10 Most Popular Workforce Futurist Newsletter Articles

Thanks to all those who have subscribed to the Workforce Futurist Newsletter on Substack - news, views and original research on topics related to the future of work.

I really appreciate all those who have started a conversation, shared the articles with others, shared something interesting with me, or initiated a collaborative project. That’s what it’s all about for me and why I put the effort in.

I wanted to start the new year positively and published Four Work Trends Set to Boom on New Years Day. There was no big plan, but I decided to publish an article every fortnight, plus extra essays which are often collaborations. Subscriptions are increasing by about 15–20% every month now.

My passion is to make work better, much better. The most popular posts seem to share my optimism around the decentralised workforce that is emerging, building a new infrastructure of work, and the new technology of teams. Below I have included links to the 10 most popular Workforce Futurist Newsletter posts so far this year.

I have some essays planned over the next few months to share my future of work research.

If you find these articles of interest, then please subscribe to the Workforce Futurist Newsletter (if you don’t already) for articles direct to your inbox, no more than weekly.

And do share with the lovely decentralised nodes in your social network.

1 — Unleashing the Decentralised Workforce

Redefining work in the Digital Covid Age — an untapped workforce will utilise digital infrastructure to achieve its economic potential outside of traditional employment, changing the nature of work, the firm, careers, education and welfare.

2 — NFTs and the Tokenization of Work

What ‘crypto creators’ and tokens can tell us about the future of work. Some interesting developments in the gig economy from Uber and LinkedIn. Plus a new publishing platform, Mirror, utlizing tokens and owned by its writers.

3 — Blockchain and the Decentralised Workforce — Building a New Infrastructure of Work

Building a new infrastructure of work with #Web3, self-sovereign identity, digital credentials, and #DAOs. With developments from start-ups and large #HRTech and Staffing providers including Workday, Oracle, KornFerry, and HireRight.

4 — How Organizational Network Analysis Can Increase Team Collaboration

First in a series on the ‘The New Technology of Teams’, this was written with Francisco Marin from Cognitive Talent Solutions. ONA is being used to help business challenges such as preventing employee burnout risk and inclusion.

5 — The History of Remote Work

A quick look back before we zoom too far into the future returning to the office. With insights on when we will return to work from Superforecasters, and predictions on the future from 1921!

6 — The Human Stock Market

If you could invest in individual shares in a person, who would you buy? The Human Stock Market could be used to fund education and social projects, or is it just a dystopian consequence of neoliberalism? And from Human IPOs to Microsoft attempt to unify the employee experience, and Dolly Parton on ‘working 5 to 9’.

7 — What will Drive the Future of HR?

External factors have driven HR in the past — what are the drivers that will shape people management in the next decade? Originally published as the HR.com cover article from ‘HR Strategy and Planning Excellence’.

8 — Zoom Back to the Office — A Guide for Leaders

Before we Zoom back to the office — here’s a guide for leaders on Hybrid Work — otherwise known as Work. What has changed in your organisation? With some insights on work design from Microsoft, Spotify, academic researchers and others.

9 — Five Principles for Using Technology To Build Successful Organisations

In many walks of life, the capability of technology has long surpassed our ability to harness it. These principles can help guide the decision-making and planning process to build resilient and healthy organisations.

10 — The Turing Quest — Using Artificial Intelligence To Make Work Better

From thinking machines to learning more about ourselves. Examples of how AI is being used to make work better including reducing the gender gap, with some great resources to follow on Twitter. As a bonus, there’s a nice photo of me and Alan Turing in Manchester.

My attempt to be upbeat about the future of work didn’t make the Top 10 — Five Reasons to be Optimistic About The Future of Work — the upbeat ones are less popular for some reason!

If you enjoy the content then please subscribe to the Workforce Futurist Newsletter and share with your network. Thanks for reading!