Horizon

Nurturing Growth and Vision

Back in 2000, Netflix was just a small DVD-by-mail company, and they offered to sell themselves to Blockbuster for $50 million. Blockbuster, comfortable with their successful stores, turned them down. Fast forward to 2010, and while Blockbuster was filing for bankruptcy, Netflix had transformed into a streaming powerhouse.

But what if Blockbuster had said yes? They might have embraced change, shifted their focus, and helped their employees learn new skills. Today, the World Economic Forum predicts that by 2025, 85 million jobs could disappear, but 97 million new ones might take their place. With job requirements evolving quickly (25% of skills have changed since 2015), it’s clear that organizations need to focus on ongoing skill development rather than relying on traditional qualifications.

Sure, embracing a skills-based approach can feel a bit daunting at first. It’s tempting to stick with what’s familiar. But making this shift opens up exciting possibilities for growth and staying adaptable in a fast-changing world. In this resource section, we’ll dive into how you can nurture a learning mindset that keeps both you and your organization ahead of the curve.

Key Concepts

  • Growth Mindset

    Embrace challenges as opportunities for learning and development. Shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset.

    Getting Started: Focus on encouraging and cheering on effort rather than outcomes. Measure progress and learning, not just end results.

    Read: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck

    Navigating a Strengths-First Approach to Management by Rachael Lowell Ellison

  • Strategic Foresight

    Anticipate future trends and scenarios to make informed decisions today. Start with what you can control, then expand your view.

    Getting Started: Use the Sphere of Control, Influence, and Concern model to focus efforts. Then apply scenario planning to predict possibilities and balance short-term and long-term thinking.

    Read: 20 Books and Articles to Get You Started in Strategic Foresight by Amy Webb

  • Dynamic Skill Development

    Encourage a culture where curiosity, continuous learning, and skill-building thrive, so you can stay ahead as job demands evolve.

    Getting Started: Launch learning programs that focus on developing skills that can be applied across different roles. Use platforms like AskFora to create personalized learning paths. Create internal talent marketplaces and customized learning plans, not mass trainings.

    Read: The Skill Based Organization, Deloitte

  • Innovation Mindset

    Foster a workplace where creative thinking and smart risk-taking are encouraged in every department.

    Getting Started: Incorporate Stanford d.school’s design thinking methods into different areas of your business. Host regular brainstorming sessions and set up an innovation fund to bring employee ideas to life.

    Read: Sticky Wisdom: How to Create a Creative Revolution at Work by What If! The Innovation Company

  • Digital Literacy and AI Integration:

    Keep up with the latest tech trends, especially AI, and understand their potential impact on your industry and organization. Embrace a digital-first mindset and develop the agility to quickly integrate new tools.

    Getting Started: Review your current tech stack. Provide ongoing tech training and encourage hands-on experimentation with digital tools. Seek advice from experts in strategic tech implementation.

    Read:How the Future Works by Brian Elliott, Sheela Subramanian, and Helen Kupp

Make it Real

These podcast episodes delve into the main themes of Horizon: intersection of growth and technological change. We talk with workplace innovators Drew Fortin, CEO of Lever Talent, Omer Trajman, founder of Askfora, and Andy Palmer, entrepreneur and author. In these two episodes, they explore how AI is transforming the post-pandemic work environment and the shift towards a skills-based economy. They discuss the importance of adaptability, the potential of AI to reshape workplace dynamics, and the critical role of mentorship and apprenticeship in aligning personal and professional growth in an era of rapid change.

Want to keep SHIFTing? Join our coaching program cohort launching September 16, 2024.