Empathy, Strategy, and AI: The Manager’s New Frontier

As more companies embrace a “bossless” culture (i.e. eliminating middle management roles in pursuit of agility and efficiency) and turn to AI to fill the resulting gaps, it’s crucial not to overlook the enduring value of human leadership. Managers, though often stretched thin and under-recognized, provide essential connection, coaching, and judgment that no algorithm can replicate.

If you’re a manager feeling unmotivated to lead or uncertain about your organization’s move toward unbossing, now is the time to highlight the irreplaceable value you bring to your team.

In this piece, Deloitte explores why managers still matter, what needs to evolve, and how AI can serve as a support, not a substitute, for those who lead people.