The last two years have been unsettling in multiple ways and\u2014in view of Russia\u2019s recent invasion of Ukraine\u2014more changes could be around the corner. It seems we will need to reconsider daily routines, business practices and long-term expectations on a regular basis. What the future holds is a toss-up obviously, but long-term trends are becoming apparent. Which aspects of today\u2019s workplace are likely to stay the same\u2014or alternatively\u2014change in the years ahead? Which skill sets are in demand and growing? Let\u2019s consider the possibilities\u2026<\/p>\n
As millions of employees across the globe hunkered down at home to work due to stay-at-home orders, the number of online collaboration tools exploded to meet the need. The platform Zoom was downloaded 450 million times in 2020. What was surprising was that after a period of adjustment, many employers made the pleasant discovery that with adequate preparation and the right set of conditions, online meetings could ACTUALLY work. Work could get done and\u2014to everyone\u2019s surprise\u2014new levels of productivity could even be achieved. Online collaborative platforms will continue to grow, offer additional services, and become more specialized as work teams continue to convene online in the months and years to come.<\/p>\n
Whether remote work is feasible or not depends on several factors, the main criterion being the character of work responsibilities. But remote work is undoubtedly in the future mix of acceptable arrangements. More and more employers are willing to judge employees on job performance, not whether they are physically at the office.<\/p>\n
Technology continues to grow more sophisticated and offer an ever-broadening array of tools. However, contrary to what many have feared, instead of replacing employees, technology is more likely to take over a task\u2014routine engineering calculations, for example\u2014rather than the higher-level, nuanced analysis often required of professionals. Much like the time-efficient services of a highly skilled personal assistant, the best use of technology complements what we do. It is quick to learn and adapt to ways that works best for us. Even with all the strides that have been made so far with AI and machine learning, robots are still far from making complex decisions. Andrew MacAfee of MIT points out that \u201cmachines are demonstrating skills that they never had before.\u201d This is true, but machines are still far from being human. Let\u2019s keep it that way for a while.<\/p>\n
As employees move to remote workstations, the emphasis on teamwork and \u201cpeople\u201d skills accelerates. In fact, excellent communication and interpersonal skills become non-negotiables in the years ahead. Collaboration between individuals, teams and departments is how the best companies work and will continue to work in years to come. Automation and remote workstations may increase within a company, but so too does the need for invaluable \u201cpeople\u201d skills.<\/p>\n
The pandemic managed to shock us into reevaluating our routines. Above all, the adaptive talents of our employees are more important than ever. \u201cUpskilling\u201d is a very real and relevant talent. If the future is anything like the recent past, circumstances can change quickly, and job positions can change with them. The best employees are the ones that are quick to adapt\u2014and lead if necessary\u2014in a way Mike Walsh of MIT refers to as \u201ccognitive flexibility.\u201d The rapidity with which global economies were affected by the pandemic meant the most valuable employees were the ones that were creative, quick to act, and quick to develop or draw on skills essential for that unique moment.<\/p>\n
In the future we will likely move away from fixed roles and learn to develop skill sets and mind sets and to think as groups, maximizing the combined resources of a team. As important as the individual spirit is, the team rules.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The last two years have been unsettling in multiple ways and\u2014in view of Russia\u2019s recent invasion of Ukraine\u2014more changes could be around the corner. It seems we will need to reconsider daily routines, business practices and long-term expectations on a regular basis. What the future holds is a toss-up obviously, but long-term trends are becoming…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4255,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[16,2],"tags":[85,86,84,83,73,81,82],"yoast_head":"\n