In the early days of my career, I worked with people who were building online communities. These early adopters were launching platforms, forums, and digital spaces with the belief that “if you build it, they will come.” They were often brilliant. They understood the technology, the platform’s architecture, and its value proposition. But they struggled to get people to actually show up.
It wasn’t that people didn’t want a community. They did. The problem was that adoption requires more than interest. It requires a shift in behavior, identity, and daily habits. That kind of change doesn’t happen just because the tools are ready. It happens because someone helps guide others through a meaningful transition. One that starts with clarity, reflection, and small, intentional steps forward.
Self-Aware Champions Are More Effective
Imagine two employees asked to be part of an AI champion team.
The first jumps in eagerly, testing tools and creating workflows immediately. They’re competent and quick, but their enthusiasm sometimes feels disconnected from the rest of the team. It can seem like they’re a few steps ahead, leaving others unsure how to catch up.
The second takes a different approach. Before diving in, they take stock of what’s already working in their role. They think about how their work might shift, what worries others might have, and what outcomes they hope AI can enhance. Then they begin experimenting. They share their progress, listen closely to feedback, and help teammates navigate both technical challenges and emotional resistance.
Which one will be more effective in the long run?
Real champions aren’t just the people who get it first. They’re the ones who bring others along because they’ve taken the time to reflect on what’s changing, why it matters, and how to guide others through it. That kind of leader doesn’t emerge from a playbook alone. It starts with personal clarity.
Embedding PATH in Your Rollout
That’s why I developed the PATH framework. It’s a simple way to help people navigate change from the inside out. PATH stands for Present, Assess, Transition, Harness. It’s designed to help individuals and teams reflect before they react, shift their mindset before they shift their tools, and step into change with intention.
If you’re preparing to roll out AI or any major transformation, pause for a moment. Ask your champions to write down what’s working in their roles, what they’re nervous about, what they hope to accomplish, and what they already bring to the table. That reflection alone can shift the energy from compliance to ownership.
When you equip your AI champions with this level of personal insight, they don’t just model usage. They model leadership.
They help shape a culture where change isn’t something to survive. It’s something to shape. In times of transformation, that mindset is your most powerful asset.