Essential leadership skills for successful AI adoption
McKinsey says leadership is AI's biggest hurdle. Discover the essential skills NZ business leaders need to drive successful AI adoption and empower their teams.
Phil Vinall
Co-founder · 1 June 2025 · 3 min read
TL;DR
McKinsey says leadership — not technology — is the biggest hurdle to AI adoption. Your job is to share a clear vision, turn your team's worries into genuine wins, and guide them through the change. Get the people side right and the tech follows.
The biggest hurdles when adopting AI aren’t about the tech. They’re actually about you - how will you lead AI adoption in your organisation?
The biggest hurdles when adopting AI aren’t about the tech. They’re actually about you.
A report from McKinsey said, “The biggest hurdle to success [with AI] is leadership.” And it’s a common theme in other findings. MIT Sloan Management Review (April 2025), found that 91% of top data managers said that “team challenges and managing change” were the main problems holding them back with AI.
For Kiwi businesses, getting AI working well isn’t just about buying new software or hiring a tech guru. It’s about how you, as the leader, tell the story of AI, get your people ready, and weave it into your unique business.
Your role in leading AI adoption
Sharing the vision: If you don’t have a clear idea of why you’re bringing in AI, or what you want it to achieve, your efforts can end up all over the place. As Codewave pointed out (May 2025), “AI actually helps the business when the top leader leads the way.” Your team needs to understand why and how AI is coming into your company.
Turning worries into wins: It’s fair enough for people to worry about AI taking their jobs. But staff are often less scared of AI itself, and more worried about how it will change their daily work, especially when things aren’t clear. This is where your leadership is crucial. When you show that AI is here to help people and not replace them - it changes everything. For example, Microsoft’s own studies (April 2025) found that staff using an AI Copilot, saw a 10-20% boost in getting things done and 68% felt happier at work. It helped free them up for more interesting, important (and valuable) work, and boosted their confidence in their future.
Leading the journey: Bringing in AI means some changes in the workplace. You need to be the kind of leader who can guide your team through this. You can do this by setting clear expectations, letting them try out new things, and building trust. When you, as the leader, actively share exploration of AI and its benefits, you create a workplace where your team sees it as a helpful partner, not something to be afraid of.
Adopting AI is less about a tech race and more about a thoughtful, people-focused journey. For Kiwi businesses, this means looking beyond the gadgets and truly focusing on your team and your style of leadership. When you, the leader, are strong and understanding, your AI plans will have a clear purpose, get results, and grow right alongside your business.
What’s your biggest question or fear about leading AI adoption within your business? We’d really love to hear from you.
Want to develop your AI leadership skills with expert guidance? Our AI Clarity Session gives you a structured 2-hour workshop to build your AI vision and roadmap. For ongoing support, the AI Native Programme helps you lead your team through the full adoption journey. You might also enjoy our related article on leading AI adoption with a clear vision.