We have several long-term employees who are great culture fits but are resistant to using AI to automate their administrative tasks, which is keeping our overhead too high. How do we handle this People Issue without violating our Core Values?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Addressing long-term, culturally aligned employees who resist AI automation is a classic People Issue that you must resolve using your Core Values and the Accountability Chart. You cannot ignore this resistance, as keeping employees in manual, low-value roles keeps your overhead unsustainably high and limits your company's growth.

Start by having an open, honest conversation with these team members. Explain that your strategic goal is to prioritize using AI to increase employee productivity as a starting point, as employees are a major P&L item and much time is spent on low-value tasks. Assure them that the goal is not to replace them, but to elevate them.

Work with them to gradually evolve roles within the organization so employees invest more time in high-impact priorities, augmented by AI. Clearly define what the new seat looks like on the Accountability Chart and evaluate if they have the GWC™ for it. If they align with your Core Values but lack the capacity to transition, you must find or create a seat where their skills fit, or make the difficult decision to part ways if no such seat exists.