In a recent LinkedIn post, product strategy expert Melissa Perri highlights a critical pitfall many companies face when adopting new technologies like AI. Perri argues that the rush to implement AI tools for productivity gains is often undermined by a fundamental failure to translate high-level company strategy into actionable team decisions. This disconnect, she explains, can negate the very benefits these tools are intended to provide.
The Illusion of Speed Without Direction
Perri begins by addressing a dominant fear among product leaders: falling behind competitors. This fear, she observes, often leads to a hasty adoption of new tools and an unqualified push for increased speed. However, Perri cautions that speed is only beneficial when directed effectively.
“Speed only helps if it is pointed in the right direction. Move fast on the wrong things and AI does not save you time. It manufactures waste at a higher rate.”
This insight is crucial for businesses investing heavily in AI. As Perri points out, simply deploying AI solutions without a clear strategic roadmap can lead to an amplification of inefficient processes, essentially creating more waste, faster. Her analysis stems from a survey where a significant concern among leaders was over-investing in tools without fundamentally changing how work is performed.
The Underrated Skill: Strategy Translation
The core of Perri’s argument lies in the essential skill of strategy translation. She emphasizes that the ability to take a strategy conceived at the executive level and break it down into concrete decisions for a product team is paramount. This involves defining what work should be prioritized, what should be declined, and how success will be measured.
Compounding Value of Strategic Clarity
Perri describes this translation skill as one that “compounds.” With each successful application, individuals become more adept at discerning the connection between overarching goals and daily operational choices. She stresses that AI, despite its advancements, cannot replicate this human judgment.
“AI cannot do it for you, because it takes judgment about your specific business, your customers, and your bets.”
This highlights a key limitation of AI in strategic contexts. According to Perri, AI lacks the nuanced understanding of a company’s unique market position, customer base, and strategic gambles, which are all vital for effective decision-making. She notes that this skill is also challenging to develop independently, leading her to build her Mastering Product Strategy course around this very topic.
Navigating the Future of Work
Concluding her post, Perri offers a forward-looking perspective. While technological tools will undoubtedly continue to evolve and accelerate, she asserts that true competitive advantage will belong to those who maintain a clear sense of direction.
“The tools will keep getting faster. The people who pull ahead will be the ones who still know where they are going.”
Melissa Perri’s insights serve as a vital reminder for leaders that technological adoption must be paired with robust strategic thinking and effective communication. Without the ability to translate strategy into action, the promise of AI-driven productivity may remain largely unfulfilled, drowned out by the noise of misdirected effort.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Melissa Perri on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on June 25, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →