As I sit down to jot my thoughts as one more year passes by, I am as always amazed with the variety of things that have changed and yet somehow remained the same. Every day we have been faced with new challenges that we have never faced before and every day we have been finding our way through them – using the skills we have gained over our lifetime. From mass layoffs to recession, from India emerging as the skill capital of the world to AI taking over the world by storm; everyday has been eventful to say the least.
With economies still recovering from the pandemic and people continuing to adapt to changes they never expected, 2022 had it all. As I gained more insight, it boiled down to the basics, and the whole journey of reflection seemed like a good reminder to not only make decisions for the coming year, but to celebrate the year this year was.
Only in the last month of this year have we seen a surge in artificial intelligence; technology is evolving at an astonishing speed. The future of labour is a hotly debated and speculative issue. Many prospective events and trends, such as technological improvements, changes in the global economy, and adjustments in the nature of labour itself, might impact the way we work in the future.
2022 saw increased usage of automation and artificial intelligence, a trend that will accelerate the future of employment. This combined with possible recession has resulted in a lot of lay-offs and right-sizing towards the end of the year resulting in a shift in the sorts of occupations now accessible to workers. At the same time there will be a proliferation of new, technology-focused jobs.
2022 also confirmed that the remote work situation forced by the pandemic has transformed into rapid expansion of remote and flexible work arrangements. People are increasingly able to work from anywhere, at any time causing a shift away from the typical 9-to-5 office occupations. Furthermore, the emergence of the gig economy and the growing popularity of freelance employment shall influence the future of the industry.
Finally, developments in the global economy and the nature of work itself may have an impact on the future of work. For example, there will be a greater emphasis on sustainable and socially responsible company operations, growing into new industries, job roles and types of engagement.
As we move into the new year, I believe it is important to reflect on the past year and set ourselves up for success in the year ahead. Here are some tips that I have gathered over the course of this year that I will surely take with me to 2023 and I am listing these in no particular order:
1. Keep yourself – and your team – fresh and relevant: Learn, Upskill & Evolve
2. Don’t forget your health is your best wealth
3. Prioritize time and resources to keep your energy levels up
4. Be nice to people, and that includes yourself
5. Get rid of your unconscious biases, reach out to people and diversify your network
It all boils down to the simplest things. Become a friendlier person. That’s one of Dale Carnegie’s most famous philosophies, and it’s one that has held true throughout the years. Building relationships and influence are what drive one’s long-term success and happiness. It’s a simple concept, but one that can be difficult to execute. That’s why Dale Carnegie’s 30 Principles is still relevant today.