Human Skills in Leadership: The Competitive Advantage in an AI-Driven World

A senior leader at a creative agency recently told us, “We’ve just rolled out a whole suite of AI tools… but no one’s talking about how stressed everyone feels.”

‍

We’re hearing this across the board. Businesses are investing in platforms, processes and productivity, but overlooking people. Managers are expected to lead change, maintain morale, and hit targets - often without the human skills in leadership or support to do so.

‍

That’s the problem.
‍
You can’t lead AI transformation without human transformation.

AI is creating emotional pressure - not just process change

The use of AI in the workplace is soaring, and so is the emotional load.

• 61% of workers feel overwhelmed by the pace of AI adoption
  → Microsoft Work Trend Index 2024
  
  
• Only 27% of managers feel equipped to lead through this shift
  → Gallup State of the Global Workplace 2024

This isn’t just a digital skills gap - it’s a confidence gap, a communication gap, and a clarity gap. These are the challenges of AI in the workplace that many leadership teams are underestimating. Particularly for managers navigating uncertainty in hybrid, high-pressure environments.

‍

This is where human-first leadership comes in, because emotional intelligence at work, resilience and trust are what anchor teams when everything around them is changing.

Are we investing in systems… and skipping people?

Let’s take the numbers.

‍

According to McKinsey’s 2024 research:

• 70% of organisations are investing in digital transformation
• But only 36% are prioritising leadership behaviour change alongside it
  → McKinsey – L&D’s Role in Transformation 2024

Meanwhile, Microsoft’s 2024 Index shows burnout and overwhelm are two of the top challenges facing knowledge workers - not lack of tools or training.

‍

Here’s the disconnect:

• We’re teaching teams how to use AI, but not how to manage the anxiety that comes with it
• We’re launching new systems, but not supporting the managers expected to embed them

Emotional intelligence in the workplace isn’t a soft skill. It’s what makes change sustainable.

What human-first leadership actually looks like

At PUSH, our leadership development training programmes help organisations build performance from the inside out - through a behavioural change model that actually sticks.

‍

We call it:

Self → Impact → Culture

• Self: Emotional clarity, resilience and awareness - especially under pressure
• Impact: Building trust, consistency and communication - regardless of team setup
• Culture: Creating psychologically safe environments where people can perform, not just survive

We blend coaching, psychotherapy, and behavioural science to give managers the human-first tools they actually need, and embed them through training, reflection and real-life practice.

‍

This isn’t theory - it’s practical behavioural change that improves both human skills in management and team outcomes.

5 human-first behaviours that elevate leadership

These are the high-impact behaviours we train and embed through our programmes - essential for any manager navigating pressure, pace, and people challenges:

1. Build emotional awareness before taking action

Supports clearer thinking and more intentional responses - especially in moments of stress, uncertainty, or tension.

2. Lead with curiosity, not assumption

Encourages open dialogue and better problem-solving, helping managers understand what’s really going on before reacting.

3. Set and hold boundaries with confidence

Gives teams clarity around expectations and protects energy and focus, without resorting to over-explaining or guilt.

4. Stay steady under pressure

Develops nervous system regulation so leaders can remain consistent and grounded, even in fast-paced or high-stakes situations.

5. Be clear, human and honest

Strengthens trust, connection and followership, especially when things aren’t perfect or answers aren’t obvious.

These aren’t scripts or theories. They’re practical, repeatable behaviours that drive performance - because when managers lead with awareness, the whole culture benefits.

‍

What’s the ROI?

When leadership teams focus on emotional intelligence and psychological safety, the returns are concrete and measurable:

• Retention is 4× higher in organisations where managers have strong emotional intelligence - employees working under emotionally intelligent leaders are far less likely to leave (Renascence.io, Engagedly).
  
  
• Higher engagement through manager alignment - Gallup’s meta-analysis of over 200,000 teams shows that teams led by engaged and emotionally competent managers see significantly higher engagement (Gallup).
  
  
• Healthier organisations deliver better performance - McKinsey’s organisational health research shows companies prioritising psychological safety, clarity, and trust outperform peers in both resilience and sustainable growth (McKinsey).
  
  
• Stress-related absence is a critical issue - CIPD reports that up to 76% of employees cite work-related stress as a cause of absence, reinforcing the need for emotionally intelligent leadership (Wellity Global).

It’s simple: if you want performance, you have to start with people.

AI challenges and opportunities for leadership

The future of AI in the workplace brings both innovation and strain. Alongside efficiency, we’re also seeing the disadvantages of AI in the workplace, including stress and overwhelm surrounding what it means for leaders, their teams, and their future. 

‍

But there’s opportunity too: managers who focus on human-first leadership will unlock resilience, clarity, and sustainable performance. This is where combining AI challenges and opportunities for leadership with human skills management becomes the competitive edge.

What next?

This October, we’re running two thought-provoking webinars to support managers and people leaders in building human-first leadership that thrives in an AI-driven world. 

1. Leading Well Under Pressure: Human-First Management in the AI Era

Led by Cate Murden (PUSH Founder & Neuro-Leadership Coach) and Stephanie Queen (PUSH’s in-house Psychotherapist), this session is designed primarily for managers and team leads who want practical, repeatable tools to lead confidently in fast-paced, AI-shifting environments. It’s also relevant for HR and people leaders who want to see PUSH training in action.

‍

You’ll take away:

• Practical tools to lead confidently under pressure
• Strategies to build trust and performance in high-speed environments
• A chance to see PUSH’s Self → Impact → Culture model in action

→ Secure your spot

2. The New People Strategy: Confidence, Culture & AI Readiness

Hosted by Cate Murden (PUSH Founder & Neuro-Leadership Coach) in conversation with Erica Farmer (Co-Founder of Quantum Rise, TEDx Speaker, and LinkedIn Learning Instructor), this is a strategic, senior-facing session designed for senior HR leaders, heads of L&D, people directors, and agency leads.

‍

You’ll explore:

• How AI is reshaping people strategy
• Building cultures that balance pace and wellbeing
• Creating leadership capability that drives long-term performance

→ Secure your spot

The AI Paradox Handout

Alongside the webinars, we’ve also created The AI Paradox handout - a concise, high-impact resource packed with practical questions, quick wins and strategies to help you start meaningful conversations about AI, pressure, and performance in your business right now.

‍

Inside, you’ll find:

• The reality of how AI is transforming work at breakneck speed, and the human cost it’s creating.
• Five key questions every leader should be asking (with practical actions you can take straight away).
• Quick wins for managers, including “clarity before speed” and “AI as co-pilot, not pilot.”
• Practical strategies to protect resilience, strengthen relationships, and shift focus from speed alone to sustainable performance.

It’s designed to be shared with your team or leadership peers - a simple way to spark dialogue and drive action.

‍

→ Download the AI Paradox handout

Grow human skills in your leadership team with PUSH

If you want managers and leaders who can navigate change, sustain performance, and keep your people engaged, our manager and leadership programmes are designed to do exactly that.

‍

From building emotional intelligence and resilience to embedding behaviours that drive trust and performance, we’ll work with you to create leaders who can thrive in an AI-driven world.

‍

Book a call with us to explore how we can support your people and your business.

‍

Because the leaders who thrive in an AI-driven world? They’re the ones who lead like humans.