Why the Future of Work is Human

You are living in an era of advanced technology which includes artificial intelligence, robotics, and machines. But the machines and the technologies are just automated tools. Though these tools can perform tasks in this era, humans are still leading enterprises, society, and the economy. Humans are seen as one of the most active and interactive creatures, with a highly developed brain and a resultant capacity for communication and reasoning.  Humans are also seen as unique because of traits you can develop, such as being multilinguistic, using intuition, having the ability to solve problems, and demonstrating emotional intelligence.

Focussing on doing work that contributes to a better future, be it in an organisation or a business, you have three core capabilities that make a huge difference.

  • Creativity

It is debatable that machines are better than human beings in many ways. You may argue that machines can replace humans as they are accurate, fast, and can perform tasks. However, machines are not creative as humans. Creativity enables you to see and solve challenges more openly and innovatively.  Humans are often creative and can reflect upon personal ideals that can assist you in reaching your full potential.

For example, if your business does not go well, you can apply creativity and look for an alternative way to run it. In other words, “thinking outside the box, inside the box, adjacent to the box.”  There does not need to be any limitations while being creative – using mental resources, experiences, and ideas to create something new, better, and improvised to take your business, idea, or plan forward.

  • Flexibility

Though technologies can make most of the works easier, they cannot generally function independently beyond the assigned task. In contrast, humans are always flexible and tend to adapt to any situation.

Here is one sample scenario, if there is no power in your office and you have a deadline to meet, you will find another place to carry on with your work – flexibility in the workplace is essential.  Adjusting your strategies to negotiate or overcome unexpected challenges will create a good working environment and increase the productivity of the work done.  Flexibility emphasises the willingness and ability to adapt to change in how the work should be done or any changes to be made regarding the work more generally.  Ultimately, you can immediately change the nature of work if and when it is required.

  • Communication 

Most machines have not yet got the ability to demonstrate emotion and complex communication without programming and training. Here is one example, machines cannot yet take care of small children the same way a human can do. One of the most amazing factors is that humans have sophisticated communication skills to communicate with each other to convey messages.  In the workplace, communicating with your colleagues or with your work partners is very important, but it is beyond the basics.  Communication can help you understand what a person is feeling or talking about, sorting the things or problems so that you can make your work easier to carry forward.

Similarly, expressing positive emotions, making people feel good about themselves, and taking care of others will make the environment in the workplace more comfortable for everyone.  Through communication, you can understand another person and their needs, adding value to your relationships and connections.

The notion of thinking that technology will fix things is misguided. Technologies cannot fix bad processes, poor management, or problems with employee culture. Without humans, there will be no innovation, strategy, empathy, and creativity. Its humans who implement creativity, flexibility, and good communication channels in the workplace. Communication will help increase the quality of productivity in your company or organisation and assist you in creating a good balance between your work life and personal life.  Ultimately, it will help you take your business to greater heights.