Another day, another headline about AI.
Your inbox is full of it. Your competitors are talking about it. And frankly, the hype can be exhausting. It can feel like everyone else is already an expert, and you're the only one trying to figure out where to even start.
But what if you already have a lot of the answers and just didn’t realize it?
Forget the buzz for a moment. Instead of wondering if you're ready, let's focus on what you already know. You know your business. You know your people. You know what makes a project succeed and how to apply that same fundamental knowledge to a new challenge.
Even if you don’t have a clue where to start, you probably even know that your AI readiness – and your strategic focus – will come down to 5 main areas:
- Employee Anxiety: Your people are feeling uncertain. You are, too.
- Data Quality: After all these years, ‘Garbage in, garbage out’ is still true.
- Ethics and Safety: In the end, HR owns the risk.
- Business Alignment: Cool tools don’t pay the bills.
- Technology: So many options, but getting it wrong isn’t one of them.
With us so far? Now let’s explore some things you may not know.
3 Things You May Not Know About AI & What to Do Today
1. You Might Not Be Ready Yet.
Many leaders jump straight to what AI tool should we buy? But the technology itself is the last piece of the puzzle. Without a clear strategy, clean data, and a plan for your people, even the most advanced AI platform will underperform. The real work of AI readiness is in the foundational planning, long before you ever sign a contract.
Your organization’s AI readiness isn't a tech problem to be solved by engineers. It's a people problem, a data problem, a leadership problem. It's about trust, strategy, and values – the same things you've been managing your entire career. The real work isn't about the latest algorithm; it’s about applying what you already know to a new frontier.
Today's Move#1
Your first move is to identify where your org is on this journey. Take our short AI readiness quiz to get an immediate snapshot of your organization's current position and highlight the areas you should focus on first. It's a quick, low-stakes way to see where you stand.
Start the 5-7-minute quiz
2. AI Hype Has Arrived. The Reality Hasn’t.
The AI future you’ve heard about isn’t here yet – and may never look the way it’s being sold.
While we ARE on the precipice of a major shift that has already begun, you should know you’re not behind. Nobody has fully figured it out or knows for sure how work will change. Will 50% of the workforce be jobless by next year? Probably not.
But is now the time to start learning and planning your strategy? Absolutely. And not just because of future fear tactics, but because there is legitimate value in using AI for HR. And creating the foundation for using it effectively does take time.
Today's Move #2
-Your second move – before you buy a single tool or launch a new initiative - is to begin thinking constructively (not definitively) about your org’s AI future.
Ponder. Ask around. Start some conversations.
- What specific business outcomes are we trying to solve with AI?
- How are we proactively addressing our employees' concerns and curiosity about AI’s impact on their roles?
- Who’s responsible for ensuring our data's quality, security, and ethical use?
3. You Don't Need to Start Big.
Many leaders wonder if they'll need all new systems, planned lay offs, or massive warehouse investments to get AI-ready.
The truth is, most of the building blocks are already in your hands. You already have data, processes, and leaders who understand your business. The opportunity isn’t to reinvent—it’s to connect, refine, and scale what you’ve already built so AI can actually deliver.
One of the biggest mistakes leaders make with AI readiness is waiting until they have all the answers. But you don’t need a perfect plan – or brand-new systems – to begin. However, you do need some guidance...
Today's Move #3
Download our brand new AI readiness guide, Shift Happens: Get Ready for HR’s AI Reckoning.
To complement your building blocks, we’ve put together a comprehensive AI readiness playbook filled with practical, strategic, and tactical guidance for leading your organization’s AI transition.
Don’t make a move without it.
