Why Managers Need to Understand AI Now (Even If Tech Isn't Your Thing)
- Peter Michael
- Apr 2
- 4 min read
You don’t need to become a data scientist. But if you lead people, you need to know what’s coming — and how to steer the ship.
👔 A Wake-Up Call for Managers
Let’s not sugarcoat this: AI is changing how work gets done — and fast. But, you’re not too late to the game.
From automating admin tasks to generating real-time insights, artificial intelligence is now woven into everything from operations to HR. But here’s the kicker: most managers aren’t ready. Not because they aren’t smart or capable — but because no one has told them how to engage with this technology in a way that feels relevant to their job.
If you’re a manager in your 40s, 50s, or beyond, you likely built your career on experience, intuition, and people skills. And those things still matter — a lot. But here’s the truth:
You can’t afford to sit on the sidelines while your team adopts AI faster than you.
Leadership today means knowing how to ask the right questions, not necessarily write the code.
🧠 AI Literacy Is the New Leadership Skill
Think of AI literacy as your ability to:
• Understand what AI can (and can’t) do
• Make strategic decisions about which tools to implement
• Communicate clearly with both your tech and non-tech team members
• Lead responsibly through change
That doesn’t mean diving into machine learning whitepapers. It means learning just enough to see around the corner — so you can guide your team with confidence instead of playing catch-up. Also to note, this isn’t an opportunity to catch “cheaters”. They’re not cheating by using AI, they’re working smarter. And, your role is not to optimize that.
The goal? To lead, not just manage. And that starts with awareness.
🔄 Real-World Scenarios Where AI Impacts Management
Let’s make this real. Here are just a few ways AI is already reshaping leadership:
✅ Performance Reviews
AI can analyze project timelines, productivity data, and even tone in communications. Managers still make the final call — but now you’ve got deeper insights at your fingertips. This is not for you to make the ultimate decision as human tough and rationalizing still plays a key role in decision making. It serves as a guide, a “second brain” or an additional “set of eyes” to help you make better decisions.
✅ Hiring & Talent Development
AI tools are screening resumes, identifying skill gaps, and even recommending training plans. I know there are already programs out there that do those things that have been used for a long time. But, they aren’t thinkers. I’ve even had a class on how to come up on top of all resumes through a filtering software. But AI is different; it sorts what you are looking for and what candidates your department needs.
The role of the manager? Interpret the data and make the human decisions that tech can’t.
✅ Team Workflows
From meeting summarizers to predictive scheduling, AI is streamlining the way teams collaborate. Managers who understand these tools can eliminate bottlenecks before they become problems.
✅ Customer Experience
AI-driven insights about customer behavior are changing how teams respond to feedback. There are many programs out there like intuit and Troy to help in this avenue with the rising trend of people choosing to dine out than to eat in. Or even reserve online than to call a doctors office. Because of the uptick in demand for time and tasks at work and home, these tools become very important in peoples’ everyday lives. Your role is to make sure the human touch doesn’t get lost in the automation.
🧩 The Hidden Risk of Staying “Tech-Agnostic”
It’s tempting to say, “That’s for IT to worry about,” or “I just focus on people.” But ignoring AI is a risk you can’t afford.
Why?
Because your credibility as a leader is tied to your ability to navigate change. That’s how Apple managed to stay successful throughout phases of technological advancements and changes in demand while companies like Nokia and Blackberry have now fallen to the B2B market.
If your team sees you avoiding the conversation — or resisting the tools they’re embracing — you risk creating a leadership vacuum. That gap? It’ll get filled by someone younger, more adaptable, or worse: by a bot making decisions on autopilot. You know this and you’ve probably met countless CEOs under the age of 45.
In a world where your team is learning new tech weekly, your leadership needs to evolve just as fast.
🔍 Not Sure Where to Start? Start Here.
You don’t need to become an expert. You just need to be engaged. Here’s how to get moving:
1. Spend 20 Minutes a Week Exploring AI Tools
Try ChatGPT, Grammarly AI, Notion AI, or Zoom’s AI summaries. Notice how they work and how they might apply to your team’s work. I’d even recommend trying Grok 3.
2. Ask Your Team What They’re Using
Open up a conversation: “What tools are helping you work more efficiently?” It not only helps you learn, but also shows your team that you’re invested and adaptable.
3. Create a Culture of Responsible Experimentation
Encourage your team to pilot new AI tools — but with ethical awareness and collaboration in mind. Make space for successes and stumbles.
4. Partner with IT or Innovation Teams
Let them lead the deep tech, but ask them to brief you regularly. Have a standing 15-minute monthly check-in to stay in the loop. Don’t be afraid to loop them into team meetings as well.
🤝 You Don’t Have to “Get It All” — You Just Have to Get Involved.
Look, the workplace is shifting. Fast. And leadership isn’t about knowing everything — it’s about staying relevant.
You bring the human insight, emotional intelligence, and strategic judgment that AI can’t replicate. But to truly lead, you need to stay curious and connected to what’s changing around you.
Your team is looking to you — not to have all the answers, but to be willing to ask the right questions. They need to be stimulated, to be pushed to the limit. Ultimately, they want to grow with the organization.
Because in the AI-powered workplace, the best managers won’t be the most technical. They’ll be the most adaptive.
