by Dr. Julie Donley, Author of “Leading at the Speed of People”
The rise of artificial intelligence was supposed to make work easier, right? Smarter algorithms, faster communication, automation at scale. And yet, for many professionals, small business owners, and entrepreneurs, stress and burnout aren’t decreasing — they’re intensifying.
Why? Because while AI can handle data, workflows, and even creative tasks, it cannot replace the emotional labor that remains at the core of human work.
The Human Work Hasn’t Gone Away
Every workplace, no matter what the industry, runs on human connection — collaboration, empathy, communication, creativity. These are not “tasks” that can be automated away. They are emotional processes that require energy, attention, and intention.
Managing a stressed-out employee. Soothing an anxious client. Navigating conflict between individuals or teams. Showing up as a supportive leader while privately grappling with uncertainty. AI can write an email, but it cannot offer true reassurance, read the unspoken worry in someone’s tone, or negotiate emotions during a tense conversation.
As AI takes over more operational work, the proportion of emotional labor in our day-to-day jobs is actually increasing — not decreasing. And emotional labor, while often invisible, is exhausting. It’s a significant contributor to burnout that many businesses are not yet acknowledging.
Change Is Always Hard — Even Good Change
Another reason AI is fueling stress rather than easing it? The learning curve. Change — even when it’s positive or full of promise — is disruptive.
In my book, “Does Change Have to Be So HARD?“, I explore how any change, even welcome change, challenges us. It requires that we let go of familiar habits, embrace new ways of thinking, and work through discomfort. While some people thrive on innovation, many struggle with uncertainty, especially when the change is fast-moving and high-stakes.
AI is changing not just what we do, but how we do it — from workflows and communication to decision-making and job expectations. These shifts often happen without enough time, support, or emotional space to adapt. When businesses rush AI adoption without addressing the human side of change, they inadvertently increase stress, resistance, and fear.
What Leaders and Entrepreneurs Need to Understand
Whether you’re running a startup, managing a growing team, or just launching your career, here’s the reality:
- Emotional labor will continue to be the most critical — and taxing — part of the job.
- Change management must be human-centered, not just tech-centered.
- Building emotional resilience is no longer optional. It’s essential.
The most successful leaders in the AI era will not be the ones who automate the most — they’ll be the ones who lead with empathy, cultivate trust, and create safe environments for people to grow through change.
Three Ways to Manage AI-Induced Stress
1. Acknowledge Emotional Labor.
Recognize that handling emotions — your own and others’ — is real work. It’s not soft; it’s essential for success. Make space for it, plan for it, and value it as a leadership strength.
2. Support People Through Change.
Help your team (and yourself) understand that uncertainty is normal. Change rarely happens because we’re ready for it — it happens, and we have to work through the messiness of it. Be patient. Be present.
3. Invest in Self-Leadership.
In times of disruption, managing your mindset, energy, and emotions becomes critical. Tools like coaching, emotional intelligence development, and intentional self-awareness practices aren’t luxuries — they’re tools for survival. Self-care isn’t optional when the ground keeps shifting beneath you.
Final Thought
AI is a powerful tool. It’s helping us reduce redundancies, streamline operations, and free up time. But it will never replace the need for human connection, emotional intelligence, or the capacity to adapt with grace.
In the end, success in the AI era won’t come from outrunning technology — it will come from leading ourselves and others with care.
Dr. Julie Donley, a leadership expert, author, and workplace stress researcher with nearly 30 years of experience helping professionals navigate high-pressure environments. Her latest book, “Leading at the Speed of People”, explores how leaders can adapt to this new AI-driven workplace without burning out. For more information, visit DrJulieDonley.com or follow Dr. Donley on social media: She’s @DrJDonley (on Facebook), @DrJulieDonley (on YouTube), and you can also connect with her on LinkedIn.
