The World In 2050: 5 Thoughts As You Grow, Lead And Shape The Future

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Thirty years back, as a 23-year-old, I stepped into my first job at Unilever India with excitement and trepidation. I had no idea where my adventures would take me over the next few years, let alone thirty. In the early ‘90s, the Berlin war had fallen, South Africa was due to hold the first multi-racial elections, General Motors was on top of the Fortune 500 list, China’s GDP was one-tenth of America, and the World Wide Web was just released in the public domain.

It’s tough to imagine what the world could look like in three decades.?Thirty years from now, what impact and leadership roles would you plan for? Will you be working in the same field as you are now? Will you be residing in the same country? Will a human still do the work you do today??

The thoughts below have been distilled based on many experiences but three deserve mention. First is my engagement with scores of young micro-entrepreneurs and associates worldwide, both in my role at Amway and YUM! Brands. Their optimism and drive are energizing. The second is the breadth of podcasts and books that I enjoy, many of which I share on my LinkedIn. The third is my learnings from?30 years with 3 global companies and across 5 countries.?

Of course, many uncertainties make any prediction impossible. But given all we know thus far, here are five streams of thoughts for 2050. I hope these are helpful inputs as you continue to grow and excel – no matter where the future leads us.

Technology will radically transform how we live and work – again

In the early ‘90s, when I entered the workforce, the internet was, but a nascent novelty, with less than 0.5% of the world online, and cell phones had yet to make their appearance in everyday life. In India where I grew up the wait time for a new landline connection or a rotary phone was years!?

Nowadays, AI is the latest technological revolution poised to alter work as we know it dramatically. Generative AI applications like?ChatGPT?and?quantum computing?have already introduced boundless possibilities for transforming multiple industries, non-profits, careers, and life in ways that we do not fully know yet.?

Beyond AI, bioengineering may provide breakthrough solutions that change health outcomes and life expectancies. Consider the potential of?new gene editing tools and the quest for a longer lifespan and health span.

Will these transformative technologies have an impact similar to the role of fire in early human history? We do not know — yet. But what’s certain is that nations, companies, and even individual entrepreneurs who prioritize innovation will reap the rewards. How do you plan to nurture a?growth mindset around technological evolution?

Asia will become an economic juggernaut as new players emerge

By 2050, the world’s GDP will double to?$170 trillion.?The USA, China, and India will be the three largest economies.?The top five will welcome?a new entrant,?Indonesia.?

Thirty years back, at the start of the last decade of the 20th?century, India and China had similar per capita GDPs. In the early ‘90s, during my first overseas trip ever to Shenzhen and Zhengzhou in China, I was struck by the entrepreneurial energy and infrastructure investment. Today,?China’s economy is 5.5 times the size of India’s. Should the Indian economy achieve its potential and double every 10 years, then we could see India grow into a $25 trillion economy, similar to the size of the US today.?

Which opportunities will you explore? Could you draw up a plan to develop your?global mindset?or seek opportunities to gain experience in India or Indonesia??

Environmental shifts will unleash new technology and businesses?

Changes to weather patterns have already had?a significant impact?on many global regions. Outdoor particulate pollution was responsible for an estimated 4.2 million deaths worldwide. The additional risk to many is the high “wet bulb” temperatures. Growing up and working in different cities in India, my generation already experienced scorching heat of 110 degrees and high humidity. In Shanghai and Delhi, where we lived, on most days the air quality was unhealthy.???

Over the long run, there may be?migration, especially to less populated and less affected regions like North and West Michigan in the US and Canada – regions with an abundant supply of fresh water. In the midst of many new technologies, we’ll also see practices like?regenerative agriculture?become a mainstay in addressing global issues such as food security and carbon reduction.??

Historian Yuval Hariri in his seminal book Sapiens states, cooperation differentiates our species from others.?Hence in the midst of different points of view, as a leader how will you build new business models, innovate?to solve the big challenges, and shape a way ahead that taps into the shared challenges??

Health and wellness solutions and communities will multiply

The last several years have put a hyper-focus on health. Even before the pandemic hit, health issues were on the rise globally,?caused in large part by preventable lifestyle factors. In the US, because of many inter-connected reasons?the life expectancy has declined?to the shortest it’s been in 20 years. Meanwhile, increases in loneliness and isolation have taken a?serious toll on mental health, too.?

Inspired by micro-entrepreneurs and Amway’s commitment to holistic wellness and gut health, I’ve developed my own health and wellness routines. Developing healthy habits and?micro habits?has become particularly important for leaders and the?growing number of entrepreneurs. Fortunately, many technological advances are leading to breakthroughs in products and communities.

As a leader or an entrepreneur, how will you contribute to helping billions live better, longer, healthier lives?

Entrepreneurship will empower more people than ever?

The last several years have seen record numbers of new businesses registered in the US, as more and more people?have discovered the power of entrepreneurship. Societies that encourage entrepreneurship and that are open to ideas, people, and capital have?the highest probability for economic growth, innovation, and productivity.?

At Amway, we strongly believe that?anyone, anywhere can be an entrepreneur. We’ve seen the attractiveness of entrepreneurship around the world. That’s why my 15,000 colleagues and I wake up every morning to do our part?to empower?people young and old?to develop businesses that can help with health and wellness solutions, especially in uncertain economic times.?

Entrepreneurs with ideas and capital will solve problems and scale solutions that benefit society. What role will you play in empowering entrepreneurs and helping them succeed?

The adventure is yours to choose. Choose it thoughtfully.

The next 30 years will be full of opportunities, especially for those who approach the unknown with curiosity, a?growth mindset,?and the resilience to keep fighting the good fight. While all of my predictions err on the side of optimism, the facts are indisputable: On almost every economic and social measure, the world made enormous progress in the last several decades (for proof, take a look at?Factfulness?or indulge in?this short quiz). Our past provides endless hope about the potential for our shared humanity, innovation, and cooperation as?we humans continue to evolve.?

Knowing all this, what choices will you make in your professional life? What questions can you start asking yourself today that can set you up for the future? In the end, how will you measure your life? By the way, we do not need to have all the answers at hand immediately.?

I cannot wait for the journey to 2050. Many of us believe?the next thirty years are?full?of opportunities,?especially?for those?who?continue to learn and grow and help others do the same. Whatever?the challenges of today and the uncertainty about tomorrow together we can positively impact the future with a growth mindset and a spirit of “we’re just getting started.”?

Thanks for reading! I'd love to know your thoughts in the comments below. For more insights on taking business to the next level, be sure to?subscribe to Passion and Purpose.