AI and leadership – confidence and curiosity in practice

AI in practice starts with people - not machines

Artificial intelligence is changing the way we work - not just in the future, but here and now. In Purchase-to-Pay processes, we're already seeing how AI is delivering great value: from automating invoice flow to improving insights and decision support.

But while the technology is mature, the culture isn't always.

Many employees are reluctant to adopt AI. They're unsure of how it works, what value it provides, or simply afraid of making a mistake. That's why the AI transformation doesn't start in the technology, but in the leadership.

The role of the leader: Culture bearer, not tech expert

At our last Eye-share Management Board, we discussed just this: What does it take for AI to actually be used in everyday life? One message stood out particularly strongly:

Leaders don't need to be experts - but they do need to be confident and curious culture bearers.

Leaders must create space for learning, testing and small experiments. It's about showing that it's okay to try and fail and that exploration is part of the job, not something you do "on the side".

6 ways leaders can make a practical difference

1. Normalize experimentation
   As a leader, it's important to show that it's okay to test new tools and solutions without having all the answers in advance. By removing the fear of "making mistakes", you lower the threshold for getting started. Small, low-risk experiments provide valuable learning, both when things go well and when they don't. The culture must signal: We learn by trying.
   
   
2. Connect AI to goals and improvement
   AI only becomes relevant when it is linked to something concrete and meaningful. By using AI as part of the conversation about how the team can work smarter, it becomes a tool for improvement and not just a technological innovation. Ask questions like: "What in this process are we spending an unnecessary amount of time on?" or "How could AI help us here?"
   
   
3. Encourage curiosity and sharing
   When someone in the team tries something new, share it! It's important to celebrate learning, not just results. Maybe a colleague has found a shortcut with an AI tool - share it. By making sharing a habit, you'll build a safe and learning culture where everyone sees the value in being curious and exploratory.
   
   
4. Remove fears and misconceptions
   There are still a lot of myths about AI - especially that it will replace humans. Be clear that the intention is to support, not replace. Use concrete examples from your everyday life: "AI helps us avoid manual errors" or "AI frees up time for more value-adding work." Peace of mind comes when people understand why the technology is there - and what it isn't.
   
   
5. Bridge the gap between business and technology
   Many teams have a natural distance to technology. They work in finance, procurement or administration, not IT. As a manager, you can play a key role in making technology understandable and accessible. It can be as simple as inviting an advisor to a short demo, or showing how a specific AI function solves a problem.
   
   
6. Make AI part of the onboarding process
   New employees often encounter a landscape of systems and routines. By including AI tools as a natural part of the onboarding process, you show that this is an integral part of how you work. Explain what tools are available and how they make your job easier. This provides both confidence and clarification of expectations from day one.
   
   
   

What can you achieve with AI in P2P?

Companies that have actively adopted AI in Purchase-to-Pay processes report, among other things:

• Faster invoice processing
• Reduced manual work and repetitive tasks
• Fewer errors and better process control
• More time for value-adding and analytical tasks

This is how one manager experienced it:

"We didn't need to understand the technology in detail - just to be curious and open. It's made life easier for the finance team and we're already seeing benefits."
- CFO in a large company

This shows that the journey starts with attitude, not technology.

Want to explore how we work with AI in Eye-share?

Discover how we leverage GenAI and XAI to deliver intelligent, transparent, and user-centric solutions by visiting our AI page.