The Future Of Work: 5 Important Ways Jobs Will Change In The 4th Industrial Revolution
The
Future Of Work: 5 Important Ways Jobs Will Change In The 4th Industrial
Revolution
In
many respects, the future of work is already here. Amid the headlines
exclaiming the predicted loss of jobs due to automation and other changes
brought by artificial
intelligence (AI), machine learning and
autonomous systems, it’s clear that the way we work and live is transforming.
This evolution can be unnerving. Since we know change is inevitable, let’s look
at how work will likely change and some ideas for how to prepare for it.
5 Ways Work Will Change in the Future
At least 30% of the activities associated with the
majority of occupations in the United States could be automated, which includes
even knowledge tasks that were previously thought to be safe according to a McKinsey
Global Institute report. This echoes what executives see as well and
prompted Rick Jensen, Chief Talent Officer at Intuit to say, “The workforce is
changing massively.” Here are just a few of the ways:
1. Fluid gigs
Within an organization, positions will be more fluid, and
a strict organizational chart will likely be tossed in favor of more
project-based teams. This is especially appealing to Generation Z employees
since 75% of
Generation Z employees would be interested in having multiple
roles in one place of employment. The “gig” economy will continue to expand
where professionals sign on as contractors or freelancers and then move on to
the next gig.
2. Decentralized workforces
Thanks to mobile technology and readily available internet
access, remote workers are already common. Employees won’t need to be in the
same location. This will make it easier for the next generation workers to
choose to live anywhere, rather than find a job and then move to a city with
that job.
3. Motivation to work
People will need something more than a paycheck as a
motivation to work. Many want to work for an organization with a mission and
purpose they believe in. They will also want different incentives such as
personal development opportunities, the latest tech gadgets to facilitate their
work-from-anywhere ambitions, and more.
4. Lifelong learning
Not only will employees want to learn throughout their
career, but they will also need to learn new skills. Technology will continue
to evolve the role humans play in the workforce, so everyone will be required
to adapt their skills throughout their working lives.
5. Technology will augment human’s jobs
Artificial intelligence algorithms and intelligent
machines will be co-workers to humans. The human workforce will need to develop
a level of comfort and acceptance for how man and machine can collaborate using
the best that both bring to the workplace.
How to Prepare for the Future of Work
Even though we can’t predict all the changes that will
occur in the future, we do have a fair amount of certainty that there are some
things people can do to prepare for it.
Rather than succumb to the doomsday predictions that
“robots will take over all the jobs,” a more optimistic outlook is one where
humans get the opportunity to do work that demands their creativity,
imagination, social and emotional intelligence, and passion.
Individuals will need to act and engage in lifelong
learning, so they are adaptable when the changes happen. The lifespan for any
given skill set is shrinking, so it will be imperative for individuals to
continue to invest in acquiring new skills. The shift to lifelong learning
needs to happen now because the changes are already happening.
In addition, employees will need to shape their own
career path. Gone are the days when a career trajectory is outlined at one
company with predictable climbs up the corporate ladder. Therefore, employees
should pursue a diverse set of work experiences and take the initiative to
shape their own career paths.
Individuals will need to step into the opportunity that
pursuing your passion provides rather than shrink back to what had resulted in
success in the past. This shift in work opens the possibility to achieve more
of our potential. We need to begin to think of work as more than a paycheck.
Employers need to think differently about how they recruit
and hire new employees. Companies need to review a prospective
employee’s potential and assess skills that are less likely to be automated any
time soon, including emotional intelligence, critical thinking, creativity, and
problem-solving skills. Another way employers will need to adjust operations is to create a structure
and culture that honors lifelong learning, and that celebrates creativity. It's
time for employers to assess their benefit and incentive programs to ensure
they are providing the motivation the next generation of employees will want in
order to attract the best talent.
While nothing is certain, it's important for every human
to begin taking steps in the direction to prepare for a future where machines
become colleagues. If we don't begin to adapt to the changes today, it will be
challenging to catch up later.
An integrated workforce is going to be the go-to model many companies will adopt in the future. With its flexibility, the integrated workforce will benefit both employers and employees and it will potentially enable companies to tap into a variety of skills and innovative ideas. Read more: an integrated workforce is the future of work.
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