Across the conversations, one message was clear: people strategy is business strategy. The greatest risk isn’t uncertainty itself but failing to invest in the capabilities that transform strategy into lasting behavioural change.

Key themes from 2025:

• Human-centred leadership: Design for good work – autonomy, voice and meaning – and invest in manager fundamentals like communication, and shaping engagement to navigate change with clarity, pace and care.
• Trust is the new currency in technology: Prioritise trust in the use of AI in people processes and skills transition by anchoring change in holistic and transparent communication.
• HR as a strategic enabler: Amid rapid technological transformation, leverage HR as a strategic partner to co-design roles and workflows, build AI literacy and create psychological safety for experimentation – ensuring better jobs and job outcomes in this transition.
• Plan for longer-term shifts: Proactively address trends like demographic shifts and climate change mitigation alongside immediate challenges to benefit from future workforce changes and achieve more positive outcomes.
• Equitable hybrid models: Offer a portfolio of options that cater to business needs like collaboration but also accommodate individual needs, allowing for agility and ensuring flexibility is accessible across the workforce. 

• Download the transcript
• Listen on Spotify
• Listen on Apple podcasts