Episode: How to Get Your Team to Embrace AI: Leadership, Training & The Why
Host: Donna Peterson, World Innovators

Episode Summary-
Many forward-thinking CEOs and leaders are embracing AI — but struggle with one key challenge: how to get their teams on board. In this episode of the B2B Marketing Excellence & AI Podcast, host Donna Peterson shares practical strategies to inspire buy-in, align employees with AI tools, and create a culture of experimentation.

Drawing from leadership principles and her own journey with ChatGPT, Donna explains why defining the “why” is critical, how transparency builds trust, and why training and one-on-one conversations are essential to long-term adoption. You’ll also hear examples of how leaders can introduce AI in simple, personal ways that reduce overwhelm and spark curiosity.

If you’re a leader trying to integrate AI into your business, this 16-minute episode will help you move beyond resistance and turn your team into active adopters of AI.

Key Takeaways You Can Implement Right Away-

• Start with the why. Explain why AI matters for the company — and help each team member find their personal why.
• Be transparent. Share your own AI journey, including doubts, failures, and wins.
• Encourage curiosity. Create space for experimentation; not every AI use case has to stick long-term.
• Invest in training. Don’t expect employees to learn AI on their own — provide workshops and accountability sessions.
• One-on-one conversations matter. Personal discussions help employees connect AI with their specific goals and tasks.
• Start simple and personal. Show fun, everyday uses (recipes, sports training, book summaries) to break down barriers.
• Make it ongoing. Set up regular check-ins so employees consistently engage with AI and build confidence over time.

Episode Chapters (~16 minutes)

• 00:00 Introduction: The challenge of getting teams to embrace AI
• 01:10 Why the “why” is the starting point
• 03:00 Lessons from leadership books on purpose and ownership
• 05:20 Be transparent about your own AI journey
• 07:15 Encourage experimentation and curiosity
• 09:05 Why training and accountability sessions matter
• 11:20 The importance of one-on-one conversations with team members
• 13:40 Start small and personal: simple AI use cases to spark interest
• 15:00 Closing thoughts and call to action: inspire success through AI adoption

Resources Mentioned-

• Simon Sinek – Start With Why
• Jocko Willink & Leif Babin – Extreme Ownership
• Annie Howell & Ed Frauenheim – The AI-Savvy Leader

Call to Action-
Leaders: AI adoption starts with you. Share your journey, invest in training, and connect with your team so they see the value of AI for themselves.

📩 Reach out to dpeterson@worldinnovators.com
if you’d like help with AI training for individuals or full teams.

🎧 Visit www.worldinnovators.com
for more resources on building stronger marketing and leadership strategies.

🔔 Subscribe to the B2B Marketing Excellence & AI Podcast for weekly insights into marketing, leadership, and the future of AI.

*** Reach out to dpeterson@worldinnovators.com
if you’d like help building a marketing strategy that builds relationships and/or AI training for individuals or full teams.

*** Visit www.worldinnovators.com
for more resources on building stronger marketing and leadership strategies.

*** Subscribe to the B2B Marketing Excellence & AI Podcast for weekly insights into marketing, leadership, and the future of AI.