stagnation.
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