Empowering Employers to Embrace Technological Change
Call to Action: Foster a Culture of Trust and Innovation
Kuala Lumpur: The head of two US-based human resources institutes, HR Certification Institute and HR Standards Institute CEO Amy Dufrne, has encouraged employers to play a more proactive role in helping their staff adapt to technological changes at the workplace. Dufrne made this call during her plenary address at the National Human Capital Conference & Exhibition (NHCCE) 2024 in Kuala Lumpur.
The Shift Towards Technological Advancements
A recent study by Deloitte found that 76% of employees want to be involved in the changes their jobs will experience with the latest technological advancements. However, only 43% of organisations are working to reimagine the future work of their teams’ jobs. This disparity is a glaring issue that needs to be addressed.
Fostering a Culture of Trust and Innovation
Dufrne emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of trust and innovation in the workplace. She believes that actively working with employees in this manner would keep them engaged and help them move into their "zone of genius," where they can produce quality work when drawing on their strengths. This mental state enables employees to work on activities that are uniquely suited to their skills and abilities, leading to increased job satisfaction and productivity.
The Role of Human Resources Professionals
Dufrne also called on human resources practitioners to take the lead in introducing and managing AI in the workplace. She noted that studies from HR research firm Institute for Corporate Productivity found that human resources professionals fell into one of three categories: AI laggards, AI enquirers, or AI innovators.
- AI laggards provide no policies, safeguards, or clear guidance on how to use AI.
- AI enquirers are researching AI and determining whether it would be useful to introduce at the office.
- AI innovators are supportive of AI, experiment with it, and have put parameters around AI, with policies and practices in place.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is essential for employers to take a proactive role in helping their staff adapt to technological changes at the workplace. By fostering a culture of trust and innovation, employees can move into their "zone of genius" and produce quality work. Human resources professionals must also take the lead in introducing and managing AI in the workplace, ensuring that policies and practices are in place to support this integration.