2024 Predictions & Aspirations

We have officially stepped into 2024! Congrats to us!

It's very clear that AI and human leadership are not just trends, but together they're a new reality. In my journey, from diving deep into Generative AI to redefining the roles of people leaders, I've uncovered insights that are reshaping how we work, lead, and learn in this new AI era.

Generative AI reaches the Slope of Enlightenment

Generative AI went mainstream in 2023. It was put in the hands of practically anyone and everyone (the population of Vietnam, in fact). We hit the peak of inflated expectations (Gartner Hype Cycle).

I, personally, dove headfirst into my exploration and openly shared my learning. In May 2023, working closely with Alicia Henriquez on a session for TroopHR people leaders, we built the foundation for what would become the Generative AI Resource Guide. Here’s an excerpt from the intro, the opportunity for people leaders:

“AI shows up in so many aspects of our life today. The conversation at a business level has evolved – it’s more transparent, it’s moving at an accelerated pace, and it’s ripe for opportunity, with care.

For people leaders, the opportunity is not to be an expert (TLDR: no one’s an expert in the future of AI) but to educate ourselves and our companies about how AI can enable positive outcomes, how there are potential threats of adverse outcomes, and how to guide towards the positive.

Our opportunity is first about education and being able to have the right conversations. And, then, all about efficiency, accessibility, and aptitude. Let’s lean in! ”

For People Leaders, Generative AI became commonplace within HR tech platforms for recruiting, employee engagement, and performance.? And, while this is an opportunity, another incredible and perhaps more practical and easily adoptable opportunity lies in the everyday tools that the majority of people are using in their daily work and personal lives.

1. AI is a tactic to drive profitability, decrease costs, AND enhance human potential: The future leader, the next-generation CEO will focus on building profitability through smart use of AI versus looking at layoffs, outsourcing, offshoring, and other means of quick shareholder profitability.

2. AI infiltrates day-to-day: Microsoft is adding a key to their keyboard for their AI co-pilot –? the first time that they’ve made a keyboard change in nearly 30 years. From Google’s Gmail Smart Compose to Notion AI to Canva AI, the tools and platforms that we use daily are the places where our AI immersion will begin.

3. AI reduces the admin: Perhaps this doesn’t sound like a provocative prediction. But this is a monumental shift that companies, teams, and individuals will have to make. Monumental in its impact on WHAT the work is and HOW the work gets done.

4. AI’s impact is measured: The Big Three started to do this last year and shared promising results. Companies will better and more transparently measure and analyze their productivity with AI in 2024.

People Leaders are General Managers

People leaders are tired, worn out and it doesn’t feel like there is an end in sight. The roller coaster ride of the past few(?) years has not been for the faint of heart. And, while the pandemic brought no shortage of challenges, there was a sense that this can’t last forever. We made it through (thanks in many respects to People Leaders) AND we most certainly have not reached a definitive conclusion on the future of work. One might say that we’ve been left with more questions than answers. How do we spend our time? How do we work? How do we operate our businesses? To name a few…

5. People leaders think like GMs: People leaders will develop and grow their capacity to speak the language of the business – moving away from employee engagement alone to profitability and cost and just HOW these impact and are impacted by employee engagement.

6. Cross-functional experience wins: People will rise into roles from different areas of the business. Importance and emphasis will be placed on having multidisciplinary and cross-functional people leaders and business experience.

7. Partnerships drive performance: People leaders will develop even deeper and stronger relationships across and outside their organizations. This means, beyond their CEOs, People Leaders, will leverage Fractional People executives and people communities for learning and experience.

Talent development happens in the moment

I’ve spent the majority of my career in the L&D space. Having lived in and around many formats for adult learning, I am confident and optimistic about the move away from company-wide skills-based learning to in-the-moment, personalized learning. Couple this with what can be delivered using Generative AI, and there are limitless possibilities.

8. Coaching moves to real-time. Coaching needs happen at the moment and the support structures will shift in this direction. Leveraging new coaching models and Generative AI tools, this approach can align with the dynamic needs of a fast-paced workplace, fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptability.

9. Managers get more clarity. Clear is kind. Managers aren’t going to succeed by being left to their own devices. It’s time that they are equipped with crystal clear expectations – roles, responsibilities, access to support, and balance of work, to name a few.

10. Org design shapes learning design. The way companies are structured — hierarchical, flat, or networked — significantly influences how learning is facilitated and experienced. As the future of work reshapes the future of organizational design, L&D efforts must also shift.