The best we can do today is to start adapting to, responding to and preparing the wild cards that will surely be coming our way. So, here are some trends predicted to occur in time for the 2020 workplace:

1. People will be hired and promoted based upon their reputation capital. This is the sum total of their personal brand, expertise and the breadth, depth and quality of their social networks.
2. Mobile devices will become the office. Mobile phones and tablets will be the primary connection tool to the Internet for most people in the world in 2020.
3. The global talent shortage will be acute and especially felt in South Africa.  The global competition for highly qualified employees will take shape in 2020.
4. Web commuters will force companies to reinvent themselves. With the growth of corporate social technology, it will be irrelevant where employees work as long as they deliver results to the team.

Web commuters will force companies to reinvent themselves. With the growth of corporate social technology, it will be irrelevant where employees work as long as they deliver results to the team.

5. As teamwork becomes increasingly important in the global workplace, companies are seeing the value of hiring and training an entire team to tackle business problems. We are already seeing a growing trend in South Africa reflecting this development.
6. Leaders will be elected. Companies that encourage employees to elect their leader will be seen as Employers of Choice, especially for team-oriented Millennials and Gen 2020’s.
7. Lifelong learning will be a business requirement.
8. Work-life flexibility will replace work-life balance. It includes making the culture more supportive, adding programs to meet life event needs, ensuring that policies give employees as much control as possible over their lives and using flexible work practices as a strategy to meet the dual agenda – the needs of both business and employees.  Alternative work arrangements like flexi-time, job sharing, telecommuting, reduced work schedules and compressed work weeks are now becoming standard in many organisations.
9. As the world wakes up to the importance of the business world contributing to society and social development, companies will disclose their Corporate Social Responsibility programs to attract and retain employees. South African companies have long since gained an understanding of this significant duty and have not only put their programs in place but are also openly communicating them.
10. Diversity will be a business issue rather than a human resources issue.  The shortage of multicultural talent in the workplace will be addressed as a strategic business priority rather than as a human resources mandate or to fulfill legal obligations.
11. Reverse-mentoring by someone as different from you as possible, sponsoring organisations and events that promote diversity and inclusion, building a welcoming corporate environment and employer brand that are sensitive to culture, ethnicity, race, age and other differences and that provide equitable access to opportunities, products and services for employees, suppliers and customers will become more and more important.

Your Predications?

What do you think the 2020 workplace will be like? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Adapted from the book by Jeanne C. Meister and Karie Willyerd available at Exclusive Books