Young managers aren’t just using AI to boost efficiency — they see it as a tool to become better leaders. A new report from Google Workspace, conducted by the Harris Poll, surveyed more than 1,000 “knowledge workers ages 22 to 39 who are employed or self-employed full time and currently hold or aspire to hold a leadership position.” Of these workers, 86 percent believe that AI “can help current leaders become better managers,” per the report, and 79 percent are interested in using it to become a better manager themselves.

In the high-stakes world of professional sports, I've often seen leaders feel the pressure to present themselves as infallible, unerring, and flawless. I've seen coaches act as if they needed everyone to know they hold the playbook for every possible scenario, and athletes constantly feel the urge to justify their mistakes, not to have to accept their imperfections.

Effective leadership extends beyond simply completing rote management tasks: It requires a high level of emotional intelligence (EQ). This crucial skill, encompassing the ability to understand, manage, and express one’s emotions and handle interpersonal relationships ethically and empathetically, has become essential to leadership success. EQ is not only about being aware of your emotions, but also about using that awareness to lead, inspire, and positively impact your team and organization.

Over the last twenty years, I've coached and trained hundreds of leaders to be more effective on the people side of the business. Observing middle and senior-level managers overcome their limitations and develop greater emotional intelligence to become better leaders has been an immensely gratifying experience.