CHRO Community Gathering in Singapore: Reflections on Future of Work

What most leaders miss is that exits cascade. The signal doesn’t stop at the executive level It trickles down as uncertainty, speculation, and disengagement. People start to quietly ask themselves, “If those closest to the strategy don’t believe in it anymore, why should I?” The real work of leadership during scale isn’t just about growth metrics, it’s about creating conditions where trust compounds faster than revenue. That requires governance that feels fair, workloads that are sustainable, clarity in decision-making, and visible alignment between values and actions.

How do leaders maximize productivity in the age of AI? 🤔 Vistage Chief Research Officer Joe Galvin highlights an often-overlooked advantage: the quiet workers who keep businesses running strong. His latest Inc. article explores how leaders can recognize and empower these essential team members to unlock new levels of productivity. #AI #Vistage #Leadership #CEO

Every few years, there's a shift in what are considered to be the most important characteristics for the modern leader. During the pandemic, leaders' empathy and compassion were considered vital for navigating an uncertain future, but with the rise of AI adoption, tech proficiency is now taking center stage. This shift isn't surprising, but the growing emphasis on AI has had an unintended side effect: the de-prioritization of vital soft skills. According to a recent Korn Ferry survey, while nearly 70% of CEOs and board directors consider tech proficiency the top skill to prioritize across the workforce in the next three years, less than 40% said emotional intelligence was a priority skill, while only 20% said driving engagement was a priority. Companies are asking more from their teams than ever before, so they cannot afford to ignore these essential skills, nor should they have to. Despite what some might think, emotional intelligence and tech proficiency aren't at odds: they empower and support one another.

People don’t change until they’re forced. That’s why most workplaces stay stuck, reactive, and stressed. Here’s the pattern: - Old processes feel “good enough.” - Cracks start to show. - Then chaos hits. Fixing it costs way more. Now add this: AI is forcing rapid change like nothing before. And the economy? Yeah, it’s rough. Sh*t has definitely hit the fan. I hope I’m wrong, but the way we work is about to shift hard. So here’s the truth: Adapt now or get sidelined. I’ve seen teams that get this early. They move fast, save time and money, and avoid the chaos. The best leaders will adapt.... and that too, on their own terms.

I’m excited to share that Leapsome's 2026 Workforce Trends Report, “People at the Center of Change,” is here! 🎉 This year’s research reveals how employees and HR leaders are navigating fear-driven retention, AI’s growing impact on work, and the urgent need to rebuild trust. I was honored to contribute my perspective — “AI moves fast. Human leadership keeps pace.” — to this year’s report. Because while AI is accelerating faster than most organizations can keep up, the real risk isn’t the technology itself — it’s leaving people behind. At Assemble HR Consulting, we believe that human leadership must evolve just as quickly. The Candor, Courage & Care™ model helps leaders keep the human connection strong. When leaders bring #CandorCourageAndCare™, AI shifts from overwhelming to empowering — fueling productivity while keeping people at the center of change. 📘 Read the full Leapsome 2026 Workforce Trends Report here: https://hubs.li/Q03Mgc3N0 #CandorCourageAndCare #ItsAllAboutRelationships

What are some questions about corporate sustainability that come up in my daily life? : AI-based technologies are being developed to create innovative climate solutions and make sustainable technology more accessible. However, how can we ensure transparency and safety in how these systems operate? And critically, how much awareness is there about reducing the waste heat and energy consumption of data centers powering these technologies? Working for a company that harnesses AI's potential, these questions come up constantly. I've heard about research in Finland on storing and converting waste heat from data processing centers to warm cities during winter. But how adaptable is that in reality? Can most economies even afford such infrastructure? Do they have the technological capacity to implement it? Just throwing some thoughts out there :) are tech companies actively implementing cooling innovations and renewable energy solutions, or are we still in the experimental phase? Thanks to Hansol Kang for posting about it on their feed - excited to see what discussions emerge from this year's Korea Leader's Summit! #KLS2025 #AIforGood #UNGlobalCompact #Sustainability

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸. Here is what we heard from our respondents: ⭕ 48% believe leadership and people skills will be the hardest gap to hire for in the next five years. ⭕ 52% selected inspiring and motivating teams as the most important leadership skill for 2025. ⭕ 41% identified poor communication as the biggest barrier to effective leadership today. ⭕ 52% said transformation efforts fail primarily due to a lack of clear strategy. ⭕ 47% believe AI and tech skills will raise their impact most over the next 12 months, while 38% point to human skills and leadership. Across different questions, one pattern stands out: organizations are struggling to balance technical fluency with human capability. This balance is critical in 2025. Technology, AI, and data-driven tools are reshaping every industry, but without strong leadership, communication, and trust, those tools will not deliver their full value. The ability to inspire teams, guide change with clarity, and create cultures that embrace innovation is what turns technical expertise into real impact. Organizations that combine both sides of the equation will be the ones that succeed. Technical fluency ensures competitiveness, while human capability ensures resilience. Together, they create workplaces that can adapt quickly, execute strategy effectively, and attract and retain top talent.

🧠From Tradition to Transformation: Why Smart Work Wins Every Time In many workplaces, there's still an old belief that being productive means being constantly busy. That success comes from showing up early, staying late, and doing everything manually. 🚀𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤:https://lnkd.in/eirPHSwP But here's the truth we need to embrace: 👉Hard work is honorable, but smart work is powerful. Let's look at some simple math: Traditional mindset: ➡️10 hours x outdated processes = 8 units of output Transformational mindset: ➡️5 focused hours x modern tools + empowered team = 12 units of output Now, think, who is winning here? 🚫 Still stuck in: _Manual approvals _Endless meetings _Rigid hierarchy _"That's how we've always done it" culture? ➡️It's time to move towards: _Automation and Al tools _Outcome-based work _Cross-functional collaboration _Learning-driven, adaptive leadership Old systems were built for an industrial age. We now live in a digital, fast-moving, value-driven world. Holding on to outdated models is like using a landline in the age of smartphones. ☯️"Tradition has its place, but transformation builds the future." As professionals, as leaders, we must challenge ourselves and our teams: 🔎Are we optimizing or just operating? 🔎Are we empowering or just managing? The real growth happens when we stop being loyal to the old way and start designing a better way. Follow me [] for more

🧠From Tradition to Transformation: Why Smart Work Wins Every Time In many workplaces, there's still an old belief that being productive means being constantly busy. That success comes from showing up early, staying late, and doing everything manually. 🚀𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤:https://lnkd.in/edwMYBji But here's the truth we need to embrace: 👉Hard work is honorable, but smart work is powerful. Let's look at some simple math: Traditional mindset: ➡️10 hours x outdated processes = 8 units of output Transformational mindset: ➡️5 focused hours x modern tools + empowered team = 12 units of output Now, think, who is winning here? 🚫 Still stuck in: _Manual approvals _Endless meetings _Rigid hierarchy _"That's how we've always done it" culture? ➡️It's time to move towards: _Automation and Al tools _Outcome-based work _Cross-functional collaboration _Learning-driven, adaptive leadership Old systems were built for an industrial age. We now live in a digital, fast-moving, value-driven world. Holding on to outdated models is like using a landline in the age of smartphones. ☯️"Tradition has its place, but transformation builds the future." As professionals, as leaders, we must challenge ourselves and our teams: 🔎Are we optimizing or just operating? 🔎Are we empowering or just managing? The real growth happens when we stop being loyal to the old way and start designing a better way. Follow me [] for more