Insights
Cloud, AI, leadership — and the threads between them.
Technology scales systems. Curiosity scales ideas.
This is where everything I write lands — cloud strategy, leadership notes, daily reflections, the occasional wine pour. If you want one topic, the navigation has dedicated pages for cloud, leadership, and change. Here, it's everything in the order it arrived.
The Biggest Risk of AI May Be That Humans Stop Thinking for Themselves
August 22, 2026
As AI becomes more persuasive, human judgment matters more. Michael Earls explores why we must question AI, trust our intuition, and think for ourselves.
Where Is Your Beach? Finding Your North Star Before the Noise Takes Over
August 14, 2026
Finding your North Star starts with creating space to be human. Discover why leaders need their own “beach” to slow down, reconnect, and find direction.
FinOps Is Not a Finance Problem. It’s an Architecture Problem.
August 3, 2026
FinOps isn’t simply about reducing cloud costs. It’s an architectural discipline that connects storage, AI, governance, and cloud strategy into one intentional foundation.
Attention Is the Real Currency: Learning Intentionally in a Distracted World
July 28, 2026
Do we learn differently from audiobooks than physical books? Explore how attention, intentional learning, and focus matter more than the format in today’s digital world.
The 23 Minutes That Decide Your Direction
July 24, 2026
In the age of AI, protecting your attention may be more valuable than increasing your productivity. Learn why 23 uninterrupted minutes can change your direction.
When AI Agents Cross the Line
July 23, 2026
OpenAI’s latest AI security incident highlights why AI agent identity, guardrails, governance, and human oversight are essential for enterprise AI.
The Hidden Cost of Building Your Name
July 19, 2026
Building your name online also makes it a target. A personal look at AI, scams, identity, and why trust matters more than ever.
Wired for Purpose — Week 12: The Midpoint
July 13, 2026
Half the year is behind us. Use this mid-year reflection to realign your priorities, finish strong, and build the second half of the year with greater purpose and intention.
Speed Without Direction Is Just Noise
July 8, 2026
Speed without direction is just noise. Michael Earls on staying human in the age of AI: leadership, clarity, and what machines can never replace.
Wired for Purpose — Week 10: Presence
June 23, 2026
A Father’s Day reflection on putting down the phone, listening fully, and giving the people closest to us more of our presence.
The Compass My Daughter Handed Me
June 18, 2026
I was lucky enough to have two fathers. One taught me how to care about flowers. The other taught me how to use flour. Both taught me direction. A Father’s Day reflection on the quiet way direction passes between generations.
Wired for Purpose – Week 10: Presence
June 14, 2026
This week, I learned a lesson from a loaf of bread. A few days ago, I baked a loaf that came out nearly perfect. Great…
Wired for Purpose — Week 9: Attention
June 12, 2026
Attention is more valuable than time. Learn how protecting your focus can improve leadership, clarity, and direction in a distracted world.
The Other Alignment Problem
June 9, 2026
Anthropic is asking how to align AI with human goals. The deeper question for leaders is whether we remain aligned with our own as AI, automation, and decision-making accelerate.
Wired for Purpose — Week 8: Signal and Noise
June 3, 2026
Learn how to separate signal from noise, protect your attention, and find clarity in a world filled with constant distraction and information overload.
The New IT Sprawl Is AI Sprawl
June 1, 2026
Organizations spent years managing application sprawl and cloud sprawl. Now a new challenge is emerging: AI sprawl. Here’s why leadership and direction matter more than ever.
Wired for Purpose — Week 7: Margin and Recovery
May 27, 2026
Mental margin protects clarity, judgment, and resilience in fast-moving leadership environments. Recovery is part of the system.
The Quiet Trade Nobody Talks About in AI
May 26, 2026
AI was supposed to make work more human by removing repetitive tasks. Instead, many people now feel like they are operating at machine speed while AI does the thinking. This is not just a technology conversation anymore. It is a conversation about trust, leadership, burnout, and what it means to stay human inside modern work.
The AI Stack Problem No One Planned For
May 20, 2026
Most enterprises are running Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok in parallel — with no rationalization, no governance, and no operating model.
Wired for Purpose — Week 6: Daily Alignment
May 17, 2026
Daily alignment helps leaders focus on what truly matters before distractions and urgency take over the day.