Why workforce flourishing is critical to upskilling in the future of work

The 2023 Global Risks Report, indicates that 80% of leaders believe that various crises, such as economic, environmental, geopolitical, societal, and technological, are interconnected and compounded. This combination of crises, including an emerging recession, the war in Ukraine, talent shortages, and employees leaving the workforce, is referred to as a poly-crisis. It highlights the need to enhance resilience in the future of work.

Workers who feel like they are flourishing are more likely to actively seek opportunities for growth and development. Having a growth mindset is valuable in a rapidly changing work landscape where skill demands constantly evolve.

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023 identifies resilience, flexibility, and agility as three crucial skills for the future of work. Interestingly, eight of the top ten skills in demand are inner skills that benefit from human flourishing, which encompasses overall health and well-being.

These skills are also aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 (good health and well-being) and are essential for achieving the resilience and sustainable growth required in the future of work.

Flourishing at work differs from general well-being. Workforce flourishing represents the overall state of thriving in a workplace where individuals can meet their basic needs, such as economic security and living conditions, while also fulfilling higher-order needs like self-actualization. Previous studies suggest that well-being is a skill. Cultivating flourishing within our workplaces, communities, and society creates the necessary conditions for developing human skills and resilience in the future of work. This article will focus on the six domains of flourishing and the workplace resources that promote a future-ready, flourishing workforce.

Workforce flourishing reflects an organizational culture that genuinely cares about the well-being and development of its employees, aligning with the mission and vision of the organization. The extent to which an organization has created conditions for human flourishing reflects the behaviors and cultural values embodied by its leadership. By investing in human flourishing, leaders send a powerful message that they value their employees as their most valuable assets and are committed to addressing all aspects of their well-being.

What organizational resources or assets can leaders utilize to foster a flourishing workforce that is prepared for lifelong learning, resilience, and agility throughout their lives?

Flourishing or well-being is commonly associated with individuals, but it is important to recognize that organizations and leaders can also contribute to creating environments that foster flourishing. In fact, organizational culture and structure play a crucial role in facilitating flourishing among employees. Four key clusters of resources contribute to a flourishing workforce: developmental assets, relational assets, economic assets, and health assets.

Developmental assets include learning and growth, opportunities for meaningful work, and job autonomy. An educated and skilled workforce can adapt to changing job requirements, take on new challenges, and contribute to productivity and innovative initiatives. This includes learning and development as irreplaceable components of a flourishing ecosystem, which can help harness the untapped potential of workers whose talents lay dormant – cultivating these into strengths.

Relational assets include supportive relationships, recognition, zero harassment, caring culture. Relational resources also refer to support systems, social networks within the organization, and relationships that workers cultivate. Trusting and positive relationships with colleagues and managers help provide guidance, feedback, and opportunities for learning and growing. Building strong professional relationships can facilitate knowledge sharing, support collaboration, and open opportunities to receive emotional support.

Economic assets include fair wages, job security, and financial benefits and resources. Adequate compensation and benefits enable employees to meet their basic needs, support their families, and create a stable financial future. Economic resources also include inclusive access to financial capital for loans and funding, which drive economic growth and cultivate job creation.

Health assets encompass several key factors that are essential for promoting physical and mental well-being within the workforce. These factors include a manageable workload, work/life integration, a healthy environment, and safe physical working conditions. Each of these aspects directly contributes to the overall flourishing of employees.

Physical health is a fundamental component of well-being and includes various elements such as regular physical movement and exercise, maintaining a sustainable and nutritious diet, ensuring adequate sleep and rest, and providing access to healthcare services when necessary. By prioritizing these factors, organizations can ensure that employees and their family members have the necessary energy and vitality to perform their job responsibilities at a high level.

Mental health assets involve promoting emotional wellbeing, stress management, and access to mental health support services typically provided by EAPs. A mentally healthy workforce is more likely to be resilient, engaged, and innovative, leading to increased productivity, happiness, and job satisfaction.

Fostering a flourishing workforce is crucial to meet the upskilling demands of the future of work. A flourishing workforce goes beyond conventional performance metrics and encompasses overall well-being across different aspects of life. These aspects include happiness and life satisfaction, physical and mental health, meaning and purpose, social connectedness, character and virtue, close social relationships, and financial and material security. To adapt and upskill effectively in response to emerging trends and demands, employees need to be mentally resilient, physically healthy, financially stable, and socially connected.

By investing in developmental, relational, economic, and health assets, organizations can create environments that promote growth, positive relationships, economic stability, and physical and mental well-being. A flourishing workforce embraces continuous learning and development, fostering an environment where individuals find fulfillment in their work. As organizations navigate the challenges of upskilling for the future of work amidst evolving technologies like generative AI and the increasing complexity of the poly-crisis, those that prioritize a flourishing workforce position themselves to thrive amidst uncertainty and change.