Before You Call It Resistance

A practical conversation guide for managers navigating AI hesitation at work.

“I don’t want to use AI.”

When someone on your team says this, it’s tempting to explain the benefits or arrange more training. But what if neither addresses what’s actually bothering them?

AI hesitation at work can mean different things. Someone might need support, clearer expectations or an answer to a perfectly reasonable question about the work.

Before You Call It Resistance helps you prepare for that conversation, understand what’s behind their response and agree a useful next step.

Have a Conversation That Gets Somewhere

Use this practical guide when someone’s reluctant to try AI, has stopped using it, or questions whether it belongs in a particular task.

It’ll help you:

• Ask questions that uncover the concern without turning the conversation into a debate.
• Recognise when you can offer support and when the organisation needs to provide an answer.
• Agree a next step that fits what you’ve heard, with clear ownership and a time to revisit it.

You’ll find conversation starters, examples of what to listen for and space to capture what matters.

The aim is thoughtful capability: people who can use AI well where it helps, question it when needed and recognise when another approach is better.

For more on what can sit behind AI hesitation, read What to do when someone in your team doesn’t want to use AI.

Help Your Managers Lead Through the Changes AI Brings

Our Leading in the Age of AI workshop explores the people and judgement challenges managers face as AI becomes part of everyday work.

Download the AI Resistance or AI Reluctance? Resource