One of the most common objections I hear from leaders is that meaningful AI oversight is too slow, that accountability mechanisms are a brake on innovation. It’s worth noting that the fastest cars have the best brakes.

After ten years of coaching C‑suite leaders and advising CEOs and founders across industries, I’ve seen three recurring inflection points that make or break careers. In each of these moments, certain patterns separate the leaders who grow from those who stay stuck. Here’s what I’ve learned from a decade of watching executives win—and lose—at these inflection points.

World Economic Forum, Davos 2025 In 2020, Jack Welch made a profound observation in GE's annual shareholder report: "We've long believed...