The future of work fascinates me. As fellow leaders, perhaps you share in my fascination. I frequently come across content with various perspectives on the future of the workplace.
Just curious—how do you see things on your end?
From my conversations with fellow business owners and leaders, I see a lot of handwringing and anxiety. Uncertainty and our inability to predict the future and outcomes frustrate us. I say, “take it as it comes, be a fast follower, agile and adapt.”
In case you missed it, I was perusing a recent article in the WSJ written by Tara Weiss entitled “How the World of Work Will Change Over the Next 20 Years” (NOTE: WSJ subscription required). With this in mind, the WSJ consulted with five workplace experts on how they see the future of work. I found their views divergent. thought provoking and lacking any sort of consensus. The work of a futurist is so hard—but I am fascinated with the possibilities!
Future of Work the Last Five Years Revisited
- The COVID pandemic ushers in an era of remote or hybrid work and work-life balance becomes part of our daily lexicon
- Continuation of five (5) generations that coexist in the workplace; age out at 65?
- Getting employees back into the office after remote work
- Introduction of Artificial Intelligence into our work and daily lives
Takeaways
Data, data, data
AI’s measurement capabilities will grow exponentially over the coming years. Fellow leaders who can quickly decipher and distill down the overwhelming daily hour-by-hour or minute-by-minute datapoints will most certainly be rewarded. Or, as my father used to say, “separating the chiff from the chaff.” Frankly, interpreting analytics and developing trendlines is becoming an art form!
Therefore, AI’s ability to measure real-time worker outcomes will most certainly make for some interesting conversations down the line. Consider variable inputs like a.) optimal output by time of day and b.) how location (coffee shop, home or office?) impacts work output are available at your fingertips. AI agents can develop repeatable workflows (agentic AI) around worker’s circadian rhythms all governed and driven by economic outcomes like sales, revenue, and output. Talk about “survival of the fittest…”
A shrinking workforce
Demographic shifts will result in fewer available workers in Japan, Europe and the United States. Truth be told, I grew up in a different time. Growing up in our household with Earl and Darlene, going to college wasn’t an option, rather it was expected! Those days are numbered. After all, college isn’t for everyone and college kids today are well-versed in calculating the return on investment of a college education. As a result, you’re seeing investment and an increase in both vocational training and trade schools. O-J-T will become the norm with companies becoming the classrooms of the future. Companies will embrace this approach choosing to be proactive rather than trying to rehabilitate another employers’ castoff.
Meet my colleague, AI
As we discussed previously here, the workplace that you and I have become accustomed with will cease to exist.! AI and employees will be “joined at the hip.” Collaboration of people and real-time intelligence on steroids as we continue to improve on the modeling. Certainly, there will be a fraction of jobs that are entirely eliminated. However, those that choose to embrace and harness the power of AI will take creative and critical path decision-making to the next level. Tasks that previously took days or weeks (and larger, cohesive teams) will be pared down to minutes. Surviving middle managers with equal doses of empathy and tech savvy will shape the future.
The power of the gig worker
Quantum computing, AI, data centers and global networking will enable entrepreneurial business owners the opportunity to reshape entire industries with a fraction of the resources traditionally required. Gig workers (like me!) will thrive allowed to operate interdependently between organizations and sharing of real-world experiences and best practices.
Generalists will conquer the world
I’ve long considered myself an unabashed generalist. As the WSJ article validates, I value connections, work across organizational silos, and exhibit creativity in problem-solving. Scenario modeling and activating change become the new normal. We’ll need to focus future work on creating personal leadership qualities as largely, our educational outlets haven’t exceeded expectations.
