From managing people to managing AI: How the same leadership skills apply in the age of AI | Julie Zhuo

09/21/25
Source: Lenny’s Newsletter by Lenny Rachitsky. Read the original article

TL;DR Summary of How AI Transforms Management and the Future of Work

AI integration is reshaping management by empowering everyone to become a manager through new skills that translate to overseeing AI agents. Julie Zhuo’s “diagnose with data, treat with design” framework highlights the balance of intuition and experimentation in product development. Traditional role boundaries like engineer, PM, and designer are dissolving, evolving toward a unified “builder” identity in AI-driven workplaces. Effective feedback and adapting to change remain critical as AI accelerates learning and decision-making.

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Julie Zhuo on the Intersection of AI, Management Skills, and Modern Product Building

Julie Zhuo, former VP of Design at Meta and author of The Making of a Manager, shares insights on how AI is fundamentally changing the nature of management and team collaboration. As AI tools become ubiquitous, the skills that managers use today will be essential for managing AI agents tomorrow, making AI fluency a core competency for all leaders.

Key Themes Explored:

  • AI as a managerial force: AI empowers individuals to take on managerial responsibilities by automating routine tasks and accelerating learning, enabling teams to focus on higher-level strategic thinking.
  • Blurring role boundaries: The traditional distinctions between engineers, product managers, and designers are fading, with everyone becoming a “builder” who contributes across multiple disciplines through AI collaboration.
  • Balancing intuition with data: Julie’s approach to product design advocates for diagnosing challenges with data analytics while treating them creatively using design thinking, ensuring a holistic product development process.
  • Feedback culture and communication: Providing impactful feedback remains vital, with structured approaches to difficult conversations and fostering environments that encourage growth and open dialogue.

Additional Insights:

Julie discusses why hypergrowth AI companies often struggle with data infrastructure but why this challenge can be mitigated through effective design and management strategies. She also shares perspectives on parenting for an AI future, emphasizing skills beyond coding or STEM to prepare children for evolving workplaces. The conversation highlights timeless management lessons adapted for an AI-driven era, including embracing change, managing energy and conviction, and navigating organizational dynamics.