This My View, My Voice column was authored by Patricia Brown, VP of Content at ASUG.
As we approach the end of 2025, I’ve been reflecting on the progress we’ve made this year with our new ASUG Collective program and the positive impact it’s already had within our member community.
I recently had the chance to observe this impact firsthand at our ASUG Tech Connect conference—held in Louisville, Kentucky, in early November—where I participated in a panel discussion titled "Leading Change in the Age of AI: Driving Digital Transformation Through Emotionally Intelligent Communication." This session served as a powerful reminder of how ASUG Collective is equipping our members with the skills and confidence they need to navigate the ever-changing world of enterprise technology.
Before sharing a few takeaways from that session, let me take you back to May, when we officially launched ASUG Collective: Empowering Leaders, Elevating Careers, an initiative designed to support inclusive leadership, professional growth, and peer connection across the ASUG community.
Programs like this matter deeply to members at every career stage. We consistently hear from our community that effective change management is essential to the success of digital transformation. In fact, our ASUG Research team recently surveyed members who told us that change management continues to pose a significant challenge in any digital transformation; this feedback reflects the reality that organizations of all sizes, across various industries, continue to grapple with the people and cultural aspects of change. These themes have also surfaced repeatedly in our conversations throughout the year.
Through ASUG Collective, we seek to give our members the skills, support, and community they need to navigate these challenges. Expectations on individuals in the world of enterprise technology are rising, driven by AI, digital transformation, and shifting organizational demands; in response, we're establishing a collaborative environment where members trust they can build leadership capabilities, strengthen their emotional intelligence, and learn from a range of peers, leaders, and subject-matter experts.
It’s been incredibly rewarding to see the interest in this program grow — and to witness the real impact it’s already having in helping members to advance their careers, expand their networks, and remain confident and resilient through change.
The second half of the year has been especially active, with virtual sessions, in-person meetups at ASUG events, and even an ASUG Chapter engagement. We’ve covered meaningful topics—from building emotional intelligence to improving communication and public-speaking influence skills—that are crucial for all of us. We’ve also brought in outside experts who've shared years of experience along with practical tools.
The cheat sheets and leave-behind resources provided during these sessions have been particularly valuable to me. All these materials are available in the ASUG Collective Resource Center, as are the on-demand versions of our sessions. I highly encourage all our members tune into and check out these resources, including recommended reading, relevant articles and guides.
Leading Change in the Age of AI
At our ASUG Tech Connect session, my fellow panelists and I reflected on what it means to lead and manage change in the age of AI — an incredibly timely and important topic. With AI rapidly reshaping both our professional and personal lives, the conversation was especially rich and energizing.
Three themes stood out to me as clear takeaways:
- Change Success Requires Personal Investment in Others’ Success: Effective leadership during times of change depends on people believing that you are genuinely invested in their success, not just in achieving organizational goals. That personal commitment is essential for overcoming resistance and building momentum.
- Transparent Communication Reduces Fear and Builds Trust: Transformation naturally raises concerns about loss of control, particularly in the context of AI. It’s remarkable how quickly this area of technology is advancing, from the introduction of ChatGPT just a few years ago to today’s headlines, which frequently focus on agentic AI. Transparent, consistent communication helps address fears directly and can show team members how these kinds of overarching changes can connect to their personal career growth while still driving real business results.
- Focus on Purpose and Celebrate Small Wins: Successful transformation requires staying anchored in purpose while breaking large tasks into manageable steps. Continuously reminding yourself and your teams why your work matters and celebrating progress along the way helps people see the impact they’re making as individuals. This can often make large-scale change feel more achievable — and meaningful.
The tangible success and incredible growth of the ASUG Collective community this year confirm that the intentions we set for 2025 have not only materialized but also established a solid foundation for the Collective’s continued growth and influence in the years ahead.
Please join us Dec. 4 (online, 12-1 p.m. CST) for our final ASUG Collective virtual meet-up of 2025. We’re taking a look back at our 2025 sessions and exploring what’s possible for 2026. We would love to hear your thoughts on what programs and content you’re most interested in.
Finally, our sincere thanks to PwC, our sponsor for ASUG Collective programming in 2025.
Patricia Brown is VP of Content at ASUG.