Episode 010: From hesitation to innovation: Overcoming fear of AI in leadership

G’day and welcome to episode 10 of the 'AI in Business' podcast, where we talk about how leaders and entrepreneurs can benefit from not only the implementation of AI, but also the innovation and growth in creative thinking that comes with it. At Ameegoes, we’ve seen time and time again how this growth in creativity creates results that directly impact your bottom line, in a very positive way. I’m Lee Hopkins, the Director of Communication at Ameegoes, and today, I’m talking about something that often holds business leaders back from achieving their true potential: From hesitation to innovation: Overcoming fear of AI in leadership.

AI is a hot topic, it’s in the news, it’s in your boardroom, and it’s probably come up in conversations with your peers. But despite all the hype, many leaders remain hesitant about adopting AI. Maybe it feels too CoMplex. Maybe you’re worried about the costs. Or maybe it’s the cultural shift that comes with implementing new technologies. Whatever the reason, you’re not alone. Today, we’re going to explore why fear of AI is so common, how to manage it, and how to take your first steps toward innovation.

Why AI creates hesitation. Let’s start with a bit of honesty. If you’re feeling nervous about AI, you’re not alone. In fact, a recent Deloitte study found that around 40% of leaders remain hesitant to adopt AI technologies due to concerns about their understanding of the technology, its costs, and its potential to disrupt existing workflows. That’s a significant number, and it shows that fear of AI isn’t just a “you” problem, it’s a leadership challenge that many of your peers are facing as well. So, why does AI create hesitation? There are a few key reasons, and they’re completely understandable. First, there’s the fear of the unknown. AI is still a relatively new frontier for most businesses, and as humans, we’re wired to resist the unfamiliar, it’s a survival instinct. But in business, this fear can prevent us from embracing opportunities that could transform our organisations. AI can feel like stepping into uncharted waters, and that’s enough to make anyone hesitate. Second, there’s the fear of failure. What if the AI implementation doesn’t work? What if it costs too much, or what if it doesn’t deliver the promised results? These are valid concerns, and they’re especially heightened in industries where budgets are tight and resources are limited. No one wants to be the leader who championed a failed project. And finally, there’s the fear of looking foolish. This is perhaps the most common fear among leaders. Whether it’s in front of your peers, your board, or your team, no one wants to admit they don’t fully understand something. As a leader, you’re expected to have the answers, and the idea of saying the wrong thing, or worse, making the wrong decision, can be paralysing. But here’s the good news: being a leader doesn’t mean you have to know everything. It means you have to be willing to learn and surround yourself with people who can help you make informed decisions. And that’s exactly what we’re going to talk about today.

Reframing fear as opportunity. So, how do we overcome these fears? It starts with reframing them as opportunities. Fear is natural, but it doesn’t have to be a barrier. In fact, it can be a powerful motivator for change if you approach it the right way. Instead of seeing AI as a “threat,” try to see it as a tool for growth. Think about the tasks in your business that are repetitive or time-consuming. How could AI help your team automate those processes so they can focus on higher-value work? Instead of worrying about AI replacing jobs, focus on how it can enhance creativity and innovation within your organisation. Instead of worrying about failure, focus on small, low-risk experiments that allow you to learn and adapt. AI doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing proposition. You can start small, test the waters, and scale your efforts as you gain confidence. And instead of fearing what you don’t know, embrace curiosity. The best leaders are lifelong learners, and AI is an incredible opportunity to expand your knowledge and skill set. The more you learn, the more confident you’ll become in your ability to lead your organisation through the AI era.

Case study: ANZ Bank’s journey from fear to innovation. Let me share a real-world example of a company that overcame its hesitation and embraced AI. ANZ Bank, one of Australia’s largest financial institutions, initially hesitated to adopt AI, fearing it would disrupt their traditional workflows and alienate customers. But instead of diving in headfirst, they took a measured approach. They started by using AI to enhance their customer service through chatbots. By analysing thousands of customer inquiries, the AI system was able to provide faster, more accurate responses. Customers received the answers they needed in real time, and the bank’s human staff were freed up to handle more CoMplex and high-value tasks. The results spoke for themselves:

Customer satisfaction improved by 20%. Operational costs were significantly reduced, as fewer resources were needed to handle routine inquiries. And perhaps most importantly, the leadership team gained the confidence to expand AI into other areas of the business. Today, ANZ Bank is seen as a leader in AI innovation within the financial sector, and it all started with a single, low-risk pilot project. Source: ANZ Bank AI case study – IBM

The key takeaway here? You don’t have to tackle AI all at once. Start small, measure your results, and let those wins build your confidence over time.

Strategies for overcoming fear as a leader. At Ameegoes, we’ve worked with dozens of leaders who were initially hesitant about AI. Over time, we’ve identified three strategies that are particularly effective in helping leaders move from hesitation to innovation. Educate yourself. Fear often comes from the unknown. The more you understand about AI, the less intimidating it will feel. Take the time to learn the basics, what AI is, what it isn’t, and how it can be applied in your industry. There are plenty of free resources online, and of course, we’re here to guide you through the process. Start with a pilot project. Choose a single, low-risk area of your business to test AI. This could be automating a repetitive task, improving customer insights, or streamlining internal processes. The goal is to keep it manageable and measurable. Once you see the results, you’ll be better equipped to scale your efforts. Leverage external expertise. You don’t have to do this alone. Partnering with an experienced consultancy, like Ameegoes, can help you navigate the CoMplexities of AI and avoid common pitfalls. Sometimes, having the right guidance is all it takes to turn fear into confidence.

Closing thoughts. Hesitation is human, but it doesn’t have to hold you back. By educating yourself, starting small, and leaning on the right support, you can turn your fear into a powerful driver of innovation. AI isn’t just the future of business, it’s happening right now. And the leaders who embrace it today are the ones who will shape tomorrow.

Remember, every business leader who’s successfully implemented artificial intelligence started exactly where you are now...

Want to know more about how to lead your organisation into the artificial intelligence era with confidence? Well, we’re here to help. Drop us an email at curious at ameegoes.com, that’s a-i-m-e-g-o-s-dot-com, or give us a call on ‘zero four one zero’, ‘six four two’, ‘zero five two’ and organise a suitable time to talk seriously about how we will help you navigate the design and implementation of AI. Let us help you lead your organisation to new heights and new profitability, and have your staff unleash their hidden creativity and help drive your business forward at a rate that will surprise you—because if you don’t, your competitors will.

Because if you don’t, your competitors will.

Well, that wraps up this episode of the AI in Business podcast.

You can catch our 'AI in Business' podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and if something you’ve heard here inspires you, please leave a comment on our podcast feed. Until next time we meet, keep innovating and taking those bold business risks, and let us help you revolutionise your business with people-first AI. Until next time, bye.