Podcast
Tomorrowist
Hosted by SHRM · EN
Global workplace disruption and emerging technology are redefining the future of business. To equip leaders to navigate this uncertainty, SHRM analyzed 7,000 pages of trend reports and identified the 12 trends businesses need to prepare for, not in a few years, but tomorrow. Welcome to Tomorrowist. Each week, Tomorrowist explores one of the 12 trends impacting the future of business, featuring insights from top experts in that week’s trend. Subscribe to Tomorrowist to navigate the evolving business landscape with clarity and shape tomorrow's workplace, today.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Inside HR-X: How to Maximize People and Technology to Drive Business Value (Functional Acceleration)
1w ago00:23:27Tap to summarizeThis week, host Jerry Won revisits some of the most insightful conversations from season two of Tomorrowist through the lens of SHRM's HR-X framework. Drawing on research from more than 1,200 organizations, SHRM's HR-X framework identifies the practices that distinguish high-performing HR teams and the business outcomes they deliver. This episode focuses on Functional Acceleration — the systems, strategies, and operational capabilities that help organizations maximize people and technology to drive measurable business value. Tune in for expert insights on AI adoption, digital transformation, workforce capability, and data-driven decision-making from leaders who are redefining the future of work. Learn more about SHRM HR-X and assess where your organization stands: https://www.shrm.org/hr-x Subscribe to Tomorrowist to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz --- Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r
Transcribe →Designing for Disruption: How Resilient Leaders Build Future-Ready Organizations
3w ago00:44:14Tap to summarizeDisruption has become a permanent fixture in the business landscape, making resilience one of the most important drivers of long-term performance. In this episode, Tracey Walker, CEO of SHRM Linkage, explores why resilience has become a competitive differentiator in an era defined by AI acceleration, economic uncertainty, and constant change. From building agile teams to empowering decisive leaders, Walker shares practical strategies for creating organizations that can adapt, innovate, and perform when the future is anything but certain. Tune in to learn: Why resilience is an offensive strategy, not just a response to disruption. How agile teams, skill velocity, and leadership development drive organizational adaptability. How leaders can separate meaningful signals from hype when evaluating emerging technologies and trends. What decisive leadership looks like when certainty is scarce and change is constant. Subscribe to Tomorrowist to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz --- Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r
Transcribe →The Skills AI Can't Replace: Why Cisco Is Betting on Human Judgement
Jun 2200:43:10Tap to summarizeThe organizations that thrive in a future shaped by AI won't be those with the most advanced technology — they'll be the ones that best cultivate uniquely human capabilities. In this conversation, Cisco Global Innovation Officer Guy Diedrich explores why skills like critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and learning agility are becoming essential drivers of innovation, leadership, and business success. From rethinking talent development to preparing employees for constant technological change, Diedrich shares practical insights for leaders building a workforce ready for what's next. Tune in to learn: Why human judgment and creativity will become more valuable as AI becomes more capable. How to identify, develop, and hire for skills that technology can't easily replicate. What leaders can do to build a culture of continuous learning and adaptability. Resources from this Week's Episode - The State of AI in HR 2026 https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/research/state-of-ai-hr-2026/full-report Subscribe to Tomorrowist to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz --- Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r
Transcribe →Designing a Meaningful Future of Work Through Purpose and Belonging
Jun 800:34:59Tap to summarizeTraditional definitions of workplace success centered on titles, productivity, and performance are becoming outdated. As burnout, constant connectivity, AI adoption, and shifting societal values reshape the workplace, employees are increasingly seeking work that aligns with their values and provides a deeper sense of meaning and belonging. In this episode, Charles Lee, Founder & CEO of Ideation and author of Design Your Good Life, explores why leaders must move beyond task management and intentionally design more human-centered work environments. From emotional connection in hybrid workplaces to the role of culture and leadership in the future of work, this conversation unpacks what it takes to build organizations where people truly feel they matter. Tune in to learn: Why purpose-driven work and belonging are becoming business imperatives. How leaders can create more human-centered cultures without sacrificing performance. Why organizations that fail to prioritize values-driven cultures risk losing talent, trust, and long-term resilience in an AI-powered world. Subscribe to Tomorrowist to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz --- Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r
Transcribe →The New Benefits Balancing Act: Affordability, Flexibility, and Retention
May 2500:34:33Tap to summarizeRising healthcare inflation, shifting workforce expectations, and increasing benefits complexity are challenging leaders to rethink how they design programs that support both employees and organizational performance. In this episode, Mercer’s Tracy Watts, Senior Partner and U.S. Leader for Healthcare Policy, explores the major forces reshaping employee benefits. She breaks down how leaders can build flexible, future-ready benefits strategies that improve access, strengthen workforce resilience, and adapt to a rapidly changing healthcare and policy landscape. Tune in to learn: Why benefits strategy has become a critical business decision for leaders. The forces driving rising benefits complexity — from affordability pressures and workforce demographics to AI-driven navigation tools and evolving employee expectations. Ways to balance affordability, flexibility, and workforce resilience. Resources from this Week's Episode - Advocacy: SHRM’s Top Five Workplace Policy Issues for 2026 https://www.shrm.org/advocacy/2026-top-five-workplace-issues Research: 2025 Employee Benefits Survey https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/research/employee-benefits-survey Subscribe to Tomorrowist to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz --- Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r
Transcribe →HR Tech Trends: Navigating Today and Shaping Tomorrow
May 800:19:24Tap to summarizeIn this special episode of Tomorrowist, Cal Engstrom, Senior Researcher at SHRM, and Kenny Pyle, HR Technology Lead Analyst at SHRM, explore the HR technology trends reshaping the future of work — and what they mean for organizations navigating rapid transformation. From the evolving role of AI and automation to the growing need for connected HR and IT strategies, this conversation unpacks how leaders can modernize responsibly while building more agile, future-ready workplaces. Drawing from SHRM’s webinar “HR Tech Trends: Navigating Today and Shaping Tomorrow,” this episode equips business and HR leaders with actionable insights to stay ahead of accelerating change, strengthen workforce strategy, and drive business value in an increasingly tech-driven world of work. Access the full webinar: https://www.shrm.org/events-education/education/webinars/hr-tech-trends-navigating-today-shaping-tomorrow# Subscribe to Tomorrowist to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz --- Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r
Transcribe →The Myth of Resistance: Why Adaptability Is Your Biggest Advantage
Apr 2700:37:16Tap to summarizeAs change becomes more constant and less predictable, leading organizations are learning to design for change, rather than simply manage or contain it. This week, host Jerry Won speaks with futurist and bestselling author Heather McGowan about why adaptability is becoming a core strategic capability. McGowan challenges the belief that people resist change, arguing instead that the real barrier lies in how organizations lead, structure work, and define success. Tune in to learn: Why adaptability is the ultimate competitive advantage. The difference between flexibility and true adaptability. How curiosity, empathy, and trust drive performance. Why human connection is critical in the future of work. Subscribe to Tomorrowist to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz --- Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r
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Workplaces of the Future: How Office Design Drives Performance, Identity, and Purpose
Apr 1500:41:34Tap to summarizeOrganizations are navigating a paradox. Digital acceleration and AI adoption are reshaping how work gets done, yet leaders are doubling down on the physical workplace. In this episode, host Jerry Won speaks with Dr. Yasmeen Coning, a globally recognized business transformation leader, about why offices are becoming more important in the age of automation. They explore how AI is shifting work toward more collaborative, human-centered moments, and why leading organizations are redesigning spaces to support innovation, culture, and performance. Dr. Coning also introduces the concept of “workplace identity,” and why fostering a deeper connection between employees and their work may be the key to driving long-term business outcomes. Tune in to learn: Why AI is increasing the need for in-person collaboration and the physical workplace — not eliminating it. The growing trend of investing in physical workspaces as infrastructure for human and brand performance. How to design workplace strategies that balance efficiency, ROI, and employee experience. The difference between employee engagement and workplace identity — and why it matters for performance. Resources from this Week's Episode - 2025 SHRM Global Worker Project https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/research/global-worker-project-2025 Subscribe to Tomorrowist to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz --- Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r
Transcribe →The Future of Business Strategy is Systems Thinking — Here's How Leaders Apply It
Mar 3000:22:37Tap to summarizeAs pressure to move faster and “AI everything” intensifies, many organizations are missing a fundamental advantage: systems thinking. Without clear goals, feedback loops, and a deep understanding of how people, processes, and technology interact, leaders risk reinforcing silos and making decisions that don’t hold up over time. This conversation with Sam Timothy, senior systems engineer at Sysfleet Consulting, explores how to design intelligent, adaptive, and human-centered systems for better business outcomes. Tune in to learn: How systems thinking blends strategy, human behavior, and technology to drive performance. Why organizational challenges like silos are often feedback failures — not structural ones. Why there’s no one-size-fits-all operating model — and how leaders should assess before acting. How continuous feedback and learning loops enable organizations to successfully adapt and evolve over time. Resources from this Week's Episode: Toolkit: Building a Strong Organizational Culture https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/tools/toolkits/building-strong-organizational-culture Organization Design and Change Management https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/topics/organization-design-change-management#member-resources Subscribe to Tomorrowist to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz --- Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r
Transcribe →The Pay Transparency Tipping Point: From Compliance to Competitive Advantage
Mar 1600:37:58Tap to summarizePay transparency is reaching a tipping point. What began as a compliance requirement is quickly becoming a strategic advantage for organizations competing for talent and trust. As salary data becomes easier to access — through new regulations, job postings, and AI-powered tools — employees and candidates are gaining new insight into how pay decisions are made. For leaders, that shift creates both risk and opportunity. By embracing pay transparency strategically, organizations can strengthen their reputations and attract the talent that will drive the future of work. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why pay transparency is shifting from compliance to competitive advantage. Why many organizations lack clean compensation data — and how transparency is forcing change. What leaders can do now to build a smarter pay transparency strategy and strengthen trust. Resources from this Week's Episode - Recruiting Executives Priorities and Perspectives Report https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/research/recruiting-executives-priorities-and-perspectives-report Toolkit: Managing Pay Equity https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/tools/toolkits/managing-pay-equity Subscribe to Tomorrowist to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz --- Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r
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