Promoted, Pressured, and Underprepared: Rethinking the Role of the Modern Manager

Organizations are investing heavily in AI, technology, and strategy — yet many are overlooking the most powerful driver of performance: the people manager. More than 90% of HR leaders say managers are critical to business performance. Yet research from SHRM shows a persistent preparedness gap, particularly among first-time and frontline managers, many of whom report feeling under-equipped to lead effectively. At the intersection of performance and wellbeing sits the modern manager — asked to deliver results, support mental health, integrate AI, and retain talent, often without the systems or development to succeed. The result? Burnout at the managerial level, inconsistent employee experience, and weakened organizational resilience. But the same role that represents the greatest vulnerability inside an organization also represents its greatest leverage point. In this episode of Rebels with a Heart, Derek Lundsten sits down with Dr. Alex Alonso, Chief Knowledge Officer at SHRM, to explore: What the data tells us about the widening manager capability gap Why traditional leadership training isn’t translating into daily effectiveness The measurable business impact of manager wellbeing and readiness How organizations can build real, measurable manager readiness In an AI-accelerated world, competitive advantage won’t just come from better tools, it will come from leaders who can protect performance by protecting their people.