HBS Managing the Future of Work

Follow HBS Managing the Future of Work
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Artificial intelligence. Robotics. The Gig Economy. Globalization. The world is changing at a dizzying pace in ways that will have a profound effect on the economy, jobs and the flow of talent. How will firms cope with the changes ahead and what steps do they need to take today? Each episode feature…

Harvard Business School


    • May 21, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 31m AVG DURATION
    • 245 EPISODES

    4.6 from 97 ratings Listeners of HBS Managing the Future of Work that love the show mention: future of work, workforce, automation, business leaders, hats, workplace, pertinent, politicians, diverse, fascinating, range, informed, insights, relevant, series, thinking, important, interesting, insightful, topics.


    Ivy Insights

    The HBS Managing the Future of Work podcast is an essential tool for anyone interested in the future of work and the role that community colleges play in preparing the workforce. As a community college president, I am keenly interested in staying informed about trends and insights in this area, and this podcast delivers on all fronts. The guests featured are diverse and knowledgeable, offering a range of perspectives on topics such as automation, reskilling, and degree inflation. The episodes are punchy and a reasonable length, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule. And what sets this podcast apart is that it's not trying to sell anything - it's genuinely about sharing the best ideas and conversations surrounding the future of work.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is the diversity of guests and topics covered. From business leaders to policy makers to education stakeholders, there is a wide range of voices represented, providing valuable insights from different perspectives. The hosts, Professors Kerr and Fuller, do an excellent job of leading engaging conversations that delve deep into each topic, giving listeners practical takeaways they can apply to their own organizations or careers. It's refreshing to hear thought leaders who are both insightful and accomplished sharing their expertise.

    While there aren't many negative aspects to this podcast, one minor drawback is that some episodes may be more relevant or interesting depending on individual interests or industry focus. However, with such a range of topics covered, there is always something new and valuable to learn regardless of background or occupation.

    In conclusion, The HBS Managing the Future of Work podcast is a must-listen for anyone concerned about how technological advancements will shape the workforce. This podcast goes beyond surface-level discussions by exploring topics often left out in conversations about the future of work. It offers thought-provoking insights that are both fascinating and practical for business leaders looking to navigate the challenges ahead. I highly recommend this podcast for its informative content, diverse perspectives, and engaging conversations.



    Search for episodes from HBS Managing the Future of Work with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from HBS Managing the Future of Work

    Shake Shack's test kitchen: Developing a good jobs and automation combo

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 39:36


    Shake Shack Chief Growth Officer Steph So and HBS professor Chris Stanton join Bill Kerr to discuss the fast-casual chain's digital strategy and how technology is changing the dining experience and restaurant work, from frontline to back office.

    Upwork's Hayden Brown on bridging volatility with contingency

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 29:05


    "Freelance by choice" can sound like a rationalization—or putting on a brave face—but has the contract labor market improved for white-collar workers, as more, particularly younger professionals, opt in? A look at the benefits for both sides of the bargain and how AI changes the calculus.

    ManpowerGroup's Jonas Prising on the new global talent equation

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 47:24


    The staffing giant's chairman and CEO lays out the opportunities and risks in the fast-changing and fragmented labor market. Riding the genAI wave, addressing workers' career development needs, RTO and flex-work, international talent flows, and the up-skilling imperative in the face growing polarization.

    Redrawing the map to tech careers: Per Scholas CEO Plinio Ayala on skills, mobility, and AI

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 34:15


    After decades preparing workers from underserved communities for well-paid tech jobs, the workforce nonprofit is expanding its training, footprint, and funding strategy for its tuition-free programs. As AI redefines positions across the org chart, can bootcamps plus training top-ups, and a mix of hard and soft skills future-proof the Per Scholas formula?

    Erik Brynjolfsson on how AI is rewriting the rules of the economy

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 36:00


    The Stanford economist unpacks AI's impact on work and productivity, its limitations, and wider implications. He also lays out what organizations can do to get more out of the technology as they invest in the transformation. And he updates his longstanding research into augmenting traditional GDP metrics to capture the value of digital goods and services.

    Cal Newport on slow productivity and next-wave AI

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 40:53


    Joe Fuller welcomes back the Georgetown computer scientist and leading observer of knowledge work, who reprises his argument against busyness as the default mode. Also, cracking the productivity code, parsing AI's potential, and better work-life balance. 

    David Deming on workforce shifts and the future of college

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 38:00


    AI's early impact on the labor market: Are claims of revolutionary change overblown? The Harvard economist presents the long view on technological disruption and updates the post-secondary picture. 

    Ed Glaeser on Cities, Work, and Why America Struggles to Build

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2025 34:36


    The Harvard urban economist assesses the post-Covid health of cities, rural development, zoning and the stagnation of the U.S. housing industry, the impact of AI, and more.  

    Positive prompts: Sal Khan on AI in the classroom and beyond

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 36:07


    Will the technology democratize access to world-class education or increase inequality? Khan's journey from highly informed skeptic to champion of ethical AI. The HBS graduate and Khan Academy founder explains his nonprofit's pioneering strategy. Also, workforce development, competency-based learning, and skills-based hiring.

    OneTen CEO Debbie Dyson: Why "skills-first" builds a better workforce

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2025 32:48


    In taking aim at degree inflation, the corporate-led good jobs coalition looks to boost economic opportunity, address skills gaps, and create a more equitable and inclusive workforce. OneTen helps employers navigate the uncertain new normal of hiring and advancement while expanding their talent pipelines.

    Nicholas Bloom on the unbundled workplace

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 37:22


    The Stanford economist explains the momentum behind the work-from-home trend, how to manage a hybrid staff, and the new workforce geography. Also, the tech-driven evolution of remote work and the rise of the CHRO.

    Hospitality at work: Bridging opportunity and innovation

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2024 37:32


    How do you foster inclusion, economic mobility, and a sense of purpose across a global organization with both franchise and direct employees? Laura Fuentes, Hilton CHRO, on supporting frontline workers and promoting from within in a traditionally high-turnover business; meeting the needs of a diverse clientele with a diverse workforce; skills development; automation; and leveraging employee feedback.

    Beyond exit interviews: Knowing why workers quit makes for better job matches

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024 36:54


    Thinking of employees as 'hiring' their jobs opens the way to a detailed analysis of worker motivations, frustrations, and long-term goals, which can reduce costly turnover and make career development a collaborative process. Harvard Business School professor Ethan Bernstein and Michael Horn, cofounder of the Clayton Christensen Institute, explain how.

    Guest Episode: Joseph Fuller on The Gartner Talent Angle

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2024 51:49


    Managing the Future of Work co-chair Joseph Fuller delves into what's driving and limiting the practice of skills-based hiring. The discussion ranges from degree inflation and HR automation to workforce demographics, skills-based promotion and employee retention. Also, how technology can accelerate the adoption. 

    The business logic of supporting carers in the workforce

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024 38:31


    Employers can benefit by remapping their talent strategies to match the realities of workers with caregiving responsibilities. Bill Kerr is joined by his Managing the Future of Work co-chair and podcast co-host, Joe Fuller, lead author of the project's latest report, Hidden Workers: The Case for Caregivers.

    Worker welfare: From theory to tangible good

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024 41:15


    Good Business Lab cofounder Anant Nyshadham on demonstrating the ROI of better worker conditions and getting from academic exercise to large-scale implementation.    

    Collective counsel: Corporate law's changing workforce and culture

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2024 36:15


    Vinson and Elkins' Keith Fullenweider on recruiting team players, boosting collaboration and soft skills through targeted training and mentorship, prioritizing mental health and work-life balance, automating judiciously, and making return-to-office work.

    Help Wanted: Workforce boards face greater demands and more strings

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024 34:44


    With legislative changes looming, federally funded boards must juggle the demands of workforce training, economic development, and long-term systemic goals while ensuring accountability to both local communities and federal oversight. Brad Turner-Little, President and CEO of the National Association of Workforce Boards, explains.

    Marshall Goldsmith outlines the humble path to better leadership

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2024 30:21


    The noted executive coach on the value of letting go of the past, taking candid and anonymous 360-degree feedback, and playing it forward. Also, spreading the word via a generative AI avatar.

    Bonus episode: Introducing HBS's latest podcast, Think Big, Buy Small

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 11:16


    Joe Fuller talks to his Harvard Business School faculty colleague Rick Ruback about Rick and HBS professor Royce Yudkoff's podcastThink Big, Buy Small. The show is based on Rick and Royce's popular HBS course “Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition”. The show combines personal stories from entrepreneurs and other key players with expert perspective and advice.  

    Ernst & Young's Trent Henry on how AI can extend white-collar careers

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2024 40:06


    The consulting giant's global talent lead explains how the firm is bringing mass customization and accountability to skills building and integrating human and ‘synthetic' skills. Also, the bottom-line benefit of promoting employee health and wellness. 

    Jacob Morgan on managing the new normal

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2024 32:41


    The future-of-work trendwatcher parses leadership strategies, the tradeoffs of hybrid work, AI adoption, skills-based hiring, and the foundations of a good job.   

    Adaptable and inclusive: Kraft Heinz's brand of workforce

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2024 30:14


    Melissa Werneck, head of HR for the multinational food and beverage firm, on reskilling for web marketing and personalization, AI, hybrid work, and collaboration across time zones and cultures. Also, why diversity is good business for consumer packaged goods firms.

    Cengage Group's Michael Hansen on the employment-ready syllabus

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 36:57


    The ed-tech executive on shifting the discussion to emphasize the economic benefits of education, harnessing AI, skills-based hiring, employer-educator collaboration, and the public policy landscape.

    Strada's Stephen Moret on democratizing access to education and opportunity

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2024 35:42


    The CEO of Strada Education Foundation on aligning post-secondary education, economic mobility, and labor market demand. How does inclusive workforce development drive economic growth and opportunity? Highlights include research on the effectiveness of state systems, policy options, and the structural challenge of underemployment among graduates.

    Can work-based learning revive college-for-all?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2024 33:50


    Propel America CEO Chad Rountree on rethinking the high school-to-career transition to meet the needs of low-income students, colleges, and employers.

    Wharton's Peter Cappelli on changing the talent equation

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2024 42:38


    What are the consequences of treating employees as an expense rather than an asset? Cappelli argues that this “penny wise and pound foolish” practice hurts the bottom line by discouraging investments in a skilled workforce and prioritizing downsizing, irrespective of efficiency. How changes in management and reporting can realign incentives. Also, C-suite demographics and the impact of AI.

    Western Governors University: Pursuing the network effects of competency based education

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2024 39:00


    WGU President Scott Pulsipher returns to the podcast for an update on the online institution's mission to extend the reach of skill-oriented instruction. The HBS grad argues that the focus on competency rather than credit hours democratizes college access and economic opportunity. 

    Guest Appearance: Joe Fuller on CSU's Spur of the Moment

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2024 52:32


    Managing the Future of Work co-chair Joe Fuller joins Colorado State University's Jocelyn Hittle to discuss his work on the Managing the Future of Work project and the Harvard Project on Workforce and to consider broader workforce trends. 

    IBM CHRO Nickle LaMoreaux on AI and the culture of skills building

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2024 45:02


    As the digital economy pushes companies to prioritize continuous learning, HR strategies need to emphasize customization, flexibility, and support for diverse work-life needs.  

    Morningstar CEO Kunal Kapoor: How AI can raise the investment IQ

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2024 31:22


    AI's potential is tempered by the need for reliability and consistency in financial intelligence. How is Morningstar adopting the technology, upskilling its 10,000-strong global workforce, and competing for talent? Also, factoring sustainability and workforce strategy in ratings and risk analysis.

    Cleveland Clinic's formula for a robust healthcare workforce

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2024 36:01


    Chief Caregiver Officer, Kelly Hancock, on filling key roles when talent is scarce; fostering careers in increasingly stressful occupations; how to make skills-based hiring work; the benefits of diversity; and how AI is altering jobs and HR.

    Microsoft's AI perspective: From chatbots to reengineering the organization

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2024 41:58


    AI's revolutionary potential is best realized incrementally, according to Jared Spataro, Corporate Vice President of Modern Work and Business Applications. How the tech giant is experimenting its way from AI assistants to autonomous agents while engaging with stakeholders. Also: the OpenAI connection, responsible AI, and upskilling.

    ServiceNow's Amy Regan Morehouse on workforce transformation

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2024 31:26


    Employers are wrestling with how to provide the resources and foster the motivation workers need for continuous learning in an AI-altered economy. Workers of all stripes are looking to acquire the skills to compete. How is the company coordinating with its employees and its training partners?

    Shopify's Tia Silas on rewiring HR for a remote-first e-commerce company

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2024 36:49


    How do you re-engineer the people function to support a post-Covid virtual organization? Shopify's CHRO explains.

    Transplanting college to the corporate campus to develop talent for good jobs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2024 38:51


    If schools aren't turning out job-ready grads, can employer-led partnerships reengineer the talent pipeline to meet the demand and provide opportunities for a diverse workforce? J.D. Hickey, president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, on his firm's collaboration with East Tennessee State University, the BlueSky Tennessee Institute, a work-based accelerated computer science bachelor's program based at the insurer's corporate campus.  

    Revisiting Upward Mobility: The 2023 American Opportunity Index

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2023 39:26


    In its second iteration, the corporate scorecard draws on a wider range of worker outcomes to rank Fortune 500 employers on how well they boost career prospects. The index is a collaboration of the HBS Managing the Future of Work Project, the Burning Glass Institute, and the Schultz Family Foundation. Matt Sigelman, president of the Burning Glass Institute, and Rajiv Chandrasekaran, managing director of the Schultz Family Foundation, join host Bill Kerr.

    Revelio Labs' Ben Zweig on creating a universal HR database

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2023 29:32


    Do we need new terms and frameworks to capture important data about fast-changing labor markets? As the volume of workforce data increases, so does the strategic value of market- and firm-level analysis.   

    Why employers need to tune into worker preferences

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2023 37:32


    Sander van't Noordende, CEO of HR services giant Randstad, on navigating the new normal of talent scarcity, an aging workforce, and AI.

    Euan Blair on workforce development: College is broken. Apprenticeships deliver.

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2023 38:53


    Episode 200: The founder and CEO of UK-based unicorn Multiverse makes the case for the earn-and-learn model. Arguing that the college advantage is oversold and overpriced, Blair touts targeted training as a more practical alternative for workers and employers. Can Multiverse expand the practicum in the US?  

    Deloitte's Dan Helfrich on consulting in the post-Covid, AI-inflected new normal

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2023 36:06


    How do a culture of open debate and prioritizing work-life balance help the firm navigate change while advising others on how to do the same?

    Defining experience: How micro internships build skills and boost productivity

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2023 31:28


    Can short knowledge-work gigs improve the college-to-career transition? Jeffrey Moss, Founder and CEO of intermediary Parker Dewey explains.

    Workplace transformation: Gallup plumbs the new normal

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2023 35:04


    If there's no going back to pre-Covid, 9-to-5 workplace routines, what's the new management playbook? Gallup's  Jim Harter on work-life balance, managing a hybrid organization, and the social and psychological markers of a healthy and productive organization.

    The EEOC's Keith Sonderling on job fairness in the age of AI

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2023 42:08


    The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has a broad mandate, policing discrimination in all aspects of employment. How does artificial intelligence (AI) change the equation? Commissioner Keith Sonderling discusses the role AI is already playing in employment and what's next, in terms of policy, technology, and market adoption.

    Chike Aguh on government innovation in workforce development

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2023 37:10


    How can government boost competitiveness and spur the creation of good jobs while protecting worker rights and promoting equity? The former Chief Innovation Officer in the U.S. Department of Labor discusses the talent implications of U.S. industrial policy, cross-sector collaboration, rethinking the delivery of benefits and services, and more.   

    The case for investing in the apprenticeship model

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2023 32:46


     Achieve Partners' Ryan Craig on expanding the earn-as-you-learn ecosystem to boost workforce skills while increasing upward mobility and equity. He argues that college's high cost and limited job preparation call for a greater commitment of resources to apprenticeship programs.  

    Complex systems: From supply chains to artificial intelligence

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2023 28:49


    Can the U.S. reshore its way to stability and security? How will AI reshape the workforce and higher education? Yossi Sheffi, Director of the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics, on supply chains, AI, and manufacturing.   

    Resilient Coders' formula for a diverse tech workforce

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2023 30:43


    How durable are tech sector diversity commitments in a down cycle? Solid skills, supportive networks, and employer engagement can make the difference for workers from traditionally excluded groups. Resilient Coders Executive Director Ayanna Lott-Pollard on how it takes a multifaceted coding boot camp to build a solid career foundation. 

    How SkillUp signposts pathways to good jobs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2023 25:46


    Connecting non-college graduates from underserved communities to job and career opportunities is an inexact science. SkillUp Coalition Executive Director Steve Lee on identifying effective training programs and presenting them direct-to-worker.

    Volvo Cars retools its talent strategy for an EV future

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2023 36:42


    The shift to electric vehicle production means revamping jobs throughout the organization. Chief People Officer Hanna Fager explains the process, from lining up skills to maintaining an inclusive corporate culture.  

    Harvard's Project on Workforce: Charting college's employment pathways

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2023 27:20


    Professor David Deming of the Harvard Kennedy School, co-director of the Harvard Project on Workforce, breaks down the project's College-to-Jobs playbook and interactive map.

    Claim HBS Managing the Future of Work

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel