Global Talent #30
Why CEOs Must Learn Empathy, How to Cope with the Growing Skills Shortage, and Combating Workplace Toxicity
How Are US Employers Coping with the Worsening Skilled Talent Shortage?
Staffing Industry Analysts | March 6, 2025
Despite a decade of technological advancements and workforce shifts, US employers continue to grapple with a worsening talent shortage. A recent survey reveals that 71% of employers struggle to find skilled workers, a sharp rise from 40% a decade ago. IT and data skills are the most difficult to fill, with AI/ML and cybersecurity expertise in particularly high demand. The energy, utilities, and transport sectors report the most acute shortages, each at 74%. To address the gap, employers are turning to wage increases (28%), upskilling initiatives (25%), and broader talent sourcing strategies (24%). Notably, 12% are adopting AI and automation to mitigate workforce constraints. With digital transformation accelerating across industries, the challenge of finding skilled talent is expected to persist.
How Can HR Break the Cycle of Workplace Toxicity and Foster a Healthier Company Culture?
Grace Pariser | The HR Director | March 6, 2025
Toxic workplaces are more than just unpleasant - they actively erode creativity, motivation, and trust, leading to high turnover and disengagement. HR professionals are uniquely positioned to break this cycle by fostering psychological safety, ensuring fairness, and prioritizing employee well-being. When employees feel safe to voice ideas without fear of backlash, innovation thrives, and collaboration strengthens. A key element in workplace health is the psychological contract - an unspoken agreement of trust and mutual respect between employer and employee. HR must actively listen, implement fair policies, and ensure leadership is equipped with emotional intelligence and constructive communication skills. Cultural transformation requires a proactive approach - eliminating exclusionary behaviors, recognizing employee contributions, and maintaining open, transparent communication.
Should CEOs Rethink Their Approach to Empathy in the Workplace for Better Business Outcomes?
Maria Ross | Fast Company | March 7, 2025
Empathy is more than a soft skill; it’s a crucial element of workplace success. Despite 37% of CEOs believing it has no place in business, a growing body of research highlights its role in building resilient teams and driving performance. Empathetic leadership, defined by clarity, transparency, and decisiveness, fosters trust, reduces anxiety, and improves collaboration. Leaders can apply similar principles by setting clear goals, maintaining transparency, and actively soliciting input while ensuring alignment with objectives. Research further supports the impact of transparent decision-making on employee trust. Practical steps for empathetic leadership include regularly revisiting company goals, openly discussing failures, and setting decision deadlines. Ultimately, empathy in the workplace isn’t just about listening - it’s about taking decisive action to create a supportive, high-performing environment.
How Is Hybrid Work Reshaping Productivity and Employee Satisfaction?
hrnews.co.uk | February 19, 2025
Hybrid and remote work models are becoming standard, yet misconceptions persist. While over 80% of UK organizations now offer hybrid options, and 98% of workers express a preference for remote work at least some of the time, major companies like Amazon and JP Morgan are reversing remote policies, citing productivity concerns. However, research challenges this view - 77% of remote workers report increased productivity, with 30% completing more work in less time. Flexible work arrangements also boost employee retention, with over half of both men and women preferring to quit rather than return to full-time office work. Additionally, remote work enhances well-being, with hybrid employees reporting lower stress (78%) and fatigue (79%). Diversity also benefits, as remote policies attract a broader talent pool, including neurodivergent individuals. Companies that embrace flexible work are positioned to attract talent, improve job satisfaction, and enhance overall productivity.
How Will Businesses Overcome the Shrinking Talent Pool in the Next Two Decades?
FT Working It | Financial Times | October 7, 2024
The global workforce is undergoing a seismic shift as businesses struggle with a shrinking talent pool and evolving hiring challenges. Over the next two decades, the working-age population is expected to decline by 25% in many Western economies, while the number of people over 60 will rise by 40%. Despite an influx of job applications, companies are struggling to find the right talent, exacerbated by AI-driven hiring processes that often filter out candidates indiscriminately. Industries like law and engineering are witnessing bidding wars for skilled professionals, with some law firms offering salaries as high as £180,000. Meanwhile, older professionals are being reintroduced into the workforce to bridge skill gaps. AI is playing a paradoxical role - while it streamlines recruitment, it also floods hiring managers with generic applications. To adapt, companies like Siemens are prioritizing aptitude over credentials, leveraging AI-powered psychometric tests to expand and diversify their talent pipeline.
