Episode 131

full
Published on:

25th Feb 2026

How Sharon Spano Thinks About AI That Enhances You Instead of Replacing You

What does it take to pivot when things are going well—but the world (and your work) is changing fast? In this episode of How Leaders Think, Kenny Lange talks with Dr. Sharon Spano, founder of Spano & Company, about strategic planning that actually gets implemented, leading through uncertainty, and building the ability to adapt without drifting. They unpack why long-range planning still matters, how leaders can cut through the noise, and what accountability looks like when execution is the real challenge. Sharon also shares how she’s used AI as a thought partner to gain clarity and make better decisions without outsourcing her discernment.

Listen on Other Platforms

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzh

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U=

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54b

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KennyLange/podcasts

Website: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/

Sharon Spano Resources

Website: https://sharonspano.com

Podcast Appearances: https://sharonspano.com/podcast-appearances/


Books Mentioned

The Pursuit of Time and Money (Dr. Sharon Spano): https://amzn.to/4tQXYnT


Chapters

00:00 - Cold open: AI as thought partner

00:55 - Welcome & Sharon Spano intro

01:30 - What’s on Sharon’s mind now

01:40 - Rebranding and pivoting a podcast

02:45 - When to pivot even if it’s working

03:10 - Big pivots: travel, market shifts, COVID

04:25 - Strategic planning changed after COVID

05:35 - Planning horizons: 3 years vs 10 years

08:10 - Vision, values, and getting to metrics

09:10 - Why most strategic plans fail

10:35 - Busy work vs real impact

12:20 - Too many meetings: redesigning cadence

13:05 - Accountability that drives execution

16:25 - Using AI for analysis and clarity

18:20 - Sharon’s new podcast and calling

21:05 - A first step to handle change better

44:25 - Where to find Sharon & closing


Hashtags

#HowLeadersThink #LeadershipDevelopment #StrategicPlanning #ChangeManagement

Show artwork for How Leaders Think with Kenny Lange

About the Podcast

How Leaders Think with Kenny Lange
Discover the secrets to impactful leadership with How Leaders Think, hosted by Kenny Lange.
Discover the secrets to impactful leadership with How Leaders Think, hosted by Kenny Lange. This podcast is your go-to resource for insights from top leaders across various industries. Each episode delves into the minds of successful entrepreneurs, CEOs, and thought leaders to uncover strategies for personal and professional growth.

Key Topics Covered:
- Emotional goals and effective leadership
- Coaching and employee retention
- Innovation and AI in business
- Escaping hustle culture
- Building strong organizational values
- Adaptability in nonprofit leadership
- The intersection of personal growth and spirituality

Join us every Wednesday to transform your leadership approach and unlock your potential.

Subscribe now and never miss an episode!

Subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Visit our website at kennylange.com for more resources and updates.

About your host

Profile picture for Kenny Lange

Kenny Lange

Kenny Lange helps faith-forward founders scale organizations without losing their soul, their people, or their mission.

After selling his first company and helping an agency nearly double revenue, Kenny discovered that scaling success can be just as hard as finding it. He's the creator of Lead to Scale™—a proven approach that guides leaders from chaos to Predictable Success.

Kenny hosts How Leaders Think, a globally top 10% podcast named a 2025 "must-listen" by MSN. His clients say he "cuts through the noise" and helps teams move from status meetings to strategic conversations.

Beyond business, Kenny and his wife Rebekah are on a mission to positively impact 10,000 kids by 2033.