The Future Role of HR is Dynamic and Evolving

Imagine being in a profession today that is embryonic when you look into the future. Think about it, HR professionals are responsible for attracting, developing, motivating, and retaining the best talent for the organizations' goals and vision, yet that future vision is murky at best. Complicating things more is thinking about the year 2040, HR will face new challenges and opportunities driven by the rapid changes due to technological, social, environmental, and economic factors. With that said, dynamic and evolving seem more scary and foreboding.

As we continue to explore further, senior leadership teams will start to realize that the only individuals who can shepherd the organization into the future are HR Professionals. How can HR Professionals self-develop enough to prepare for this critical transformation? What are the given scenarios that which preparation is paramount?

I can see four critical aspects of HR 2040:

• HR will have to anticipate and adapt to the changing nature of work, where new skills, roles, and methods of work will emerge.
• HR will have to continue to foster a culture of diversity and inclusion in the organization, where employees of different backgrounds, perspectives, and abilities are valued and respected.
• HR will have to embrace and leverage digital technologies to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation of the organization. HR must learn to use AI, big data, cloud computing, blockchain, and other emerging technologies to automate and optimize the tried and proven HR processes, such as recruitment, learning and development, compensation and benefits, employee engagement, etc.
• HR will have to enhance the employee experience throughout their life cycle in the organization, from attraction through retention. HR will have to design and deliver personalized, engaging, and meaningful experiences for employees that meet their needs, expectations, and aspirations.

Okay, HR Pros, I have jump-started the exercise, I need you to add additional critical aspects you must start to prepare for to be the future of organization development as we move toward 2040.