The strength of human values in the age of automated workplaces

While there are many alarming stats out there about AI and its impact on the future of work, I prefer taking a glass-half-full approach, leveraging it to complement human work and boost productivity. That said, in a world increasingly dominated by technology and the fatigue that comes with it, preserving a balanced, “human” organisational culture is more important than ever.

By living the core values that guide their purpose, businesses can create a balanced work environment that fosters innovation, collaboration, and employee well-being, even as technology continues to evolve. But this is easier said than done. It must be acknowledged that talking about values and practising them are two very different things, with the latter being a more complex challenge.

Beyond town halls, staff surveys, and communicating the vision, how do you get everyone to pull in the same direction? These initiatives are just the beginning. The real work lies in attracting and retaining talent, reskilling, upskilling, and fostering a culture of close collaboration. In this case, actions, or putting values into practice, speak louder than words and preparing people for change is a key component.

The power of a shared vision

When you have a diverse workforce spanning over 90 nationalities across 34 countries, it brings a wealth of perspectives and strengthens your ability to innovate and succeed in a global market. Recognising this is a strength, fostering unity and collaboration within the team is crucial.

Having had the great privilege and responsibility of leading and nurturing talent at a global company like e&, my focus has always been on creating an environment where every voice is valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique talents. Uniting our team behind a clear and single vision – in our case, to digitally empower societies – remains the catalyst that fuels our passion and drives us to achieve more than just individual success.

It’s what sets us apart, gives our work a deeper meaning and establishes a work environment that goes beyond good coffee, table tennis, and foosball (but we have those, too). Inevitable changes and how a company chooses to deal with them are both exciting and inspiring and can be a key differentiator, helping to attract top talent from the external market.

With a clear vision established, enabling your team to achieve an ambitious goal is essential. It requires the full support of a unified team that is empowered, capable, and fully aligned on values despite it being diverse.

The role of skills development in human empowerment

While technology is a powerful tool, it’s essential to remember that it’s a means to an end, not the end itself. Technology should be used to enhance human capabilities and empower individuals. This means investing in AI and other emerging technologies while also focusing on developing human skills to harness these technologies.

Success hinges on a team’s collective capabilities, including their health and professional growth. That starts by fostering a sense of purpose and constantly shaping policies, processes, and culture to support your people in driving positive change and innovation that aligns with business goals.

Constantly implementing upskilling and reskilling initiatives to nurture a future-ready workforce is elementary in preparing them to embrace new technologies and innovative approaches. By actively investing in their professional development, everyone can adapt and grow with the company, being part of a learning environment where knowledge sharing, experimentation, and innovation thrive.

Continuous learning is equally essential. Performance-driven cultures are centred around continuous feedback and ensuring talent is identified and rewarded. Intentionally embedding this culture and harnessing the collective talents of teams is a guaranteed recipe for groundbreaking advancements.

Adapt or be outperformed

I joined e& in 2022 in the midst of the global pandemic, an undeniable force of change, which was a turning point for many. And there’s nothing like the unchartered territory of lockdowns, social distancing, and remote working to set the wheels of change in motion.

As the world was still grappling with the new reality the pandemic brought about, we were also on our transformation journey, evolving from a regional telco operator into a global tech and investment group.

It was a challenging time in a very challenging environment, but it helped inspire a new way of thinking about how things could be done differently. It was evident that dealing with such unprecedented changes requires a mindset of adaptability and resilience.

We recognised that when disruption hits, values and culture guide how people respond. Only by giving our people the space and environment to be bold, explore, and embrace a culture of curiosity were we able to create a workplace where they feel empowered to take risks and think outside the box.

My journey with e& so far has taught me that while disruption is often seen as a threat, it is, in fact, an opportunity for those who can navigate it with agility and purpose. Being flexible and adaptable in a rapidly changing environment can lead to greater opportunities. Rather than merely reacting to change, I am on the side of proactively adapting and harnessing technology to create a meaningful impact by empowering people at scale and enriching their professional lives.

Technology is reshaping our world at an unprecedented pace, presenting both challenges and opportunities for businesses. Globally, the digital economy is predicted to create millions of new jobs by 2025, across various sectors. As businesses navigate AI, the latest chapter in this ongoing story of disruption and opportunity, our focus remains firmly on human values. A values-driven approach can lead to great things, with professional growth as the true measure of success.

As our technology-driven world evolves, human values still provide a clear path forward. By grounding big decisions in fundamental human values, businesses and the people in them can confidently steer themselves through disruption, set the pace of change, and emerge stronger than ever. With empathy and compassion, we can create workplaces that are tech-enabled but, most importantly, are people-powered.

Ali Al Mansoori is Group Chief People Officer at e&