The State of Future of Work
(Re)Calibration required
In the rapidly evolving work environment, three key trends stand out, each with the potential to reshape how we engage with the systems that govern our professional (and personal) lives.
Spatial Computing is slowly but surely making the internet more immersive and accessible, while Web3 technology is fostering a new era of trust among individuals and institutions.
Additionally, the rapid advancement of Generative AI is unprecedentedly enhancing human creativity and productivity. These trends, when combined, can revolutionize the very concept of work, potentially leading us toward a post-work future.
Recent data sheds light on the current state of trust and leadership within the workforce.
The 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer reveals a concerning collapse in trust across major institutions, with businesses being viewed as the sole bastions of competence and ethics. However, the 2023 Gartner CEO and Senior Business Executive Survey underscores a critical misalignment: despite being entrusted with ethical leadership, many executives fail to prioritize their most valuable assets – their people.
This disconnection emphasizes the urgent need to reevaluate and redefine the principles underpinning an inclusive work future.
Looking ahead to the next decade, I envision a profound transformation in how we perceive and approach work. Every aspect of the "who," "when," "where," and "how" of work will undergo a human-centric revolution. Leaders must embark on a journey of self-discovery and reinvention to truly understand and empower their teams.
Organizations, in turn, must embrace co-creation with their stakeholders – employees, customers, and communities – to shape inclusive and sustainable solutions.
This recalibration and promising technological advancements could pave the way for a post-work world characterized by leisure, education, and pursuing passions. However, achieving this vision requires the reinvention of sincere and dedicated leadership.
The next decade presents an unprecedented opportunity to pave the path toward prosperity for posterity.
Cross-Sector Partnerships + Innovation
VFC has done great work in lowering the risk threshold for organizations and their leaders during both partnership development and operations without constraining the ability to identify or generate innovation, which is a critical feature of cross-sector work.
VFC's program offerings are de-risked for both young Canadians and employers, which helps the overall network realize its shared objective of strengthening Canada's talent pipeline.
From my research, I've found that leaders across cross-sector partnerships realize their goals by balancing organized mechanical structures and flexible opportunities for experimentation.
Too often, we emphasize one over the other and not both. Even more often we get the cadence of mechanical and flexible incorrect. A healthy partnership most often starts with simple operational transactions and as the partnership deepens to more complex adaptive work, greater capacity for innovation is generated and leads to greater sustainability.
Many cross-sector partnerships have failed by pursuing more complex work before a foundation of trust and success has been developed. This balance is crucial for the future of work, where adaptability, collaboration and innovation are key to long-term success.
As we look to the future of work, I cannot stress enough the importance of fostering strong leadership and a culture of continuous learning, particularly in areas involving stakeholder engagement.
Organizations need to invest in mentorship and coaching for leaders in these roles, as their work is crucial for generating and institutionalizing innovation. This focus will help organizations stay ahead in the ever-changing landscape of work.