Psychology at Work | Career Success, Leadership, Communication Skills 86. Managing Up & Down in the Age of AI
Feb 4, 2026
Erica Keswin, workplace strategist and three-time bestselling author, shares human-centered leadership tips for an AI-driven world. She discusses vulnerability and empathy, upward influence, linking work to purpose, rituals for hybrid teams, and using AI thoughtfully. Short, practical strategies for building trust and standing out in fast-changing workplaces.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Work Is Flatter And Faster Than Ever
- Organizations are flatter and reorganizations are frequent, making roles and expectations unstable.
- Rapid change and constant new AI tools increase stress and require adaptive human skills.
Vulnerability With An Experimentation Mindset
- Lead with vulnerability by admitting you don't have all the answers about AI and change.
- Pair vulnerability with empathy and experimentation to guide teams through uncertainty.
Practice Upward Empathy
- Practice upward empathy: learn what pressures keep your manager up at night.
- Use that insight to offer solutions that reduce their cognitive load and add value.
