HBS Managing the Future of Work
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.
Latest episodes
Jan 25, 2023 • 38min
Extra credit: Reach University’s apprenticeship-to-degree model
In combining upskilling through on-the-job training with tailored online courses, Reach helps school districts develop faculty internally. Founder and chancellor Mallory Dwinal-Palisch breaks down the approach, which offers flexible degree programs to existing employees. Could this be a template for other in-demand professions?
Jan 18, 2023 • 36min
AI: The good, the bad, and the transformative
Is it too late to secure the guardrails? More and more businesses are turning to AI for its efficiencies and revolutionary potential, but its proliferation has sparked widespread skepticism and questions about equity, privacy, liability, transparency, and security. AI expert and entrepreneur Manoj Saxena parses the business, policy, ethics, and workforce implications.
Jan 11, 2023 • 35min
How federal stimulus can break new ground on economic development and good jobs
American Rescue Plan program director Todd Fisher on the complex business of steering billions in investments to build up talent pipelines along with local and regional economies.
Dec 21, 2022 • 35min
Amplifying frontline worker voice to boost productivity
When workers can vote with their feet polling their views can reduce turnover and increase engagement. WorkStep co-founder and CEO, Dan Johnston on making frontline work a better proposition for both employees and businesses.
Dec 14, 2022 • 36min
Abby Falik on Global Citizen Year and finding purpose
HBS grad Abby Falik founded Global Citizen Year to cultivate young leaders through a gap year of cultural immersion and community projects in developing countries. She's looking to promote HR practices and credentials that recognize the value of such experiences and the skills and competencies they produce.
Dec 7, 2022 • 36min
The digital "help wanted" sign. Can AI improve hourly staffing?
Instawork Co-Founder and CEO Sumir Meghani on the company's shift work platform. The intermediary touts better, data-driven matches and a more efficient market. How do the algorithmic decisions boost outcomes for workers and businesses?
Nov 30, 2022 • 39min
Mapping the flow of knowledge, goods, and jobs
Harvard Business School professor Willy Shih provides an update on post-pandemic global trade, supply chain snags, workforce development, and the challenges of getting industrial policy right.
Nov 23, 2022 • 48min
The American Opportunity Index: Rating Employers on Upward Mobility
High on the list of what makes a good job is the opportunity to advance. How well do Fortune 250 firms deliver on this, particularly for non-college graduates? Co-creators of the American Opportunity Index, HBS Managing the Future of Work co-chair Joe Fuller and Burning Glass Institute president, Matt Sigelman, discuss the new employer scorecard.
Nov 16, 2022 • 30min
Cal Newport on knowledge work, Part 2: “Slow productivity”
The rest of Joe Fuller’s conversation with computer scientist, author, and New Yorker magazine contributing writer Cal Newport. Just what is productive knowledge work and how do you measure it? Also: social skills, leadership, virtual reality, quiet quitting, and scientific management’s difficulty with knowledge work.
Nov 9, 2022 • 39min
Cal Newport on knowledge work, Part 1: The concentration deficit
Computer scientist, author, and New Yorker writer Cal Newport argues that the way we organize cognitive work ignores basic neuroscience. Also: how the pandemic deepened the digital communications morass; how autonomy without structure is bad for knowledge workers; native-remote businesses; the sociological and real estate implications of remote work; the 4-day work week; and what we can learn from software developers.
