Mindset, Skillset, Get Set for AI
Navigating the AI Revolution: Why a Human-Centric Approach to Change Management Matters
By: Jennifer Cronin, Co-CEO Collabry
In today’s financial services, AI integration is a present reality, not a future concept. Successfully navigating this revolution demands more than just technological know-how; it requires a deep understanding of people and organizational dynamics. All too often, we see well-intentioned project roadmaps serving as stand-ins for real plans to drive fundamental cultural shifts.
“Successfully navigating the AI revolution demands more than just technological know-how; it requires a deep understanding of people and organizational dynamics.”
At Collabry, we combine a human-first mindset with advanced business skills and a collaborative approach. Our consultants are highly experienced in financial services and seek to become an extension of their client teams, ramping up quickly and aligning with overall objectives (and leaving the drama out of it!). Over the past decade, we’ve led major transformations, mergers, and acquisitions. While AI is the most recent game-changing technology, we maintain that the following four skillsets remain essential for a successful, sustained transformation:
Overall project management: In complex AI transformations involving multiple workstreams, an experienced project manager is essential to keep efforts on track, reduce duplicate work, connect the dots, and manage dependencies. This oversight ensures that all facets of AI implementation are coordinated for maximum efficiency and impact. A good project manager does more than manage timelines and budgets; she works to ensure stakeholder alignment and create a world with “no surprises.” She must have familiarity with the landscape and know how to navigate complex organizational structures.
Process-mapping expertise. For teams tasked with establishing robust governance frameworks for AI use, defining common metrics across platforms, and accurately assessing the "before" state of operations, process mapping is an indispensable tool. As one of our experts notes, it’s “a visual method to illustrate how work flows, outlining who does what, when, and where key decisions and handoffs occur.” This clarity is vital for understanding not just what should happen, but what actually happens, which are often two very different stories. This precision provides the essential foundation for effective AI implementation and accurate business value tracking.
Human-centered approach to change management. While project management focuses on the "what" and "when" of transformation, change management addresses the "who," "how," and "why"—ensuring that new initiatives genuinely work for the people involved (and isn’t that the point, after all?). History shows that even the most technically sound projects can falter if people are not prepared, informed, or supported. Up to 70% of initiatives reportedly fail for this reason! We leverage proven frameworks, understanding that effective change occurs one person at a time. Fear and confusion are feelings to be addressed, not obstacles to be bulldozed. With robust education and training tailored for each segment—coordinated with major milestones—individuals are empowered to adopt new ways of working. The concept of collaborative change vs imperial change is vital for any large-scale AI transformation.
Strategic messaging. Unified and consistent communication is essential in any major transformation, especially with a topic as energized as AI. We work with you to develop clear, impactful messaging tailored to diverse internal and external audiences, ensuring that everyone understands the "why" behind the change and how it benefits them. Effective communication builds trust, mitigates resistance, and fosters ownership of new processes and technologies.
“At Collabry, we combine a human-first mindset with advanced business skills and a collaborative approach. ”
In the rapidly evolving landscape of financial services, where AI is swiftly becoming integral, successful transformation goes beyond just implementing new technology. It truly hinges on a thoughtful approach that prioritizes both organizational shifts and the human element within them. By blending a human-first mindset with advanced business skillsets and a collaborative approach, we work to ensure that AI initiatives are not just launched but genuinely integrated and embraced.
If your organization is ready to transform your AI strategy from change done TO to change done WITH, let’s talk.