Research Says Leaders Are Overlooking 1 Simple Way to Accelerate AI Adoption

Almost every company is doing something with AI right now. Some are testing chatbots. Others are automating workflows, redesigning roles, or asking employees to “use AI more” without much direction. But embracing AI and scaling it well are two very different things. According to the 2025 McKinsey Global Survey on AI, only 38% have successfully begun scaling AI across their businesses. Enter the workforce readiness recession. Employees aren’t falling behind because they’re resistant to AI, but because they lack the confidence, clarity, and reinforcement to embrace it. As AI reshapes the workplace, leaders must become both advocates for change and trusted guides through it. According to Achievers Workforce Institute’s (AWI), leaders under pressure to demonstrate AI ROI may be overlooking one of the simplest ways to accelerate adoption: employee recognition. Recognition isn’t separate from an AI strategy—it’s a practical leadership tool for accelerating adoption. Stop readiness from falling behind AWI’s seventh annual State of Recognition Report finds that just 19% of workers feel confident using AI tools, and only 18% feel supported in adapting to AI. How can companies expect results when over 80% of employees haven’t been given the confidence or support to see where AI fits into their day-to-day work? “Those who create the conditions for employee change readiness will separate the winners from the losers, both in the race to realize AI’s potential and in building a great workplace culture,” said David Bator, Managing Director of AWI. “Employees aren’t going to wake up one day ready to do their best work with AI. Change on that scale is never automatic. Confidence is built brick by brick through everyday leadership behaviors. Leaders who embrace recognition will be the ones who create the confidence, trust, and advocacy needed for AI to scale across their businesses.” AWI’s research shows recognition is most effective when it reinforces learning, adaptability, and progress rather than perfection. Closing the recognition gap closes the readiness gap Leaders have long fallen short on recognition. The first thing AWI advises is to get right is frequency. Every employee should receive meaningful recognition at least monthly to feel supported through change, yet just 19% of workers say they are regularly recognized by their manager. Leaders need to make regular recognition a management requirement, not an afterthought. Then focus on one keyword: meaningful. In the AI era, meaningful recognition isn’t about celebrating AI for AI’s sake. It’s about recognizing the human capabilities behind successful AI adoption. If an employee uses AI to uncover new sales opportunities, don’t recognize the technology, but the creativity, initiative, and business impact behind its use. “A common misconception is that recognition does nothing beyond making people feel good,” added Bator. “While celebrating your people early and often is important, leaders should see appreciation as a change catalyst. When managers reinforce learning, adaptability, and responsible AI use, they recognize good work and help drive organizational progress as AI integrates into daily work.” AI raises the value of humane leadership There’s no denying it: AI is a force of disruption at work. But every major technology transformation has ultimately been about people. A great leader understands this and ensures employees experience change as something they can grow through, not something being done to them. Right now, there is a lot of ground to make up: just 18% of workers feel informed when changes affect their job, and only 23% say communication is clear during uncertainty. Employees are asking for clarity, coaching, and confidence, and leaders can’t delegate that responsibility to AI. Recognition is most powerful when it comes from another human being. In my book, Humane Leadership: Lead with Radical Love, Be a Kick-Ass Boss, I argue that humane leaders exhibit two essential qualities —trustworthiness and advocacy —that matter even more in the AI era. Leaders bring clarity to AI by using recognition to reinforce what good work and responsible behavior look like during rapid change. Done well, recognition helps employees trust themselves, trust their company, and understand what great work looks like in a workplace being reshaped by a technology we have never seen before. EXPERT OPINION BY MARCEL SCHWANTES, EXECUTIVE COACH, SPEAKER, AND AUTHOR @MARCELSCHWANTES