In Part 2 of this conversation, Sarah Jeanneault and Dwayne Kerrigan tackle one of the most misunderstood topics in modern business: AI implementation.

Drawing from Sarah’s background in education, finance, trading psychology, and her current role at ProcedureFlow, the discussion reframes AI not as a silver bullet, but as an amplifier of whatever already exists inside an organization. Together, they explore why many companies are failing to see ROI from AI investments, how skipping SOPs and governance creates chaos, and why leaders must slow down before they scale up.

Sarah explains why meaningful AI adoption requires patience, critical thinking, and uncomfortable conversations. The episode also expands into leadership, parenting, culture-building, and the human elements AI will never replace: empathy, judgment, and connection. This is a grounded, honest conversation for leaders who want to use AI responsibly—without gambling their business on hype.

Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Why AI implementation is like a tricky recipe.
02:30 – Imposter syndrome and the language we use to protect ourselves.
05:00 – Growth mindset, emotional resilience, and learning to move on.
07:30 – “Ten more steps” and pushing through discomfort.
10:00 – Parenting, leadership, and teaching growth mindset early.
13:00 – Creating optionality and transferable values in life and business.
16:00 – Leadership through care, tough conversations, and authenticity.
20:00 – Why separating personal life and business is a false idea.
23:00 – Perspective gaps between small and large companies.
27:00 – AI hype vs. reality and why ROI is falling short.
30:00 – Customer experience failures caused by poorly implemented AI.
34:00 – Industries adopting AI at different speeds and stages.
38:00 – The danger of skipping SOPs and governance before AI.
42:00 – AI as an amplifier of broken processes, not a fix.
46:00 – Why leaders must ask hard questions and stay silent.
49:00 – Small business risk, AI investment, and protecting profitability.
52:00 – Data collection & SOP creation, to prepare for future AI workflows.
55:00 – Why burying problems in AI makes them worse.
59:00 – Visual flows explained and simplifying complex knowledge.
01:03:00 – Agentic AI, future workflows, and realistic timelines.
01:06:00 – AI’s impact on humanity, work, and learning.
01:10:00 – Preserving human connection, empathy, and curiosity.
01:14:00 – Doom scrolling, conscious AI use, and personal responsibility.
01:16:00 – Where to find Sarah, final reflections, and closing thoughts.

Key Takeaways:
• AI amplifies broken systems, it doesn’t fix them
• SOPs, processes, and governance must come before automation
• ROI fails when AI is implemented for optics instead of outcomes
• Process clarity enables both humans and AI to perform better
• Not every industry, or company, is ready for AI at the same pace
• Data collection today enables smarter AI decisions tomorrow
• AI should augment human judgment, not replace it
• The future still belongs to human connection, empathy, and choice

Resources Mentioned:
•ProcedureFlow - https://procedureflow.com/

Notable Quotes:
“The only difference between a dream and a goal is a timeline.” - Sarah Jeanneault

“ If you are willing to go 10 steps of uncertainty when you feel like you really need to stop, but you're gonna push for 10 more seconds, you are going to get so much further ahead of somebody else.” - Sarah Jeanneault

“ Anything worthwhile is hard. If it's not, it's probably not worthwhile.” - Dwayne Kerrigan

Sarah Jeanneault is the Vice President of Marketing at ProcedureFlow, where she’s helping redefine customer experience in the age of AI. Sarah is an award-winning executive, speaker, and founder who brings both personal passion and professional expertise to the table. In 2023, she was recognized as one of the Top 10 Women Leaders in Finance in the U.S.

Links
LinkedIn:https://ca.linkedin.com/in/iam-sarah-potter
Website: https://procedureflow.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Procedureflow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/procedureflow

Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedwaynekerriganpodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwaynekerriganpodcast/
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwayne-kerrigan-998113281/
Website: http://www.dwaynekerrigan.com

Disclaimer The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.