Tracy Brower, PhD, is back for our guest-led series of Careers newsletters this week. Brower, a sociologist, is the author of the new book “Critical Connections.”
AI is redefining workplace roles and upending careers, making it critically important that you remain relevant, resilient and indispensable
In a recent survey of 1,200 non-technical workers and 1,200 C-suite executives by AI platform Writer, 97% of respondents said their company had deployed AI, and 70% of respondents use the technology on a daily basis.
So how do you make yourself indispensable as AI grows more ubiquitous?
Competence. First, learn AI applications and lead the way on your team. Those who are comfortable, confident and competent with AI will be valuable to organizations.Creativity. Second, express curiosity and show creativity. The greatest value comes not from having all the answers, but from being able to ask the right questions in the process of creating something new. Experiment using AI to assist in daily tasks or improve workflows. It may not always work out exactly right, but it could help identify innovative solutions.Connection. One of our most uniquely human capabilities is building relationships, and employers are looking for workers with people skills. Show how you can communicate, collaborate, express empathy and establish rapport with colleagues in a tech-heavy world.Commitment. You can also demonstrate you’re committed to the success AI can deliver. AI tools are not infallible, so show your value by being accountable for AI outputs. Check, edit and own your deliverables.
Embracing AI and finding new ways of working will make you invaluable.
This is a published version of Forbes’ Careers newsletter. Click here to subscribe and get it in your inbox every Tuesday. WORK SMARTER
Practical insights and advice from Forbes staff and contributors to help you succeed in your job, accelerate your career and lead smarter.
Reluctant about using AI? Embracing new tech tools boosts job security, but there are other ways to protect your career, says executive coach Caroline Ceniza-Levine. Read about them here.
If you’re using AI to build agents, there is a debate about whether workers can take them when they leave a job. Learn why AI agents are a career asset, from HR expert Nirit Cohen.
Who has power in the workplace? The number of meetings on a calendar says a lot. Learn how power shapes whose time is protected and whose is flexible, according to business professor Benjamin Laker.
Make leading your team easier by avoiding five communication mistakes that hurt managers, from executive coach Kathy Caprino.
Deep Dive: How To Reduce Your Techno Stress In The AI Era
I recently wrote about one of the most important aspects of our human response to AI — techno stress.
Techno stress describes the layers of worry that mount when people feel overwhelmed and pressured to keep up with complex advances in technology.
Techno insecurity is when people worry about losing their jobs as technology takes over their tasks. Techno invasion is when people feel the need to constantly be online and available.
And techno uncertainty is the feeling of instability that arises when technology moves so fast and we can’t always know where it will lead.
You can deal with techno stress by validating your own experience. Reflect on which aspects of techno stress are most concerning for you. Understanding your worries will help you manage them.
Stay focused on the present. It’s easy for anxiety to take over when we worry too much about where things are going. But if you can stay grounded in the present, it reduces the stress of uncertainty.
You can also take action. When people are worried, taking positive action can reduce stress. Explore what AI can do for you. Experiment with it in your personal life. Bring it into your work processes. Taking positive action doesn’t always guarantee success, but you will learn, improve and grow to set yourself up for success in your next steps.
Finally, manage your mindset. Pessimism can cause you to feel stuck. On the other hand, if you tell yourself you’re capable and resilient, you’ll likely be more motivated and optimistic, which can help you move forward and adapt.
TOUCH BASE
Photo by David McNew/Getty Images
News from the world of work.
New jobless claims fell to their lowest level since 1969 for the week ending April 25, according to new Labor Department data. The report came a day after Fed Chair Jerome Powell struck a more cautious tone, saying demand for U.S. workers has “clearly softened,” further noting that job openings, layoffs, hiring and wage growth have shown “little change” in recent months.
Amid ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty, companies are increasingly relying on temporary workers instead of permanent hires, Bloomberg reports. Employers in the U.S. and Europe remain unsure of how many workers they’ll need going forward.
Thanks for reading! This edition of the Careers newsletter was edited by Anjelica Tan, Chris Dobstaff and Jeffrey Marcus.