Exhaustion Isn’t Leadership: Pamela Oberg on AI, Change, and Leading Steady

In this episode, Michelle introduces Pamela Oberg, founder of Sea Blue Strategies, who helps businesses align people, process, and purpose—using AI to make work sharper, faster, and more human.

[00:02:00] Rethinking Leadership in Change

Pamela breaks down why “urgency” isn’t leadership—it’s panic disguised as productivity. She defines real leadership qualities: clarity, consistency, empathy, and transparency.

[00:05:00] The Culture of Exhaustion

Michelle and Pamela discuss how overwork has become a false badge of honor, especially for women leaders. Pamela shares how she’s seen “exhaustion as dedication” destroy clarity and decision-making—and why burned-out leaders don’t make good ones.

[00:09:00] Systems That Protect Energy

Pamela shares a client story where clear workflows and dashboards reduced chaos, frustration, and burnout. Together, they reflect on how calm can be a true measure of impact.

[00:12:00] AI Without Context = Chaos

Pamela explains why “blank page” AI adoption fails. She argues that AI must align with existing strategies and workflows—otherwise it creates noise, not value.

[00:16:00] Corporate Lessons for Entrepreneurs

Drawing on her enterprise experience, Pamela outlines parallels for solopreneurs: the importance of small pilots, aligning AI with strategy, and giving yourself permission to learn in real time.

[00:22:00] AI as a Thought Partner

Pamela describes how she uses AI daily: brainstorming, refining ideas, managing her content strategy, and giving herself a “colleague in the next office.” She shares how this frees her up to do the human-centered work only she can do.

[00:28:00] Surprising AI Wins

Pamela reflects on the unexpected joy of AI—not just efficiency, but fun. She notes AI hasn’t replaced her work, it’s amplified it.

[00:31:00] Final Challenge

For women hesitating to step into AI, Pamela offers a challenge: start small, try one tool, and see what’s possible. Progress matters more than perfection.

Resources

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelaoberg

Substack: @pamelaoberg

And Pamela is always excited for new subscribers at: https://pamelaoberg.substack.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7350558484582555648