Everyone is taking about AI and automation in the workplace right now, and many of us are wondering how to strike the right balance on our teams. In this episode of The New Manager Playbook, I dig into a question every leader and founder is asking: as AI becomes capable of doing more, from scheduling meetings to drafting documents, how do we make sure we don’t lose what matters most: people.I walk through the power of automation for repetitive tasks, but when oversimplify the value a person was bringing to a job, we've lost the plot. We talk about:Why humans still matter, even when AI can do the tactical workWhat intangible value roles like executive assistants or coordinators actually deliverHow to audit your team’s work: what to automate, what to preserve, what to evolveHow leaders can evolve into people‑builders, not just traffic‑directorsIf you’ve thought “maybe I don’t need an assistant if I have Calendly and AI note‑takers,” this episode is for you. Tune in and let’s walk through what you might want to preserve — before it’s gone.Looking for support for yourself of your team? I've got you covered.Explore manager training, leaders keynotes & offsites, and 1:1 advisory, or my 90-Day-COO program for business owners who want simple systems that actually work. I help teams build clarity, accountability, and momentum through practical tools and research-backed strategies that make managing easier. Get all the details at: www.liagarvin.comor reach out at [email protected]

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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