Ep. 4: AI Leaders Assemble, Why Managers Are Stuck in the Middle

On this episode of AI'm Just Trying My Best, host Adam Espinosa and Modern Workery founder Chevelle Bedra talk about the group getting squeezed hardest by AI adoption right now: managers. Using a surprisingly perfect comparison to Michael Scott picking a healthcare plan on The Office, they break down why leadership is pushing AI down, employees are feeling every kind of way about it, and managers are stuck in the middle trying to figure out where to even start.

Chevelle and Adam also get into the personal side of AI (furnace repairs, car diagnostics, and Copilot sassing Chevelle's husband Tim about a car repair), why your data is already out there whether you like it or not, and the "imposter syndrome" some leaders feel when their employees are using AI better than they are. Plus, details on Chevelle's live workshop, Lead Your Team, Lose the Busywork: The AI-Powered Sales Leader. What We Cover:

[00:00] Welcome to Episode 4

[03:00] Using Copilot for everyday problem-solving, from furnace leaks to car repairs

[07:00] The real difference between a Copilot search and a Google search

[11:00] Addressing data privacy concerns and why your data is already out there

[14:00] The Office comparison: why managers are stuck like Michael Scott picking a healthcare plan

[19:00] The wide range of AI adoption across a team, from laggards to power users

[22:00] The imposter syndrome problem: when leaders discount work because AI helped make it [24:00] Preview of the upcoming workshop, Lead Your Team, Lose the Busywork

[28:00] Three things leaders should do when told to "figure out an AI strategy"

Favorite Quotes:

"It's impossible for you to create a strategy when you don't know the capabilities yourself."

"You gotta stick with it. There's always a moment where people are mesmerized."

"Your data's already out there. You're crazy to think that they're not getting it."

"Small, practical changes make a big impact on the bottom line."

Got a topic or question you want the team to cover? Drop it in the comments.