How to Position Yourself as the AI Leader Your Organization Needs

Janice Liu CEO of Mantis speaking on panel at Womxn in Data Science Conference in Toronto with Kishawna Peck CEO of Woven

You have years of domain expertise, but somehow AI conversations are happening without you. Sound familiar? You're watching your organization invest in AI while wondering how to position yourself as the leader they need.

Here's the truth: You don't need to become a technical expert. You need to become the bridge.

I'm Kishawna Peck, founder of Woven. When I started this company in 2018, I was often the only data analyst in my department, sometimes the only one in the entire company. That meant I had to learn fast and figure out how to influence without being the loudest voice in the room.

Now I see brilliant professionals making the same mistake everywhere: thinking they need to master every AI tool to get noticed. That approach backfires because it signals enthusiasm without substance.

Organizations are racing toward AI, but most lack the data maturity to execute properly. They need people who can assess opportunities, understand implementation challenges, and provide guidance on strategic decisions. They need someone who understands both the market possibilities and organizational constraints.

The Three-Step Framework That Actually Works

1. Get Honest About Where You Are Assess your current position. Look at your domain expertise, leadership experience, and strategic thinking abilities. Write it down and make it visible to yourself.

When's the last time you took leadership training? Are you up to date with the latest advances in your own field? If you're in marketing, do you keep up with marketing trends beyond AI?

It's okay if there are gaps. Being honest about where you are is the only way to grow strategically.

2. Become the Strategic Intelligence Hub Set up alerts for AI developments in your domain. Research how competitors are approaching AI. Understand the regulatory considerations within which your company operates. Share relevant market intelligence with leadership. Offer to lead internal AI education sessions. Position yourself as the go-to person for strategic AI insights.

3. Start Small, Build Credibility Identify low-risk opportunities within your current role. Volunteer for cross-functional AI planning. Position yourself as the primary source of strategic information for your team.

Here's what this looks like in practice: An operations director felt behind on AI but realized they had process optimization experience, analytical expertise, and change management skills. AI automation is transforming operations everywhere, and organizations need leaders who understand both technical possibilities and business implementation. That gap became their strategic positioning. They didn't need to learn Python. They needed to dig deeper into what they already knew.

Your Next Steps

Begin your strategic assessment today. Set up those industry intelligence alerts. Just search "[your domain] + AI" and create Google alerts.

If you want structured support for this positioning journey, our Pro Dayta Dahta Membership includes monthly group coaching and strategic frameworks for AI leadership development.

The Bottom Line

AI leadership is built on credibility through thoughtful analysis, strategic thinking, and understanding your organization's actual needs.

You already have the foundation. Now it's time to position yourself as the bridge between AI potential and business reality.

Ready to stop watching from the sidelines? Your organization needs the leader you can become.

Ready for strategic support? Learn more about the Dayta Dahta Membership at joinwoven.com.