Redefining Life Goals in the Future of Work

At just 3.4 percent, unemployment is the lowest it has been in decades, and job openings, even amidst news of increasingly frequent layoffs (primarily in the tech sector), remain higher than the number of job hunters. Pair this with data, also from the Bureau of Labor Statistics , that shows job tenure increasingly on the decline amongst nearly all age groups of workers, now at a low of 4.1 years per employee, down to 1.8 for many Gen Z and 3.5 for Millennials.

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What does this mean?

1)???Even amidst an uncertain economy, workers are still in control

2)???Your full-time, permanent workforce? It’s not so permanent anymore.

This is part of the trend that we’ve called #TheGreatRealization for several years now, a dual-sided awakening that has nearly 65 million Americans saying goodbye to traditional work and hello to independence.

We explored this trend in greater depth in new research released last week, “Life Goals: Exploring the Great Realization In Depth” where we peeled back layers of data originally mined by future of work researcher Connie Steele and her firm Flywheel Associates . For this study, we asked workers of all types, including traditional, independent, and independent digital nomads how they felt about their success in achieving key life goals and milestones.

The study reinforces that workers are changing their attitudes toward their careers. This reflects a mindset shift where purpose, passion, and pay are the focus. And when it comes to achieving those goals, independent workers are doing life better than the traditionally employed.

The data in and of itself is interesting, but mainly in its spur to action for enterprises.

To understand what makes businesses thrive now and into the future, leaders and managers need to analyze what it takes for workers to be successful in their lives, both personally and professionally. And they also need to evaluate just how their workforce comes together. When these macro trends and forces come together, they paint a #FutureofWork that looks very different from the one we have now, where enterprises must compete not just to be an Employer of Choice but a Client of Choice for top independent talent as well.

If you want to know more about the key trends that matter to today’s—and tomorrow’s—workforce, sign up for a quick hour on Thursday, February 23 at noon, “Life Goals: Managing Employee Experience in the Future of Work.”

This webinar will highlight actionable insights on why a talent approach that includes independent workers is critical for success in a post-pandemic workforce and economy with a rockstar panel of experts like Connie (Wang) Steele , Elaine Pofeldt , Melisa Liberman , Sher Downing Ph.D. , and Holly Kehrer, CCWP . We hope to see you there.?

Trending Topics:

●?????The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted people’s mental health. As a result, burnout and disengagement rates for workers have risen sharply. Wellable Labs’ annual Employee Wellness Industry Trends Report shows that business leaders should adapt to new circumstances, which include knowing the key wellness trends that will enable firms to navigate economic uncertainties in the future.

●?????Digital transformation has played a significant role in many industries’ survival. However, with economic uncertainties, mass layoffs across the tech industry, and supply chain risks, CIOs need to rethink their digital transformation priorities.

●?????With many employers and employees reconsidering issues about having a healthy work-life and personal-life balance, two professors and a staff member from the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business discuss several steps to achieve personal and professional goals.

●?????Companies today focus on modern and dynamic office layouts that go beyond work and enforce a collective purpose among employees. One reason for this is that suitable infrastructure designed to accommodate people from all walks of life helps create an atmosphere of inclusion in the workplace.

●?????Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the human resources (HR) space. Today, many HR managers are starting to tap into advanced data analytics, AI, and machine learning to improve their procedures—from talent sourcing to employee management.

●?????Adopting a skills-based approach can unlock an organization’s ability to manage upsides and downsides in the economy. Moreover, this approach enables companies to source workers beyond a geographic talent pool and ensure protection against geopolitical and physical risks.

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Should you have any questions, we’re always here for you.

We’d love to talk virtually as well. Share your thoughts with us at MBO Partners on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and we’ll see you again next week!

Today's newsletter was guest-authored by MBO VP of Marketing McLean Robbins .