In an era marked by rapid transformation and evolving work paradigms, the “Future of the Workforce 2024” report stands as a comprehensive analysis, drawing on insights from multigenerational respondents across 26 countries.
Our participants’ diverse geographical backgrounds enrich our analysis, offering a multifaceted perspective on the topics under discussion.
This extensive research offers a visionary blueprint for Chief Human Resource Officers (CHROs), Chief People Officers (CPOs), and forward-thinking leaders, aimed at sculpting a workplace that not only adapts to but thrives in the face of future challenges.
Here’s a deeper dive into the pivotal areas outlined in our report, designed to guide the creation of dynamic, inclusive, and resilient workplaces.
Mode of Work Preferences
Our analysis into work mode preferences underscores a significant preference for flexible hybrid models of work across all generational cohorts.
This trend signals a shift away from traditional office-centric models towards a more flexible approach that blends remote work with periodic in-office interaction. By embracing hybrid work models, organizations can offer the flexibility and autonomy that today’s workforce demands, fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability.
Onboarding
The importance of the initial 30-day onboarding phase cannot be overstated. This period is critical for building strong foundations, fostering deep connections, and fully integrating new employees into the organizational fabric.
This critical period sets the tone for a new hire’s journey, paving the way for seamless integration into the team and broader organizational fabric. By emphasizing connections with supervisors, an in-depth understanding of the business, and immersion in the company’s culture, we outline a blueprint for onboarding that is not just a process but a transformational experience.
A tailored onboarding experience that respects multigenerational preferences can significantly enhance job satisfaction, retention rates, and contribute to a vibrant company culture. Investing in effective onboarding strategies is investing in the future success of both employees and the organization.
Team Dynamics
Understanding and leveraging the diverse preferences of a multigenerational workforce for team composition is key to fostering innovation and productivity.
Our findings reveal a clear preference for working within age-diverse teams, highlighting the potential for cross-generational synergy and mutual learning.
By intentionally assembling teams that reflect a mix of generational insights and experiences, leaders can unlock a richer, more creative problem-solving process and drive organizational success.
Workplace Ecosystem
At the heart of a thriving organization is its ecosystem, characterized by a supportive leadership structure, a learning-rich environment, and a culture of inclusivity and support.
The report highlights the universal appeal of professional development opportunities, competitive compensation, and a constructive team environment as fundamental to attracting and retaining talent across generations.
A focus on building a workplace that values continuous learning, offers robust support systems, and fosters a positive culture can significantly enhance employee engagement, satisfaction, and productivity.
Snapshot: Multigenerational Insights
Here’s a sneak peek into the data-rich tapestry of our “Future of the Workforce 2024,” providing a glimpse into the diverse generational perspectives on the evolving work environment.
For instance, Gen Z and Gen Y show a strong penchant for hybrid work’s flexibility, whereas Baby Boomers value fixed schedules more. In terms of onboarding, a surprising unanimity exists among all generations on the importance of connecting with team members and supervisors in the first 30 days, laying the foundation for a cohesive work journey.
As for team dynamics, a majority of each generation prefers to work within their own age group, with Baby Boomers and Gen X displaying mutual work preferences. And when it comes to workplace culture, every generation agrees on the importance of a constructive environment, though to varying degrees.
Our comprehensive report offers 16 strategic recommendations designed to empower organizations to harness the full potential of their workforce. From embracing the hybrid work model that balances fixed and flexible office days to crafting an environment rich in learning and growth opportunities, we pinpoint the key elements that make a workplace productive, profoundly engaging, enriching, and human-centered driven.
Conclusion
The “Future of the Workforce 2024” report is more than just a compilation of findings; it is a a manifesto for building tomorrow’s resilient, inclusive, and dynamic workplaces.
It calls on CHROs, CPOs, and leadership teams to embrace the insights and strategies outlined, to navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing workforce landscape.
By prioritizing flexibility, personalized onboarding, multigenerational team dynamics, and a nurturing workplace ecosystem, organizations can pave the way for a future where both employees and businesses thrive in harmony.
This executive summary provides a roadmap for leaders dedicated to building resilient, inclusive, and dynamic workplaces, ensuring their organizations are well-equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.
As we navigate the new normal, “The Future of the Workforce 2024” stands as a testament to the power of adaptability, strategic onboarding, and the profound impact of a nurtured workplace culture.
For a deeper exploration of these transformative insights and to equip your organization with strategies to navigate the multigenerational workforce of tomorrow, we invite you to subscribe to the full “Future of the Workforce 2024” report here.
This year has been nothing short of phenomenal, and it’s all thanks to you – our valued customers, partners and community members. Your unwavering support and active participation have been the driving forces behind our success, propelling us to achieve heights beyond the grasp of the preceding year.
January – Regional Webinar Launch
As the new year kicked off, we were excited to launch our webinar series, “Unlearn HR to Learn Agile PeopleOps.” This series, designed especially for our audiences in Germany and Zambia, explored the need for a shift from old-school HR methods to the more dynamic Agile PeopleOps approach.
Throughout these sessions, attendees got a chance to dive deep into the Agile PeopleOps Framework™, learning about its core principles, manifesto, and values. It was a great opportunity for everyone to gain a clearer, more practical understanding of how this innovative approach can transform the way organizations operate.
February – Whitepaper Debut, Q1 Learning Labs
Our Inaugural Whitepaper: We’ve just released our very first whitepaper, crafted by the talented Aradhya Srivastava. This comprehensive guide is a must-read for HR teams looking to succeed in their HR Tech Projects. It’s packed with essential steps and practical advice. You can download your copy right now, just click here. First-Quarter Learning Lab Recap: In our recent Learning Lab, we delved into an exciting theme: ‘Holistically Combining Professional and Personal Development.‘ It was an eye-opening session where participants discovered how to balance and enhance both their personal and professional lives. We discussed three key focus areas and learned how progress in one area can positively affect the others. Missed the session? No worries! You can catch up by watching the recording here.
March – Human-centric Discussions & Whitepapers Release
Panel Discussion Recap (March 9): We kicked off with our very first panel discussion titled ‘Balancing Business with a Human Touch During Layoffs.’ Our panelists, who are experts in their fields, shared invaluable insights and personal stories about the human side of layoffs. The session was enlightening and engaging, and our audience found it extremely informative.
Argentina Community Webinar (March 28): Later in March, our webinar ‘En Profundidad: Mentalidad de Crecimiento y Liderazgo de Servicio,’ focused on the important themes of growth mindset and servant leadership. The discussion was enriched with real-life case studies, offering practical insights that you can apply in your own settings.
New Whitepapers Available: We’re also excited to announce the release of several new whitepapers filled with essential information:
A Primer on Using People Analytics
Application of AI in Total Rewards
Managing Digital Transformation in Human Resource
How to Design Hybrid Workplace Experience using HR Technology
Promoting and Sustaining Employee Mental Health using HR Technology
April – Advancing the Coaching Education
On April 17, 2023, we unveiled our BETA coaching initiative – the APF Certified Organizational Coach™ (APF COC™) program. This intensive 126-hour training is designed to meet the Coach Education Requirements of the International Coaching Federation Professional Certified Coach (ICF PCC), setting a new standard in coach development.
May – Book Launch, Q2 Learning Lab & Intellectual Journey
Launch of Our First Book: On May 15, 2023, we introduced our very first book titled ‘Product and Delivery Practices for HR Technology and Digital Employee Experience,‘ authored by the knowledgeable Aradhya Srivastava. This book is a treasure trove of information on everything HR tech, from applicant tracking to performance management and learning systems. It’s a comprehensive guide for anyone interested in modern HR solutions!
Second Quarter Learning Lab Highlights: Our Learning Lab this quarter, themed ‘Building a Recruiting Foundation for Future Success,‘ was a huge hit! Attendees learned valuable skills like identifying their company’s key strengths, creating effective interview questions, and understanding the unique nature of each role. We explored how being agile can significantly boost recruitment success, offering a fresh perspective on hiring.
Germany Community Webinar Recap: Our webinar, titled ‘Empowering Your People to Thrive: An Agile PeopleOps Framework for a Resilient Organization,‘ was an insightful event. Participants dived into strategies for creating a positive and resilient work environment. The webinar focused on enhancing the employee experience, making it a must-attend for anyone keen on fostering a supportive and agile workplace.
June – Learning Discoveries
Inaugural Community Webinar in the UK: We kicked off our first-ever webinar, ‘Unlearn HR to Learn Agile PeopleOps,’ right in the United Kingdom. This set the stage for more insightful regional webinars throughout the year.
Updated Certification Courses: Alongside these fantastic webinars, we’ve also updated our courseware for the APF Certified Talent Scrum Master™ (APF CTSM™) and APF Certified PeopleOps Scrum Master™ (APF CPSM™) certification programs. Our dedication to staying ahead in industry research and trends means we’re always bringing you the latest knowledge and skill building opportunities.
Our UK Community webinar, ‘Embracing Agile Methodology in HR,’ delved into the positive impacts of agility on people, emphasized the importance of transparency in agile HR practices, and provided an overview of the key features of an agile organization.
In conjunction with these insightful events, we proudly rolled out updated courseware for our APF Certified Talent Champion™ (APF CTC™) and APF Certified PeopleOps Specialist™ (APF CPS™) certification programs, ensuring our participants stay at the forefront of industry knowledge.
Our PeopleOps Pulse 2023 virtual HR conference received approval from the HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®).
August – Innovations Unveiled
The recent UK Community webinar, titled ‘Design Thinking in HR,’ was a deep dive into leveraging design thinking to creatively and efficiently address challenges within the HR function and broader business.
In tandem with this insightful webinar, we proudly introduced updated courseware for the APF Certified PeopleOps Coach™ (APF CPC™) certification program. This enhancement aims to empower PeopleOps Coaches to fully embrace the Agile PeopleOps Framework™ philosophy, enabling effective training and coaching of people operations teams.
Excitingly, our PeopleOps Pulse 2023 conference received accreditation from the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
We launched new digital certificates and badges to further elevate our certified members’ experience. These credentials can be downloaded and shared across various platforms, including LinkedIn, Facebook, and more.
September – Advancing Excellence
AI & the Future of Work Panel Discussion: We organized our second panel discussion, titled ‘AI & the Future of Work: Positive Impact and Overcoming Adoption Challenges.’ This engaging session explored the benefits and challenges of AI in the workplace, offering insights and strategies for effectively integrating AI technologies.
New Monthly Communities of Practices: We launched two monthly Communities of Practices – Coaching Communities of Practices (CCoPs) on the second Wednesday, and Team Coaching Communities of Practices (TCCoPs) on the fourth Wednesday of each month. The CCoPs focus on continuous learning and innovation, while the TCCoPs provide a collaborative space for team leaders and coaches to exchange ideas and experiences.
Impactful Case Studies Published: We released a series of case studies showcasing the effectiveness of our Agile PeopleOps Framework™. These include ‘Reviving Leadership and Culture at a Leading Publishing Company,’ ‘Enhancing Employee Onboarding Efficiency,’ and ‘Revitalizing Employee Engagement.’ You can download and read these insightful studies here.
October – PeopleOps Pulse 2023: Our First Global Virtual HR Conference
We’re excited to share one of our biggest highlights from 2023!
Theme: We chose ‘Agility. Coaching. Experience.’ as our theme, focusing on
the most current and impactful trends in the HR world.
Global Reach: Over 800 HR professionals from 65 countries registered,
making it a truly international event.
Expert Speakers: We were joined by 8 renowned international
speakers, each sharing their unique insights and experiences.
Sponsor Support: The conference was made possible with the support of 6 amazing sponsors.
Accredited Learning: We’re proud to say that the conference was accredited by both the HRCI and ICF. Participants also earned valuable continuing education credits.
This was more than just a conference; it was a global gathering of HR professionals and enthusiasts, all learning and growing together. Thank you for being a part of this journey!
If you missed the live sessions, don’t worry! You can catch up on all the insightful talks by watching the recordings.
In our recent UK Community webinar, ‘Introducing OKRs and Making Them Work,’ we delved into the world of OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) and discovered how to harness their power for the benefit of your organization effectively.
November – Inaugural LATAM Spanish Conference: A Grand Success
In partnership with Parmonia Consultores, we hosted our first-ever LATAM Spanish Conference. It was a groundbreaking event that brought together 326 attendees from 24 different countries.
Inspiring Talks and Insightful Themes
We had the privilege of welcoming ten renowned speakers who shared their insights on crucial topics. The conference revolved around empowering themes: Embracing Change and Transforming Our Approach
Celebrating Diversity in All Its Forms
Moving From Mere Speed to True Agility
Navigating From Uncertainty to Complex Solutions
Building a Stronger Community
This event wasn’t just a conference; it was a catalyst for growth and collaboration within our Agile PeopleOps community. It also significantly raised our visibility on a global scale, strengthening our network and impact.
Thank you for being a part of this journey. Here’s to many more such milestones
If you missed any part of the conference, you can catch up on all the enlightening sessions by watching the recordings.
In our recent fourth quarter Learning Lab, we explored ‘How AI-Generated Video is Impacting the Training World.’ The session focused on Lean Video Methodology, providing an iterative approach to building and testing impactful training videos. Attendees gained valuable knowledge and tools to leverage AI generated video, enhancing the effectiveness and engagement of their training programs.
Key Highlights
Embarking on a dynamic journey, we’ve orchestrated:
2 Conferences – Global and Contiental
2 Half yearly panel discussions
3 Learning Lab sessions
17 community events in USA, UK, India, Germany, Zambia etc
3 Coaching Communities of Practices events (every 2nd Wednesday’s of Month) 2 Team Coaching Communities of Practices events (every 4th Wednesday’s of Month)
A typical hurdle my clients face at the beginning of our coaching engagements is having to acknowledge that all their experience, skills, abilities, and knowledge accumulated thus far only reflect their past.
There is usually trepidation when I direct them to look ahead, to their professional future, to higher goals, to new objectives. There is usually hesitancy. Many times, a blank stare takes over their face.
It seems as if the self-assurance, the confidence, the bravado they exhibited when listing their accomplishments, experience, and professional standing, just dissipates into thin air, replaced by the trepidation I mentioned before.
That is the sweet spot when coachability can be determined when a professional sees the limiting value of their “past” experiences and begins to contemplate the potential in acquiring new knowledge, experiences, abilities, skills, and a new future.
When a professional individual acknowledges the limitations of past experiences, recognizes the potential and value of new learnings, and takes the plunge into a sea of possibilities and opportunities, it is a critical and important step that they are taking.
When Michael Jordan was asked what his best ability was, he replied: “I was coachable. I was a sponge and aggressive to learn.”
In the title of my book CoachAbility, I ask the question: “Are you in the state or condition to be coached?”
What would be your answer?
Amazon link for CoachAbility: Are you in the state or condition to be coached?
On Day 1, speakers Deepa Mahesh, Neptali Martinez, and Dr. Mohamed Rabie Elsheikh will take the stage.
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM EST Holistic Wellbeing for a Healthy Workforce Speaker: Deepa Mahesh
Deepa Mahesh is an ICF Life & Leadership Coach and an Arts-based Leadership development facilitator. She is also the founder & CEO of Poorna Wellbeing.
A healthy workforce is a dream of every organization. Yet, at the implementation level, there is a ground to travel. It is a partnership between the employee and the organization to seek wellbeing. Wellbeing is not the absence of illness, it is a pursuit of equanimity at various levels of human existence. It is wellbeing at the level of the physical body, energy, emotions, and thoughts. The HR team, the manager, and the employee’s joint responsibility is to seek, want, and acquire it.
During her session, she will discuss holistic well-being for a healthy workforce. This entails well-being at various levels and how it enhances employee productivity.
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM EST Managers as Coaches Speaker: Neptali Martinez
Neptali Martinez is the founder and principal at NJM Career/Leadership Coaching. His company provides career and executive coaching for professionals in areas such as Information Technology and Human Resources.
The popular saying, “Employees don’t leave companies, they leave bad managers,” speaks volumes about the challenges we all face when we manage employees. How many managers hire an employee on a Friday afternoon, and a person shows up on Monday morning? The complexity of dealing with human beings in the work environment is not new, and because of the rapid changes taking place at work, that challenge is getting even more complex.
During his session, he will enlighten us on managers as coaches. He will talk about making the transition from a manager to a coach and present a more effective way of relating with employees.
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM EST Leading The Journey towards Successful Organizational Transformation Speaker: Dr. Mohamed Rabie Elsheikh
Dr. Mohamed Rabie Elsheikh is the founder & CEO of Tanmyah for Management Consulting & Training. Their mission is to inspire people and organizations to accelerate growth and achieve excellence.
What is organizational transformation, and why is it important for organizations to undergo transformation? What are some common challenges that organizations face during the transformation process? How can leaders build a transformational culture within their organizations?
If the above questions have been lingering, don’t miss out on this session. Dr. Mohamed will walk us through the journey toward successful organizational transformation. Change leads to transformation; it is inevitable. So this session will touch on why we need to transform and the processes involved in the transformation.
October 11 | Wednesday | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST
On Day 2, our speakers will be Aditya Roy and Cliff Berg.
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM EST Designing HR Technology Hyperconvergence for the Workforce of the Future Speaker: Aditya Roy
Aditya Roy is a Senior Manager of Cognizant Technology Solutions. He serves in the HR-Consulting space and has over 17 years of experience in FinTech, Govt., Retail, and high-tech domains.
As organizations navigate the complexities of an evolving digital landscape in Enterprise HR, the role of human resources (HR) is becoming increasingly crucial in driving strategic decision-making and fostering a productive and engaged workforce. The emergence of hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) technology presents a unique opportunity for HR departments to streamline their operations, enhance employee experience, and support the workforce of the future.
This session is centered on the concept of HR technology hyperconvergence, potential benefits, and the key considerations for designing and implementing such systems, with a special emphasis on how Agile PeopleOps (APO) can facilitate it.
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM EST What Is Needed From PeopleOps to Support Organizational Agility Speaker: Cliff Berg
Cliff Berg is the Managing Partner of Agile 2 Academy. In 2020, he co-founded the Agile 2 movement by assembling a global team of 15 people, helping them to reach a consensus on a range of complex issues regarding organizational agility.
What are the core ideas of Agile 2? Why is agility behavioral, and is not achieved by adopting so-called Agile frameworks? His session will be about what is needed from PeopleOps to support organizational agility, with a focus on the core ideas of Agile 2.
October 12 | Thursday | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST
On Day 3, Dr. Amy Narishkin, Brunello Gianella, Tom Thliveris, and Alex Dutch Greene will take the stage.
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM EST Awkward to Awesome: How Leaders Boost Agility, Diversity and Collaboration with Cultural Intelligence Speaker: Dr. Amy Narishkin
Dr. Amy Narishkin is a thought leader, strategist, and consultant helping organizations make the shift to cultural intelligence. She has 30 years of experience in teaching, consulting, managing, and researching.
Diverse teams with moderate to high levels of cultural intelligence outperform homogenous teams on a number of outcomes — productivity, cost-savings, innovation, safety, and a lot more. Dr. Amy’s session will discuss how leaders can boost agility, diversity, and collaboration with cultural intelligence. She will highlight the different stages of cultural intelligence and the value of a diverse team that feels seen and heard.
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM EST Lived Individuality Speaker: Brunello Gianella
Brunello Gianella is an Independent Consultant with 40 years of experience in the industry. He has consulted for companies like Ford, Shell, and Mazda.
Are you looking for ways to be the best version of yourself in an ever-changing world? We understand that having a strong identity and values is essential for success. That’s why we created this session focused on helping you unleash your full potential in the agile world. You will discover three main areas – Agile Innovator, Agile Personality, and Agile Knowledge – which will help you foster creativity, resilience, and self-awareness as an Agile professional. Achieve greater levels of success while staying true to who YOU are.
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM EST Living Conscious Culture Speakers: Alex Dutch Greene and Tom Thliveris
For the third session on Day 3, we have co-speakers Tom Thliveris and Alex Dutch Greene.
Tom Thliveris is a passionate healthcare IT admin with a mission to improve health systems and provide better care to patients. He is currently a Principal Consultant for the University of Miami. Alex Dutch Greene is a passionate cultivator and pioneer of human experience whose mission is to create out-of-the-box solutions that allow people to overcome barriers to change. He is also an Organizational Change Management Lead.
In a post-COVID era, creating a conscious organizational culture is essential. There is a different focus on meeting human needs, and aligning ourselves to a shared experience is a challenging yet necessary task. Empowering individuals at all levels of an organization with the proper tools for living with awareness is an important step forward, but “walking the walk” is an entirely different ballgame. Our own belief systems, assumptions, and expectations often stand in the way of true progress. How do we get out of our own way so that we can create integrated organizational cultures?
In their session, the speakers will address the importance of creating a conscious organizational culture in a post-COVID era. They will also introduce frameworks on how organizations can create an organic environment.
Conclusion
Our esteemed speakers have made a date with us to bring value to the HR and People Operations community. The topics are loaded, and their goal is to enhance the understanding of our conference theme and stir relevant discussions.
Like our speakers, you can make a date with us to be a part of this value-filled opportunity to learn and connect with fellow professionals. Register for the conferenceand get your tickets via our PeopleOps Pulse 2023 website.
As a reminder, the theme of PeopleOps Pulse 2023 remains ACE (Agility, Coaching, and Experience).
Don’t miss this opportunity. Connect. Learn. Grow.
Layoffs can be inevitable for organizations of all sizes. No matter what the context (internal or external) is, it’s imperative for leaders, managers, and People Operations (PeopleOps or HR) practitioners to practice compassionate layoffs.
This article features how to apply human principles to manage layoffs with care, compassion, respect, and dignity.
Purpose and meaning
It is crucial to help employees understand the ‘why’ of the layoffs, as it might make them more resilient.
Provide a rationale, whether it’s because of performance and quality issues, economic downturns and inflation spikes, or other reasons. This will allow them to comprehend the justification for the tough decisions.
Transparency and openness
Honest and transparent communication is vital when sharing the purpose for layoffs.
Leaders, managers, and PeopleOps practitioners must be intentional about the way they communicate the layoffs message. Words are powerful, and so are gestures.
Empathize, be sensitive, and be authentic. Expressing care, respect, and compassion during these challenging times can be a soothing balm. It can go a long way in building trust and positive relationships with the workforce (including those getting laid off).
Conduct the layoffs in a fair, ethical, and trusted way.
Ethics and fairness
Leaders, managers, and PeopleOps practitioners must refrain from using cold email tactics and freezing access to all accounts (emails, collaboration tools, software systems, etc.) without transparently communicating the purpose behind the layoffs.
A one-on-one communication for a few minutes is fair and better, always! Treat the laid-off employees with dignity and humanely.
Professional relationships
The relationship with the laid-off employees must not end abruptly. Bid goodbye in a humane way, as it can have a positive impact on their well-being.
Offer career transition support like placement services, career guidance, mentoring, and coaching. Let them know that in the future, they can serve as boomerangs.
Conclusion
Leaders, managers, and PeopleOps practitioners must navigate layoffs compassionately to minimize the negative impact on employees and the company.
Gain invaluable insights and expert advice from our March 9, 2023 LinkedIn Live Panel Discussion on Balancing the Business with a Human Touch during Layoffs. Watch it now.
