April 2026 Edition
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Bringing Clarity to AI in a Time of Pressure
Recently, we were in a conversation with the leadership team of a fast-growing business about their need to adopt AI across the organization. They knew AI mattered. They were already experimenting in small ways. When it came time to make real decisions—where to invest, what to prioritize, how to move forward—clarity disappeared, and the resulting uncertainty began to hinder momentum. The conversation started with AI but quickly shifted to a more fundamental question: Is the business structured to successfully implement AI?
Many teams find themselves in this position today. They recognize the importance of AI and have a genuine interest in using it, but without a clear path forward, it becomes difficult to determine where to focus or how to move with confidence. We’re seeing this across small and mid-sized businesses, where even strong companies are navigating a landscape that now demands greater agility and speed.
That is what led us to develop our AI Readiness Audit in partnership with experts in AI and data architecture. This audit is designed to answer the questions leaders are actually asking right now: Where do we start? What is worth investing in? How do we move forward in a way that makes sense for our business?
This work builds on what already drives your business, ensuring the foundation is in place to move forward with clarity and confidence. As you look at your AI strategy today, how clearly is it defined, and how confident are you in its longevity?
Simply reply to this email to schedule a brief conversation. AI is already here. The question is whether your business is positioned to take full advantage of it.
How Teams Use Clarity to Build Momentum
Collective As we move further into the year, this is often the point where early clarity either begins to gain traction or starts to slip. Many teams begin with strong intentions, but without ongoing alignment and disciplined execution, progress can lose momentum.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing momentum comes from doing “more”. But sustainable momentum is actually built from continuous clarity. Clarity around what matters most, how decisions are made, and who is accountable for what. When that clarity is consistently shared, teams operate with greater focus, communication becomes more streamlined, and progress becomes steadier.
At Collective Growth, we see time and again that the most effective teams aren’t doing the most, but rather they’re the most aligned. They create space to step back, evaluate what’s working, and ensure their efforts remain pointed in the same direction.
When clarity is reinforced through consistent leadership rhythms, teams are able to move forward with confidence and build momentum that lasts. If we asked you today, how would you rate your team’s clarity?
Preparing for Q2: Aligning as a Team
To kick-off Q2, we started with our quarterly ritual: our half-day review and planning session where we stepped back from the day-to-day to reflect, realign, and define what matters most in the months ahead.
This work goes beyond simply setting goals. It is an opportunity to come together, capture what we have learned, clarify priorities, and ensure alignment in how we move forward. When teams create space for this kind of reflection, it strengthens the foundation for execution.
As we move into the next quarter, a key focus is continued expansion in our client work and our team. We are excited about the opportunity to grow our impact while staying grounded in the values and alignment that drive our work. We can’t wait to share upcoming additions to our CG team!
New on the Inner Work Podcast![]()
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MaryAnn here.
I want to ask you something.
If someone asked you, "What would you do if money wasn't an object?" what would you say?
For me, the answer was always the same: have coffee with people. Talk. Think out loud. Be with them. It took years, and several careers , to stop treating that answer like a distraction and start building it into a life.
This week's episode of Inner Work is about exactly that.
I sat down with Emily McAnelly, VP of Strategic Growth at Collective Growth, for a conversation that started with joy and ended somewhere I didn't expect.
If you've ever looked at the thing that comes easiest to you and thought, "That probably doesn't count", this one is for you.
PS my five-month-old chocolate lab named Gumbo makes several appearances in this episode!
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