Right On Time
There have been moments when technology quietly reshaped how we live and work because it changed the underlying system.
Think about the shift from CDs to MP3s. The music stayed the same, but how we accessed, stored, and shared it changed. As a result, we had to rethink how music fit into our daily lives, and it took time for that shift to feel natural.
AI represents a similar change at work. The way we access, engage with, and create information is evolving. This requires us to rethink how work gets done and where value is created. Find comfort in knowing that you have been through this kind of transition before.
This page explores why many professionals and organizations are right on time with AI, and how learning, judgment, and shared ways of working matter more than early tool adoption.
Most organizations are experimenting
It’s common for professionals and leaders to feel late to AI. In reality, most organizations are still finding their footing.
Research from McKinsey shows that while AI use is widespread, only a relatively small portion of organizations are seeing consistent, organization-wide impact. Many are piloting tools, testing ideas, or using AI in narrow ways rather than embedding it into everyday workflows and decisions.
That context matters. Feeling uncertain right now is not a sign of being behind. It is a sign of being in the middle of a transition.
(Source: McKinsey and Company, The State of AI)
Outcomes
When conversations turn to outcomes, they often focus on revenue or cost savings. Those outcomes matter, but they are rarely the first to appear.
Many of the most meaningful outcomes show up earlier and more quietly. Clearer thinking. Better synthesis of information. Reduced cognitive load. Stronger shared understanding across teams. Greater confidence in how decisions are made.
These outcomes shape how work gets done day to day. Over time, they create the conditions for measurable impact. Without them, financial results are difficult to sustain.
This perspective aligns with research showing that organizations seeing real benefit from AI tend to invest in people, workflows, and judgment, not just tools.
(Source: McKinsey and Company, The State of AI)
A Moment for Learning
Every major technology shift requires a period of adjustment. Music did not stop during the move to digital. Work does not stop during the shift to AI.
You do not need to have everything figured out. You need space to learn, experiment, and decide what makes sense in your context. That process is already underway.
You are likely right where you need to be.