This week on Revenue Rehab, Brandi Starr is joined by Dr. Julie Donley, a leadership expert and workplace stress researcher with nearly 30 years of experience, who believes AI isn't easing the burden for leaders—it's fueling burnout and quietly setting revenue teams up to fail. In this episode, Dr. Donley challenges the widespread assumption that AI will reduce stress and drive productivity, arguing that it's actually amplifying demands and leaving leaders grappling with even greater emotional labor. Drawing on research and real-world insights, she reveals why ignoring the human impact of AI could undermine both team well-being and revenue growth. Are you ready to rethink how you lead in the AI era—or will you push back on Dr. Donley's bold stance?

Episode Type: Problem Solving - Industry analysts, consultants, and founders take a bold stance on critical revenue challenges, offering insights you won't hear anywhere else. These episodes explore common industry challenges and potential solutions through expert insights and varied perspectives.

Bullet Points of Key Topics + Chapter Markers:

Topic #1: AI Is Increasing Burnout, Not Reducing It [04:26]

Dr. Julie Donely confronts the widespread assumption that AI lightens leaders' loads, arguing, "AI is raising expectations, accelerating demands, and leaving the emotional labor, the real human work, squarely on their shoulders." She details how adapting to AI is layered atop existing responsibilities, especially for women leaders, causing heightened stress and faster burnout. Brandi Starr highlights areas where AI can help, but Donely maintains that managing AI's impact multiplies—not subtracts from—the human workload.

Topic #2: Lack of AI Guardrails Accelerates Workplace Risk [15:44]

Dr. Donely challenges the "just start using AI" mentality prevalent in many organizations, warning that without clear policies, boundaries, and training, leaders risk confusion, misuse, and legal exposure. "If you don't have guardrails, people could be using it for any number of things… they're gonna have problems." The debate centers on whether orgs can realistically build effective frameworks fast enough to keep up with AI's pace, with Brandi questioning business' ability to set rules without stifling innovation.

Topic #3: The Hidden Cost of Emotional Labor in Leadership [14:09]

Dr. Donely spotlights the overlooked burden of "emotional labor" as leaders navigate AI-driven change—managing team fears, conflict, and constant adaptation. She argues this work is "just exhausting by the end of the day" and asserts that organizations consistently undervalue it, even as AI transforms technical workflows. Revenue leaders are challenged to acknowledge and plan for this persistent human toll, which will not go away with increased automation: "We dismiss emotional labor as not being important. It's huge. And it's not going away with AI."

The Wrong Approach vs. Smarter Alternative

The Wrong Approach: "Well, I think the wrong way to integrate AI is to tell people, use AI, not give them any. They need training, they need boundaries, they need policies and procedures. When can I use AI? What can I use it for, what can I not use it for? And then train them." – Dr. Julie Donley

Why It Fails: Simply directing employees to use AI without guidance leads to confusion, anxiety, and inconsistency. Without established guardrails, training, or a support system, teams may misuse AI tools, increase stress, and expose the company to risks, making it difficult to integrate AI productively and safely within organizational workflows.

The Smarter Alternative: Companies should establish clear guardrails, policies, and training around AI adoption. Leaders must set expectations, provide structured support, and create safe spaces for employees to ask questions and learn. By doing so, organizations empower their teams to use AI effectively and responsibly, optimizing both productivity and well-being.

The Most Damaging Myth

The Myth: "I think it's that it's going to replace us, that AI is going to do away with our jobs and it's more effective than, I mean, people have to use AI to be able to produce results. And so it's going to change how things work, but it's not going to replace humans." – Dr. Julie Donely

Why It's Wrong: The fear that AI will eliminate the need for human workers causes anxiety, resistance, and a reluctance to engage with new technology. As Dr. Donely points out, this belief overlooks the critical human skills—like emotional labor, team dynamics, and workplace politics—that AI cannot replicate or replace. Holding on to this myth leads to missed opportunities for partnership and support between people and technology.

What Companies Should Do Instead: Leaders should focus on how AI can be leveraged as a tool to support human roles, not replace them. Encourage teams to explore how AI can assist in their specific functions and provide targeted training to empower responsible, effective use. Emphasize partnership, not replacement, to reduce stress and accelerate adoption.

The Rapid-Fire Round

Finish this sentence: sentence. If your company has an AI usage problem, the first thing you should do is _: "Identify how you want them to use it." – Dr. Julie Donel
What's one red flag that signals a company is experiencing AI related burnout—but might not realize it yet? "Well, the people are becoming irritable, productivity is going down and your morale is going down."
What should leaders do differently to ensure AI helps rather than hurts their team? "They need to check in with their team members to take a pulse as to where they are and what their needs are in relation to AI."
What's the fastest action someone can take today to make progress? "Check in with your people and make sure that they're managing things well, that they have the training that they need or the instruction or guidance that they need and the support that they need and the permission potentially that they need to be able to use AI in a way that supports the organization's goals."

Buzzword Banishment: Dr. Julie Donely's buzzword to banish is "really, really, really" and any kind of ultra adjective that is just not necessary. She dislikes this phrase because it adds no value, is overused, and detracts from the power of communication—especially for women, who she suggests should focus on being more direct. Dr. Donely emphasizes that such unnecessary emphasis makes messages less impactful and recommends getting to the point instead.

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjuliedonley

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJDonley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrJulieDonley

AI Isn't Fixing Workplace Burnout, It's Actually Making It Worse For Women Leaders.