Managers are being asked to carry more than ever…
and we’re not talking about it enough.

In this episode of The Shift, we sit down with Ali Merchant to unpack what’s really happening in the middle of change — where managers are expected to translate strategy, support their teams, and stay confident… often without the clarity or support they need.

This isn’t a conversation about frameworks.
It’s a conversation about what’s actually happening inside organizations right now.

We get into:
• Why managers are becoming the default “solution” for everything (and why that’s a problem)
• What leaders are missing when rolling out change — especially with AI
• The psychological weight managers are carrying right now
• Why “just communicate better” isn’t enough
• How to support managers without over-relying on training
• The shift from mandates → modeling
• A practical way to think about AI transformation (the “T strategy”)

We also explore the real tension behind AI at work — including fear, uncertainty, and what Ali calls the need for better discernment and taste in a world where answers are easy, but judgment matters more than ever.

“Managers are responsible for everything… but who’s taking care of them?”

About Ali

Ali Merchant is the founder of All In Manager, a leadership development firm focused on helping managers become better leaders. He’s trained thousands of managers and coached senior leaders around the world, and is the author of The All In Manager.

⸻

Connect with Ali

Website: https://allinmanager.com
LinkedIn:   / alimerchant  
Substack: https://substack.com/@alimerchant