The Future Of Less Work

What happens when AI, economic opportunity, and human skills collide? In this episode of The Future of Less Work, Nirit Cohen sits down with Aneesh Raman, LinkedIn’s Chief Economic Opportunity Officer, to unpack the Work Change Report⁠ and what it reveals about the evolving nature of work. From the rise of AI-driven job shifts to the increasing value of social and human-centric skills, Aneesh shares his perspective on why we’re not just moving into an AI-powered economy—but an innovation economy. He challenges the assumption that AI will simply lead to mass layoffs and instead argues that the companies that thrive will be the ones that prioritize adaptability, innovation, and human potential. Together, they discuss why skills—not job titles—are the new currency of work, how CEOs need to rethink workforce planning, and whether the future belongs to billion-dollar companies with no employees—or billion-dollar individuals with no companies.If you’re wondering how to future-proof your organization and your own career in an era where AI is changing everything, this episode is a must-listen.Want to dive deeper into this topic? Read Nirit's Forbes article, "Forget Billion-Dollar Companies—Will AI Create Billion-Dollar People?", to explore these ideas further.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su_tl7Y2MjMGuest Information:Aneesh Raman is LinkedIn’s Chief Economic Opportunity Officer, working with leaders across sectors and around the world to make LinkedIn’s vision of creating economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce a reality in our time. Prior to LinkedIn, Aneesh served as a Senior Economic Advisor for California’s Governor, helping to shape and communicate the economic agenda for one of the world’s largest economies, as well as the state's response to the global pandemic. Aneesh joined the Governor’s Office after five years in the tech industry, including as Head of Economic Impact at Facebook.  From 2009-2013, he held multiple positions in the Obama Administration, including as a speechwriter to President Barack Obama and as speechwriter to the Treasury Secretary amidst a historic economic crisis.  Aneesh began his career as a CNN correspondent. A graduate of Harvard College and a former Fulbright Scholar, Aneesh is a Board member of Shanti Bhavan, an education non-profit that works with children from the most economically disadvantaged communities in India.  He is also a former term member at the Council on Foreign Relations and former member of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library’s New Frontier Award Committee.Your Turn:If you had to describe your career in terms of skills—not job titles—what would it look like? Share your thoughts #FutureOfLessWork.Chapters:00:00 – What is a Chief Economic Opportunity Officer?01:15 – How is AI changing work?03:09 – Will AI lead to mass layoffs or new opportunities?04:50 – How past technologies shaped today’s labor market?06:37 – The labor market is broken07:56 – Are job titles and degrees becoming obsolete?09:39 – Is AI the next general-purpose technology?10:46 – AI will push us toward a human-centric economy11:43 – What skills will define the future of work?13:13 – The essential human skills AI can’t replace15:18 – Rethinking workforce planning for the AI era16:59 – Will AI benefit everyone or just elite few?18:28 – Will entrepreneurship replacing traditional jobs?20:26 – Are we moving toward a world of “less work”?22:17 – "Skills first" is the key to future-proofing your career23:50 – From job titles to skill-based hiring25:48 – How to describe yourself through skills not job titles27:52 – The evolution of careers from rigid paths to dynamic skills portfolios29:46 – Curiosity and continuous learning are essential in an AI world31:42 – Individuals career agency amid rapid change33:41 – From hierarchical organizations to networked economies35:31 – A billion-dollar company with no employees or a billion-dollar individual with no company?

In a world where work is being reshaped by technology, shifting employee expectations, and the lingering effects of the pandemic, what does it really mean to rethink work?In this episode of The Future of Less Work, Nirit Cohen and Rishad Tobaccowala explore the fundamental shifts reshaping the world of work, drawing insights from Rishad’s latest book, Rethinking Work. As businesses grapple with return-to-office policies, evolving employee expectations, and the impact of AI, the conversation moves beyond surface-level debates to examine deeper structural changes. Rather than focusing on where people work, the real question is how organizations can design work that aligns with the realities of a new era—where flexibility, autonomy, and talent mobility are becoming the norm. His latest book, Rethinking Work, challenges us to move past outdated models of employment and embrace a new era where autonomy, flexibility, and purpose take center stage.Listen to Rishad argue that companies need to stop trying to fit the future into outdated models and instead rethink everything—from leadership and corporate structures to how success is measured. The discussion offers a powerful call to action for leaders and individuals alike: What if we could begin again?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fAzWQcPsWIGuest Information:Rishad Tobaccowala was named by BusinessWeek as one of the top business leaders for his pioneering innovation and TIME magazine dubbed him one of five “Marketing Innovators.”  He is one of only 300 people elected to the Advertising hall of Fame since 1948. Rishad is the author of “Restoring the Soul of Business: Staying Human in The Age of Data” which helps people think, feel, and see differently about how to grow their companies, their teams and themselves to remain relevant in transformational time and  “Rethinking Work”  which helps people thrive amidst the seismic changes that will occur at work due a combination of changing demographics, new mindsets, the rise of distributed work, and the spread of AI.Rishad is the host of the What Next? podcast and publishes a weekly Substack called “The Future Does Not Fit into the Containers of the Past”.Rishad Tobaccowala remains a Senior Advisor to the Publicis Groupe where he has spent his entire 37 career, most recently serving as the Chief Growth Officer and Chief Strategist of the 106,000 person firm.Rethinking Work by Rishad Tobaccowala – https://rishadtobaccowala.com/rethinking-workRead Rishad’s thought letter, The Future Does Not Fit in the Containers of the Past – https://rishad.substack.com/ Your Turn:If you could design your ideal way of working, what would it look like? Share your thoughts using #TheFutureOfLessWork, and let’s continue the conversation!Chapters:00:00 – The Age of De-Bossification01:30 –The Forces Reshaping Work05:00 – Do We Really Need the Office?  09:10 – Why One-Size-Fits-All Work Models No Longer Work?12:20 – The Five Seismic Shifts Redefining Work Today16:30 –The Shift from Work-Centric to Life-Centric Thinking18:40 – The AI Productivity Dilemma: Who Keeps the Value?21:50 –Why Workers Have More Power Than Ever?25:00 – The Rise of Fractional Employees and Portfolio Careers30:00 – Why Organizations Must Rethink Full-Time Employment?32:50 – What If You Were Designing Work from Scratch Today?35:10 – How AI Changes Work?39:00 – The One Question Every Leader Should Be Asking45:00 – What If We Could Begin Again? Rethinking Work from the Ground Up

In a world where AI can write, analyze, and even critique, what does that mean for learning, creativity, and critical thinking? In this episode of The Future of Less Work, Nirit Cohen sits down with Dr. Marc-Oliver Gewaltig, a leading expert in computational neuroscience and AI, to explore how AI is reshaping education and the way we think.Dr. Gewaltig, co-founder of Thesify.ai, challenges the common belief that AI is making learning obsolete. Instead, he argues that AI should be a collaborative partner, not a shortcut—pushing us to refine ideas, ask better questions, and rethink the very purpose of education.Want to dive deeper into this topic? Read Nirit's Forbes article, "Beyond Prompts—Critical Thinking Is Your Edge When Everyone’s Using AI⁠", to explore these ideas further.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nLvOAgjhdwGuest Information:Dr. Marc-Oliver Gewaltig, Co-Founder of Thesify.aihttps://www.thesify.ai/Chapters:00:00 - What Should We Be Teaching in the Age of AI?01:30 - Welcome to the Future of Less Work with Dr. Marc-Oliver Gewaltig03:07 - Why Writing Still Matters in the AI Era?04:34 - The Shift from Copying Wikipedia to Using AI06:30 - How AI Forces Us to Rethink Writing and Education?08:15 - The Role of Iteration in Critical Thinking with AI10:11 - Why AI Isn’t Just a Shortcut?12:40 - Teaching Critical Thinking Through AI Feedback15:35 - Using AI to Go Beyond the Baseline18:07 - Redefining Critical Thinking as an Iterative Process22:10 - AI as a Personalized Writing Coach24:11 - How Critical Thinking Adds Value to AI Outputs?26:48 - Educators’ Role in Teaching Process Over Product30:38 - Breaking Down Critical Thinking into Practical Steps33:55 - AI’s Role in Democratizing Learning and Writing37:18 - Why We Should Reevaluate the Purpose of Education?

In a world where CEOs are making headlines by calling employees back to the office, is there a better way to work? In this episode of The Future of Less Work, Nirit Cohen sits down with Jack Hidary, CEO of Sandbox AQ, to explore his groundbreaking vision for leadership in today’s dynamic workplace. Jack has flipped the Return-to-Office debate on its head, suggesting it’s not employees who need to come back—it’s leaders who need to go to them.Discover how Jack’s “Three Cs” approach—Collaboration, Customer, and Community—empowers employees to thrive where they work best, and why he believes the office is just one tool among many. We discuss rethinking leadership as a service, fostering trust and accountability, and how organizations can support innovation and connection without returning to outdated workplace models.Whether you’re a leader searching for alternatives to rigid office mandates or an employee eager to thrive in a more flexible environment, this episode offers actionable insights and inspiration for the future of work.Want to dive deeper into this topic? Read Nirit's Forbes article,  "Return To Office? This Leader Treats Employees Like Adults⁠", to explore these ideas further.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdx3NjCZFOQGuest Information:Jack Hidary, CEO of Sandbox AQhttps://sandboxaq.comYour Turn:What’s one way your organization can empower employees instead of controlling them? Share your thoughts using the hashtag #TheFutureOfLessWork, and let’s start the conversation!Chapters:00:00 – Why Choose Between Return to Office and Work From Home?02:20 – Let Employees Work Where They Thrive04:45 – How Can Companies Move Beyond the Traditional Hybrid Model?06:50 – What Does It Mean to Focus on Outcomes Instead of Inputs?09:25 – Reallocate Office Budgets to Enable Travel for Collaboration11:45 – Reverse RTO: Leaders Should Travel to Meet Their Teams14:00 – Embedding With Customers to Drive Innovation18:50 – How Work Hubs Create a Beehive Effect That Promotes Learning23:30 – Why Employees Should Give External Talks to Expand Networks35:10 – What Role Does Continuous Learning Play in Thriving Teams?

In a world where work is increasingly digital and asynchronous, how we communicate and connect has never been more important—or more challenging.In this episode of The Future of Less Work, Nirit Cohen sits down with LinkedIn’s Career Expert, Catherine Fisher, to discuss the growing power of video as a tool for authentic communication, professional learning, and building relationships.Discover why video resonates more deeply than written content, how leaders and professionals alike can use it to showcase their expertise, and why imperfection and authenticity make all the difference.Catherine shares practical advice for overcoming the discomfort of starting with video, keeping your content impactful, and embracing new ways to engage your network and foster trust in an evolving workplace.Whether you’re a senior leader addressing your organization, a professional building your network, or someone looking to stand out in a competitive job market, this episode will help you unlock the potential of video as a critical tool for the future of work.Want to dive deeper into this topic? Read Nirit's Forbes article, "Want To Get Noticed? Use Video On Social And Build Real Connections", to explore these ideas further.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sliSiIlHPw4Guest Information: Catherine Fisher, LinkedIn Career Experthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinefisherlinkedin/Your Turn: Ready to start? Post your first short-form video on LinkedIn with the hashtag #TheFutureOfLessWork—and Catherine and Nirit will cheer you on!Chapters:00:00 - How Can Video Transform the Way We Connect Professionally?02:25 - Why Is Video the Best Tool for Building Connections in a Remote Workforce?04:45 - How Can You Overcome Barriers to Creating Authentic Video Content?07:00 - How Are CEOs Using Video to Build Trust and Transparency?09:15 - What Are the Best Tips for Creating Engaging Video Content for Beginners?13:00 - How Can Video Spark Conversations and Build Community Engagement?15:30 - How Can You Use AI and Technology Without Losing Authenticity in Videos?17:00 - Why Is Video Essential for Learning and Career Development Today?18:35 - How Can Professionals Maintain Connections in a Hybrid Work Environment?20:55 - What Questions Should We Ask Ourselves to Embrace Change in the Future of Work?22:45 - How Is Professional Identity Changing in the Digital Era?23:13 - How Can You Get Started Using Video to Learn, Teach, and Connect?

In this episode of The Future of Less Work, host Nirit Cohen dives into the transformative power of kind leadership with Ian Sandler, Co-Founder of Riley's Way and Chief Operating Officer at Insight Partners. Ian shares how his personal journey—honoring the legacy of his late daughter Riley—shaped his leadership philosophy and deepened his commitment to empowering young changemakers.Drawing on his dual roles—leading one of the world’s top investment firms while building a youth-driven leadership foundation—Ian challenges the myth that kindness and success are incompatible. He demonstrates how kind leadership can build trust, improve team performance, and inspire loyalty, even in high-pressure environments like private equity.Want to dive deeper into this topic? Read Nirit's Forbes article, "⁠Kind Leadership—The Gift That Should Last All Year ", to explore these ideas further.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nrsYUiAyZ4Guest Information:Discover more about Ian Sandler and the impactful work of Riley’s Way Foundation at rileysway.org, including their Call for Kindness Fellowship, which empowers young leaders to create positive change through kindness. Your Turn:We want to hear from you! Share your own experiences of kind leadership—moments where leaders made a lasting impact on you—with us in the comments or on social media. Tag us with #KindLeadership #TheFutureOfLessWork to join the conversation, and we may feature your story in a future episode!Chapters:00:00 Can You Fire Someone Kindly?02:12 What Is Kind Leadership?04:37 Why Do Employees Leave Managers, Not Organizations?07:02 What Do Young Leaders Want from Work?09:21 Can Workplace Flexibility Be a Win-Win?11:44 What Does Kind Leadership Look Like in Practice?18:34 How Has Leadership Changed in the Past Decade?23:16 What Happens When Passion Meets Profession?27:59 What Skills Will Define the Future of Work?30:14 What Will We Value in a Post-Automation World?

In this episode of The Future of Less Work, host Nirit Cohen sits down with Doug Dennerline, CEO of Betterworks, to explore how skills are becoming the new currency of work—and why traditional performance management systems are failing to close the skills gap.Together, they discuss why outdated annual reviews persist, how AI is revolutionizing the way we validate and grow skills, and the evolving role of managers in balancing work oversight with talent development. Doug shares insights from the BetterWorks 2024 Skills Fitness Report, diving into the challenges of building a skills-based organization and the importance of empowering managers to grow their people.This conversation unpacks the profound shifts reshaping the workplace: the move toward real-time feedback, skills-focused performance systems, and AI-powered tools that guide managers in developing their teams. Learn why organizations that invest in their people today will lead tomorrow—and how managers can become architects of growth, not just overseers of tasks.Want to dive deeper into this topic? Read Nirit's Forbes article, "Too Busy for the Future: Why Managers Can’t Close the Skills Gap", to explore these ideas further.https://youtu.be/YQM9UhZEzmI?si=9suc0X7_dJ5r9BP9Your Turn:What do you think is the biggest barrier to closing the skills gap in your organization? Is it outdated processes, lack of tools, or something else?Chapters:00:00 Introduction01:15 Why Are Annual Reviews Still the Norm?02:26 Can AI Validate Skills Better Than Humans?04:48 Why Is Building a Skills Library So Hard?06:16 How Can Organizations Identify and Develop the Right Skills?08:39 What’s the Future of Feedback and Performance Management?10:51 Are Managers Ready for Real-Time Feedback?13:12 How Do We Connect Skills Growth to Performance Goals?15:33 Do CEOs Truly Value People as Their Greatest Asset?17:52 How Can Managers Integrate Work Into Employees’ Lives?20:15 Are We Measuring Success the Right Way?22:38 Is First-Line Management the Most Undervalued Asset?24:59 Can AI Be a Manager’s Personal Coach?27:20 What Key Question Should We Be Asking About Leadership?29:00 How Can We Build the Future of Work Together?

In this debut episode of TheFutureOf [Less?] Work, host Nirit Cohen introduces herself and the driving force behind this podcast: to explore the evolving nature of work, one question at a time. Joined by long-time colleague and leadership coach Eran Stern, Nirit shares her journey from a decades-long career at Intel to becoming a recognized thought leader on the future of work. Together, they discuss why the workplace as we know it is being unbundled—by technology, shifting employee expectations, and a changing social contract. The conversation dives into the opportunities and challenges of this transformation: what it means to let go of outdated systems, embrace flexibility, and focus on purpose-driven work that benefits both individuals and organizations. Discover why work can no longer be something we simply have to do—and how leaders, managers, and individuals can begin co-creating a win-win future where people want to work because it matters to them. Whether you’re a senior leader grappling with change, an HR professional rethinking people processes, or someone curious about how work will shape your life, this episode sets the stage for an ongoing exploration of the “future of less work.” Challenge: Because I believe we’re co-creating the future of work, one question at a time, I’d like to ask you the same question I ask at the end of every episode: What is the question you think we should be asking about the future of work? Please share your thoughts in the comments on this episode. I’ll bring your questions to future guests as we continue piecing together the future of less work—together Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage 02:21 Nirit's Journey to Thought Leadership 04:37 Defining Thought Leadership and the Future of Work 07:00 Personal Passion for Workplace Transformation 09:19 Why Launch a Podcast Now? 11:39 Exploring the "Less" in Work 14:04 Redefining Work and Ownership 16:19 Bridging Trends and Leadership 18:38 Learning to Create Culture in a Dispersed World 20:59 The Evolving Social Contract of Work 23:18 Managerial Empowerment in a Changing World 27:44 The Role of HR in Navigating Change 30:05 The Importance of Co-Creation 32:31 Black Elephants in the Room 34:45 Advice for Leaders and Managers 37:09 Preparing the Next Generation 39:31 Networking as a Career Strategy 41:43 Reframing Knowledge and Skills 43:36 Key Question for the Future of Work YouTube: https://youtu.be/iu0rO7mgMjk