Why IT Leaders Should Not Lead With No w/ Bret Henning
TechTarget, Tuesday, August 19th, 2025
IT leaders should engage employees with questions and alternatives rather than rejecting unapproved tools outright.
Bret Henning, Executive Director of IT at Avenza Therapeutics, argues that blocking shadow AI with an immediate no drives employees to circumvent IT controls rather than changing behavior.
Leaders should instead ask questions to understand what employees need, then provide approved alternatives that meet those requirements. Henning emphasizes listening first, explaining risks clearly, and building trust through relationships.
He recommends hiring teachable people with customer service experience and communicating differently based on individual relationships. Success requires respecting others' expertise and establishing mutual understanding before difficult business conversations.