The #1 Tool Businesses are Underestimating in 2026
6/15/202633 min
In this episode of the GaryVee Audio Experience, I talk about the massive shift coming to business through AI and why you need to stop making excuses and start putting in the 50 hours of homework to understand it. I discuss the underestimated potential of live shopping and how one TikTok post can sell out a product nationally. I also share personal stories about my biggest career regrets regarding candor and how my immigrant upbringing shaped my perspective on gratitude.
You’ll learn about:
- Why AI is a tool, not a job-killer
- The definition of "Kind Candor" and why your team needs it
- How to build a personal brand by providing value to others
- The impact of "Agentic Agents" and OpenClaw on your daily life
- Lessons on accountability and keeping your word
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsGary Vaynerchuk· Host0:00
Do you know how many people here, brother, have become the grandma they made fun of?
John0:03
[laughs] I don't- Let me explain. Yes.
Gary Vaynerchuk· Host0:06
Let me explain, Jimmy. There are people in here that used to make fun of their grandma for not knowing how to use AOL Instant Message.
John0:12
Oh.
Gary Vaynerchuk· Host0:12
Or they made fun of their dad for being on the BlackBerry 'cause he liked his fucking buttons when they were on the iPhone. [laughs] But now that they're 40, 42, 52, 37, 37, 59, they've become the person they made fun of- Yeah ... by deciding that AI is bad for society as a front that they don't wanna put in the 50 hours of work to understand how to use it. This is the Gary Vee Audio Experience.
John0:37
So I'm actually from Cleveland, and you know what you did- Mm. You know what you did to us, but- You know I love Cleveland fans.
Gary Vaynerchuk· Host0:43
You guys have it tough.
John0:45
We do.
Gary Vaynerchuk· Host0:45
I'm a Jets and Knicks fan, so I, I associate very deeply with Cleveland.
John0:49
Yeah.
Gary Vaynerchuk· Host0:50
Yeah.
John0:50
A lot of people feel sorry for us. So, um, we're gonna take some, do some kind of questions that people are interested in asking that are- Sure ... written down here, and then we'll take some time to ask questions from the audience as well. So Gary, you've made a career out of seeing things before the rest of the world. What's one thing you think business leaders are underestimating right now?
Gary Vaynerchuk· Host1:12
I think I touched on this speech. I think that the... I, again, you know, having the luxury of seeing everyone who's... I got to see the attendance list before I spoke here. You know, and I'm empathetic that it might not be your exact lane, but I will tell you the, the, the live shopping thing is a big deal.
John1:27
Yeah.
Gary Vaynerchuk· Host1:27
Every brand here is gonna be very affected. The fact