THE CHALLENGE FOR INDIVIDUALS
Individuals are caught in what Zygmunt Bauman called “liquid life“1, which means that they are deeply immersed in a consumer society, relentlessly pursuing satisfaction at an accelerated pace, longing and shifting towards authenticity, embracing individual uniqueness, and enhancing capacity to collaborate generously with others (by leading, sharing knowledge, helping, or even teaching others) as well as with AI-equipped robots.
The demands of contemporary work life require a significant focus on knowledge acquisition, a diverse set of collaborative skills, and the ability to navigate under different circumstances and unknown consequences. In this intricate landscape, seeking support or assistance from teammates, colleagues, or managers becomes essential for effective functioning. Regardless of one's function, responsibilities, or role in a company, the interdependence among team members is and will become crucial.
THE EMERGING CONTEXT: MANAGING HR IN A VUCA WORLD AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Companies worldwide in a VUCA era face new challenges on many fronts — economic, social, environmental, and technological. Considering a working career solely as an individual path should be viewed as a mistake and, hence, it is essential to recognise the interconnectedness of diverse roles within the working environment. Individuals require interaction with others for their development, and continuous upskilling so that they can maintain an effective performance at work.
The objective of this short article is to briefly introduce some key factors that may influence the HR arena, acting individually or collectively.
The rise of intelligent machines and their impact on the individual worker
The current momentum of accelerated digital transformation coupled with the growing strength and ubiquity of generative artificial intelligence (AI) necessitates the acquisition of new knowledge and competencies to maintain performance, efficiency, and productivity. AI is becoming an integral part of everyday life. While it's undoubtedly driving innovation and creating efficiencies in some fields, it's also causing a fair amount of fear and uncertainty. The threat to jobs is real, creating both opportunities and redundancies. The Boston Consulting Group indicates that “the explosive popularity of ChatGPT and other forms of generative AI suggests that we are witnessing the start of a new order for business and society”2. However, concerns arise regarding whether handing over control of our lives to algorithms can exacerbate divisions and inequality
