Managing in the Age of AI with Sabina Nawaz
Sabina Nawaz, executive coach, former Microsoft leader, and author of You’re the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need), sheds light on what often trips up managers and how to lead with clear intention amid today’s shifting workplace dynamics.
In a recent discussion, Nawaz explains why pressure, not power, is the real force that can corrupt leaders. With AI handling more routine tasks and companies like Microsoft and Amazon flattening their leadership structures, managers are now overseeing larger teams with fewer layers of support. This shift demands new approaches to management and leadership.
AI and the ‘Great Unbossing’
Many managers talk about “doing more with less” during layoffs, but Nawaz challenges this mindset. She points out that AI and automation should be treated as valuable resources rather than an excuse to pile more work onto fewer people. “What you’re truly doing is trading human head count for compute power,” she says. The scarcity mindset can hold leaders back from fully leveraging AI’s potential.
Managing in Flatter Organizations
Traditional management styles won’t work in today’s flatter organizations. With fewer management layers, the expectation that a single manager can heroically handle it all is unrealistic. Nawaz warns this approach leads to overwhelming pressure and eventual breakdown.
From Hierarchy to Collaboration
As hierarchy thins, managers must move away from command-and-control tactics. Instead of guarding decision-making authority, they should distribute ownership across their teams. Nawaz emphasizes that power should shift from titles to the people responsible for the work, encouraging shared responsibility and collaboration.
Pressure, Not Power, Corrupts
Nawaz flips the common idea that power corrupts by showing that pressure is the true disruptor. Pressure is constant and affects everyone, changing behaviors and decisions. Her research reveals a striking truth: the same leader can be both highly effective and deeply problematic depending on how they manage pressure.
Managing Pressure Effectively
How can leaders avoid letting pressure derail them? Nawaz suggests small, sustainable habits that create room for thoughtful responses rather than reactive ones. For example, taking three deep breaths before delivering tough feedback helps regulate emotions. Another tip is developing the “shut-up muscle” — resisting the urge to speak first and allowing others to lead conversations.
She also recommends carving out “blank space”: at least two hours a week of unplugged time. This quiet focus allows ideas and solutions to surface naturally, supporting better decision-making and creativity.
Additional Insights
Nawaz draws from her experience advising leaders like Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer, sharing memorable stories that illustrate leadership lessons. She also highlights how the transition from individual contributor to manager can be one of the riskiest career moves, requiring new skills and mindset shifts.
You’re the Boss is published by Simon & Schuster and also available as an audiobook narrated by Sabina Nawaz.
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