Talk to Anxious Teams About AI

Source: hbr.org

TL;DR

The story at a glance

Morra Aarons-Mele, a workplace mental health consultant and HBR contributor, argues that leaders should tackle team anxiety about AI through honest, ongoing conversations rather than assurances of certainty. The article, published January 20, 2026, responds to rising workplace fears as AI adoption accelerates. It draws on her expertise from The Anxious Achiever and provides practical steps adapted in later HBR tips.[[1]](https://hbr.org/2026/03/our-favorite-management-tips-on-leading-with-ai)[[3]](https://hbr.org/2026/01/your-team-is-anxious-about-ai-heres-how-to-talk-to-them-about-it)

Key points

Details and context

These steps come from HBR tips explicitly adapted from Aarons-Mele's article, reflecting its core framework for leaders navigating AI change.[[1]](https://hbr.org/2026/03/our-favorite-management-tips-on-leading-with-ai) The advice emphasizes psychological safety, building on her work reframing anxiety as a leadership strength rather than a barrier.

AI's rapid pace creates unknowns that echo past tech shifts, but today's focus is on emotional intelligence to maintain productivity.

No specific data or examples are detailed in accessible adaptations, but the approach prioritizes human connection amid tech disruption.

Key quotes

"We can only move through anxiety about AI when we accept its presence."[[4]](https://x.com/HarvardBiz/status/2013825633361543447) — HBR, summarizing the article.

Why it matters

AI's integration is reshaping jobs and workflows, amplifying widespread anxiety that can stall adoption and morale if ignored.

Leaders and managers gain tools to sustain team trust and output by prioritizing empathy over quick fixes, while employees get space to voice fears productively.

Watch for ongoing HBR follow-ups or Aarons-Mele's podcast episodes, as AI tools evolve and new workforce surveys emerge.[[1]](https://hbr.org/2026/03/our-favorite-management-tips-on-leading-with-ai)