SOULAIMA GOURANI
CO-FOUNDER, ENTREPRENEUR, AUTHOR, VIRTUAL KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Copyrighted by Soulaima Gourani
Automation and robotics are set to take over the functions served by human employees, right from answering phone calls to asset management (the systematic and coordinated processes in the organization that is based on the desired service level and acceptable risks. Asset management suggests a plan for the most value-creating acquisitions, operations, maintenance, replacements, and disposals of shares throughout their lifetime).
Casper von Koskull, the CEO of Nordea Bank Abs, has recently stated that he plans to reorganize and possibly cut down on 6,000 jobs in the group to “structurally bring down cost and increase efficiency.” The company plans to invest heavily in digital services to accomplish its goals for 2019. Arguably, robots aren’t a terrible option for employers. They’re never sick, and they’re never in a bad mood. They’re equipped to handle mundane routines and undesirable tasks that many of us humans would detest. Importantly, they’re programmed to simply complete the task at hand and get the job done. Humans have to prepare for an inclusive work environment that won’t involve race or gender but more so about productivity and functionality.
Industrial robots have been around for many years, but with greater technological advances, it is allowing for greater diversity and integrating robotic systems into the average workplace. With this being a trend, will humans and robots be able to co-exist harmoniously or will it be disastrous based on productivity and create a competitive environment?
Leadership is key to almost any business success and as technology continues to impact the way we work it will impact the way we lead. In 2017, Amazon had 45,000 robots, and the company now has over 100,000 robots working in their fulfillment center. The firm claims that it will not replace humans because they lack “common sense and the dexterity” but with the increase of robotic systems in the workplace this will indeed birth a new category of leadership. Although we don’t know what kind it will be, robots are certainly a part of our future especially as technology continues to advance.
No one knows what the future holds but there are ways we can ensure that employees continue to evolve with technology. Here are 4 ways that employers can better integrate humans and robots in the same workplace:
Engagement: A true leader knows how to successfully combine a human with a robot workforce. In some companies the leaders even let the employees pick or vote for what kind of technology/robots the company should invest in. Less resilience and higher motivation is the outcome. Involve your staff and let them buy into this new genre of leadership alongside other decision-makers at the company.
Upgrade: We should make sure no one is left behind, in this age of digitization a great leader must make sure employees are skilled, educated, and motivated to use and work with and for technology.
Creativity and inspiration: The skills we need in the future are social skills, decision making, innovation, and creativity. Any future proof leader will make sure its workforce is ready and trained in those skills.
Trend mapping: A great leader must be able to read and understand and translate the industry trends to future-proof the company. This is the only way the company will be able to evolve with the times as well as ensure the needs of their company to compete in the industry—whether it be a decision on efficiency or required skills from both humans and robots. In any case, a new leadership genre is bound to appear, and we will have to wait to examine how it will play a role for everyday working people in corporate America and overseas. ~Soulaima Gourani
Ps: Want to know more about being a dreamer? Do you know I have a community called “Women Reignite”? find us on Facebook or here: www.womenreignite.comsoulaimagourani/ Soulaima Gourani www.soulaima.com
Soulaima Gourani is a virtual keynote speaker and co-founder of the Silicon Valley-based software company “Women Reignite Inc.” www.womenreignite.com She is a
YGL/Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum and named #30 in the world by Thinkers50.
Www.bigspeak.com
https://womenreignite.com
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