第 8 章
Stretch into Your Future: Ten Capabilities for Tomorrow
The future of work is changing faster than ever before-technologies that took decades to reach 50 million users now achieve that milestone in days. Ten predictions will likely impact careers over the next decade:
First, the flexible workforce is arising. Organizations plan to use more contract, part-time and temporary workers, while people increasingly desire flexible work arrangements. Many will move between employment categories-from on-demand gigs to contract work to permanent positions-throughout their careers.
Second, talent shortages are emerging. As Baby Boomers exit the workforce, a sustained talent shortage will emerge in most developed economies by 2030. Organizations will need to offer increasingly flexible employment packages to attract top talent.
Third, organizations are becoming increasingly virtual. To reduce costs and increase flexibility, organizations will move away from centralized headquarters toward virtual operations. Virtual teams will help manage complexity, while approximately 25% of U.S. jobs risk being moved to low-wage countries.
Fourth, your biggest job competitor is a robot. Technology advances will make 50% of existing jobs obsolete within a decade. Studies show 47% of U.S. jobs are at high risk of automation, with another 19% at medium risk. Even creative fields like journalism now use artificial intelligence tools that produce writing indistinguishable from human work.
Fifth, it's the end of the career track as we know it. Traditional career ladders and tracks will disappear as organizations flatten. Management will become an assignment or shared responsibility rather than a profession or job track. Team performance will matter as much as individual achievement.
Sixth, manufacturing is re-shoring with regional cross-industry centers. Manufacturing is returning to customer locations due to advances like 3D printing. Regional centers will be able to produce everything from clothing to cars on demand using designs sent from anywhere in the world.
Seventh, the enhanced employee is emerging. Knowledge workers currently spend up to 60% of their time on information searches, emails and collaboration. Social technologies can improve productivity by 25%, enabling people to work smarter rather than harder.
Eighth, universities are responding to disruption. Universities will offer lifetime update subscriptions to help graduates stay current. For annual fees or one-time payments, alumni will receive refresher webinars, online course access, MOOC curation, reduced tuition for credential courses, and expert seminars.
Ninth, governments are encouraging training investment. To address job displacement and decreasing security, governments will incentivize employer training programs through tax benefits and policy tools.
Tenth, mega-corporations are setting people and benefits standards throughout the supply chain. The largest global organizations will establish expectations for how suppliers treat employees, including benefits and development requirements.
To future-proof yourself for tomorrow's workplace, you need to develop ten key capabilities:
First, functional excellence means developing depth in at least one discipline while maintaining breadth across others. Focus on building expertise in areas that will remain in demand and aren't easily automated.
Second, emotional intelligence enables you to perceive emotions, understand them, and regulate them to promote growth. This capability helps you perform better in interviews, navigate organizational politics, and collaborate effectively.
Third, personal advocacy means publicly supporting and promoting yourself in a persuasive way across both in-person and virtual environments. This requires establishing a personal brand without crossing into tedious self-promotion.
Fourth, cross-cultural dexterity requires the ability to interact appropriately with colleagues from different countries, ethnicities, genders, ages, and backgrounds. This means understanding cultural norms, protocols, and sensitivities.
Fifth, geek acumen means embracing technologies and machine learning in your field. Saying "I'm not really that technical" is no longer acceptable. To avoid obsolescence, you must stay current with emerging technologies.
Sixth, virtual collaboration requires working independently toward shared goals, communicating effectively across time and space barriers, and mastering technology-mediated communication tools.
Seventh, entrepreneurial spirit brings initiative, passion, innovation, and willingness to take risks. These traits enable career growth whether you work for yourself or others.
Eighth, creative problem solving means adapting with creative resolve while still employing methodical processes. Creative problem-solvers use structured approaches but continuously adapt to changing circumstances.
Ninth, leadership remains crucial even as organizations need fewer managers. Future leaders must connect virtually through social media and technology rather than relying on physical visits.
Tenth, stretchpertise is the professional ability to creatively restructure and repurpose yourself to adapt to changing demands and your own evolving needs. It requires learning on the fly, openness, effective networking, and diverse experiences.
Like jazz performer Vijay Iyer who views himself as a perpetual student despite his success, a career is never fully finished. Working patiently toward mastery means listening deeply to yourself and others, feeling the resonance of your work, and continually stretching. The greatest stretch exercise is developing the ability to connect meaningfully with people and truly hear their response to your work, beyond mere applause to the deeper level of genuine impact.
