You in 2042 ... The Future of Work

Niki Avraam, a speaker and adviser to businesses on the future of workforce and leadership, explores the evolving world of work, emphasizing autonomy, adaptability, and job crafting. She introduces the concept of "preferred discomfort" to foster resilience and discusses the importance of clear communication and safe-to-fail environments. Tune in for insights on transforming organizational structures and empowering individuals for tomorrow’s workforce. Explore actionable insights to future-proof your work culture. Visit NikiAvraam.com [http://NikiAvraam.com] for resources and connect with Niki on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikiavraam/]. Show Notes: [00:25] Introducing Niki Avraam Niki Avraam, an employment and discrimination lawyer, is on a mission to inspire organizations to adopt "ownership culture." She believes empowering individuals with autonomy over their work unlocks untapped potential, driving innovation and growth. [01:25] Evolving Organizational Ecosystems by 2042 Niki predicts that by 2042, workplace structures will shift to collaborative models, like "mentern" programs pairing professionals with interns. These models will challenge traditional hierarchies, valuing diverse perspectives and collaborative innovation. [02:40] Redefining Professional Growth Niki envisions a future where traditional career paths give way to portfolio careers, adaptability, and dynamic skill sets. As AI takes over repetitive tasks, workers must expand their expertise across industries and pivot between roles to stay relevant. [04:15] Future Skills That Will Matter Niki highlights human-centric skills—emotional intelligence, creativity, and adaptability—essential in an automated workplace. These traits will set workers apart in fields where technology cannot replicate human depth. [05:10] Autonomy and Identity in Leadership Leadership in 2042 will empower autonomy and embrace individuality. Niki believes diverse perspectives and unique identities will drive innovation, with leaders fostering trust and collaboration. [05:40] Autonomy and Job Crafting Niki stresses the importance of fostering autonomy through job crafting, where individuals align their skills and passions with organizational goals. This flexibility will allow both individuals and organizations to evolve. [06:55] Preferred Discomfort and Adaptability Niki introduces "preferred discomfort," encouraging individuals to embrace challenges that foster adaptability. She cites Zappos' Holacracy as an example of a self-management system supporting rapid adaptation. [07:50] Dynamic and Agile Work Structures Niki envisions dynamic, flexible roles replacing static ones, aligning individual skills with organizational needs to create a more agile environment for professional development. [09:55] Supporting Teams for the Future Niki emphasizes the importance of communication in evolving teams. Regular meetings to align skills with organizational goals and asking "What skills or knowledge do you have that the organization isn’t using?" can uncover hidden potential. [11:00] Creating Safe-to-Fail Environments Niki advocates for safe-to-fail environments to encourage innovation. Clear principles aligned with the organization’s vision will empower employees to experiment, learn from mistakes, and assert their identities. [11:55] Where to Learn MoreTo learn more about Niki's work, visit NikiAvraam.com [http://NikiAvraam.com], where details on her keynote speaking and leadership philosophy programs are available. Niki is also active on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikiavraam/].

Leadership expert Paul Morton explores the future of leadership, focusing on emotional intelligence, creativity, and servant leadership. He discusses how businesses can thrive by shifting from traditional command-and-control models to more empowering, people-centered approaches. Learn more about leading with purpose and adaptability. Follow ⁠Paul Morton [https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulwmorton/]⁠ and visit practical-leadership.podbean.com [https://practical-leadership.podbean.com/] for more insights. Show Notes [00:25] Introduction to Paul Morton Paul Morton, founder of Practical Leadership Academy, shares his mission to bridge gaps in sales leadership training, drawing from 25 years of experience in L&D and HR. His academy helps sales managers lead teams effectively and adapt to evolving leadership needs.   [01:30] Leadership in 2042: What’s Changing? Paul believes leadership will shift from task management to fostering human connections. With AI handling routine work, leaders will focus on emotional intelligence, creativity, and complex problem-solving—skills unique to humans.   [02:30] Soft Skills and Authenticity in Leadership Looking ahead, Paul emphasizes that future leaders will need to be transparent, flexible, and trustworthy. As information becomes more accessible, employees will expect leaders to serve their teams with authenticity and commitment. [03:40] The Shift from Command and Control to Coaching Paul reflects on the shift from traditional hierarchical leadership to a coaching approach. Leaders will empower teams through servant leadership, supporting growth and success rather than simply commanding compliance. [05:20] Operationalizing Love in Leadership Paul highlights the importance of "agape" love in leadership, focusing on supporting team members to reach their full potential. Leadership will move away from micromanagement to a more facilitative, growth-oriented style.  [06:00] The Role of Leadership in Business Growth Paul suggests that businesses investing in leadership development will thrive. Future leadership will focus on asking thoughtful questions and fostering growth, both personally and professionally, instead of micromanaging. [06:25] A Real-World Example of Servant Leadership Paul shares a case study from a tech company, where a shift from micromanaging to coaching had a positive impact on leadership and team performance.  [07:20] Shifting Mindsets to Servant Leadership Paul describes how servant leadership, through coaching and feedback, transformed managers' mindsets from "checking up" to "checking in" with their teams, increasing respect and productivity. [08:10] Results and Lessons Learned The approach empowered sales teams, leading to greater autonomy and measurable success. Paul advises focusing leadership development on sales teams for impactful results. [09:40] Learn More About Paul Morton Paul offers a free resource from Practical Leadership Academy: "Five Steps to Rebooting and Transforming Your One-to-Ones," featuring the CUFCP model: Check-In, Update, Feedback, Coaching & Plan Forward.

Sergey Beznosov shares his deep insights into the rapidly evolving world of work, focusing on key trends transforming industries today—remote work, automation, continuous upskilling, and data-driven decision-making. He explores how businesses can leverage these changes to stay competitive in a digital-first world. Tune in to find out how to navigate the future of work. Follow Sergey Beznosov [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergeybeznosov/] for more expert insights. Show Notes [00:01] Sergey Beznosov’s Background Sergey shares his extensive experience in business strategy, innovation, and leadership, focusing on the role of technology in driving success in dynamic business environments. [01:50] Trends Driving the Future of Work Sergey outlines key trends shaping the future of work, including remote work, automation, continuous upskilling, and data-driven decision-making. He stresses the need for businesses to embrace these changes to stay competitive. [03:05] Impact on Business Strategies Sergey explains how these trends will reshape business strategies, urging companies to adapt quickly or risk falling behind in a rapidly changing landscape. [05:20] Data-Driven Decisions Sergey discusses the growing importance of data analytics in making informed decisions across marketing, product development, and customer experience, helping businesses optimize strategies and enhance operational efficiency. [07:30] Adapting to the Changing Business Landscape Sergey highlights how emerging technologies like AI, machine learning, and blockchain are transforming business operations, and shares how companies can foster a culture of innovation to remain agile and responsive. [09:55] Upskilling and Reskilling Sergey emphasizes the need for continuous learning to future-proof careers, offering advice for businesses on supporting employees through training programs, certifications, and on-the-job learning. [11:50] AI and Technology Investments Sergey warns about the high costs associated with AI implementation and the importance of integrating AI into an interconnected organizational system to enhance customer journeys and business operations. [13:25] Closing Thoughts on the Future of Work Sergey concludes with an optimistic view on how technological advancements, especially AI, will reshape industries. He stresses the importance of strategic investments, long-term planning, and upskilling for both individuals and organizations to thrive in the future.

Resilience coach Russell Harvey envisions the future of leadership and organizational success, emphasizing how resilience will shape tomorrow’s workplaces. He discusses the transformative role of executive coaching, the growing focus on wellness, and the need for adaptability in navigating an unpredictable world. By embedding resilience into future-focused strategies, he highlights how businesses can stay agile and thrive amid constant change. Discover how to stay resilient and thrive in a fast-paced world. Follow Russell Harvey [https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-harvey-9865557/] and visit theresiliencecoach.co.uk [https://www.theresiliencecoach.co.uk/] for expert insights. Show Notes [00:30] Introducing The Resilience Coach Russell Harvey, "The Resilience Coach," explores how leadership coaching prepares leaders to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving world. [00:55] The Role of Executive Coaching In an age of constant change, executive coaching offers leaders the opportunity to step back, reflect, and engage in meaningful dialogue to navigate the complexities of tomorrow. [02:45] Resilience Beyond the Buzzword Russell redefines resilience as a forward-looking, actionable framework, emphasizing strategies that empower leaders to anticipate and adapt to future challenges. [03:45] Building Resilient Organizations Truly resilient organizations are built on trust and wellness—integrated into their culture—not on surface-level well-being initiatives, ensuring they are prepared for the unknown. [05:00] Future-Proofing Through Resilience Resilience becomes a competitive advantage when organizations use both hindsight and foresight to pivot effectively and thrive in unpredictable environments. [06:00] Embedding Resilience in Strategy Russell underscores the need to embed resilience into core strategies and operations, making it a foundation for long-term growth and innovation. [07:00] The Foundation of Resilience and Recovery Resilience isn’t just about recovery but about progressing with new insights, ensuring organizations are stronger and better equipped for the future. [08:00] Adapting to Change and Artificial Intelligence As hybrid work and AI reshape industries, maintaining adaptability and situational awareness becomes critical to seizing new opportunities and staying ahead. [09:30] Resilience Career Coaching for the Future Russell highlights the importance of resilience-focused career coaching in helping individuals align with their strengths and prepare for evolving career landscapes. [11:00] Observations on Emerging Generations With younger generations facing unique mental health challenges, Russell stresses the need to prioritize holistic wellbeing as a foundation for future success. [12:45] The Resilience Wheel The "Resilience Wheel," a research-backed framework, provides actionable steps for leaders to sustain and grow resilience in themselves and their teams. [14:05] Adaptability and Thriving Adaptability is the cornerstone of future success, requiring leaders to embrace change and cultivate agility to thrive in ever-shifting circumstances. [15:00] Learn More About Russell Harvey Discover more about resilience and the "Resilience Wheel" on Russell’s website, theresiliencecoach.co.uk, and explore his podcast for forward-thinking insights.

Sonia Sant, Director for Learning & Development at Sedha Consulting, explores the future of work, emphasizing adaptability and human-centric skills. She highlights how curiosity, collaboration, and technology empower professionals to navigate change and deliver impactful solutions. Discover how AI and human-centric strategies are transforming work. Gain practical insights to stay ahead. Follow ⁠follow Sonia Sant [https://www.linkedin.com/in/soniasant/?originalSubdomain=sg]and learn more at SolutionsForLearning.co [https://www.solutionsforlearning.co/] Show Notes [00:30] Sonia’s Background Sonia Sant reflects on her 25+ years in learning and development, starting as an engineer and transitioning into L&D through a job that blended programming and training. [01:00] Adapting to Change She discusses the rapid technological changes since her early career, from IBM mainframes to AI-driven transformations, as well as challenges like environmental concerns and hybrid work models. [01:50] The Impact of AI Sonia explains how AI is disrupting industries on a deeper level, with AI agents mimicking human interactions and requiring businesses to adapt for competitiveness. [02:50] The Future Workforce Sonia envisions a future with fewer hierarchies and the rise of “Gen AI”—AI that seamlessly integrates into human teams without aging or traditional training. [03:35] Elastic Workforce She emphasizes the need for an elastic workforce that can adapt, bounce back, and evolve amidst rapid change, requiring resilience and innovation. [04:00] AI in Training Sonia explores how AI will revolutionize training, with AI tools like GPT providing on-demand learning directly within workflows. [04:25] Real-World Problem Solving She predicts businesses will focus on solving real-world problems in fields like agriculture and health, requiring speed, curiosity, and critical thinking. [05:10] Evolution of Training Sonia contrasts past hands-on training with modern reactive methods and sees a shift toward integrated, performance-driven solutions. [06:15] Meaningful Training She stresses the importance of making training meaningful by focusing on human skills and aligning them with both business and learner goals. [06:45] Training Throughout Life Stages Sonia discusses aligning training with an employee’s lifecycle, ensuring it’s relevant at every stage and avoids wasteful use of resources. [07:40] Performance Consulting She highlights the growing need for performance consulting to identify underlying issues beyond training gaps, improving business and employee outcomes. [08:20] Using Microsoft Teams for Learning Sonia shares her success using Microsoft Teams for dynamic, engaging, learner-focused training, leveraging microlearning, gamification, and real-time feedback. [09:40] Quick Training Development She describes using Teams for quick, impactful product pitch training, emphasizing flexibility and collaboration through social learning features. [12:55] Enhancing the Learning Experience Sonia discusses the importance of engaging microlearning modules and using platforms like Skillsoft for custom learning journeys. [14:20] Embracing Change for Future Readiness She emphasizes staying curious and developing key human skills like feedback, communication, and collaboration to stay ahead in the future. [14:55] Skills for Success Sonia stresses that critical thinking, design thinking, and problem-solving are essential for thriving in the evolving business landscape. [15:30] Leveraging Technology & AI She advocates using AI tools to streamline processes and enhance responsiveness, sharing how she quickly prototyped solutions using AI. [16:05] Seeking Help & Sharing Knowledge Sonia encourages professionals to seek help and share knowledge, offering mentoring sessions to support others in learning and development or AI. [17:00] Final Thoughts She stresses human-centric solutions and the power of small, meaningful connections, urging professionals to engage directly with their audiences for impactful results.