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Leading AI adoption with a clear vision

Companies with a formal AI strategy see 80% adoption success vs 37% without one. Learn how to define, craft, and share an AI vision that brings your team along.

Phil Vinall

Phil Vinall

Co-founder · 23 June 2025 · 4 min read

Leading AI adoption with a clear vision Leading AI adoption with a clear vision

Does AI spark excitement or unease in your team? As a business leader, your clear vision is needed to ensure smooth AI adoption.

For any AI effort to really hit its stride, it needs a clear purpose, right from the very top. A recent McKinsey report outlined research where not having a clear vision can cause “significant division” in organisations. This kind of disconnect, where only 45% of staff feel good about AI adoption compared to 75% of leaders, shows a clear gap in understanding and alignment. Some employees might even start using their own AI tools on the sly (“shadow AI”) if they’re not happy with, or can’t get to, the official ones. That’s a recipe for unmanaged risks for your business.

However, companies with a formal AI strategy report an 80% success rate in AI adoption, significantly higher than the mere 37% for those without one. This significant 43 percentage-point gap highlights how vital a clear vision is to successful AI adoption.

Companies with a formal AI strategy report an 80% success rate in AI adoption, significantly higher than the mere 37% for those without one.

Defining the vision

Successful AI adoption begins with envisioning what an AI-Native version of your business looks like. It’s about imagining what your business could become in the next few years with an AI-first mindset. This isn’t just about the technology you’ll use; it’s about seeing how AI fundamentally changes how your business operates, how decisions are made, and how problems are solved. Crucially, it’s about understanding what new expertise, culture, and mindset your people will also need to make that vision possible. Start with some of your key frustrations and aspirations - what do you wish you could do away with, and what do you want to do more of? What would your business look like if you started it today with AI running at the heart of it?

Crafting the vision

Once the vision is becoming clear, it’s essential to ground it in what’s achievable today - by deepening your practical understanding of AI’s capabilities (and limitations) within your unique business context. AI isn’t a magic wand - it requires thoughtful planning, thorough testing, and expert human oversight. As a result, AI works best as a collaborative partner, not just a tool. Think “humans multiplied by machines”, genuinely augmenting your team’s abilities rather than replacing them. Generative AI can typically boost performance by as much as 40% in a variety of areas for highly skilled workers. This allows your team to focus on higher-value, more engaging (and satisfying) work.

Sharing the vision

Finally, and perhaps most crucially, it’s important to effectively communicate this vision to your team. Transparent communication is vital to ensure your people feel included and informed, rather than threatened by change. It’s about painting a picture where they can genuinely see themselves thriving alongside AI, not being replaced by it. Leaders who proactively educate employees, involve them in decisions, and maintain transparency can transform resistance into advocacy. This empathetic approach helps bridge the gap between management and employee perceptions, fostering a culture of trust and shared success. Remember, successful AI adoption isn’t about rushing into technology; it’s about bringing your people along thoughtfully.

What’s your initial thought or biggest question about defining a powerful AI vision for your business? We’d love to hear from you.

Need help crafting your AI vision? Our AI Clarity Session is a focused 2-hour workshop where we help you define exactly what AI could mean for your business and align your leadership team on a clear direction. For a deeper dive into the leadership skills required, read our article on essential leadership skills for AI adoption.

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Essential leadership skills for successful AI adoption Essential leadership skills for successful AI adoption

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

Phil Vinall

Co-founder · 1 June 2025 · 3 min read

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.