Predictions about the 2020 Workplace

By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, FAAN

“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future”. John F. Kennedy

I am reading a very interesting book on the workplace of the future written by human resource experts, Jeanne Meister and Karie Willyerd. Based on their research that includes interviews with over 2000 employees and employers, they make some interesting predictions about the 2020 workplace. I have chosen ten of the 20 to write about in this blog. Why focus on what will happen in 2020? At this point, the end of this decade is only eight short years away. The key to successful leadership is to lead in the present with an eye on the future. This is sometimes referred to as doing an environmental scan so you can begin to anticipate what changes will happen and how you as a leader may need to respond.

10 Important Predictions about the 2020 Workplace

1. You will be hired and promoted based on your reputation capital.

The authors predict that reputation capital will be an important currency in the 2020 workplace. They define this as the sum total of your personal brand, your expertise, the depth and breath of your experience, and the quality of your social networks.

2. Your mobile device will become your office, your classroom and your concierge.

The authors predict that by 2020, mobile phones and tablets will be the primary connection tool to the Internet for most people. For many, they will completely replace the personal computer. These devices will operate in environments with high network speeds and will work anywhere in the world.

3. The Global talent shortage will become acute.

Based on the best current demographic information available, the authors predict a global talent shortage particularly for highly skilled workers. Europe has an aging population and it is expected that workers from the United States could migrate to fill positions in other countries.

4. Recruiting will start on social networking sites.

Based on interviews with human resource experts, the authors predict that future recruitment will start on high traffic sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Bebo and Twitter. Employees will need to learn to use social media to position themselves for career success.

5. Job requirements for top leaders will include blogging.

Keeping in touch with employees, customers and the marketplace is an important function for executive leaders. The authors predict that blogging and twitter will become two primary mechanisms to stay connected in an authentic way. Hearing the voice of the leader through their writing will help foster trust in the organization.

6. Training will use video games, simulations and alternate reality games.

The authors predict that continuing education as we know it today will be completely transformed in 2020. Video games, simulations and alternate-reality games such as second life will be routinely used to develop leadership and critical thinking skills. These newer forms of learning will more fully engage participants in a highly collaborative and social experience.

7. Social networks will grow and thrive within organizations.

The authors predict that organizations will fully embrace social networking as a critical part of communication and knowledge flow. They will be a way to keep employees, customers and former employees fully engaged in the work of the organization. Organizations that try to block social networking will be unable to successfully recruit Generation Y and Generation Z workers.

8. You will elect your leader.

The authors predict that employees of the future will want a voice in who leads their work and companies will increasing allow front-line staff to elect their leaders. What is described as “citizen leadership” may become a strong recruitment tool.

9. Lifelong learning will be a business requirement.

In this rapidly changing world, the authors predict that every employee will need continuously develop and re-skill themselves. Organizations will recognize this as an important employee benefit and academic-practice partnerships will become more common.

10. Work-life flexibility will replace work-life balance.

The authors suggest that with increasing levels of connectivity with the workplace, the concept of work-life balance is probably outdated. The new goal will be to be able to carve out time for work and for life in a much more flexible way than the standard shift mentality. They suggest that priorities will shift and for many jobs, the new workplace will be a Results-Only-Work-Environment.

Implications of these Predictions for Nursing

Historically, health care has lagged other industries in implementing change and innovation but these predictions have important implications. As hard as it may be to believe today, there will be an intense shortage of nurses and other professionals by the end of the decade and the problem will be global. It is likely that competition for nurses will become global and there may be many options for nurses to work in organizations outside of health care. Our traditional methods of recruitment will need to change and move to social media platforms. There will no longer be arguments about whether or not you can carry your own smart phone to use at work. It will be an expectation. Training will be transformed to include simulation and virtual gaming – a trend that has already begun. Will nurses elect their leaders? You may think that this could never happen but think again. In Thailand, this is already happening in hospitals. Lifelong learning will no longer be a personal choice but a necessity just to keep up with change. New ideas about work-life flexibility are likely to transform our health care environments in a very positive way.

As an emerging leader, you will want to watch all of these trends closely. Peter Drucker, the father of modern business management, is often quoted as saying that the best way to plan for the future is to create it. This is great advice as we move forward toward 2020.

Read to Lead

Meister, J.C. & Willyerd, K. (2010). The 2020 Workplace: How innovative companies attract, develop and keep tomorrow’s employees today. New York: Harper Business.

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