Acknowledge their concerns and show empathy. Share a vision that connects the new tech to team goals. For instance, as a VP of Product and UX, if the team resists adopting AI-driven features, explain how this tech can free up time for more creative design work, making their contributions more impactful. Lead by example—demonstrate how embracing this trend can improve user experience, and involve the team in decisions, giving them ownership of the transition. Celebrating small wins along the way can also help build momentum and acceptance.

We can: Lead with Vision: Begin by sharing a clear vision of how the technology aligns with the organization's goals and benefits the team. Highlight long-term opportunities, such as career growth or improved work-life balance. Involve the Team Early: Engage the team in the decision-making process. Allow them to explore the technology, provide input, and even pilot the changes. This fosters ownership and reduces resistance.

Here's my approach: Empathy First: I acknowledge their concerns and the comfort they have with established methods. I listen actively to understand their hesitation. Paint the Vision: I clearly articulate how these new tech trends directly benefit them – increased efficiency, closing more deals, even improved work-life balance. Small Steps, Big Impact: We start with pilot programs or training focused on specific tools or processes. Early successes demonstrate value and build confidence. Celebrate Wins: Recognizing and rewarding early adoption encourages buy-in and motivates the rest of the team to get on board. Change is not a switch. By leading with empathy, providing clear value, and celebrating wins, we can navigate it successfully.

Leading through tech changes requires clear communication, support, and collaboration. Start by articulating the benefits of the new technology, showing how it enhances workflows and solves existing pain points. Provide comprehensive hands-on training to help team members gain confidence and competence in using the tools. Foster an open feedback culture where team members can share concerns and offer suggestions, demonstrating that their input is valued. Pair early adopters with those needing extra support to create a collaborative learning environment. By addressing concerns proactively and emphasizing the value of the change, you can guide your team successfully through technological transitions.

Connect it to actual work challenges and carve out time for a 1 on 1 live simulation. Start with your direct reports or employees who influence others. Let's say you want your team to use Generative AI tools for more than just gathering info. Pick 1 specific task where your employee spend much time/struggle and demonstrate the impact by using actual work topics. Summarizing a 60 pages presentation to 1 page or create a pivot table or conditional formatting in excel through a simple prompt. It takes 1 good example which connects to the person and which demonstrates the influence you seek for, e.g. makes their work/live easier and the rest is a snowball effect.