Making Tech & AI Adoption Stick: The Psychology of Change Management - Cesar Viana Teague | Ep 147

Cesar Viana Teague is a change management and enablement consultant who helps tech leaders make AI and software adoption stick. As the founder of Next Level Consulting and the "Change is Good" practice, he blends authentic leadership coaching with go-to-market enablement to turn employee resistance into real, measurable business results.In this episode, Cesar breaks down the psychology behind why enterprise software rollouts fail and why a large percentage of employees experience immediate anxiety around new tools. He introduces his proprietary A.P.E.E.E. framework (Analyze and Assess, Plan, Execute, Evaluate, and Exit)—a strategic planning model that prevents scope creep and ensures successful technology adoption. Cesar explains why teams often get "stuck" in the execution phase, emphasizing how taking a step back to properly assess change readiness can save a doomed project from total collapse.Cesar also tackles the current wave of AI anxiety in the workplace, advising leaders to frame artificial intelligence as a tool to *augment* rather than automate human potential. He discusses the critical role of "authentic leadership" and vulnerability for introverted technical founders, and why building a deep culture of trust is the only sustainable way to innovate. Finally, he shares actionable, budget-friendly advice for team leaders to guarantee their next tech rollout is a success.In this episode, you’ll discover:· The "Change is Good" philosophy and why humans naturally resist new technology.· The A.P.E.E.E. Model: Analyze, Plan, Execute, Evaluate, and Exit.· How to prevent project scope creep and rescue a stalled software rollout.· Why "action without strategy is a nightmare" during the execution phase.· The most revealing question to ask stakeholders before a new tech launch.· How introverted technical leaders can practice "authentic leadership" and build trust.· Addressing AI anxiety: How to frame AI to augment rather than automate your team.· Identifying the exact moment a technological change becomes the "new normal."· Why a culture that punishes failure will ultimately destroy its ability to innovate.Connect With Cesar Viana Teague:· Change is Good Website (Get the free Tech Change Readiness Kit): https://changeisgood.io/· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cesarvianateague/Chapters:00:00 Welcome Cesar Viana Teague: Change Management Consultant01:42 Why People Resist Change & The "Change is Good" Philosophy05:19 The A.P.E.E.E. Model: Strategic Planning for Tech Adoption08:42 Why Teams Get Stuck in the Execution Phase11:03 Analyzing Stakeholders: Uncovering Hidden Resistance to Tech13:11 Authentic Leadership for Introverted Technical Founders15:44 Managing AI Anxiety: Augmentation vs. Automation18:33 The Exit Phase: When Does a Change Become the New Normal?20:22 Practical Change Management Advice for Teams on a Tight Budget21:54 The Future of Work: Why Trust is the Ultimate Tech Metric24:29 Innovation Defined: Failing Forward in a Risk-Tolerant Culture25:47 Connect with Cesar & Get the Tech Change Readiness Kit