“From Resistance to Results: Reframing AI Adoption with Human-Centered Leadership“
"Dajana Achelpohl is an AI change maker and trainer who helps leaders drive AI transformation with a people-first approach, drawing on her leadership experience at Google and PayPal."
Dajana Achelpohl
Founder - AI Change Maker
For nearly two decades, I worked inside some of the world’s most innovative tech companies, Google and PayPal, across sales operations and marketing.
I was always surrounded by artificial intelligence, even before generative AI became the headline. But here’s what might surprise you: when I finally had a chance to make AI work for my own non-technical team, I couldn’t.
I wasn’t short on enthusiasm. I was genuinely excited about AI’s potential. But enthusiasm isn’t strategy and that’s a lesson I learned the hard way.
Watch the full episode here:
The Wake-Up Call: When AI Adoption Didn’t Work for Me
Like many non-technical leaders, I assumed AI would be a game-changer. But my initial attempts at adoption flopped. The technology was there, but the results weren’t.
Why? Because I didn’t start with a problem, I started with the hype. My team wasn’t ready, I didn’t know enough myself, and I assumed others would share my excitement. They didn’t.
I had all this enthusiasm, really wanted to make AI work, but I couldn’t.
It was a humbling experience. And it was the turning point. I chose not to walk away or wait for AI to “get better.” Instead, I went all in: I studied, experimented, and eventually found ways to make AI actually work. That experience now shapes everything I do.
Why AI Adoption Fails? (Hint: It’s Not the Tech)
Depending on which study you look at, over 70% of AI projects fail. And the common scapegoat? The technology. But here’s the truth: the technology is often sound.
The problem is that we treat AI like any other IT rollout and it’s not.
AI demands a deeper shift: in mindset, in trust, and in how we lead. It’s not just a technical implementation; it’s a human transformation.
Leading AI Change: Why This Time It’s Different?
In most change programs, leaders can delegate, oversee, and remain somewhat hands-off. But with AI, that approach simply doesn’t cut it.
You can’t just talk about AI. You have to use it.
You have to walk the walk, experiment with it, and learn alongside your team. AI changes how people work and more importantly, how they feel about their work. Ignoring this emotional layer is what causes even well-funded projects to collapse.
What Role Does Change Management Really Play in AI Success?
Change management isn’t a buzzword. It’s the missing link between purchasing an AI tool and actually getting value from it.
Without structured change management, what you’re left with is expensive software collecting dust. And honestly, I’ve seen that more times than I’d like to count.
I’m a big fan of the ADKAR model, particularly for AI rollouts. Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, and Reinforcement, each one is essential. Miss any step, and you’ll feel it in your adoption rate.
Change management is what gets you from ‘we bought an AI tool’ to ‘we’re actually seeing results.
Why Should You Start with a Problem, Not with AI?
One of the biggest myths I see in boardrooms and leadership circles is this idea that everything needs AI.
It doesn’t.
If you start with the tool instead of the problem, you’re already off track. That’s why my go-to advice for leaders asked to “do more AI” is simple: push back.
Start with the biggest pain points your team faces. Maybe it’s reporting, maybe it’s meeting documentation, maybe it’s repetitive content generation. Then and only then ask if AI might help.
Start with the problem, don’t start with the solution.
Is Your Team Ready for AI – or Just Being Pushed Into It?
A ready team isn’t one that simply nods along. A ready team pulls AI in. They come to you with ideas, they identify inefficiencies, they want to experiment.
In contrast, if your team is silent, skeptical, or still clinging to old tools and workflows, you’re not ready. That’s not a failure just a signal to step back and recalibrate.
One way I like to measure AI readiness is by watching for “pull” vs “push” dynamics. If you’re the only one pushing AI, it’s time for groundwork. If your team is pulling you into AI conversations now we’re talking.
What’s a Safe First AI Project to Prove It Works?
If you’re dipping your toes into AI, avoid the temptation to buy yet another tool. Instead, use what you already have.
Chances are, you already have access to tools like Microsoft Copilot, Google’s Gemini, or GPT-4. Start there.
Look for low-risk, high-annoyance tasks. Meeting notes. Weekly reports. Drafting email templates. AI can often reclaim 4+ hours a week for each team member. That’s not futuristic it’s today.
What Goes in an AI Leader’s Toolkit?
If I had to build a change management toolkit for AI adoption, I’d include these three essentials:
- Shared Baseline Knowledge: Give your team a foundational understanding of AI. They don’t need to code, they need to speak the same language.
- Clear Governance: Define what AI will and won’t be used for. Build those rules with your team, not for them.
- Feedback Loops: Keep listening. Make space for input, resistance, and iteration. AI adoption is never a one-and-done event.
How Do You Talk About AI Without Ignoring Job Security?
Let’s not ignore the elephant in the room. AI raises real fears. Some jobs will change. Some might disappear.
But here’s what I tell my teams: let’s double down on the things AI can’t do. Creativity. Empathy. Systems thinking. Real innovation.
What Are the Warning Signs an AI Project Is Stalling?
You’ll know an AI initiative is stuck when you see endless iteration on a tiny use case or worse, total silence. If the tool you introduced isn’t being used and your team is reverting to old habits, that’s your cue.
Pause. Don’t double down. Go back to the drawing board. Ask different questions. Push reset. That’s not failure, it’s good leadership.
Can Humans and AI Really Work Together—Harmoniously?
I don’t believe AI should replace leadership. In fact, I think AI is a wake-up call for leaders to be more human than ever.
This is a moment for us to show up as guides, coaches, and ethical anchors. If we can lean into that, we have a shot at not just surviving this AI era but leading it well.
AI shouldn’t replace leadership or fundamental human skills. I hope we can live peacefully and productively alongside each other, separate but harmonious.
Final Thoughts
We’re still early in this journey. There’s no perfect roadmap. But what I do know is this: successful AI adoption is less about the tech, and more about the people. And as leaders, that’s where we can and must show up.
Let’s not just adopt AI. Let’s lead with it.
