In this episode of The Business of Alignment, AJ records live—driving, thinking, and telling the truth that most leaders avoid.

Organizations are moving faster than ever. AI, constant output pressure, endless meetings, board demands, and nonstop execution have created a dangerous gap: almost no one is actually thinking strategically anymore.

Not the middle managers.
Not individual contributors.
And, surprisingly, not always the C-suite either.

AJ breaks down why modern companies are operationally busy but strategically fragile—and why relying on the CEO, CFO, or COO alone to “own strategy” is no longer enough. When everyone is reacting, firefighting, and chasing velocity, alignment quietly collapses.

His answer? A bold one:

By 2026, every serious organization should have a dedicated Strategy Office—a cross-functional team embedded across product, sales, HR, marketing, and partnerships. Not to create decks. Not to chase buzzwords. But to think, unblock, pressure-test, bridge gaps, and ensure the business is actually moving in the right direction—not just moving fast.

This episode is part reflection, part call to action, and part warning: Execution without strategy is just motion.

If you’re a leader feeling the speed, the fatigue, and the misalignment—this one’s for you.