FRESH THINKING

Artificial intelligence is reshaping roles, automating tasks and changing how organisations operate. That's exciting because it can free us from repetitive work. But it also raises a deeper psychological question: What happens when work - one of our primary sources of identity, competence and meaning - begins to shift beneath our feet? How can we lead in ways that not only enable people to adapt to the changes, but also to continue to contribute and thrive?

As children, we fantasize about what we want to be when we grow up – and as adults, the first question we often ask people we meet is what they do. Work holds an important place in our sense of self and how we relate to the world around us... Yet the conversation about work and wellbeing has become narrowly focused on survival and recovery, rather than also exploring the conditions under which work can actively help human beings flourish.

What steps can we take to counter the ‘always on’ mentality and prevent burnout culture where we work?