A Story of Trust and AI: Betting on Potential

Today marks my 750th blog post in 18 years. Over the years, I’ve written about finance, fatherhood, and my highlights from the books. But milestone #750 feels different. It isn’t just about sharing a thought; it’s about sharing a moment where I watched the future of work happen right in front of me.

Last Monday, I presented to hundreds of colleagues during the AI & Automation: Real Stories & Real Impact Webcast. But the true driver of that day wasn't just code or digital tools—it was trust.

I want to take you behind the scenes of that day—not just to share the technical win, but to share a personal story of what happens when you combine Trust + AI.

Grounding Before the Growth

To be a leader who "creates space" for others, you first have to create space for yourself. My day didn't start with last-minute slide edits. It started early, in the quiet of the mosque. I went there to pray, to center myself, and to find focus. Innovation requires a clear mind, and that moment of stillness gave me the grounding I needed to support my team later in the day.

The Virtual Motivation 

By the time I reached the office for our rehearsal, I wasn't manic; I was ready. I hopped on a Microsoft Teams call with my co-speaker and intern, Osman Emre Yucel. Even though we were connecting through screens, the energy was high. I only told him: "We will do it!" 

Ready, Set, Go! - We will do it!

The Equation: Curiosity + Copilot > Experience 

We were there to present TIM (Tax Intelligence Monitor), a tool we built internally to automate the tracking of tax regulations. But the real story wasn't the tool; it was the method.

When Emre joined the team, I could have relied on my years of experience and micro-managed every step. Instead, I chose Trust. I defined the "what" (the tax complexity we faced with new product categories), but I gave him the space to own the "how."

This is where AI bridged the gap. I had the experience, but I was stuck in the old ways of working. Emre had the curiosity and tools like Microsoft Copilot. When you combine a leader’s trust with an intern’s AI-empowered curiosity, the hierarchy dissolves. The intern becomes the innovator.

Real Innovation is Messy (And Funny) 

Moving "beyond the hype" means admitting that AI isn't magic; it's an iterative process. During the webcast—which we delivered twice via MS Teams, once for the East and once for the West—we shared our "Fail Smart" moment.

I showed the audience how, in the early days, our AI tool kept flagging betting sites instead of tax regulations! We didn't hide this. We laughed about it. That transparency showed the audience that innovation is accessible. You don't need to be perfect; you just need to be persistent.

The Ripple Effect 

The most powerful moment wasn't our presentation; it was the interaction that followed in the chat. The questions and comments poured in. By the end of the day, we realized we hadn't just showcased a tax tool. We had handed over a blueprint.

We explained via the Q&A that the logic Emre built is a flexible asset. By simply adjusting the search parameters, a colleague in Supply Chain or Commercial can turn TIM into their own "Competitor Monitor" or "Regulatory Alert System."

That is the ultimate result of the Trust + AI equation: We didn't just build a solution for ourselves; we inspired a way of working that others can make their own.

Here is to the next 750 posts—and the innovations they will bring.

P.S. Remember how I said we started by accidentally tracking betting sites? Well, look at us now! I’m incredibly proud to share that TIM has officially been recognized and rewarded as a Continuous Improvement project. From "Fail Smart" to "Award Winner"—not bad for a tool built by an intern, right? 

Being Recognized - this means a lot!

Best invite of 2025

From Hero to Author: Designing Your Own Leadership Style

“Do you want to be the hero or the victim in the story?”

That question hit me hard recently. My answer? Neither. I want to be the author.

Heroes fight fires. Victims suffer circumstances. Authors design the plot. They decide what matters, what doesn’t, and how the story ends.

Why this matters in leadership

In high-pressure roles, it’s easy to default to operational heroics—being the “go-to” person for everything. It feels good in the moment, but it traps you in someone else’s script. Strategic work suffers, wellbeing erodes, and the system never improves.

Authors think differently:

• They write the ending first: What outcomes must be inevitable?
• They cast roles: Who owns what? Where are the guardrails?
• They edit ruthlessly: If it doesn’t fit the plot, delegate or delete.

My recent shift

After reflecting on feedback (and a candid Officevibe [a corporate survey] moment), I realized I was prioritizing urgent over important. So, I designed a new chapter:

• Clear responsibilities and escalation ladders to stop everything routing to me.
• Micro-automation and playbooks to kill recurring fires.
• Maker–Manager schedule to protect deep work and strategic thinking.
• Wellbeing guardrails—because sustainable performance beats burnout.

I even asked myself daily:

“What chapter am I writing today?”

Not “What inbox fire am I putting out?”

The takeaway

Leadership isn’t about being the hero. It’s about being the author—the one who makes results inevitable through systems, clarity, and foresight.

If you’re feeling stuck in reactive mode, ask:

• What’s the theme of my next chapter?
• What would make me irrelevant here (in a good way)?
• What system would make success inevitable?

Call to Action:

How do you design your own leadership narrative? Drop your thoughts below—I’d love to learn from your stories.

Some photos just after thinking about all these, while walking to the hospital for a check-up.

A Quiet Sunday with Marcus Aurelius: Preparing for Tomorrow

It’s a sunny November afternoon. I’m sitting on the balcony, enjoying the warmth and getting some Vitamin D before winter comes. The sea is calm in the distance. Everything feels peaceful—except my thoughts. Tomorrow will be busy: hard meetings, big decisions, and important conversations.

On my lap is Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. Two lines make me stop and think:

“If something outside upsets you, it’s not the thing itself—it’s your opinion about it. You can change that opinion anytime.”

“If an obstacle stops you from doing the right thing, don’t blame yourself. Accept it and move forward calmly.”

These words feel powerful. In business, many things are outside our control—markets change, rules shift, projects delay. But Aurelius reminds us: the problem is not the event, it’s how we see it. We can choose a better way to think.

Three Simple Lessons for Work

1. Change the Story in Your Head
   Tomorrow’s meeting is not “stressful.” It’s an opportunity to solve problems. Think that way, and you feel stronger.

2. Control What You Can
   If something blocks your plan, don’t waste energy on anger. Ask: What can I still do? There is always something.

3. Accept What You Cannot Change
   Some barriers are immovable. Instead of resisting, redirect. Use your energy for what matters.

As the sun goes down, I close the book and smile. Stoic wisdom is not just old philosophy—it’s a tool for modern life. Tomorrow will be tough, but today I feel ready.

So, let's save some photos from the rest of the Sunday.