Thinking and Working Differently with Artificial Intelligence

Part 2 on making Ai work for you

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post about how to think differently to make AI work for you. I got some good feedback and ideas on the post, but more than anything it made me interested in exploring and looking out there to see who else is thinking about this AI and work, not just from a here’s how to use the technology lens, but rather from a reimagining how this will change the way we work lens.

I didn’t have to look far as I stumbled into Jason Averbook post “"Mind the AI Gap: A Change Manager's Guide to Crossing the Digital Divide" Jason is a Senior Partner at Mercer, a longtime HR Executive and also did a brief interview on my podcast last month at the HR-Tech Conference in Las Vegas.

As someone who spends a lot of time with executives thinking about how to roll AI out across their organization to drive productivity and growth goals, Jason has seen quite a few good and bad ideas for how AI should be implemented. Here is what he had to say:

I've come to a stark realization: we're approaching AI adoption completely backwards. As HR and change management leaders rush to implement AI training programs, they're missing a crucial first step – building trust and understanding.

Let me be direct: Teaching people how to use ChatGPT and CoPilot before they understand its value is like teaching someone to drive before explaining where cars can take them. It's not just ineffective; it's harmful to long-term adoption and organizational trust.

and then again:

Think of it this way: You wouldn't teach someone to perform surgery before they understand human anatomy. Similarly, jumping straight into AI tool training without proper education is like handing someone a powerful tool without context for its proper use.

Jason’s perspective mirrors some of the concepts and frameworks I was trying to explain as a way that we could reimagine how to use AI (before actually trying to use it) to improve how we work, but in his case, he comes with some real-life examples. Check this one out:

I recently spoke with a Chief Learning Officer who shared a perfect example. Their organization initially launched an aggressive ChatGPT training program, complete with detailed tutorials and workshops. Despite high attendance, usage remained low.

When they pivoted to an education-first approach – starting with sessions on how AI actually works, its limitations, and ethical considerations – they saw a dramatic shift. Employees began asking more sophisticated questions, suggesting use cases, and most importantly, voluntarily engaging with the technology.

I think Jason’s right in his assessment, and the example he gave is spot on. It unfortunately mirrors a lot of ways in which companies implement new technologies (or just new things in general.)

Oten out of good intentions, we are way too quick to start doing things in the same way we’ve always done them that we forget to think about the how and the why we are doing them in the first place.

Given the possibilities and potential of artificial intelligence I think this is a huge miss. I think Jason is right in calling out the change management piece here as well.

Doing more of the same faster, better, and cheaper has some benefits but, in my view, barely registers on the value/impact scale in terms of what's possible with AI.

One more thought on this: one of my favorite ways I like to close keynotes is with another Einstein quote:

“We cannot solve the problems of today with the same thinking that created them”

If we want to explore what’s possible with AI and truly reshape how we work, we have got to start by thinking and working differently about it

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1 (more) framework for how to think differently with AI

In my last post, I shared three frameworks for how you could think differently about work with AI. I had some time to come up with a few more ideas as I’m preparing for an Making Ai work for you workshop I’m testing out and I wanted to share another one.

I call this one the removing constraints framework.

In the work we do each day, all of us encounter problems and challenges that prevent us from making the desired impact we want to make. Even with the right intentions and ideal planning, aspirations meet reality and we occasionally fall short. There are a number of common reasons for this. A few common examples include:

• Data: Without the right data, we are unable to move forward

• Scale: Due to constraints, we can only reach a certain amount of our target population (ex: customers, employees)

• Time: Due to constraints, the project is delayed or stalled, or in some cases canceled

• Capability: Sometimes, we don’t have the capabilities or skills to do the desired task or project.

A common example: We want to run a marketing campaign, but because we have resource constraints (ex: no creative resources) we have to limit the campaign we run. As a result, that limits the amount of customers we can reach.

Enter “Removing Constraints.” Imagine that artificial intelligence (and/or, technology” could remove these constraints - what would be possible if that were true? What impact would you be able to make, how would your work change, or what would you want to try without a constraint in place?

How to Use This Framework

1.Write down the most important responsibilities in your job

2.What are the 1-2 barriers that get in the way of delivering impact? (Data, Scale, Time, Capability)

Then, reflect on the following questions:

• How would you work differently if that was no longer a barrier?

• How might technology (AI) be able to remove that barrier? What would that mean for your job?

• What else could you do, if AI was able to alleviate that barrier across your job?

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How Will Artificial Intelligence Impact Your Work?

I am currently running a poll on LinkedIn right now (you should take it) that’s asking people how they think Ai will impact their work over the next 12-18 months. It’s been interesting to see the responses and I’d love to hear what you think. LinkedIn polling only gives you four options so I am sure there are more possibilities, but as you can see from the early results so far we’re mostly thinking it’s going to help us get work done faster.

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If you’re looking for some help for your learning and development, leadership development, I’d love to work with you: Here is how I might be able to assist:

• Leadership & Learning Programs:  Formal training and leadership development in your company, such as new manager or new leader training, or skill-based programs.

• Consulting & Advisory Services - Do you have a leadership development or onboarding program that needs a refresh or audit? Let’s chat about how we can improve your program.

• 1:1 Executive Coaching - Are you looking for an executive coach for 1:1 leadership support? Let’s chat about how we can work together

Feel free to contact me directly for more details!

Have a great week!

Al