Hold Onto Your Hat

Happy new year!!  2018 is in the books and now we’re looking at 350+ new days ahead of us. What will 2019 bring? Hard to say with certainty. With that said, what are some experts saying may be ahead of us in the coming year? Let’s take a look:

Hello Generation Z: For the first time in 2019, Gen Z is entering the workforce in meaningful numbers. For the first time we’ll have 5 generations working side-by-side. What are Gen Z all about? According to Brené Brown, “My experience is that they lean in and lean hard. They are all very different people, but as a group I experience them as curious, hopeful, always learning, painfully attuned to the suffering in the world, and anxious to do something about it.”

AI and machine learning come to workforce management: According to TheWorkforce Institute at Kronos, AI and machine learning will finally be integrated into workforce management practices. It will lessen the burden of admin-heavy tasks for managers and provide predictive analytics to head-off potential issues. Managers will have more information for data-driven decision making and more time to lead. The question in my mind is, are managers prepared and equipped to lead?

Economic uncertainty causing angst: With the behavior of the stock market over the past month, the early signs of trade wars and some economists predicting recession, the economy seems to be full of uncertainty. With uncertainty comes doubt and fear. Even though the great recession started over a decade ago, the scars are still fresh for many.

Leaders will need to handle a potential downturn in ways that sustain trust and guard against over-reaction to any changes it brings. In any scenario, organizations will need to ensure they have the right talent focused on what adds the most value. Effective leadership will be essential. 

What do you think is going to be impacting you this year?