“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
This Peter Drucker quote perfectly captures the opportunity in front of companies and leaders today. Our workplace is changing fast, with new technology, diverse teams, and the need for flexibility. Automation and AI are taking over routine tasks, making skills like adaptability, creativity, and emotional intelligence even more important.
For companies and leaders, preparing the workforce for these changes is not just an option—it’s a necessity.
World Economic Forum predicts that by 2030, nearly 85 million jobs may be displaced by automation, but 97 million new roles will emerge, focused on skills like data analysis, innovation, and problem-solving. Additionally, a study by McKinsey highlights that 9 out of 10 executives expect skill gaps in their organisations to grow in the coming years. Experts also predict that the development of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) – which could perform a wide range of tasks like humans – may further reshape the workforce, with its timeline still uncertain, ranging from decades to skepticism about its full realisation.
Here’s what these shifts mean for the workplace:
- Technology-Driven Workflows: Automation and AI will handle repetitive tasks, pushing employees toward roles that require creativity and critical thinking.
- Diverse and Distributed Teams: Remote and hybrid work models are now permanent features, requiring leaders to build inclusive and collaborative cultures across geographies.
- Continuous Learning: The rapid pace of change means employees must regularly update their skills to remain relevant and competitive.
Knowing what’s coming is just the beginning. To succeed in this though, companies and leaders need to take action today to prepare. It’s about building a team with the right skills, mindset, and support to handle the future. Here are some simple steps you may consider –
1. Build a Culture of Learning
An IT services company introduced “Skill-Full Fridays,” where employees spent an hour learning something new. Over time, this led to fresh ideas and better teamwork.
ACTION: Encourage your employees to keep learning new skills. Offer easy access to online courses, workshops, or team-based learning activities.
2. Develop Future-Ready Leadership
A team leader who learned to ‘actively listen’ through coaching helped her team navigate a tough transition, earning trust and boosting morale & productivity of her team.
ACTION: Empower your leaders and managers to handle uncertainty and inspire confidence. Focus on skills like decision-making, emotional intelligence, and coaching.
3. Embrace Technology with Purpose
A retail chain implemented AI-powered chatbots to handle customer inquiries. To ensure employees felt secure, they provided training on using the technology and highlighted how it would free them to focus on more complex customer needs. This eased fears and improved job satisfaction.
ACTION: Make technology an ally by introducing tools that make work easier, not overwhelming. With proper training employees will understand why and how the technology benefits their roles.
4. Prioritise Employee Well-being
An IT services company allowed employees to take “wellness breaks,” which reduced burnout and increased job satisfaction. This company saw a 20% increase in productivity as employees felt more supported.
ACTION: Recognise the importance of work-life balance and create policies that prioritise well-being, such as flexible schedules and/or mental health support.
5. Encourage Diversity of Ideas
A tech firm’s mentorship program for underrepresented groups helped bring new ideas and improved innovation.
ACTION: Build an inclusive culture by recruiting from varied backgrounds and fostering equity through mentorship programs.
The future is unpredictable, but by investing in people, companies and leaders can build a resilient and innovative workforce ready to tackle any challenge.
As your learning partner, we can work with you to:
- Design custom workshops and training programs that build future-ready skills.
- Help in creating a culture of continuous learning and innovation within your organisation.
- Provide coaching to help employees and leaders overcome challenges and grow.
Our goal is to help you prepare your workforce for the future, ensuring your team is ready to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Together, we can create a workplace where people and businesses succeed. Connect with us to explore!
