Imagine going to a sushi restaurant in Japan and having a robot waiter greet you when you walk in the door instead of a human one. More surprising, you have to order your own food through the food ticket vending machines instead of asking the waiters to pick up your order. The truth is, this scene is no longer an imagination you can find only on sci-fi movies: technology has dramatically changed the world.
In today’s rapidly changing world of work, new technology and digital age forces us to be future-ready. That means it creates an urgent need for continuous change, the company’s top to bottom roles should be more prepared and adaptive for the transition into the future world of work. Because of the constant transformation, we cannot predict what the future will bring us, either the new culture, value, or how people get their jobs done.
Then what should we do to prepare for this new era? The answer is to understand the challenges so we can get ready to face the future world of work.
See : Expectation vs Reality : How to Survive Your First Day at Work
Technology as competitor
As you know, we cannot stop technological development, instead we have to adapt with it. Among the most significant effects of technological advancement to the world of work in the future is the massive use of automation for various business processes. The development of automation enabled by technologies including robotics and artificial intelligence promises higher productivity, efficiency, safety, and most importantly, it contributes to the economic growth.
But in other hand, it poses a real threat to the existence of human workforce’s role as more and more functions are automated. In order to achieve better efficiency and effectiveness to increase higher productivity, many tasks traditionally carried out by human workers are now replaced by robots.
Therefore, the challenge is that we have to compete with technology by improving our skills in order not to be left behind by the machine. Instead, we have to be able to work hand-in-hand in harmony with them. As it requires different, and often higher, skills to work side by side the machines, future talents should be open to exchanging knowledge with other workers who have been an expert in the sector in order to fill the skill gaps. Rather than blindly fearing the future of work, digital transformation should be seen at as an opportunity to channel your energy and time more into creative tasks, critical thinking and improving humankind itself.
The new face of collaboration
As the world is more globalised than ever, nowadays it is common to find people from around the world with time differences and work ethics coming to work and collaborate together in a team. Therefore, the challenges to create a successful collaboration in such situation lies in your communication skills. Cultural differences between you and your foreign coworkers can be solved by developing mutual tolerance by minimising your ego self to achieve with the same goals.
The new technology and digital communication also bring significant impacts on team collaboration. In the future world of work, we do not have to worry about distance as we can still work in heterogeneous office despite the time difference by using Skype or video call feature on Whatsapp to connect with the team members across the globe while working on the same project.
Leadership in the new world of work
The most important part of facing new world of work with all its challenges is to have a leader who can lead their employees to thrive in the new era of work ethics. They act as a great role model to develop, encourage and empower their employees. Future leaders should trust their team’s ability and are good at delegating tasks, so they could survive and go through all the challenges that came along with the new world of work.
Read also : Passion at Work: Is it Important?
