The Hidden Reason AI Initiatives Struggle: Too Much Management, Not Enough Leadership
We were in Austin for a conference, ready to deliver a keynote and join a panel discussion on what is working and what is not when it comes to AI initiatives inside organizations.
Before the session, the panelists gathered in person for the first time to review the points they planned to cover during the discussion. They began by sharing their AI success stories and seemed pleased with their quick wins. But when the conversation shifted to challenges, the tone changed. John, the CEO of a mid-size engineering firm, spoke up:
“On stage, you talk about wins. But honestly, we’re not getting the results we expected from our AI investments.”
Sarah nodded.
“We spent a fortune on software fees, but adoption is far lower than we hoped.”
Jill added: “We put our best program manager in charge of our AI initiatives. Still, the impact isn’t there.”
I asked, “Who exactly did you put in charge of your AI initiatives?”
John replied, “One of our best managers! He’s fantastic at project management.”
Sarah said, “Similar here. We put one of our best project managers in charge, someone who never lets projects slip. He has a clear plan and is executing it meticulously.”
That’s when it clicked. The main issue was that they were treating their AI initiatives like projects with predictable outcomes. But AI initiatives are the opposite of that. They’re like a journey into uncharted territory, not like a trip with a predefined destination.
AI Initiatives Are a Journey, Not a Trip
Think of the difference:
- A trip is predictable. You know the destination, the route, and the timeline. Managers thrive here.
- A journey is uncertain. You have a vision of where you want to go, but the path changes as you learn. It requires curiosity, flexibility, and courage.
AI initiatives are journeys. You can’t predict all outcomes. You can’t predefine every step. The technology evolves, the business needs shift, and new opportunities emerge along the way.
“Trips can be managed.
Journeys must be led.”
Why Great Project Managers Struggle with AI Initiatives?
Since AI initiatives are like a journey full of ambiguity, constant learning, and organizational change, traditional project management skills, while valuable in other contexts, are not enough. They need leadership.
Leadership and management are related, but are not the same.
- Management is about execution, including planning, organizing, and optimizing for predictable outcomes.
- Leadership is about vision, guiding people through uncertainty, inspiring them to embrace change, and shaping new possibilities.
John Kotter put it best: “Management makes a system work. Leadership builds systems or transforms old ones.”
“AI initiatives don’t just need better project plans.
They need leaders who can help teams embrace ambiguity and
move forward with confidence despite unknown outcomes.“
Stop Managing AI. Start Leading It.
Let’s put it all together. When you treat AI like a traditional project, you confine it to rigid plans and short-term metrics. But AI isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about exploring new ways to create value.
That’s why you need to be a leader who inspires trust, embraces uncertainty, and keeps teams aligned to a bigger vision even when the path isn’t clear.
If you’re ready to lead your AI initiatives, join the AEC Disruptors Circle Program, where forward-thinking leaders share lessons learned and best practices in their AI journey for navigating this transformation.
