HBS Managing the Future of Work - podcast cover

HBS Managing the Future of Work

Harvard Business Schoolwww.hbs.edu
Artificial intelligence. Robotics. The Gig Economy. Globalization. The world is changing at a dizzying pace in ways that will have a profound effect on the economy, jobs and the flow of talent. How will firms cope with the changes ahead and what steps do they need to take today? Each episode features faculty from the world’s leading business school interviewing CEOs, technologists and experts on the bleeding edge discussing how to survive and thrive by managing the future of work.

Episodes

Upwork’s Hayden Brown: Bridging volatility with contingency

"Freelance by choice" can sound like a rationalization—or putting on a brave face—but has the contract labor market improved for white-collar workers, as more, particularly younger professionals, opt in? A look at the benefits for both sides of the bargain and how AI changes the calculus.

May 08, 202529 min

ManpowerGroup’s Jonas Prising on the new global talent equation

The staffing giant’s chairman and CEO lays out the opportunities and risks in the fast-changing and fragmented labor market. Riding the genAI wave, addressing workers’ career development needs, RTO and flex-work, international talent flows, and the up-skilling imperative in the face growing polarization.

Apr 23, 202547 min

Redrawing the map to tech careers: Per Scholas CEO Plinio Ayala on skills, mobility, and AI

After decades preparing workers from underserved communities for well-paid tech jobs, the workforce nonprofit is expanding its training, footprint, and funding strategy for its tuition-free programs. As AI redefines positions across the org chart, can bootcamps plus training top-ups, and a mix of hard and soft skills future-proof the Per Scholas formula?

Apr 09, 202534 min

Erik Brynjolfsson on how AI is rewriting the rules of the economy

The Stanford economist unpacks AI’s impact on work and productivity, its limitations, and wider implications. He also lays out what organizations can do to get more out of the technology as they invest in the transformation. And he updates his longstanding research into augmenting traditional GDP metrics to capture the value of digital goods and services.

Mar 26, 202536 min

Cal Newport on slow productivity and next-wave AI

Joe Fuller welcomes back the Georgetown computer scientist and leading observer of knowledge work, who reprises his argument against busyness as the default mode. Also, cracking the productivity code, parsing AI's potential, and better work-life balance.

Mar 12, 202541 min

Positive prompts: Sal Khan on AI in the classroom and beyond

Will the technology democratize access to world-class education or increase inequality? Khan's journey from highly informed skeptic to champion of ethical AI. The HBS graduate and Khan Academy founder explains his nonprofit's pioneering strategy. Also, workforce development, competency-based learning, and skills-based hiring.

Jan 29, 202536 minSeason 7Ep. 17

OneTen CEO Debbie Dyson: Why "skills-first" builds a better workforce

In taking aim at degree inflation, the corporate-led good jobs coalition looks to boost economic opportunity, address skills gaps, and create a more equitable and inclusive workforce. OneTen helps employers navigate the uncertain new normal of hiring and advancement while expanding their talent pipelines.

Jan 15, 202533 minSeason 7Ep. 16

Nicholas Bloom on the unbundled workplace

The Stanford economist explains the momentum behind the work-from-home trend, how to manage a hybrid staff, and the new workforce geography. Also, the tech-driven evolution of remote work and the rise of the CHRO.

Dec 18, 202437 minSeason 7Ep. 15

Hospitality at work: Bridging opportunity and innovation

How do you foster inclusion, economic mobility, and a sense of purpose across a global organization with both franchise and direct employees? Laura Fuentes, Hilton CHRO, on supporting frontline workers and promoting from within in a traditionally high-turnover business; meeting the needs of a diverse clientele with a diverse workforce; skills development; automation; and leveraging employee feedback.

Dec 04, 202438 minSeason 7Ep. 14

Beyond exit interviews: Knowing why workers quit makes for better job matches

Thinking of employees as 'hiring' their jobs opens the way to a detailed analysis of worker motivations, frustrations, and long-term goals, which can reduce costly turnover and make career development a collaborative process. Harvard Business School professor Ethan Bernstein and Michael Horn, cofounder of the Clayton Christensen Institute, explain how.

Nov 20, 202437 minSeason 7Ep. 13

Guest Episode: Joseph Fuller on The Gartner Talent Angle

Managing the Future of Work co-chair Joseph Fuller delves into what’s driving and limiting the practice of skills-based hiring. The discussion ranges from degree inflation and HR automation to workforce demographics, skills-based promotion and employee retention. Also, how technology can accelerate the adoption.

Nov 06, 202452 minSeason 7Ep. 12

The business logic of supporting carers in the workforce

Employers can benefit by remapping their talent strategies to match the realities of workers with caregiving responsibilities. Bill Kerr is joined by his Managing the Future of Work co-chair and podcast co-host, Joe Fuller, lead author of the project’s latest report, Hidden Workers: The Case for Caregivers.

Oct 23, 202439 minSeason 7Ep. 11

Worker welfare: From theory to tangible good

Good Business Lab cofounder Anant Nyshadham on demonstrating the ROI of better worker conditions and getting from academic exercise to large-scale implementation.

Oct 09, 202441 minSeason 7Ep. 10

Collective counsel: Corporate law's changing workforce and culture

Vinson and Elkins' Keith Fullenweider on recruiting team players, boosting collaboration and soft skills through targeted training and mentorship, prioritizing mental health and work-life balance, automating judiciously, and making return-to-office work.

Sep 25, 202436 minSeason 7Ep. 9

Help Wanted: Workforce boards face greater demands and more strings

With legislative changes looming, federally funded boards must juggle the demands of workforce training, economic development, and long-term systemic goals while ensuring accountability to both local communities and federal oversight. Brad Turner-Little, President and CEO of the National Association of Workforce Boards, explains.

Sep 11, 202435 minSeason 7Ep. 8

Bonus episode: Introducing HBS's latest podcast, Think Big, Buy Small

Joe Fuller talks to his Harvard Business School faculty colleague Rick Ruback about Rick and HBS professor Royce Yudkoff’s podcast Think Big, Buy Small. The show is based on Rick and Royce’s popular HBS course “Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition”. The show combines personal stories from entrepreneurs and other key players with expert perspective and advice.

Aug 14, 202411 min

EY’s Trent Henry on how AI can extend white-collar careers

The consulting giant’s global talent lead explains how the firm is bringing mass customization and accountability to skills building and integrating human and ‘synthetic’ skills. Also, the bottom-line benefit of promoting employee health and wellness.

Aug 07, 202440 minSeason 7Ep. 5

Jacob Morgan on managing the new normal

The future-of-work trendwatcher parses leadership strategies, the tradeoffs of hybrid work, AI adoption, skills-based hiring, and the foundations of a good job.

Jul 17, 202433 minSeason 7Ep. 4

Adaptable and inclusive: Kraft Heinz’s brand of workforce

Melissa Werneck, EVP and global chief people officer for the multinational food and beverage firm, on reskilling for web marketing and personalization, AI, hybrid work, and collaboration across time zones and cultures. Also, why diversity is good business for consumer packaged goods firms.

Jul 03, 202430 minSeason 7Ep. 3

Strada’s Stephen Moret on democratizing access to education and opportunity

The president & CEO of Strada Education Foundation on aligning post-secondary education, economic mobility, and labor market demand. How does inclusive workforce development drive economic growth and opportunity? Highlights include research on the effectiveness of state systems, policy options, and the structural challenge of underemployment among graduates.

Jun 05, 202435 minSeason 7Ep. 1

Can work-based learning revive college-for-all?

Propel America CEO Chad Rountree on rethinking the high school-to-career transition to meet the needs of low-income students, colleges, and employers.

May 15, 202434 minSeason 6Ep. 27

Wharton’s Peter Cappelli on changing the talent equation

What are the consequences of treating employees as an expense rather than an asset? Cappelli argues that this “penny wise and pound foolish” practice hurts the bottom line by discouraging investments in a skilled workforce and prioritizing downsizing, irrespective of efficiency. How changes in management and reporting can realign incentives. Also, C-suite demographics and the impact of AI.

May 01, 202443 minSeason 6Ep. 26

Guest Appearance: Joe Fuller on CSU's Spur of the Moment

Managing the Future of Work co-chair Joe Fuller joins Colorado State University's Jocelyn Hittle to discuss his work on the Managing the Future of Work project and the Harvard Project on Workforce and to consider broader workforce trends.

Apr 11, 202453 minSeason 6Ep. 24

Morningstar CEO Kunal Kapoor: How AI can raise the investment IQ

AI's potential is tempered by the need for reliability and consistency in financial intelligence. How is Morningstar adopting the technology, upskilling its 10,000-strong global workforce, and competing for talent? Also, factoring sustainability and workforce strategy in ratings and risk analysis.

Mar 22, 202432 minSeason 6Ep. 22
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