In the AI Era, How Can Leaders Cultivate Their Own Unique "Taste"?
The blog post explains how leaders can develop their own “taste” – a sharp judgment for evaluating AI solutions – by learning from practical industry experts, AI‑native founders, peers in similar journeys, and candid conversationalists. It emphasizes observing real‑world AI implementations and engaging in deep discussions to sharpen judgment and confidently discern truly valuable AI innovations.
Everyone says that in the age of AI, you need to have your own Taste. But what exactly is taste?
At its core, taste is judgment. It is the ability to see at a glance what is truly "good" and exactly how good it is. Many AI solutions presented by companies look impressive to outsiders, but to a trained eye, they feel "plastic"—rigid, cheap, and undeniably "AI-flavored." Why do some bosses fail to see this? Simple: they lack judgment, which means they lack taste.
When three different AI projects claiming to boost efficiency land on your desk, which one is truly disruptive? Which one is worth a heavy investment? If you don’t know and find yourself just "guessing," it’s because you haven’t yet established your aesthetic for this new era.
What should you do? Close your laptop and get out of the office. Visit these four types of leaders, borrow their eyes, and sharpen your own taste.
1. The "Traditional Industry" Practicalist: Those Solving Real Problems
Don’t just stare at Silicon Valley or tech giants. Go see the factory owners, logistics managers, or retail bosses who have integrated AI into the "grittiest" and most exhausting parts of their business. When you witness a complex, traditional, offline operation being optimized by AI, you gain a tangible sense of confidence—if they can do it, why can't I? This "practical" taste helps you instantly see through hollow PPT proposals.
2. The "AI Native" Founder: Born in the New World
Visit companies that have emerged or surged in the last three years because of AI—look at players like Feishu (Lark), Alibaba, or other AI giants. Observe their headcount: How many people do they actually use? What is the state of their employees? What is their performance logic? Their organizational structures are born to collaborate with Agents. Connecting with them will force your horizons to expand. This "future-forward" taste will teach you that true AI transformation isn't just a patch on an old system; it’s a total redefinition of business logic.
3. The Broad "Peer": Learning from Similar Journeys
In the AI era, there are virtually no secrets worth hiding. Every company's core DNA is different; even if methods are shared transparently, it won't hinder individual growth. Go talk to companies in similar situations—even your competitors. This "professional-grade" taste comes from shared experience. If sharing your experience hurts your business, it only proves that your business wasn't strong enough to begin with. Open exchange allows you to see the true "water level" of your industry.
4. The "Candid Conversationalist": Those Willing to Talk it Through
This person might not have a ready-made answer or even understand your specific industry, but they provide a "space." While you are the person who understands your business best, you need someone to challenge you with the right questions. In a deep, immersive conversation, a certain neuron might suddenly fire, allowing you to finally resolve a long-standing confusion. This "reflective" taste helps you identify the weakest links in your own thinking.
Conclusion
Taste isn't dreamed up in an office; it is "fed" through high-density social interaction and observation. A leader’s judgment determines the ceiling of a company’s AI transformation. Once you have seen what "truly good" looks like, those "plastic," mediocre solutions will never pass your inspection again.