April 16th, 2024 – By Rebecca Taylor, CCO and Co-founder of SkillCycle
Tech moves fast. But your business needs to move smart.
The rise of generative AI has created real pressure for companies to jump into the latest tools, even when those tools are still immature or disconnected from actual team needs. Between splashy product launches and vendor promises, it can be hard to tell the difference between true innovation and expensive distraction.
Not every new tool is built for impact. Not every trend deserves your budget. The best leaders don’t get swept up. They ask sharper questions.
Here are 13 ways to figure out whether a new technology, especially one with AI, belongs in your workflow or if it’s just another shiny object.
Before you evaluate anything, clarify what you’re trying to solve. Has this challenge been validated by employees or customers, or is it just a convenience issue?
Make sure it fits your reality. Does it work with your systems and support the way your people actually operate?
Don’t let tools define your goals. Decide upfront what success looks like and how it will be measured.
Some decisions require empathy and context. If a tool removes those things, it may do more harm than good.
Will this tool help your people grow, develop skills, and do more of what they’re great at? Or does it just squeeze more output from them?
“Works out of the box” is rarely true. Ask how it connects to your HRIS, workflows, and team structures.
Form a small group of end users, HR, IT, and operational leads to test and evaluate new tools. Broader perspective equals better decisions.
Every tool you adopt should support your values. If it creates friction with trust, inclusion, or transparency, walk away.
A tool that solves a short-term pain but adds long-term complexity is not a win. Ask if it still helps a year from now.
Even “intuitive” tools require onboarding. Make sure you have the time and training plan to support a real rollout.
Time spent evaluating, integrating, and eventually removing a tool adds up. Don’t let “free” distract from the total cost.
Your people have different goals, skills, and motivations. Tech should support individual development, not flatten it.
There will always be something new. The goal is not to adopt everything. It’s to adopt the right things at the right time for the right reasons.
AI is changing the way we work. But smart leaders know that not all progress is created equal. Focus on tools that make your people stronger, your teams more connected, and your strategy more durable.
The future of work is not about chasing trends. It’s about choosing what fits.
For a deeper dive into effective change management and building a culture of learning, explore our resources:
Stay ahead by making technology decisions that are strategic, value-driven, and people-focused.
