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Most things in the world are complicated, and identity more than most. Everyones sense of self and purpose is a combination of shifting internal and external ingredients, and it’s never permanent: Brain chemistry, physical environment, family structures, life experiences, material conditions, and many other things all mix and change as we move through different phases of life. And while the factors that contribute to individual identity are unique to each person, the society we’ve built over the past century or so has resulted in some notable commonalities. Traditional support systems have changed, community activities have shifted toward individual ones, and even the quick fulfillment of consumerism has started to lose its appeal. The result is that even as it’s arguably become easier to secure material well-being, work has become the main way many people form their sense of self. For them, work is a reason to get up in the morning, a substitute family, and the way we accomplish something meaningful with our lives; for many, answering “What do you do?” is often very similar to answering “Who are you?” Integrating AI into the workforce adds new complexitiesbut also new opportunities I’ve seen this in many of the organizations I work with, including the company I lead at the forefront of AI. By introducing a technology with such immense transformative potential into the workplace, we’re faced with a deeper matter than just rethinking the ways we work: AI also challenges our fundamental sense of self. We’re all reevaluating our purpose, our standing in society, and ultimately our value; what’s more, we’re doing so individually as well as collectively, and on a rapid time scale. There are no easy answers, which can result in a hugely polarized workforce. Some employees react to the introduction of AI into their day-to-day processes with anxiety or outright resistance. But what business leaders can’t lose sight of is that the fears they hear aboutfor example, that AI could make roles obsolete, that human creativity and judgment will be lost, that long-term career prospects will become untenableare actually expressions of deeper concerns. The real resistance to AI originates from the uncertainty over rethinking who they are and who they will become, not just from ethical hostility to new technology. It’s an emotional reaction, not a logical one. We’re also seeing an extreme opposite reaction, a huge movement of people welcoming the “identity crisis” AI is bringing with it. Plenty of employees are adopting AI with urgency, desperate to be given the go-ahead to embrace it fully and to do more with it. Some people are just more comfortable with reinvention, carving out new roles, and exploring ambitious new paths. These are some of the best allies the leader of an AI-implementing organization can have. There are also plenty of angles in between these extremes, such as those who use AI but carry with them shame around admitting that theyve used the tech in a piece of work. However, as we’ve seen with other initiatives, incorporating a full range of identities and beliefs makes for a stronger organizationand that includes attitudes toward AI. Make AI personal and purposeful What those at the forefront of AI adoption really need to consider is how the people around us can come to feel that the technology can enhance their conception of themselves, not detract from it. It’s a question of framing and communication more than tools: As leaders we must foster the support, skills, and environment every employee needs to identify meaningful new goals and work toward them. It’s a tough switch, but one that’s perfectly possible if you approach it with genuine understanding and a commitment to transparency. Leading by example and setting the bar high is an approach I’ve found to be particularly inspirational here: Putting things in historical perspective helps the mindset of ambitious, meaningful goals take hold. Just think about how the technology to automate food production allowed us, remarkably quickly, to turn humanity toward putting a person on the moon. What achievements that previously seemed impossible can we make a reality if we all adopt AI? So addressing why some employees are actively resisting AI means addressing mindsetsand changing them with empathy, openness, and optimism. If successful, today’s business leaders can reframe AI as a way to accelerate how we conceive our own value, elevate the purposes we strive for, and unlock an even more fulfilling sense of self.
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E-Commerce
Check out eight of the sharpest, boldest business books shaping how we think, lead, and grow as professionals in 2025. After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup By Julia Austin Entrepreneurship expert Julia Austin shares battle-tested strategies to help founders and startup joiners build their venture from the ground up. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Julia Austin, in the Next Big Idea App or view on Amazon. Black Capitalists: A Blueprint for What Is Possible By Rachel Laryea A groundbreaking look at how Black visionariesfrom Wall Street to Lagos, Nigeria and beyondare reimagining capitalism to benefit the needs of Black people and, ultimately, everyone. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Rachel Laryea, in the Next Big Idea App or view on Amazon. Pioneers: 8 Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs By Neri Karra Sillaman Unlock the principles that drive the remarkable success stories of immigrant entrepreneurs from around the world. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Neri Karra Sillaman, in the Next Big Idea App or view on Amazon. Click: How to Make What People Want By Jake Knapp with John Zeratsky A guide for starting big projects the smart waybased on firsthand experience with more than 300 new products and businesses. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Jake Knapp, in the Next Big Idea App or view on Amazon. Ping: The Secrets of Successful Virtual Communication By Andrew Brodsky The essential guide for when (and how best) to use virtual communication tools, from video to instant messaging and everything in between. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Andrew Brodsky, in the Next Big Idea App or view on Amazon. Inner Entrepreneur: A Proven Path to Profit and Peace By Grant Sabatier A comprehensive blueprint detailing how to start, build, buy, scale, and sell a business that expands your life. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Grant Sabatier, in the Next Big Idea App or view on Amazon. The Insiders Guide to Innovation at Microsoft By Dean Carignan & JoAnn Garbin In this unique guide, youre not just reading about innovationyoure learning how to do it from the people behind some of the biggest breakthroughs of the last 50 years at one of the most influential and valuable companies in the world. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by authors Dean Carignan and JoAnn Garbin, in the Next Big Idea App or view on Amazon. Gambling Man: The Secret Story of the Worlds Greatest Disruptor, Masayoshi Son By Lionel Barber The first Western biography of SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, financial disruptor and personification of the 21st centurys addiction to instant wealth. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Lionel Barber, in the Next Big Idea App or view on Amazon. This article originally appeared in Next Big Idea Club magazine and is reprinted with permission.
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E-Commerce
From on-again-off-again tariffs, economic uncertainty, and layoffs, fresh graduates are in one of the toughest job markets in recent history. More than half do not have a job lined up by the time they graduate, and the unemployment rate for young degree holders is the highest it’s been in 12 years, not counting the pandemic. Technological advancements are further making the situation harder, as artificial intelligence (AI) has wormed its way into the workforce, cannibalizing the number of entry-level jobs available. Whats a young grad to do? I interviewed hiring managers, career advisers, and college students, and in this piece youll learn: What out-of-work new grads need to be doing right now in their limbo How to identify industries that are hiring you may never have thought of The right approach to developing AI literacy to stand out 1. Use limbo productively What several recent college grads refer to as limbo, the time period between graduation and employment, is often regarded as an excruciating phase of uncertainty. Experts recommend using this time as an opportunity for gaining experience outside of traditional corporate work. Gig work and seasonal jobs like events and festivals can be a great opportunity to pick up some work experience, hone soft skills such as team work and attention to detail, and make some extra cash and contacts. Adam Stafford, CEO of AI-powered recruitment platform Recuritics, says he is often impressed by young applicants who take on gig work while searching for jobs. I see somebody who comes into our organization says, I got out of college and I worked my tail off for three or four months while I was looking, that shows me that is somebody whos got hustle, Stafford says. If its not possible to find gig work, volunteering is also a good way to gain experience. Volunteering can help provide actionable examples of leadership and teamwork to share during job interviews if you have little to no work experience, Lucrecia Borgonovo, chief talent and organizational effectiveness officer at Mastercard, points out. Even though you’re not necessarily acquiring a job, volunteering is a really great way to gain a lot of experience, she says. In addition, its important to keep applying to jobs, even if it feels like youre not getting anywhere. Having a routine can help. Cherena Walker, executive director of career and professional development at Stevens Institute of Technology, recommends treating job applications like a college course. For instance, applicants can learn from their own college schedule to determine what days and times they work best in, allotting that time for applying as if it were a class. If you do that on a regular cadence, you’ll get a whole lot more done, Walker says. That’s a lot more focused, and you can have the rest of the time to yourself. 2. Be flexible and look at the big picture As AI makes its way into the workforce, its impact will be greatly felt among entry-level jobs. Just a few months ago, Anthropics CEO Dario Amodei told Axios that AI could be responsible for wiping out about half of white collar entry-level jobs in the coming years. The best way to ride the wave? Be okay with going into fields you hadnt thought of and look ahead, experts tell Fast Company. While the idea that it’s unlikely to land the perfect job straight out of college isnt exactly groundbreaking, I think we still spend too much time searching for the exact role or location that aligns perfectly with our experience, Jamie Shearer, an account executive at communications agency Pinkston who writes about postgrad experiences on LinkedIn, shared via email. This can leave new grads with a frustratingly narrow field of opportunities. Stafford suggests grads look into industries that are hiring, where there might be a skill overlap. For instance, he notes theres a high demand for applicants in the healthcare, aerospace, and defense industries, which might be a great fit for applicants who were previously looking for tech jobs. Additionally, thinking about broader economic trends might better position young professionals in the workforce. Step back and look at the global economic environment, Stafford advises. Where are governments investing? Where are big companies investing? Those all then start to flow into the private sector. Stafford says Europes ongoing rearming efforts are making aerospace and defense industries a booming market for young talent. Regardless of how you think or feel about that whole movement, it is creating a lot of economic opportunity, he says. Even for grads who are looking to stay in an industry, considering new specializations is vital. Angela Tran, a 2024 graduate and current account executive at Astrsk PR, struggled to find work after her internship in public relations for lifestyle and beauty ended. However, she was able to find a job after pivoting to tech PR. I didn’t know that I was going to enjoy it, and I didn’t know I was going to be good at it, Tran says. It was an eye-opener for me, that I should try new things in different sectors. 3. Intentionally upskill yourself It is no surprise AI literacy is the most coveted skill for young employees entering the workforce. This year, LinkedIn named it the top skill on the rise. According to research from Autodesk, 46% of employers say AI skills are a priority for hiring over the next three years. These tools can include everything from LLMs like ChatGPT, or industry-specific tools like Adobes AI-powered features for the design field. Yet it’s easy to forget that ChatGPT was released in 2022, during most recent graduates sophomore or junior year in college. AI is table stakes, it’s no longer optional,” says Mary Hope McQuiston, VP of education experiences at Autodesk. “If you’re a young grad, make sure you are learning how to work with AI tools, don’t wait if your school isn’t preparing you. AI literacy is not only about learning how to write prompts, but also looking into what specific AI tools are used in an applicant’s industry. Do your homework and be really intentional about acquiring those skills, whether it is through formal learning like taking a course, or through projects, getting a mentor, like learning from a colleague, Borgonovo says. For those who did not have access to AI resources in college, recent grads can sign up for free online courses, teach themselves how to write prompts for LLMs via trial and error, or even ask industry professionals what tools they use at work to get a head start. And, as the technology quickly evolves, staying consistent and curious on technology is key to keep up. It’s kind of like a gym. You go to a gym, you try a bunch of different machines, you set up a practice, and you slowly build the muscle, McQuiston adds. 4. Lean into soft skills The times are changing so quickly that when fresh graduates entered college they were told STEM degrees were a must. Now, it seems that humanities are making a comeback, as AI cant replace human skillsyet. Honing in on human skills will give applicants an edge over traditionally hard-skill-based applicants. Conflict mitigation was second to AI literacy, on LinkedIns skills on the rise. When I talk to our commercial customers, they are not just looking for technical skills, because those are going to constantly change. They’re looking for folks who are effective at problem solving, communication, collaboration, leadership, McQuiston says. AI raises the floor . . . but human ingenuity is going to raise the ceiling. What is great about soft skills is they may come from everyday experiences, and applicants who learn how to leverage those during interviews can set themselves apart, experts say. You have transferable skills from past experiences. Don’t be afraid to talk about how you think they can link to the job. It shows you’ve thought about the job seriously, says Robert Whitehouse, SVP of business partnership and talent acquisition for MiQ Digital across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and North America. 5. Network strategically Both experts and recent graduates who have scored a job agree that one of the most powerful tools for entering the job market is networking. But, good networking looks different from the now-common mass messaging on LinkedIn. The key is to be targeted and intentional with relationship building. Avalon Fenster, the founder of Internship Girl, an online community that offers advice for early-career women, emphasizes that applicants often rely on vertical networking like reaching out to executives from companies. Instead, Avalon suggests also prioritizing building strong relationships with peers. Some of the most powerful networking is with people who are in the beginning level, who are in their first job, Fenster says. Those are the people who really know what it’s like to have broken through this glass floor and will be able to give the most current, relevant advice.
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E-Commerce
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