HRDTV: Future workplace expert shares insights on navigating workforce transformation
As the dynamics of the workplace continue to transform, three of the things at the forefront of shaping the future of work are: hybrid working, automation, and the evolving expectations of workers.
In an interview with HRDTV’s Chris Davis, Cheryl Cran, author, workplace of the future expert and founder of Next Mapping, offers her perspective on these changes, emphasising the importance of embracing technology as a collaborative tool and fostering the humanity in work.
The digital age has ushered in rapid changes driven by AI, automation, and technologies like ChatGPT. While these advancements offer countless opportunities, there are still challenges that persist.
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Cran highlights that human-to-human interactions remain at the forefront of the integration of technology so leaders will need to develop their skills to be more human than ever before.
“It's easy to work with a robot, it's not so easy to work with people. And I think the challenges are going to continue to be around people,” said Cran.
“What we can’t replace with technology is human context. Humans have a soul. So far, we don’t know how to put a soul into a robot.”
Changing mindset of workers
Cran emphasises the changing mindset of the modern worker who will not work for an organisation that doesn’t value them as a human being.
“Really what we’re looking at here is the era of elevating the humane, is around recognising, respecting, and honouring the fact that we are in a workers’ market and that’s predicted to be true and solid until at least the year 2030,” she said.
Aligning with worker attitudes and being transparent in communications is key in recruitment and retention right now, she says.
“Worker attitude is ‘OK, you’re interviewing me, let me interview you as an organisation,’” said Cran.
“The days of just saying, ‘We’re a great place to work’, and not giving the real story of the challenges, the roadblocks, the opportunities – that disconnect is where we see people get hired but they don’t stick around long because what they’ve been told they are coming to doesn’t match their expectation.”
