Staying up to date on the latest talent trends is crucial for TA leaders and HR professionals. This week, we dive into three key trends shaping the talent landscape, with input from SocialTalent’s Director of Content, Holly Fawcett Experience these works first-hand.
- The first article is quartz We also discuss the ever-evolving challenges of AI in organizations and the need for consistent, quality AI training, finding that without it, employees will run wild.
- Next, the latest Josh Bersin The article delves into the growing importance of change management as a critical people skill for the future, especially in an atmosphere of skills shortage.
- And finally, luck The DEI space has brought a bit of positive news: Despite a lot of recent backlash, there has been increased demand and support from the employee level.
Let’s consider these crucial insights and their implications for the future of work.
1. Companies are failing to educate their employees about AI, resulting in a “rebellion”
sauce: quartz
The Salesforce report highlights the significant gap in AI training within companies: 70% of office workers have no training in generative AI, and only 21% have clear AI usage policies. Despite this, employees are “playing rough,” using unapproved or even prohibited AI tools, raising security and ethical concerns. The report highlights the need for continuous AI skill development, with some companies, such as Amazon and JPMorgan Chase, starting to implement AI literacy programs to address this urgent need.
Holly Fawcett says:
“The benefits of using AI tools in the workplace are numerous, but they are not perfect. Introducing tools without vetting is like accepting all cookies. You will wonder why Instagram feels like it is listening to your conversations. You are giving them all the data they need to know everything about you. Uploading internal or sensitive data to unvetted or unapproved tools (especially free ones) so that AI can do some of the work for you will backfire. This should be a rallying cry for all organizations to mandate regular AI training for their employees.“
2. As the economy slows, focus on future skills: the ability to drive change
sauce: Josh Bersin
As the economy cools, the focus shifts to future-proof skills, especially the ability to drive change. Despite rising unemployment and layoffs, long-term labor shortages persist and skilled employees are at a premium. Companies are investing in reskilling and internal mobility to navigate this digital and AI-driven era. Leaders are now prioritizing “change management” as a critical skill essential to weather economic cycles. Investing in talent and its ability to adapt will ensure success in an evolving marketplace.
Holly Fawcett says:
“I completely agree. Major disruptions that bring dramatic change to existing players happen with little to no warning. Companies cannot afford to be surprised by large-scale innovations and must be flexible and able to adapt quickly. Cultivating an “always the way we’ve always done it” attitude within a company is very costly. Instead, recognizing that “change is the only constant” sets you up to thrive in a dynamic environment. Innovation and competitive advantage come when you have people with the skills to break with tradition and drive change.“
3. DEI has some notable critics, but it’s actually growing in popularity
sauce: luck
Despite being a flashpoint in the U.S. culture wars, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs are growing in popularity among workers. A recent Edelman report found that 60% of employees now request DEI initiatives, up 9% from 2022. Support for DEI has also doubled over the past few years, cutting across racial, gender, and political lines. While critics such as Elon Musk and Bill Ackman have opposed DEI, most workers believe it is essential to foster a sense of belonging and address racism in the workplace.
Holly Fawcett says:
“I was saddened to hear the other day that ESG (environmental, social, and governance) policies are considered a luxury. In an economy where companies have to conserve cash, deals are down, and consumers aren’t shopping as much as they used to, diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts are put on the back burner as if they don’t matter. This report from Edelman is a wake-up call for employers to stop treating DEI as a bell and whistle and realize that it’s the foundation of everything else. Consumers are also voting with their wallets and choosing to buy from companies that do good. Millennials and Gen Z now make up more than half of the world’s adult population, and this is a real problem for them, because they realize that DEI isn’t about winning or losing, it’s about winning and losing. Elon Musk and Bill Ackman are clearly on the wrong side.“
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