AI Business
4d ago
Korn Ferry report highlights middle managers' role in AI transformation amid executive gaps
Nov 7, 2026
AI Summary
A Korn Ferry report reveals that only 6% of senior leaders feel executives are ready for AI-driven change. As a result, middle managers are expected to bridge the gap, often without adequate support, leading to increased strain and potential disengagement among employees.
- A Korn Ferry report indicates that just 6% of talent and senior leaders believe top executives are prepared for AI transformation.
- Two-thirds of respondents expect middle managers to focus more on guiding teams through change than on daily oversight.
- The survey included over 1,300 talent and senior leaders from more than 75 countries.
- More than 77% of respondents believe capability gaps will be a larger challenge than talent shortages, and 78% feel that too few employees are ready for future work demands.
- Middle managers are increasingly caught between executive ambitions and the realities of AI implementation, leading to added strain on their roles.
- Managers often communicate decisions made by executives without having input or context, which can lead to trust issues and employee disengagement.
- A Gallup analysis found that only 25% of U.S. employees reported clear communication regarding AI integration, impacting engagement levels.
- Effective communication and training from leadership are crucial for successful AI integration, with managers needing to understand the decisions they communicate to their teams.
- Leaders are encouraged to learn AI tools themselves and provide job-specific training to support employees during the transition.
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