Three great reads, and a bonus (3/27/2025)

AI as teammate, AI as customer, being "high agency", and running a referral program.

The Cybernetic Teammate (Ethan Mollick)
This author argues that AI tools are best used as “cybernetic teammates”. It explores how these tools can amplify our abilities, boosting productivity and efficiency. It concludes that mastering the integration of AI into our workflows and teams is crucial for navigating the future of work. The conclusion result from academic research and an experiment at P&G. AI’s potential isn't just about automation; it's about forming a true partnership between humans and computers. About 7 minutes. (link)

What if an AI Was Your Best Customer? (Gil Dibner)
If you’ve been vibe coding (sigh), you’ve probably had your AI software engineer suggest integration with third-party products, and apparently, some companies are considering building products to be consumed by gen AI. This article asks three fundamental and unanswered questions: How widespread is this already? What does it mean to build a tool to optimize its selection by an AI? Is this a new business model or just a new target customer? About 9 minutes. (link)

High Agency (George Mack)
I don’t agree with everything in this article, but it’s getting enough airtime, and you should read it. “High agency” is described as proactively shaping outcomes, which is vital for founders and product managers. The article concludes that success often hinges on rejecting default paths, actively questioning constraints, and resourcefully finding non-obvious solutions to achieve ambitious goals. A key insight is how frequently perceived hard limitations are merely untested assumptions or negotiable points within a system waiting to be understood and leveraged. About 35 minutes. (link)

Bonus! Here’s a piece of mine from last year that came up on a client call:

Building an effective employee referral program (me)
Referral programs directly impact the quality and speed of critical hires, and effective programs require more than just cash incentives. Clear processes, consistent communication, and meaningful recognition are what motivate participation. One key suggestion: treat the referring employee with thoughtfulness and respect throughout the process—e.g., providing timely updates and feedback—to ensure their continued engagement and the program's long-term success. About 4 minutes. (link)