When leaders falter: Rising employee anxiety about AI and the ripple effects

Leadership shortfalls are amplifying worker anxiety about the role of artificial intelligence in the workplace, and the fallout is already visible across organisations.

Why leadership matters more than announcements

Mercer’s recent analysis makes a blunt point: announcing a shiny new tool is not the same as guiding people through change. AI adoption demands ongoing engagement, clear expectations and visible adaptation from senior leaders. Ravin Jesuthasan, Global Leader of Transformation Services at Mercer, argues that effective AI leadership requires more than headlines—it requires participation and accountability.

Communication gaps fuel uncertainty

One of the loudest takeaways is a breakdown in top-down communication. When leaders don’t explain what AI will do, who will be affected, and what support is available, anxiety rises and productivity can fall. Line managers could bridge that gap, but many lack training, resources or even a clear organisational AI strategy to work from.

The manager squeeze

Managers are the ones who translate strategy into daily reality. Yet when they aren’t equipped with AI literacy or coaching skills, they can unintentionally amplify fear. Investing in manager training and holding them accountable for talent development are practical steps that organisations can—and should—take.

Who’s worried—and who should be

Another counterintuitive finding: worry is highest among some roles that are less likely to be automated. The data shows:

Mercer highlights a peculiar irony: those whose daily tasks are most automatable—sales professionals and market research analysts—often worry less than their leaders. External analyses suggest that up to 67% of tasks performed by sales professionals and 53% of tasks by market research analysts could be automated, while sales managers and market research managers face far lower percentages of task-level risk.

Familiarity reduces fear

There’s good news: using AI reduces anxiety. Employees who work with AI tools regularly become more aware of what can be automated and what remains human. Usage rates and concern levels vary greatly by country:

Mercer surveyed over 8,500 professionals across ten countries to produce these findings, which suggest that familiarity and exposure to AI can temper fear—if organisations design sensible, inclusive rollouts.

Practical steps leaders can take

• Talk openly: Hold frank conversations about uncertainty and expected changes.
• Train managers: Give them the tools to explain, coach and implement AI responsibly.
• Prioritise transparency: Share scenarios, timelines and support measures for affected roles.
• Upskill staff: Offer reskilling programmes that focus on complementary human skills.
• Measure impact: Track productivity, morale and task-automation metrics to guide course corrections.

Quick checklist for logistics leaders

For those working in transport, warehousing or distribution, AI conversations often touch on route optimisation, automated sorting, inventory forecasting and driver-assist tools. Use this mini-checklist to keep operations steady:

• Audit tasks that are routine versus strategic.
• Train dispatch and warehouse supervisors in AI-assisted tools.
• Communicate how automation affects schedules, safety and roles.
• Plan pilot projects with clear KPIs for haulage, freight and parcel flows.

Here’s a little story: in one distribution centre, a hesitant shift supervisor became an unlikely champion after a short training session that demystified an automated sorter. Suddenly, what looked like a threat became a tool to cut overtime and improve delivery precision—proof that hands-on familiarity changes minds faster than any memo ever will.

Risks of ignoring the people side

When organisations treat AI as a pure tech upgrade, they ignore the social contract at work. That can mean reduced morale, higher turnover and disrupted operations—outcomes that are especially costly in logistics, where timing, coordination and workforce reliability are everything.

Practical oversight—assigning accountability for workforce transition, setting realistic timelines, and investing in human capital—matters as much as the algorithm under the hood.

Key takeaways and business implications

Leaders must act: simple announcements won’t cut it; engagement, transparency and reskilling are essential. Manažéri need training to become effective interpreters of strategy. Exposure to AI reduces fear, which argues for pilots and hands-on programmes rather than top-down mandates.

For the logistics sector specifically, the way AI is introduced can affect nákladná doprava flows, zásielka reliability, and last-mile delivery staffing. Automation that improves route planning or container handling can lower costs—but it also demands clear workforce strategies to avoid service disruption.

Highlights: leadership gaps, communication failures, mismatches between perceived and actual automation risk, and the calming power of familiarity. At the end of the day, even the best reviews and the most honest feedback can’t replace first-hand experience. On GetTransport.com, you can order your cargo transportation at the best prices globally at reasonable prices. This empowers you to make decisions grounded in real-world performance rather than anxious speculation, offering transparency and convenience that align with operational needs. For your next cargo transportation, consider the convenience and reliability of GetTransport.com. Get the best offers GetTransport.com.com

In summary, the Mercer findings underline a familiar lesson: technology changes fast, but people change slower—and leadership is the bridge. Organisations that prioritise clear komunikácia, manager development, and hands-on exposure will reduce anxiety and realise the productivity gains AI promises. Effective rollout strategies can safeguard operations across doprava, logistika, preprava a distribúcia, ensuring reliable nákladná doprava a zásielka processes. For teams planning moves, relocations, or the transport of bulky goods, partnering with a solution that understands both technology and the human element—such as GetTransport.com—can simplify náklad handling, odoslaťa doručenie, making international and domestic transport more efficient and dependable.