A recent Gartner study shows that a quarter of a company’s tasks could be automated by 2023. The intelligent automation era is fast approaching, and it’s going to sweep through the workplace and bring changes to the way we work, where we work and how we work.
Automation will take over routine tasks, remote work will remain present within the workplace and a heightened focus will be placed on internal compliance as we ramp up technology and AI. How well your company navigates these workplace changes will determine your success in this new environment.
Let’s take a look at some of the potential workplace changes that will define the next decade.
The emergence of new technologies
Technology in the workplace has advanced by leaps and bounds and has catapulted companies to shift from old, outdated analogs into the digital age. Virtual communication at work has become an essential component for businesses to remain competitive.
It’s no secret that machines are getting more intelligent and more ubiquitous; not only can they complete tasks initially assigned for humans, but they also complete tasks no one thought would be possible. The advancement of technology, software and devices has made work more accessible for personal and team-based activities.
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For example, the pandemic dramatically affected the way teams communicate and collaborate. While video conferencing was used before the pandemic, companies now rely on virtual communication more than ever. Tech companies saw a dramatic increase in their need to hire, and in doing so, many created ways to immerse new employees in the organization’s culture and experiences. Technology such as virtual reality is used to create captivating on-the-job experiences and teach employees new skills to advance their careers.
It can be challenging to keep up with new trends, but doing so will transform your business. Organizations can’t grow without adapting to technology. Today, everything from hiring to employee productivity to IT security depends on it. Without constant growth and use of automation, companies risk falling behind and reducing productivity.
Work-life challenges and dilemmas
Work-life balance has been a subject of study for the past few years, and yet few have found the secret recipe to getting it right. Recent research on work-life challenges conducted by Ernst & Young, which surveyed 10,000 full-time workers in eight counties, found that approximately a third of employees surveyed say managing work-life has become more difficult in the past five years.
For many organizations, the pandemic accelerated the need for companies to implement remote work. However, one of the major consequences of remote work arose is employees feel the need to take on more work assignments, potentially to a point where they feel the need to work around the clock. In response, companies have found achieving a typical work-life balance is no longer enough.
To combat this imbalance, business leaders must work together to ensure the stress of work isn’t overtaking employees’ lives.
Make way for modern leadership
Since the industrial era, top-down leadership has set the workplace standard. But today, an employee making their way up to senior management is no longer defined by their years of experience. The notion of leadership is moving away from paying your dues over decades to leadership at every age and experience level.
As Gen Z continues to enter the workforce, applicants want to feel a strong passion for what they do and develop a greater sense of connection in the value their work is bringing to the world. They look for companies that adopt an open-working culture, which empowers workers to be as forward-thinking and creative as they want.
Even though we’ve entered the age of automation and AI, it doesn’t mean there isn’t a role for those with decades of experience. Legacy workers bring knowledge, resilience and unique experiences to the organization. The point in hiring a diverse workforce of intelligent and curious people is to help them tap into their potential. Give them purpose, space and autonomy to master their craft.
For many organizations, these shifts can be scary. But on the other hand, change provides great opportunities. Workplaces are becoming more inclusive and flexible, allowing more people to have opportunities to make a significant impact.
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