Pure people managers have no future

"Pure people managers have no future."

That was the recent take from Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb, and I understand where he's coming from. AI is changing the value prop of management.

If your entire role is attending status meetings, overseeing budgets, and 1:1s, then yeah… you're probably in a vulnerable position.

As a people leader myself, I do think managers need to evolve in roles where we:

• - Understand the tools our teams are using
  • - Move faster with new tools (and yes this includes AI, if it's not your cup of tea you're already in trouble)
    • - Contribute strategically, not just administratively

      But I also think the conversation around "eliminating middle management" is missing something important:

      What happens when a project goes off track? Who prioritizes conflicting priorities across teams? Who handles performance issues, burnout, conflict, or the human side of work when things get messy?

      Now here's another reality: being a great engineer or designer does not make someone a great manager.

      Management is its own skill set:

      • - Communication
        • - Coaching
          • - Decision-making
            • - EQ (!!)
              • - Navigating ambiguity
                • - Juggling a whole lot of competing priorities

                  Call me slow but this took me years to learn. A lot of high performers / senior professionals don't actually want to spend their days handling difficult conversations, career development, team dynamics, and budgets. It's just not their jam or in their DNA. I don't blame them.

                  AI will absolutely reshape management. But I don't think the future is "no managers."

                  So yes, Chesky is right. I think the future is fewer passive managers and more high-agency leaders who can combine execution, strategy, and people leadership all at once. The question is how many of us can actually do all that.