thinking thursday
with chris

Welcome to the inaugural issue of Thinking Thursday, where we pause the noise, ask better questions, and think deeply about how we show up as leaders in a rapidly changing world.

This week: The AI wave is here. The question is — are you riding it, resisting it, or about to get caught underneath it?

Wake-Up Call for the Tech Workforce

We’re watching companies like Meta, Google, Amazon, Stripe, and Autodesk restructure around AI strategy — and the common thread in their layoffs? A reevaluation of how technology teams operate.

“No, not every layoff is caused by AI. But almost every layoff today is influenced by it.” — Chris Sauls

As AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot become more capable, companies are asking:

• Where can we automate intelligently?
• How do we upskill faster?
• Who on our team can adapt and lead — not just execute?

Adapt or Be Reassigned

If you’re a developer, IT analyst, sysadmin, or technical lead, here’s the hard truth:

• Your job isn’t safe just because you’re good at it.
• It’s safe if you’re aligned with where the business is going.

That means learning new tools, rethinking your workflows, and being the person who can bridge tech and leadership.

“What if your employer modernized your role tomorrow? Not fired you—but shifted it toward AI? Would you be ready?”

Leaders: It’s Time to Think in 360 Degrees

Legacy leadership models won’t cut it. Remote work, distributed teams, and information overload demand something new:

• Awareness of your people’s emotional bandwidth
• Comfort with ambiguity and rapid shifts
• The ability to influence across all levels: up, down, and laterally.

As Chris said in this episode:

“We’re drowning in information. Leaders have to become filters, not just funnels.”

What This Means for You

Whether you’re an individual contributor or executive, these are your next steps:

1. Audit your skills. What do you need to learn in the next 90 days to stay relevant?
2. Explore tools, not just titles. Stop focusing solely on promotions—start focusing on capabilities.
3. Lead from within. AI is powerful, but it still needs direction. That direction starts with you.

Featured Episode:

Episode 1 – AI, Layoffs & Leadership: Navigating the New Tech Frontier

In this episode, we break down:

• Why “safe” tech roles are being restructured
• How to think like a 360-degree leader
• What you must do now to avoid becoming obsolete
• Why legacy systems are a trap if you’re not evolving with them

Thinking Thursday Prompt:

What one thing could you learn, build, or improve this week to future-proof your career?

Hit reply or comment — your insight might get featured in next week’s newsletter.

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Forward this to a colleague who’s still treating AI like it’s optional. See you next Thursday.

– Chris Sauls Leadership Coach | Technologist | Transformation Architect