Latest news with #JamesDiNardo
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
Moving Past AI: Building Augmented Intelligence
James DiNardo is CEO of Like many I have spoken with, my team and I have been thinking deeply about artificial intelligence (AI). It's the story shaping our time, reshaping how businesses run, exciting investors and sparking a worldwide rush for tech leadership. Companies like OpenAI, Google, Meta and xAI are in the thick of it, racing to produce the smartest large language model (LLM) while facing strong rivals from Asia. Markets are buzzing: chip makers, robotics, self-driving cars and related fields are booming. What's amazing is the rise of tools claiming intelligence that match or beat human expertise in specific areas. Take xAI's newest release, Grok 4, which boasts knowledge beyond a PhD in fields from genetics to law, politics to chemistry. Essentially everything. Even exceptional polymathic humans are likely to master only a few areas in a lifetime, limited by time and focus. These language models quickly pull together deep insights across genres. That's revolutionary and some tout that artificial general intelligence (AGI) has already arrived and is in the stages of refinement. AI has become a buzzword in marketing. Some organizations choose descriptors like 'powered by' while using the tactics above. Though it's true that these tools can improve and enhance, there are many levels to implementation. Organizations that choose to only use the technology minimally in order to market with it can undermine confidence in the power of these systems. Not to mention, there are those who believe that the impact on the way we work or live will be so drastic in a few decades we will scarcely remember the way things used to be. We stand on the precipice of dynamic change the likes of which none of us have ever seen. Both positive and negative outcomes are possible. How leaders use AI systems today could shape the future. Some leaders use AI like an old-school search: quick questions for fast answers. A fact check, email rewrite, price comparison or data cleanup. Helpful, but shallow. They're not yet partnering with these tools on a deeper level for real thinking, decisions and future planning. Unfortunately, for most business leaders, we are faced with a dilemma. Learn to adapt or choose to ignore these developments. Perhaps at our own peril. Here's a better way: move past AI. Augmented intelligence means making AI understand, not just reply. It involves creating a "context engine." This is a custom base of your data, history, strategies and unique perspective. The process is time-consuming on the front end, as time must be invested to teach the LLM about background, goals, processes, competitors and inside knowledge. However, the more time invested, the richer the reward. By taking the time to educate the LLM, we can shift its role to act as a trusted advisor who knows your business, speaks your language and shares your values. Over time, my team and I have begun to test our LLM with context questions like, "What do we know so far?" or "How does this fit our plan?" The answers feel custom-made, full of relevant depth. We've continued to add layers by asking our LLMs to consult like a group of experts—Simon Sinek on leadership, Naval Ravikant on choices or Brené Brown on emotions. LLMs can pull known perspectives from these thought leaders to provide rich, blended views for strategy, branding or growth. The uses seem endless. I have even shared my personal goals, my values and what is important to me. Now AI takes these into consideration when I weigh choices that have both business and personal implications. One recent response I received was, 'Sounds fantastic. Consider this strategy will add additional workload to you and the team and could impact time with family you have shared as important. Suggest one approach could be to delegate or hire for this project.' These models often agree with your ideas, which isn't always a good thing. They don't care about your success like you do. One best practice is to ask detailed questions, demand data with sources, then check them yourself or have them checked. We find answers are often correct but not always perfect, and they can echo your biases. We have also found, one or two times, answers that were completely rogue. For this reason, we prefer to ask well-crafted, complex queries in a search for data-based views. Then we use the results to make decisions ourselves or with a team. Trust your instincts. In the end, while everyone's chasing AI, the edge goes to those crafting contextual, strategic augmented systems. In a fast-moving economy, the line between using AI and truly working with it could decide who leads and who follows. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Forbes
13-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Value Of Storytelling In Business And Life
James DiNardo is CEO of Growing up, my mom used to tell me how, back in the 1950s and early '60s, her friends would find any excuse to hear my grandmother tell stories. They'd laugh and sometimes tear up, hanging on every word as she brought to life the hardships of the Great Depression and the wild adventures she'd lived through. I think some of that rubbed off on me. When I was on an aircraft carrier, I found myself doing the same thing: sharing stories—about growing up, about Navy life, about the things I'd seen. And as time went on, the stories kept coming: raising a family, starting businesses, facing addiction, finding recovery. Some stories were hilarious. Others were hard. But all of them carried meaning. They became the thread that stitched together how I lead, how I connect, how I live. Storytelling goes back further than writing. It's how we pass on wisdom, build trust, move people to action. It's how we teach, how we sell, how we lead. When I was a teenager, I got a job selling stereos. I was hooked on the tech, wattage, distortion levels—all the specs. I could rattle off numbers like a machine. But nobody was buying. One day, a mentor pulled me aside and said, 'Facts tell, but stories sell.' That stuck with me. I started talking less about features and more about feelings—how someone's living room lit up when they heard their favorite song in perfect clarity. Almost overnight, I went from struggling to breaking records. Decades later, I'm still telling stories. Another example: My dad passed in 2007. A few years later, his old voicemails disappeared. Just like that, I couldn't hear his voice anymore. I would've given anything to have his stories recorded, something my kids could listen to so they'd know the man he was. Today, when I share his stories, I say, 'I'm channeling Jim Sr.' In the past two years, I've fallen in love with podcasting. It started as a side project but quickly became something more. I've had the privilege of sitting down with remarkable people and capturing their wisdom, their heartbreak and their victories. There's something incredibly fulfilling about helping someone preserve their legacy. It's a snapshot of their life, struggles, success, humor and grit that will hopefully last long after we're gone. So, here's my advice to other business leaders: Tell the stories of those who came before you. Share your own, your wins, your failures, your lessons. And even more importantly, tell the stories of the people around you, your team, your clients, your community. The sooner you do, the stronger the connections become. Also, don't forget to listen. When someone opens up and shares their story, they're not just giving you a glimpse into their life. They're offering you insight into what drives them, what matters, how they tick. It's not just what they say but what they don't that often reveals the most. The past decade has changed everything. We now carry in our pockets what used to cost tens of thousands of dollars: cameras, editing software, publishing tools. We can record stories with heart and share them with the world in an instant. In business, I firmly believe the reason most people haven't worked with you isn't because you're not good enough; it's because they haven't heard your story yet. Everyone has a story. Think you're camera-shy? Same here. Think you've got nothing to say? I've been there, too. But the only way out is through. You've got to speak up. Share your truth. Push past the doubt. Because here's the thing: Your story matters. It can be the difference between obscurity and success. It can help you and others. When you tell it, you just might leave something behind that outlives you. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Forbes
09-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Why Professional Success Is Never A Solo Journey
James DiNardo is CEO of A friend recently asked for my thoughts on his business ambitions. He wanted my perspective because, in his words, I'm 'self-made.' I had to set the record straight. The idea of being self-made is an illusion. While I've spent decades investing in my own growth—professionally, personally and financially—I didn't get here alone. No one does. Success isn't self-made; it's we-made. I realized this years ago while reading one of my favorite autobiographies: Benjamin Franklin's. One of the things that stood out to me was what he called his "Junto," a group of like-minded individuals who shared ideas, challenged one another and provided support. It was a community of mutual growth. Many years later, when reading Napoleon Hill, I found the same idea framed differently. He called it a "mastermind alliance"—a group of people working together toward a shared goal, where the success of one contributed to the success of all. That concept stuck with me, and over the years, I've built my own version of it. I've surrounded myself with people who challenge, support and guide me in every area of my life. For example, my physician, therapist and spiritual advisor help keep me physically healthy and mentally, emotionally and spiritually strong. My CPA, financial advisor, and controller watch over the financial health of my businesses and personal affairs. My attorney looks over any legal affairs and reduces risk. My personal trainer pushes me physically and forces me to dig deep. My recovery community provides accountability and reminds me to help those still struggling. My business colleagues, clients, veteran brothers and sisters, Masonic brothers and an assortment of consultants bring varying degrees of wisdom, camaraderie, discipline and expertise. My producer and editor oversee marketing content development and help us get the word out. My friends support me in times of hardship and help me troubleshoot, laugh through adversity and remind me of who I am and how far I have come. And, most importantly, my wife and family keep me grounded and focused on what truly matters. This network of people—and so many more, whether they realize it or not—has shaped me in ways I could never have accomplished alone. Their insights, support and accountability have allowed me to grow beyond my own limitations. I believe if you are the smartest, wisest or strongest in the room, you are in the wrong room. As a business leader, you should be surrounded by people who elevate, encourage or challenge you. If you're not, it's time to expand your circles—both in person and online. For example, in my case, I helped create and now host a leadership forum that has brought together a diverse group of voices and perspectives. Participants provide invaluable insights into the challenges we all face—and, more importantly, how to overcome them. The conversations have been deeper, more meaningful and far more energizing. Not everyone in your mastermind needs to be someone you know personally. I, for instance, also pull experience and alternative views from books, speeches and the wisdom of those I admire or wish to emulate. When I face challenges, I turn to their words for perspective and guidance. They, too, have become part of my support system. This is my mastermind. Sometimes, I refer to this collective as my "Junto" as a way to pay tribute to the wisdom of Franklin. With humility and gratitude, I often reflect and recognize the incredible people who have helped shape my journey. Among the greatest lesson of all is that being of service to others is the greatest gift. I believe the best way to build a meaningful life—and business—is to be part of someone else's mastermind, to contribute to their growth just as others have contributed to mine. Because with the tide, all ships rise. Although leaders must persevere and there is no substitute for hard work, success is never a solo effort. It never has been, and it never will be. We grow together. One of my mentors always reminds me: 'When you put yourself last, you always get to come first.' That's something I've found to be consistently true. One of the most effective ways to attract strength is by giving it away. When you lift others up, you not only grow personally but also attract people who bring the wisdom, experience and heart to help you continue moving forward. Not long ago, I attended a business networking event with about 30 C-suite leaders. A few younger entrepreneurs arrived late, and I noticed some people giving them a disapproving glance. After the session, those young men came over to share that they were inspired by what I had said during our roundtable discussion. Turns out, they were late because their business was growing and they were helping load trucks. In that moment, the idea of chasing 'power connections' faded into the background. What mattered most was being able to share a few words of encouragement with them—reminding them to stay the course, to keep going no matter what, to believe in themselves. As a leader, the best way to elevate yourself is by elevating others. The universe tends to take care of the rest. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
