Podcast Episode 8: The Future of Work is Now!

Shownotes

Our Guests:
David Collings, Professor of HRM and Associate Dean for Research at DCU Business School
David has been a visiting professor at a number of international universities including King's College London and Cornell University where he was a Fulbight Scholar. His research focus is on talent management, staffing and the future of work. He has been named as one of the most influential thinkers in HRM on four occasions by HR Magazine. 

Brian Harney, Associate Professor of Strategy and HRM at DCU Business School. 
Brian is former Programme Director of the award winning MSc in HRM and plays a leading role in the school’s SME management development programmes. He is currently Principal Investigator of GETM3, a 1 million EURO EU funded project exploring entrepreneurial talent management. 

0.05-01:15
Introduction to the show by Siobhan Murphy (Host) to David Collings, Professor of HRM and Associate Dean of Research, DCU Business School and to Brian Harney, Associate Professor in DCU Business School

01:15- 9:26
What is the Future of Work?
From David Collings:
The Future of Work is already here, it is not a distant reality. Impact on low and also high skilled jobs, Research has shown that Artificial intelligence has an impact on the detection rates of cancer but critically people and technology working together significantly reduce the error rate. Pace of change is very fast so it is very important to continually work on skills and keep relevant. David and Siobhán discuss robotics, innovation and new roles emerging.

9:26- 15:48
What is the Gig Economy?
From Brian Harney
In the most simplistic terms it is how firms acquire talent services. Mostly short periods of time. The Gig economy is hugely variable. Provides flexibility and independence on the one hand but it can result in precariousness and uncertainty. Key challenge of HR is to get managers to delegate across. Accessing skills externally not available in the firm is important. Discussion with Siobhan and Brian regarding expanding our understanding of working in a team to include those doing a ‘gig’ within the firm

15:48-17:32
What are the skills that will be needed in the future?
From David Collings
Most marketable are the skills which interface with technology. Soft/transversal skills such as leadership, teamwork are very important. Technical skills such as machine learning, artificial intelligence and broader digital skills. Critical thinking is important so studies such philosophy are still very much relevant. Important to hit the ‘sweet spot’ between traditional learning and technical skills. 

17:32 -20:14
What are microcredentials?
From Brian Harney
Links to the fast pace of change. Continuous learning and self directed learning. Practical problems do not respect disciplinary boundaries. Development of holistic skills and the value of the Arts. Microcredentials are short courses to hone a particular skill and you build output from there.

20:14-23:34
Are we adapting to the future of work or are there alarm bells?
Firms are not putting enough emphasis internally on developing skills needed for future work. There is always tension between the short term needs and the future. Increased level of responsibility on the individual to drive their own learning. Evidence suggests that high skilled contractors in the gig economy are upskilling quickly and better than what is happening in-house.  

23:34 - 27.00
Career Management as a Core Skill
From Siobhan Murphy
Career Management as a core competency over the lifespan. Examples of times in your life other than second or third level you might consider getting professional career guidance. If you are getting stuck writing the next chapter of your life, role and type of role changing, redundancy, mergers, life events such bereavement can trigger an evaluation.

27:00-29:15
Career Management - Holding yourself accountable
From Brian Harney
Remember you are the sum of who you interact with.  You are a network orchestrator. Brian explores the value of mentoring, reverse mentoring and peer coaching. Engage your friends in doing a microcredential together or committing to doing one. Make yourself accountable for your intentions. Siobhán joins the discussion explaining the two career management meta competencies of knowing how to change and critically when to change.

29:15 - 33:41
Career Management - Confidence and Imposter Syndrome
From David Collings
The usefulness of having confidence in yourself and your abilities. The challenge of imposter syndrome and that it is a shared experience. Examine what is holding you back. Research indicates that females are very hard on themselves and unless they check all the boxes can hold back from applying. Siobhan joins the discussion and suggests how applicants whether male or female can better decide on making applications. Siobhan reveals the challenge of setting up this podcast series and can empathise with the feelings of imposter syndrome

33:41 - 39:43
Career Stories of David Collings and Brian Harney.  
David and Brian share their career journeys. Notably both had setbacks which opened up other opportunities instead. Both acknowledged the role of mentors in their working lives.

39:43-43:30
Top Tips from David Collings and Brian Harney
Don’t limit yourself or be limited by others. Luck is where preparation meets opportunity. Take everything as a learning opportunity. Everyone fails. Learn from both the successes and the failures.