HBS Managing the Future of Work

Sal Khan, founder and CEO of Khan Academy, discusses the transformative role of AI in education. He shares his journey from skepticism to championing ethical AI use, emphasizing its potential to democratize education. Khan explores how AI tutors like Conmigo can mitigate learning loss and improve skills like reading and writing. He highlights the organization's reliance on philanthropy while outlining plans for future growth, including offering credits and expanding global outreach, all while stressing the need for responsible AI integration to bridge gaps in education.

Debbie Dyson, CEO of OneTen and advocate for skills-first hiring, discusses innovative ways to address degree inflation and create equitable job opportunities for Black workers. She emphasizes the importance of employer engagement in building career pathways, especially for entry-level roles. Dyson also explains the skills-first hiring movement, including its impact on workplace diversity and the need to rethink traditional hiring practices. With over 132,000 hires linked to this initiative, she highlights success stories and a commitment to reshaping the workforce landscape.

Nicholas Bloom, a Stanford economist and expert on remote work, dives into the evolving landscape of workplace dynamics. He discusses the momentum of the work-from-home trend and how businesses can effectively manage hybrid teams. Bloom highlights the importance of flexibility for employee satisfaction and shares insights from a study on hybrid performance. He also examines the shifting role of HR leaders and the social and environmental impacts of remote work, including its implications for diversity and family life.

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.

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.

Joseph Fuller, a Professor of Management Practice at Harvard Business School, discusses the transformative potential of skills-based hiring. He reveals how this approach can challenge degree inflation and systemic biases in recruitment. The conversation dives into the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, while addressing the gap between hiring policies and practices. Fuller emphasizes technology's role in accelerating this shift and explores strategic recommendations for HR leaders to foster a more inclusive workforce.

Join Joe Fuller, co-chair of the Managing the Future of Work project at Harvard Business School and lead author of the report "Hidden Workers: The Case for Caregivers." He delves into the economic impact of the caregiving crisis on productivity, emphasizing the urgent need for employers to adapt. Joe discusses challenges caregivers face, especially post-COVID, and advocates for flexible workplace policies. Plus, he explores how generative AI and government policy can enhance workforce participation, providing a roadmap for hiring untapped talent.

Anant Nyshadham, co-founder of the Good Business Lab and a professor at the University of Michigan, dives into the intersection of worker welfare and business success. He shares insights on integrating worker welfare into corporate strategies and highlights successful initiatives like soft skills training for women, which boosts productivity. Nyshadham discusses the tangible benefits of investing in employee training and the need for better support systems for gig workers, advocating for evidence-based practices that elevate both worker conditions and company performance.

Keith Fullenweider, a corporate law expert specializing in recruitment and collaboration, dives into the shifting dynamics of the legal workforce. He discusses the importance of mental health and work-life balance post-COVID and the role of technology, like AI, in enhancing productivity. The need for developing soft skills through mentorship is emphasized, along with nurturing a supportive culture to combat high turnover rates. Fullenweider also highlights the importance of teamwork and leadership in creating a thriving law firm environment.

In this engaging discussion, Brad Turner-Little, the President and CEO of the National Association of Workforce Boards, shares insights on the critical role of workforce boards in today’s economy. He highlights the challenges these boards face with legislative changes while balancing economic development and community needs. Turner-Little delves into the importance of collaboration in job training, the need for equity in workforce initiatives, and how data and AI can enhance job matching. This conversation reveals the transformative power of work in combating poverty and supporting local economies.