Is learning the new pension?

We had always assumed that the future of work would be dominated by technology but a few years away-half expecting that the world will gradually trot towards the phenomenon of automation, digitization, and artificial intelligence.

Then came the pandemic.

Everything accelerated. Because of this accelerating shift, the future of work is already here- it is the present of work. And we realize it isn't about technology- the future of work is about the future of the human. As we emerge from the pandemic, we are learning that another level of competence is being added for humans to survive the next iteration of the world—the AQ- or adaptability quotient.

We have seen a continuous evolution of what competencies we need to succeed over the last hundred years, each adding an extra layer of complexity. Before the two World wars, the predominant competence of human endeavor was PQ- the physical quotient. After the wars, it evolved to IQ or intelligence quotient, and then we added EQ over the last twenty years. But we now have a new topping- AQ- the ability to adapt, adjust, and thrive in a rapidly changing world (For details on this evolution, read an excellent book by Heather McGowan and Chris Shipley, "The adaptation advantage." They also coined the phrase that learning is the new 'pension').?

The only way to future-proof yourself is to adapt, adjust, and pivot continuously. We will all be in a state of constant transformation.?Already I sense some Gen Zs comfortable with not just changing jobs but changing careers every few years. I know one person who used to fix house blinds for a living and is now relocating to New Mexico to be a hot air balloon pilot in a complete career change. Wall Street analysts are enrolling in culinary schools to become chefs. Others are experimenting with multiple careers simultaneously; for example, I know a data analyst who is also a part-time musician and a language teacher, and she enjoys and earns money from all three!

This continuous reinventing of oneself, not just professionally, but in some cases, even one's identity, may be too much for some of us to bear, but that is the way of the future. Otherwise, we are in danger. In the last 15 years, the 50-year-old 'loyal' employee was the most endangered human species. In the future, anyone regardless of age, anyone who does not have AQ may be at risk (think of the Uber driver who could be displaced by the self-driving car).

In that context, the future of work is the future of learning. Learning becomes a lifelong journey- a Darwinian way to adapt, unlearn, evolve, and survive. That's why I agree with the notion that learning is the new pension. Continuous learning is a way of ensuring continuing relevance to the job market. Investing in learning is like investing in your 401 K or annuity plans- it is eventually a gift that will keep on giving.?Just like retirement is a daunting and lonely road without a safety net by way of pension or a steady source of income, the future of work is a daunting and lonely road with the safety net of the adaptable skills you need to take that journey.?

Unlearning is part of the learning process. In the old model, we are accustomed to a world where we spend the first 20 years of our lives preparing for a career. Such preparation not only provides us with the necessary skills but also provides us with an identity. We are changing not only our jobs but also our identities in a more fluid, ever-changing world. This necessitates an entirely different frame of mind when it comes to jobs and careers. I'd like to think of our career as a river to navigate rather than a mountain to climb. While you are aware of your destination, you must also embrace the journey—different jobs represent different towns along the way. To navigate the river, different skills are required- the river in floods, calm waters, and near the ocean- all require different skills.?

We are all work in progress- and unless we realize that we need to keep learning and changing, we will become obsolete. There will be no pension to draw upon. For all you know, learning may not just be the new pension; it may be the only pension we may have!

Do you agree?