Why Continuous Learning Is the Only Way to Stay Relevant in 2026

In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Frederic Patitucci, Chief People & Culture Officer at Philip Morris International, to unpack how one of the world’s largest organizations is transforming both its business model and its workforce capabilities at the same time.

Frederic explains how PMI’s bold shift toward a smoke-free future forced the company to rethink its operating model, moving from a single-product cigarette business to a complex multi-category innovation company spanning consumer technology, healthcare, and new consumer experiences.

He shares how this transformation required new skills, new operating structures, and a completely redefined company culture, including codifying the PMI DNA and embedding it directly into hiring, performance management, leadership development, and everyday decision-making.

Most importantly, Frederic reveals why the future of HR lies in managing skills instead of jobs, preparing employees for the skills that are rising, and helping people avoid career dead ends before disruption makes those roles obsolete.

🎓 In this episode, Frederic discusses:

1. Why managing skills is becoming more important than managing jobs
2. How organizations can prepare employees for future skills before disruption hits
3. Why culture had to be codified to integrate thousands of new leaders joining the organization
4. How PMI embedded its cultural values directly into hiring, performance, and leadership systems
5. How PMI is transforming from a traditional cigarette company into a smoke-free innovation company

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