Worried AI Will Replace You? An Executive Coach Shares a 30-Day Action Plan

Executive coach Andrea Wasserman offers a practical 30-day plan for professionals worried about AI disrupting their careers. The key is to move from anxiety to action by focusing on task analysis, manager conversations, and visible adaptation.

Start by Identifying Exposure

Don't ask "Will AI take my job?" Instead, break down your work into three categories:

• Repetitive, rule-based tasks (e.g., summarizing meetings, drafting emails)
• Judgment-based work (e.g., stakeholder alignment, coaching)
• Tasks where AI can assist but human oversight is crucial – focus here first.

Talk to Your Manager Proactively

Instead of waiting for company announcements, ask smart business questions like: "Where can AI help our team improve efficiency or quality?" This positions you as a proactive problem-solver.

Move Closer to Business Value

Shift your focus toward revenue, customers, decisions, or risk. In marketing, talk about pipeline and conversion; in HR, discuss retention and productivity; in operations, highlight cost and reliability.

Build One Visible Example of Adaptation

Within 30 days, create a practical example of using AI to improve a work process. For instance, redesign a report to focus on insights, or develop prompts to help junior team members. Then share your results with your manager.

Don't Confuse Anxiety with Action

You don't need to become an AI expert overnight. Start with one task, one conversation, and one improvement. Build evidence that you can adapt.