At the Annual AE Advisors CEO Forum in March 2023, our key-note speaker, John Martin, President/CEO of the Southeastern Research Institute (SIR) https://www.sirhq.com/people spoke on the Future Workforce and Winning Firms in the Post-Pandemic World. His focus was on looking at our future workforce and how organizations and leaders can create strategies for a successful tomorrow. 

His presentation hit home on many fronts, including the work we do at HR Advisors Group for our clients, as well as having children who are from the Millennial and Z Generations. My Gen Z son, Tim Irwin, and my Baby Boomer self joined forces to write this blog regarding the future workforce. I hope our blog resonates with you and helps you and your organization as you create plans and initiatives focusing on your workforce and workplace.                                                                                                                       – Barbara Irwin

 

Today’s workforce lies at the edge of a changing world. The pandemic taught us that high productivity can occur in many environments. The new generations are demonstrating the need for flexibility, creativity, and individualism in the workforce. The strategies we knew as standards 20 years ago no longer hold in the workplace today. Change is coming, and we need to jump on board before we are left behind.

The last three years have taught us much in terms of workforce strategies. The introduction of both remote and hybrid work has reshaped the landscape in which companies operate and exist. Attitudes about culture, talent, and demographics have shifted to become more inclusive, diverse, and technologically advanced. Of course, these new strategies do not come without challenges in the form of hiring shortages, aging workforce, and employee priorities.

Fortunately, the changing of the guard leads to more opportunities for younger employees to engage with your company in a meaningful and productive way. Your company culture must reflect this change. Increasing connectivity among the staff, diversifying the workplace, and granting more independence are just a few of the ways in which progressive companies can win over and develop these new generations. The importance of developing a symbiotic relationship between employer and employees has never been greater.

A Formula for a Flexible and Successful Company

Companies that have shown their ability to adapt have been able to effectively make the switch by using several different methods, such as:

  • Giving purposeful work to their employees that is story oriented and shared.
  • Providing a clear understanding of the company’s overall mission as well as the employees’ purpose and contributions to the mission.
  • Providing a diverse and inclusive, gender neutral space where employees can not only share their own ideas and experiences, but also know that they are valued.
  • Developing a culture where employees not only learn to advance their own work but also how to support each other to create the firm’s desired effect.
  • Creating a workspace in which collaboration is widespread, drawing upon the creative skillsets of everyone.
  • Demonstrating the organization’s commitment to being flexible and trustworthy by addressing employees’ needs and providing them with safe and reliable solutions.
  • Being transparent with the organization’s policies and news that is relevant and directly impacts the workforce.

The Importance of Each Generation’s Contributions

The slow shift in the workforce’s generational makeup plays into the talent retention and engagement of companies. Each generation brings different mindsets, skills, and experiences to the playing field.

  • The Boomer generation were born to a different society than the one we live in today, bringing traditional views, and a strong understanding of the foundations of business.
  • Gen X are understood to be today’s ideal workforce, bringing ample competencies, skills, and experience. They are both able to learn from their seniors, as well as teach the younger generations.
  • Millennials are dubbed the “All-Stars.” Having grown up with the evolution of technology, they express value towards communication and collaboration, and desire work that “makes a difference.”
  • The new generation of Gen Z is an entirely new challenge that makes it necessary for the corporate atmosphere to shift and change to attract, develop, and engage these new workers. Gen Z is diverse, individualistic, technology-oriented, and understanding of today’s views, including work-life balance, flexibility in work environments, and acceptance of gender and sexual identities.

Recognizing the uniqueness and impact of each generation is what will lead to success for today and in the future.

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