"While workplaces are seeing some benefits to automating tasks with AI, there's another not-so-secret problem with the technology taking off: employee anxiety. In part, that's because workers are deeply stressed about being replaced, but there are also learning curves that come with working alongside the technology. Also notable, one recent study found that AI is making workers' jobs harder in another way. It messes with managers' expectations, meaning they end up giving employees more work that they expect completed in less time."
""Presence isn't just about showing up-it's about how you show up," Brooks explains. "It's the groundedness, the way you stay in touch with people in the midst of ambiguity or distress, without rushing to fix or smooth things over." Brooks adds that while it may feel more comfortable to avoid the worries, "choosing to stay steady in the face of uncertainty is a quiet but powerful form of leadership.""
Employees face rising anxiety as AI adoption grows, driven by fears of replacement and the learning curves of working alongside new tools. AI also shifts managerial expectations, prompting managers to assign more tasks and expect faster completion. Leaders must hold space for employee anxiety by maintaining presence: staying grounded, listening without immediately trying to fix problems, and resisting the urge to avoid difficult feelings. Effective communication and steady leadership can mitigate burnout and uncertainty. Addressing workload expectations and supporting skills development can reduce stress and help teams adapt to AI-driven changes.
Read at Fast Company
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]