The one conversation leaders need to have, right now

Thanks to noisy LinkedIn contributors and energetic YouTubers, organisations are over-estimating the level of AI maturity of their peer organisations. This is causing anxiety amongst Boards and senior leaders.

If LinkedIn was a true representation of AI adoption in businesses across the UK, almost every organisation would not only have a fully fledged AI strategy, they also have so much time left over they've been able to create the "5 Things...." or "10 Ideas...." or "6 Unmissable..." playbooks you can only get if you drop "You're so smart" into the comments. Cynical? Yes, maybe.

But the reality based on my conversations with numerous organisations across different sectors is that senior leaders are becoming increasingly anxious to see AI adoption in their organisation - and starting to feel increasing heat from their Boards.

This is creating immense downward pressure on teams who aren't clear on the 'Why' behind the strategy, and they aren't clear on the guardrails - and air cover they can expect from leaders. It also puts organisations at heightened risk of knee-jerk PoCs which are destined to fail.

So there are 2 things I'm saying to leaders:

• Number 1: You are not as far behind as you might feel. There's a lot of puff out there. Do. Not. Panic.

• Number 2: It's really important you align at the top, then develop structured grassroots approaches to AI innovation in your business. Why grassroots? Because no one (not you, not an expensive consultant, not even the LLM model creators) know your business as well as the people in your business do.

The first thing it's important to do is to decide amongst your leadership team on the 'Why' behind AI.

Why is this so critical? If you haven't communicated your strategy to your people, the current business environment is guaranteed to be making them anxious. Tech organisations are firing 19,000 people - and see a 7% increase in their share price, overnight.

The people closest to the opportunity spaces in your organisation are best placed to know how to leverage AI. Anxious people are not going to freely and creatively contribute their knowledge and skills to programmes they feel may threaten their jobs. So if your strategy goes beyond the immediate efficiency agenda, say it loud and say it clear. Now is the time to identify the bright sparks in your organisation who are naturally inclined to experiment their way to success.