Same Old Meh

Welcome to issue #012 of Under the Surface. Each week, I share one thoughtful piece to help you grow, lead and thrive in the messy reality of project work. If something lands - or misses - I’d love to hear your thoughts. And if you’re exploring what’s next, you can join the Pathfinder waitlist to go deeper with others on the same journey.

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Let’s be honest.

A lot of the AI conversation right now?

Same old meh.

New acronyms, new tools, same behaviours:

• Chasing trends without clarity.

• Sharing headlines without understanding.

• Making noise without outcomes.

The truth is:

And that’s exactly the problem. AI adoption is being driven more by urgency than understanding. Performance over purpose.

A recent MIT Report found that 95% of AI pilots fail to deliver measurable value. They don’t fall short because the tech is weak. They fail because teams skip the fundamentals: What problem are we solving? Why this tool? What are the downstream impacts?

And yet, the pressure to sound like you "get it" is everywhere.

The pressure to conform - to be seen as "on it" - can overwhelm critical thought. It dulls curiosity. It breeds compliance.

Project professionals are feeling this. AI is coming up in boardrooms, briefs, site meetings. It’s framed as inevitable. And it is inevitable.

But inevitability is not the same as readiness.

So how do you approach AI with clarity?

Let’s borrow a few principles from books I trust:

From The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier:

Start with better questions. Don’t ask, "How do we implement AI?" Ask:

• What’s the real problem we’re trying to solve?

• What value would automation unlock here?

• What don’t we yet understand?

From Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson:

People react differently to new ideas. Some need data. Others need dialogue. If you're rolling out AI tools, remember that communication isn’t one-size-fits-all.

From Blue Ocean Strategy by Kim & Mauborgne:

Don’t play in crowded, copycat waters. AI isn’t a shortcut to differentiation. Strategy still matters.

From Embrace the Chaos by Jason Fox:

Uncertainty is fertile ground. But only if you’re willing to explore, adapt, and question. AI invites us to rethink what matters—not just automate what exists.

And from Ros Atkins' The Art of Explanation:

If you can’t explain the why and how behind your AI approach in plain English, you’re not ready yet.

Here’s how you pivot

AI isn’t going away. But neither are you.

Your value - especially in the coming decade - won’t be how many tools you deploy. It will be how clearly you think, how well you communicate and how wisely you apply judgement in a noisy world.

AI can help you go deeper - into your own mind, ideas, actions. But only if you bring intention with you.

Those who combine technology with human-centred leadership? They're not just ready for what's next. They're defining it.

They’re Pathfinders.

Want to lead with clarity, not compliance?

Join the Pathfinder waiting list - the new membership programme from Coron Projects.

For project professionals who think differently, lead intentionally and want to grow beyond the noise.

Yours,

Gerwyn

PS – What we’re building at Coron Projects

I’m building something for project professionals who want more than just tasks and titles. Pathfinder is a new kind of membership built for people in engineering and construction who are ready to grow, lead and thrive on their terms. No corporate bullshit. No gatekeepers. Just the tools, support and mindset shifts that help you take ownership of your career.

It’s currently in development and if that sounds like something you might want in your corner, you can join the waitlist here and include “Pathfinder” in the message.