Sep 18, 2024
Janelle Beck, Senior Copy Editor & Tracey Carney EdD, Research Manager
In today’s rapidly evolving world of work, artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept but a present-day reality. While AI promises transformative benefits, actually identifying those benefits, and the tangible steps to attain them, provides organizations with a challenge – and according to Wiley Workplace Intelligence research, a fair amount of stress.
A staggering 96% of individuals surveyed report feeling stress about changes in their work environment, and the ambiguity of AI is a major contributor to this phenomenon. The uncertainty surrounding AI’s role, its integration, and its impact on job roles can leave people feeling anxious and overwhelmed. In this climate of change, the role of exemplary leadership becomes crucial. Leaders must not only navigate the complexities of AI implementation, often without a blueprint, while also guiding their teams through the turbulence of this transition.
Wiley Workplace Intelligence surveyed 2,005 individuals on stress around AI integration, as well as levels of preparedness from organizations and leaders and what we found provides guidance on how exemplary leadership is the key to navigating the AI era.
While respondents reported high levels of stress around change at work, questions about AI specifically garnered curiosity and indifference above other emotions with 43% reporting curiosity and 23% indifference. We can glean from this that it is an opportune time for organizations to further solidify their guidelines and expectations around AI integration. In fact, taking the time to outline how AI can benefit your organization and satisfy that curiosity while also reducing stress.
80% of people think their manager is supportive of their efforts to integrate AI.
60% of people believe their manager is knowledgeable about how to integrate AI.
63% of people believe their manager has the skills to support the implementation of AI.
These statistics reveal a significant difference in how employees perceive their managers' support and expertise when it comes to integrating AI into their organizations. While 80% of employees feel that their managers are supportive of their efforts to embrace AI, this supportive sentiment does not fully translate into confidence in their managers' capabilities.
This gap indicates that while employees recognize the intention and encouragement of their leaders, there is less confidence around whether they have the practical knowledge to translate AI’s potential into workflow strategies. That lack of confidence is justified, as only 33% of people managers shared that they have the skills to support AI integration, illuminating an area of opportunity for organizations.
Exemplary leaders Model the Way, and our research showed that the majority of those surveyed are not aware of their organization’s clear strategy around AI implementation. It is imperative that leaders start considering if and how they will incorporate AI capabilities into their workflows and provide training and communication, as necessary. Ambiguity is a significant contributor to stress and taking the time now, while attitudes around AI are open and curious, to clarify how your people can and should engage AI is imperative.
This situation is further highlighted by the fact that just 34% of people managers feel equipped with the skills needed for AI implementation. This lack of a coherent strategy and perceived skill deficiency among managers suggests that organizations are facing a crucial challenge: bridging the gap between supportive leadership and the practical expertise required to leverage AI effectively. Leaders must address these gaps by investing in their own knowledge and skills, as well as by developing and communicating a clear AI strategy.
To effectively lead teams through the AI transition and alleviate the stress associated with it, leaders can focus on the following four key step to Model the Way:
By focusing on these four steps—providing robust support, fostering transparency, communicating changes effectively, and explaining the reasons behind changes—leaders at all levels can take steps to proactively support their people and pave the way for a smooth transition in the AI era.
Organizations can unlock the power of leadership by engaging assessment and learning experiences like The Leadership Challenge, it is possible to identify areas of both strength and opportunity in everyone, promoting exemplary leadership at all levels in your organization.
Wiley Workplace Intelligence conducts in-depth research on key workplace issues by gathering insights from individual contributors, managers, and leaders. Wiley Workplace Intelligence then analyzes these findings to provide actionable solutions that are shared in our blog.
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