Stop Wasting Millions on AI: The CEO & PE Managing Partner’s Guide to Turning Alignment into ROI

Written By Christina Haxton
“In 2025, global businesses are projected to waste over $400 billion on failed AI initiatives—most often due to poor alignment, unclear ownership, and lack of adoption. ”
— FTI Consulting, Global AI Adoption Report 2025Harvard Business Review

The “ROI of AI” is on the top of every CEO’s and PE Managing Partner’s mind —but the reality is, most AI initiatives stall, underdeliver, or never get off the ground. The culprit? It’s rarely the technology itself. More often, it’s a lack of team alignment: unclear vision, fuzzy accountability, or resistance to change. Here’s how getting your leadership team truly aligned can unlock the promise of AI and drive real, sustainable results.

The Real Barriers to AI Adoption: A Leadership Story

When “Acme Health Solutions,” a fast-growth, PE-backed company, decided to invest in AI, expectations were sky-high. The CEO and board envisioned smarter decision-making, faster execution, and a new competitive edge. But months later, the project was off track—and the warning signs were everywhere.

What did the CEO and the leadership team see that were the early warning signs of the problem?

  • Inconsistent KPIs and scoreboards: Metrics didn’t line up across departments. Teams were tracking different outcomes, and no one agreed on what “success” looked like.

  • Stalled projects and missed deadlines: AI pilots lingered in “in progress” mode for months, with no clear owner pushing them over the finish line.

  • Disengaged or frustrated teams: In meetings, they’d hear leaders say, “I’m not sure what my role is here,” or “I thought IT was handling that.” People tuned out or spoke up only to express doubts.

  • Confusion over ownership: When the CEO asked who was responsible for the next step, there was an awkward silence—or worse, finger-pointing.

  • Siloed communication: Departments rarely shared updates. When they did, it was clear that IT, operations, and business units were moving in different directions.

    Discovery Phase insights: Our surveys, stakeholder interviews and focus groups revealed a lack of shared vision, unclear priorities, and a sense that “AI” was just another buzzword—something to be endured, not embraced.

    The end result? The AI pilot stalled, budget was wasted, and the promise of transformation faded. The CEO could feel the drag in every leadership meeting: low engagement, shifting priorities, and a creeping sense that the initiative was doomed to join the graveyard of past “strategic projects.”

    How Team Alignment Changed the Game

    Recognizing the downward spiral, Acme’s CEO brought in outside support and enrolled the leadership team in our Team Catalyst™ Program - a proven, neuroscience-informed, results-driven approach designed specifically for executive and leadership teams tackling complex transformation.

    • Through a focused kickoff, we clarified the “why” behind the AI initiative—connecting it to core business goals and making the vision real for every leader in the room.

    • Using the Team Catalyst™ Program’s proprietary Ownership Scorecard, roles and responsibilities were made explicit, so everyone knew exactly who was accountable for what by when.

    • Weekly sessions shifted from status updates to true problem-solving forums, leveraging our Collaboration & Communication Mastery module to surface concerns early and help teams adapt quickly.

    • The team implemented visible KPIs and scoreboards with our One-Page KPI Dashboard, turning progress into something everyone could see and celebrate.

    • Our follow-up Executive Team Debriefing Session showed a dramatic shift: leaders could articulate the AI vision, teams felt empowered, and there was a renewed sense of shared purpose and accountability.


    The Results: From Stalled Project to Sustainable Value

    Within a quarter, the turnaround was clear:

  • The AI project moved out of limbo and into active deployment, with measurable business outcomes: reduced manual reporting, faster customer response times, and a noticeable uptick in team engagement.

  • Instead of finger-pointing and confusion, there was shared ownership and energy.

  • The CEO and PE Managing Partner saw not just a successful AI rollout, including a clear ROI heading in the right direction, but a new level of trust and performance across the leadership team.

    What started as a failing tech initiative became a catalyst for stronger alignment, accountability, and value creation—proving that the real ROI of AI starts with people, not just technology.

    Wrapping Up

    AI isn’t just about technology—it’s about people, process, and purpose. Team alignment is the lever that turns potential into performance. If you want practical tools or a facilitated session, let’s connect and set your team up for AI success that actually sticks.

    What We Do (in Plain English)

    “Companies with highly aligned teams grow their revenues 58% faster and are 72% more profitable than their less aligned peers.”
    — Harvard Business Review

    We help fast-growth, mid-market CEOs and PE Managing Partners achieve real ROI on AI (and other strategic initiatives) up to 25% faster—by guiding them through our Team Catalyst™ Program. This neuroscience-informed framework builds a culture of ownership, trust, and flawless execution. In today’s market, speed and alignment aren’t just nice to have—they’re the difference between leading and lagging.

    Ready to turn Decisions into Action?
    If you’re tired of stalled pilots and missed opportunities, let’s talk about how a culture of alignment and ownership can help your team deliver results that last.

    Take the Next Step:

Christina Haxton
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