Leadership and adoption
Introducing AI without losing your team
The technology is rarely the problem. Bringing people along is. Five principles for introducing AI with your team behind you.
6 min read
In small and mid-sized businesses, most AI projects don't stall on technology but on people. Staff who don't know why, who feel threatened or who simply don't use it. Five principles make it far more likely your team comes along.
1. Start with why
Explain why you're getting into AI, in terms that matter to your team. Not "we need to keep up", but "we want to spend less time retyping quotes and more time on our customers". Be honest about what you're not planning to do, too.
2. Involve people
The people doing the work know best where time is lost. Ask them which tasks they'd happily see go. A use case that comes from the team is picked up far better than one handed down from above.
3. Start small and visible
Pick one task, try it for a month with a few keen colleagues and share the results. Honestly, including what didn't work. A success colleagues see for themselves convinces more than any presentation.
4. Invest in learning
Nobody masters AI after one demo. Give people time to practise, basic training for everyone and a go-to person for questions. Let people make mistakes in a safe setting.
5. Agree what's allowed
Clear rules reassure people: which tools, which data, who checks. People use AI more readily when they know they're doing it right.
What you do yourself as a leader
- Use it yourself, and talk about what worked and what didn't.
- Show appreciation when people share good examples.
- Take concerns seriously, even if you don't share them.
- Say honestly what AI means for jobs in your business.
A moment to reflect
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Prompt to copy
I want to introduce AI in our business, a [sector] company with [number] people. Help me prepare a short talk of no more than 300 words for our team, explaining why we're doing it, what we will and won't do, how we'll go about it and how everyone can contribute. Honest and warm in tone, without big promises.
