The Think Global Forum Hosts FlightClub Roundtable on Leadership in an AI World
The Think Global Forum held a compelling roundtable discussion, this time under the FlightClub banner, titled “Rethinking Leadership in an AI-Driven World.” The event brought together seasoned leaders and strategists to explore how decision-makers can rise above the daily clutter of dashboards, meetings, and buzzwords. The conversation was particularly timely as AI is on every business agenda and traditional leadership models are under pressure.
Moderated by Simon Hodgkins, Founder of Think Global Forum, the session featured Doyle Buehler, entrepreneur and founder of FlightClub, Derek Ryan, Founder of Thirty Tree Consulting, and Mine Dedekoca, Founder and Chief Happiness Officer at Happy Work Studio. Each panelist offered their unique insights on leading with purpose and making smarter decisions in a noisy, AI-saturated world.
Escaping the Fog of Overwhelm
The roundtable opened with Doyle Buehler setting the tone. Doyle painted a familiar picture of modern leadership. Many leaders, he said, are buried under dashboards and stuck in never-ending meetings, yet feel further than ever from clarity or real momentum.
He introduced three invisible forces that often stall growth and decision-making: drift, drag, and sink. These, he explained, are not just external challenges but internal patterns that creep into teams and leadership cultures.
Drift happens when the direction is unclear. Leaders may be moving fast, but they are not steering toward a defined goal.
Drag appears when internal resistance, bloated systems, or unclear priorities slow everything down.
Sink is the worst of the three. It is when progress stops altogether, and teams lose the energy or clarity to act.
These forces can manifest silently within an organization. One day, you are having strategy sessions, the next you are stuck in loops of alignment calls, ping-ponging emails, and half-finished initiatives.
The problem is not a lack of tools. It is a lack of systems that truly support follow-through. This is where his concept of FlightClub comes in.
FlightClub is A New Operating System for Leaders
At the heart of FlightClub is the idea of treating leadership like flying a plane. You need clear instruments, regular checkpoints, and a place to record and reflect on what matters. Doyle introduced the FlightJournal, a structured tool designed to help leaders cut through noise, prioritize, and track decisions over time.
AI plays a crucial role, not as a flashy gimmick, but as a practical “wingman” that supports thinking, simplifies operations, and enhances accountability. AI should reduce noise, not add to it.
Simon Hodgkins echoed this point, warning against what he called “AI theater” - when companies embrace artificial intelligence in name only, using it for show rather than substance. Authentic leadership, he commented, means knowing the difference between signal and noise.
Mindset and Momentum
One of Doyle's powerful metaphors was the concept of “hideouts.” These are the behaviors and habits leaders retreat to when the real work feels too uncertain or uncomfortable. Hideouts can look like overplanning, endless research, or adding many new tools. They feel like work, but they are often a form of avoidance.
Derek Ryan built on this, drawing from his experience as a globalization consultant. He pointed out that many organizations stay in a loop of strategy with little action. It is not that they lack ambition, he said, but that they are stuck in their own processes. Sometimes, the best thing a leader can do is acknowledge the friction, reset the frame, and take a clear first step.
Derek also spoke about the challenges of leadership in global teams, where distance and cultural complexity often make clarity even more critical. He emphasized the importance of local insight, aligned values, and clear systems that enable people to act, regardless of their location in the world.
The Role of Happiness in Sustainable Leadership
Mine Dedekoca brought an essential human element to the conversation. As the founder of Happy Work Studio and an advocate for psychological well-being in the workplace, she reminded the panel that performance cannot be separated from emotional safety.
When people are burnt out, overwhelmed, or under constant pressure, she said, it is not realistic to expect innovation or strategic thinking. Leaders must learn to listen, build psychological trust, and design systems that support people in thriving, not just delivering.
Mine highlighted that leadership is not about heroic action. It is about consistent clarity, emotional awareness, and a commitment to helping people operate in their “zone of genius.” A happy, well-supported team will consistently outperform a stressed, reactive one.
She also emphasized the importance of using AI tools with care. If they are brought in without context or conversation, they can increase pressure instead of relieving it. Tools should serve the team, not replace human connection.
From Insight to Action
Throughout the session, the panel kept coming back to one theme: action. Too many leadership models focus on inspiration without implementation. FlightClub, by contrast, is rooted in operational clarity. Its tools and frameworks are designed to help leaders take regular, grounded steps forward, rather than wait for the perfect plan.
Simon Hodgkins noted that this is precisely what Think Global Forum aims to promote. In a world that is constantly changing due to technology, globalization, and shifting workplace norms, forums like this help leaders step back and ask better questions.
The conversation also encouraged audience members to reflect on their own habits. Where are they drifting? What drag is slowing them down? Are they sinking? And most importantly, what systems are in place to support recovery and growth?
Looking Ahead to Leadership with Purpose
The FlightClub roundtable delivered the message that leadership requires more than good intentions. It needs structure, reflection, and a willingness to see through the fog. Tools like the FlightJournal, when paired with human-centered practices and the correct use of AI, can support the kind of leadership that actually gets things done.
As the session drew to a close, Doyle Buehler left the group with a parting thought: “When you fly with the right instruments, you stop guessing. You start leading.”
Final Thoughts
The Think Global Forum’s FlightClub roundtable was a masterclass in what leadership can look like when we choose clarity over clutter, purpose over panic, and real systems over performative strategy.
Whether you are a startup founder, a senior executive, or someone managing a complex team in a changing industry, the insights shared here offer a valuable path forward.
Keep an eye out for future events from Think Global Forum, as we continue to explore what it means to lead, connect, and grow in today’s world.
Watch the roundtable: https://www.thinkglobalforum.org/tgf-events/flightclub
