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Ira Wolfe

Chief Googlization Officer, President at Poised for the Future Company

Wind Gap, Pennsylvania, United States

Hall of Fame Speaker / Future of Work Thought Leader / Certified WHY Professional /Certified AQ Professional / Author / TEDx Speaker / Top 1% Podcaster /

I'm both fascinated and terrified by the pace of exponential change. Disruption, innovation, creativity, and disruptive transformation transpires me. I'm excited how the convergence of ideas, humans, and technology might improve the quality of life for all, advancing education, reducing poverty, protecting our planet and ...the list goes on. But the accelerating pace of technology also terrifies me, specifically when it comes to the growing knowledge gap, shifts in power, and widespread naivete of the masses.

Level 2 Certified Consultants AQai

Certified WHY Institute coach

HRSouthwest Hall of Fame Speaker inductee 2022

Top 5 Global Thought Leader Future of Work (Thinkers 360)

Top 5 Global Thought Leader HR (Thinkers 360)

Top 5 Global Thought Leadership (Thinkers360)

Top 10 Global Thought Leader Careers (Thinkers 360)

Top 100 B2B Global Thought Leaders and Influencers Your Should Follow in 2021 (Thinkers360)

Top 100 Global Thought Leader That Will Inspire You in 2021 (PeopleHum)

The Most Inclusive HR Influencer List 2020 (SocialMicole.com)

Top 50 Books to Read in 2021 - Recruiting in the Age of Googlization 2nd Edition (Thinkers360)

Top 50 Podcast to Listen to in 2021 - Geeks Geezers and Googlization (Thinkers360)

I love sharing my ideas and knowledge through keynotes and other speaking opportunities.

Books:
The Change 19: Insights into Self-Empowerment (Released Aug 2023)
Create Great Culture in a Remote World (Released Oct 2022)
Recruiting in the Age of Googlization Edition 2.0 (https://amzn.to/2SmxObK) Released 2/2020
Recruiting in the Age of Googlization (https://amzn.to/2gPbTaB) Released 12/2017
Geeks, Geezers, & Googlization
Perfect Labor Storm
Understanding Business Values and Motivation

Interviewed and quoted in Inc Magazine, Business Week, Forbes, Bank of America Small Business, CLO, Huff Post, NFIB, Fox Business, many more

Specialties: Work Futurist, HR Trends, employment and job trends, adaptability quotient, leadership skills, growth mindset, employee experience

Available For: Advising, Authoring, Consulting, Influencing, Speaking
Travels From: Lehigh Valley, PA
Speaking Topics: Future of Work, Labor and Job Trends, Employee Experience

Speaking Fee $5,000 (In-Person), $2,500 (Virtual)

Personal Speaking Website: www.irawolfe.com
Ira Wolfe Points
Academic 40
Author 2510
Influencer 565
Speaker 97
Entrepreneur 10
Total 3222

Points based upon Thinkers360 patent-pending algorithm.

Thought Leader Profile

Portfolio Mix

Featured Videos

How To Lead In the Never Normal Workplace
June 12, 2023
Workforce 2030 - Lehigh Valley HR/Business Summit
June 12, 2023
TEDx Make Change Work for You
June 12, 2023

Featured Topics

Everywhere Workplace in a Never-Normal World

Remember the good old pre-pandemic days when people woke up, showered, got dressed, crawled through long commutes, and searched for a coveted parking spot, just so that they could sit at a desk in a building to do work? Today, workers demand flexibility – to work from everywhere, anywhere, at any time. Building an Everywhere Workplace is not just an essential talent strategy but a business growth strategy too. Work in this Never-Normal era is filled with new opportunities and landmines. During this presentation, Future of Work global thought leader Ira S Wolfe will share new research on what employees prefer and how to strike the right balance between remote, in-person, and hybrid workplaces.

The No BS* Workplace (*Burnout & Stress)

The future of work is here and BS (burnout & stress) is taking a devastating toll on workers, from the floor to the C-Suite. Even the World Health Organization now recognizes burnout as an occupational health issue. With labor shortages on the rise and resignations in freefall, employers are finally taking the employees’ mental health and emotional wellbeing seriously. Mitigating burnout, relieving chronic stress, and better connecting employees with their work Hear from Future of Work Global Thought Leader Ira S Wolfe on how to align company and employee expectations in a new world of work.

Future of Talent in The Perfect Labor Storm

companies do to access and retain qualified and skilled employees? For over 20 years, Ira S Wolfe has been forecasting The Perfect Labor Storm. It’s no longer coming. It’s arrived. A record number of vacant jobs, historic waves of resignations, and widening skill gaps are disrupting everything from production floors and operating rooms to classrooms and supply chains. These labor shortages are not a blip on the radar but long-term labor patterns. This storm will not blow over and solutions will not appear by themselves. Businesses and workers are playing in a new sandbox. Future of Work Global Thought Leader Ira S Wolfe will reveal how we got into this mess and what companies must do to fill open positions despite The Perfect Labor Storm.

Company Information

Company Type: Service Provider
Business Unit: Leadership and Employee Experience
Theatre: North America
Minimum Project Size: <$1,000
Average Hourly Rate: $200-$300
Number of Employees: 1-10
Company Founded Date: 1999
Media Experience: 27 years
Last Media Interview: 08/15/2022

Areas of Expertise

AI 30.30
AR/VR 30.66
Business Strategy 31.03
Careers 36.00
Change Management 38.95
Coaching 31.10
COVID19 47.70
Cryptocurrency 30.38
Culture 48.63
Customer Experience 31.43
Cybersecurity 30.26
Digital Disruption 30.48
Digital Transformation 30.12
Diversity and Inclusion 37.01
Entrepreneurship 32.46
Future of Work 70.99
Generative AI 30.20
Health and Wellness 31.53
HR 92.61
Innovation 31.52
Leadership 63.93
Management 42.99
Marketing 30.29
Mental Health 33.81
Metaverse 30.82
Personal Branding 30.33
Quantum Computing 30.77

Industry Experience

Healthcare
Higher Education & Research
Professional Services

Publications

2 Adjunct Professors
Innovation and Entrepreneurship 101
Muhlenberg College
September 18, 2023
Students explore the basic concepts in the continuing processes of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Students will explore how entrepreneurs identify opportunities in the market and validate their ideas with customers using the business model canvas and lean methodologies. The course explores what it means to be an entrepreneur and how to develop the “entrepreneurial mindset” In the context of the entrepreneurial enterprise, some fundamental concepts from economics, accounting, budgeting, management, marketing, finance, and operations will be introduced. Students will also explore the role of teams and networks in venture creation. The course may include readings, speakers, videos, and case studies.

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Tags: Innovation, Future of Work, Entrepreneurship

Adjunct Professor
Muhlenberg College
October 27, 2020
Designed and taught new course Organizational Change Management in Master's In Organizational Leadership program at Muhlenberg College, division of Graduate and Continuing Education.

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Tags: Change Management, Future of Work, Leadership

1 Analyst Report
The Perfect Labor Storm v2022
Never Normal News
November 04, 2022
For anyone that follows me, you know I create and introduce a ton of content. I've done that for most of my career starting with my first newsletter - 4 pages, 1-color - published in Oct 1980. At the time, most businesses shared a 1-page, text only, "mimeographed" sheet of paper with customers. While the deliverable has morphed into something I couldn't imagine back then, I continued that practice of curating, creating, and sharing content right up to the present time.

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Tags: HR, Future of Work, Change Management

225 Article/Blogs
14 Traits of a Successful Entrepreneurial Mindset
Ira S Wolfe
June 11, 2024
What makes a successful entrepreneur? Discover the key traits that shape an entrepreneurial mindset which can lead to progress. Dive in now!

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Tags: Careers, Entrepreneurship, Future of Work

Bulletproofing Future Success: Unlock the Secret Sauce of Accountability and Adaptability
Linkedln
June 10, 2024
First off, Jeff isn’t your average dude. He’s authentic, practical, and quite a storyteller. This is where his story starts: creating a safe environment for communication. Sounds meh, right? Hold that thought. Jeff hit hard on how critical it is for people to feel safe to take risks and make mistakes. And I'm not talking about some fluffy, helicopter parenting safe space stuff.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

The New Grad Playbook: Unlock Workplace Wins With Adaptability
Forbes.com
June 06, 2024
While achieving that college degree is quite a milestone, and opens lots of new doors, what lives on the other side can be scary. Recent grads have shifted from being the big fish in the small pond of college to the new kid on the corporate block. Many feel a little out of their depth? Don’t sweat it! It’s all about embracing a newfound superpower of employability: adaptability. Let's unpack how flexing this skill will not only help survive but also thrive in this shiny new world.

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Tags: Careers, Future of Work, HR

Say Goodbye to Employee Turnover: How Adaptability Quotient Can Keep Your Workforce Strong
Ira S Wolfe
May 21, 2024
In today’s fast-paced world, the one who adapts wins. Turnover can cripple teams, derail projects, and sap morale. Imagine a crucial product launch delayed by months, costing millions in lost revenue. It's not just top executives whose exits hurt. Even frontline workers leaving can disrupt teamwork and collaboration. But there’s hope. Embracing adaptability can transform your workforce. This isn't just a theory—it's a strategy that builds resilience and safeguards success.
Ready to dive deeper? Discover the secrets to a resilient workforce in my latest article!

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Tags: Culture, Future of Work, HR

Adaptive Minds in the Workplace: What are Adaptive Skills?
Adaptability Toolkit
May 12, 2024
A 2023 report from the World Economic Forum showed that employers estimated as much as 44% of workers’ skills will be disrupted within the next 5 years. Having adaptive skills can be the difference between stagnation and success. But just what are adaptive skills? These skills encompass a range of abilities, from communication and teamwork to problem-solving and resilience.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

What if You Could Time Travel Back to Normal? [Part 2]
LinkedIn
April 29, 2024
Imagine the year is 2010. The world buzzes with the early whispers of digital innovation—smartphones are still a luxury, Facebook is just beginning to bloom beyond college campuses, and the cloud is more a meteorological term than a tech solution. Enter a hypothetical scenario: a pandemic akin to COVID-19 strikes. Without the digital arsenal of Zoom, 4G, Netflix, or advanced AI for rapid vaccine development, how would the global workforce adapt? Let’s explore this alternate past where adaptability isn’t just a skill, but a survival mechanism

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

How to Conduct a Change Readiness AQTeam Audit
Adaptability Toolkit
April 22, 2024
Boost your team's change readiness with our adaptability quotient AQTeam audit. Discover the step-by-step process to enhance adaptability.

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Tags: Future of Work, Leadership, Management

Embracing Growth: 10 Leadership Development Goals for Tomorrow’s Leaders
Adaptability Toolkit
April 22, 2024
Explore forward-thinking leadership development goals designed to cultivate the skills needed to lead effectively in a rapidly evolving world.

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Tags: Future of Work, Leadership, Management

The Power of Adaptability: Thriving in an Ever-Changing World
Linkedln
February 26, 2024
In today's fast-paced and ever-changing world, the ability to adapt is not just a valuable skill - it is an absolute necessity for thriving in both personal and professional spheres.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

How Ignoring AQ Is Failing Your Workforce Transformation
Linkedln
February 19, 2024
In the ever-evolving landscape of organizational change, workforce transformation stands as a critical endeavor. Companies across industries grapple with the need to adapt, innovate, and stay competitive. Yet, there’s a silent culprit undermining these efforts: Adaptability Quotient (AQ).

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

025. Unleashing Brain Capital with Wharton’s Michael Platt: Loyalty, Human Connection & Brain Synchrony
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December 04, 2023
In a world where traditional leadership and HR practices are imploding and rapidly evolving, I’m thrilled to release this edition of my newsletter. It highlights the fascinating conversation I had on my most recent “Geeks Geezers Googlization” podcast, featuring Wharton neuroscientist,

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Tags: Management, Leadership, Future of Work

024. Neuromanagement Insights: Rethinking Busyness as the Holidays Approach
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November 28, 2023
As the holiday season whirls into full swing, we find ourselves caught in a dizzying array of deadlines and demands.  Picture this: You’re racing against the clock to wrap up year-end projects, hunting for those perfect gifts, and planning a well-deserved vacation – all while trying to cram

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Tags: Management, Leadership, Future of Work

How To Make Corporate Purpose More Than A Poster
Forbes
November 28, 2023
Why does purpose play a game of hide and seek in so many organizations? Why does purpose too often remain a poster on the wall, a hollow mantra rather than a lived experience? That was the question I answered in my most recent article published on Forbes.com.

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Tags: Management, Leadership, HR

023. The Science of Gratitude and How It Can Help Your Team This Thanksgiving
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November 20, 2023
The post 023. The Science of Gratitude and How It Can Help Your Team This Thanksgiving appeared first on Ira Wolfe.

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Tags: Management, Leadership, Future of Work

022. Do You Still Believe in the School of Hard Knocks? Get Over It!
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November 13, 2023

The post 022. Do You Still Believe in the School of Hard Knocks? Get Over It! appeared first on Ira Wolfe.

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Tags: Future of Work, Leadership, Management

021. The most surprising thing I learned at the Wharton Neuroscience Summit 2023
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November 06, 2023

The post 021. The most surprising thing I learned at the Wharton Neuroscience Summit 2023 appeared first on Ira Wolfe.

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Tags: Future of Work, Leadership, Management

020. Neuroscience Flips the Script on Employee Engagement
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October 30, 2023

The post 020. Neuroscience Flips the Script on Employee Engagement appeared first on Ira Wolfe.

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Tags: Future of Work, Leadership, Management

019. Brains Over Brawn: Neuromanagement is Crushing Traditional Leadership Tactics
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October 23, 2023

The post 019. Brains Over Brawn: Neuromanagement is Crushing Traditional Leadership Tactics appeared first on Ira Wolfe.

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Tags: Future of Work, Leadership, Management

018. Wiring the Future: Why Some Managers Flourish and Others Don’t—It’s All in Their Heads!
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October 16, 2023
Wiring the Future: Why Some Managers Flourish and Others Don’t—It’s All in Their Heads! Ever sat there, gobsmacked, wondering why some managers lead like they’ve been sprinkled with some sort of success fairy dust while others seem to be wading through a never-ending swamp of bad

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Tags: Management, Leadership, Future of Work

017. The Surprising Neuroscience of Trust in the Workplace
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October 09, 2023
The Surprising Neuroscience of Trust in the Workplace In this week’s ExtraNeurordinary Newsletter, I’m taking you to the intersection of neuroscience and the daily hustle and bustle of our workplaces. Before we get there, I have a favor to ask. If you’re on Instagram, let’s connect! Ever had

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Tags: Future of Work, Leadership, Management

016. Brain Training Games: Do They Boost Brainpower or Just Your Screen Time?
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October 02, 2023
Brain Training Games: Do They Boost Brainpower or Just Your Screen Time?

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Tags: Future of Work, Leadership, Management

015. No, Your Brain Isn’t Done Growing—And What That Means for Managers
Ira Wolfe
September 25, 2023
Are you ready to decode the managerial mysteries of the universe—or, at least, the neuroscientific ones? This week, we're turning the spotlight on Oxytocin, the 'Love Hormone' that's so much more than just Cupid's little helper.

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Tags: Management, HR, Future of Work

015. No, Your Brain Isn’t Done Growing—And What Neurogenesis Means for Managers
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September 25, 2023
No, Your Brain Isn’t Done Growing—And What That Means for Managers: Neurogenesis

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Tags: Future of Work, Leadership, Management

The Real Deal on Gen Z: What I Learned from Today's Generation of Undergrads
LinkedIn
September 18, 2023
You've probably heard the rumors, right? Gen Z is a bunch of screen-addicted, socially awkward, apathetic beings who can't look up from their TikTok feed long enough to say "hello." Well, folks, as a top-ranked global thought leader in the future of work and leadership who recently ventured back into the realm of higher education, I'm here to deliver some news: the clichés are as outdated as a rotary phone..

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Tags: Management, HR, Future of Work

014. Oxytocin: The 'Love Hormone' and its Lesser-known Talents
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September 18, 2023
Did You Ever Question How the 'Love Hormone' Influences Your Gut Feeling?

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Tags: Management, HR, Future of Work

20 Author Newsletters
Change is Ruining Our Daily Routines: Why Don't More People Do Something?
Linkedln
July 30, 2024
Let me make this perfectly clear: change comes in many forms. To make matters worse, humans are notoriously bad at handling it. Our lizard brains are hardwired to spot fear and trigger our fight-or-flight response. Unfortunately, we can't simply run away from the myriad of changes thrust upon us daily. Too often, the case for adaptability is dismissed as irrelevant. "It's not me that needs to change; things are just moving too fast.”

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

Kitchen Table Talks vs. Boardroom Banter
Linkedln
June 23, 2024
Why does it feel like your wallet is shrinking while corporate profits soar? For some the answer is simple: it might feel like businesses are just picking the pockets of consumers. But the conversation in the episode begins to strip away the layers to get to the real story, Once again, Mat Van Alstyne, John Aidan Byrne, and special guest Jim Toes joined me to unravel the complexities and conundrums taking place at the corner of Main St. and Wall St.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

Look on the Bright Side
Linkedln
June 21, 2024
Isn’t it annoying when people brush off your lousy day by telling you to look for the ‘silver lining’ in the situation? It’s almost as though they’ve never had the disasters you have. Perhaps their plans weren’t interrupted in the way yours were. Or they never were blindsided by a personal or financial disaster.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

Adapting to Thrive: Innovation and the Future of Work for Modern Leaders and Managers
LinkedIn
June 13, 2024
Buckle up folks, because we're about to embark on a journey through adaptability, innovation, and the ever-evolving future of work. Trust me, you don't want to be left behind.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

Is AI a Job Killer or a Game-Changer in Disguise?
Linkedln
May 13, 2024
Imagine it’s the early 20th century. Automobiles are replacing carriages, and blacksmiths, buggy whip makers, and carriage craftsmen are all terrified. They’re afraid of becoming obsolete, just like many people fear AI today. Their worry echoes through the ages. The fear hasn’t changed much, has it?

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

What If You Could Time Travel Back to Normal? [Part 1]
Linkedln
April 22, 2024
Imagine hitting a giant rewind button and you miraculously land in 2010, just a few short years before the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Back then, flip phones were still in pockets, and social media was just finding its footing. Think about it: no Zoom for virtual meetings, no 4G to instantly stream Netflix, and no Siri or Alexa to answer your questions.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

Yesterday's Grit, Today's Delusion: The Dangerous Overconfidence of the Modern Leader
LinkedIn/Never Normal News
April 04, 2024
In the whirlwind world of exponential change and uncertainty that we currently navigate, the ability to adapt is not just a desirable trait—it's the lifeline that keeps businesses afloat and thriving. Yet, there's an invisible adversary lurking in the minds of many leaders and entrepreneurs, a cognitive bias that silently skews self-assessment and could potentially derail even the most well-intentioned efforts to evolve. This foe? The Dunning-Kruger effect.

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Tags: Careers, Future of Work, Leadership

Champions on the Field, Rookies in Life: The Truth About Grit and Success
LinkedIn/Never Normal News
April 02, 2024
The world of sports, with its clear winners and losers, offers a dazzling spectacle of what it means to push limits, to strive, and, importantly, to never quit. This ethos of indomitable spirit, while inspiring, casts a shadow on a nuanced truth: the qualities that define sporting prowess do not always harmonize with the demands of real-life resilience and entrepreneurship.

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Tags: Careers, Change Management, Future of Work

Are You Spinning Your Wheels or Gearing Up?
Linkedln
April 01, 2024
In today’s world, where change zips by in the fast lane, throwing curveballs left and right, there’s a story about an awesome machine in the middle of an active, thriving office that really hits the mark. This isn’t your average tale of cogs and wheels; it’s a deep dive into mastering the art of keeping up when the world won’t stop moving.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

Why Most Changes Crash and Burn: Closing The Knowing-Doing Gap
Linkedln
March 29, 2024
Imagine you're on the brink of a major change, whether in your personal life or at the helm of a large organization. You've done the research, held countless discussions, and laid out a detailed plan. Yet, as time passes, you find yourself in the same spot, no closer to your goal. This frustrating scenario is all too common, and it's largely due to a pervasive issue: the knowing-doing gap.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

Clean Up the Mess in Aisle 9: A No-Nonsense Guide to the Chaos of Modern Business
Linkedln
March 27, 2024
Alright, let's get down to business—or rather, let's dive into the chaos that business has become lately. Imagine you're at your favorite grocery store. You're cruising down aisle 9, and boom! There's a mess. A big one. We're not just talking a spilled jar of pickles. No, it's more like someone set off a glitter bomb in the flour section. Welcome to the modern business landscape.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

5 Reasons Why "Change is the Only Constant" Is Terrible Advice
Linkedln
March 25, 2024
In an era where technological advances and societal shifts occur at breakneck speed, the age-old adage "change is the only constant" seems more relevant than ever. Yet, paradoxically, this well-meaning counsel may be among the worst advice for navigating today’s complex, nonlinear landscape. Far from a call to action, it risks becoming a lullaby for the complacent, subtly undermining the urgency to adapt and innovate. Here’s why:

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

A Latte Change: What Your Coffee Habits Reveal About Your Immunity to Change
Linkedln
March 18, 2024
Imagine you're in your favorite coffee shop, where you are welcomed by the same crew by name. “Your regular, Ira?” the barista asks. A nod of the head and a warm smile is all it takes to set the order in motion. It's comforting, right? You know exactly what you're going to get, and that certainty feels good.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

Why Most Changes Crash and Burn: Closing The Knowing-Doing Gap
LinkedIn/Never Normal News
March 01, 2024
Imagine you're on the brink of a major change, whether in your personal life or at the helm of a large organization. You've done the research, held countless discussions, and laid out a detailed plan. Yet, as time passes, you find yourself in the same spot, no closer to your goal. This frustrating scenario is all too common, and it's largely due to a pervasive issue: the knowing-doing gap. This gap represents the chasm between what we know we should do and what we actually do. It's the reason why most changes, no matter how well-intentioned, often sputter and fail.

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Tags: Change Management, Future of Work, Leadership

The Kodak Moment: How Smartphones Stole the Show
Linkedln
February 08, 2024
ust a few weeks ago, I received an email from Statista. The subject line read: Smartphones Wipe Out Decades of Camera Industry Growth. While I geek out on this stuff, the significance is lost on most people. With the exception of Generation Z listeners, anyone reading this probably remembers owning a camera that required film. Kodak signs hung everywhere. The film most people used was manufactured by Kodak and the prints were processed with Kodak chemicals on Kodak paper. Billions of memories were captured thanks to Kodak. So what happened and how did an iconic company and industry get crushed almost overnight?

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

Straight Talk for Every Manager in the AI Era: Adapt or Get Left Behind
Never Normal News
February 05, 2024
Unless you’ve been living under a rock or have decided to go off the grid entirely, you’ve likely been swept up in one form or another by all the Artificial Intelligence (AI) tsunami. Following the familiar bell curve logic, it seems 20 percent of the population just jumped without a parachute to explore the allure, while their brethren at the other end, dug in their heels and poured yards of concrete around them to insure nothing could dislodge them from the status quo. The rest of the onlookers as tradition tells us are experiencing a variety of emotions, from angst to cautious optimism.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

The Pace Paradox: Why Misjudging The Speed of Change Will Derail Your Strategy
Never Normal News
January 29, 2024
Picture this: a world moving at breakneck speed, where today's innovation is tomorrow's ancient history. Yet, in boardrooms (as well as kitchen tables) across the globe, strategies are being meticulously crafted using yesterday's stopwatch. It’s a dangerous game of catch-up, where the only certainty is falling behind.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

026. The Neuroscience of Adaptability
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December 21, 2023
In today’s rapidly evolving world, adaptability isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a necessity. The landscape of work is changing at an unprecedented pace, fueled by technological advances, global interconnectedness, and now, the unforeseen challenges of a post-pandemic era. This cons

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Tags: Future of Work, Leadership, Management

027. The Shifting Sands of Employee Well-being
Ira Wolfe
December 18, 2023
How many times have you said or heard “Life is a bit of a circus but I’m rolling with the punches?” Over the last 70 years, the benchmarks for personal and employee well-being have continuously evolved. What was once sufficient has transformed, mirroring the shifting demands and expectations of the job and modern workplace. Let’s journey through this evolution and explore how neuroscience sheds light on these changing paradigms – from mere coping to the pinnacle of thriving at work.

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Tags: Management, Leadership, Future of Work

021. The most surprising thing I learned at the Wharton Neuroscience Summit 2023
Ira Wolfe
November 06, 2023
In the modernistic surroundings of Huntsman Hall at the Wharton School, where the future of business pulses like the very neurons we were there to discuss, a surprising theme emerged during the Neuroscience Summit I attended this past Friday. As a top-ranked global thought leader in the future of work, leadership, and HR, I’ve had my fair share of epiphanies, but this one was particularly striking. At a summit where I expected the talk to be all about dopamine highs and the mysteries of the amygdala, the conversation took a sharp turn towards something far more profound: purpose

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Tags: Leadership, HR, Future of Work

6 Books
Recruiting in the Age of Googlization
Author's Place Press
February 04, 2020
Recruiting in the Age of Googlization is really two books in one. First, he draws upon his TEDx Talk message: “Make Change Work for You." He depicts an era of exponential change and disruption called the Age of Googlization. Ready or not, we are crossing quickly into uncharted territory, a world of unknown unknowns. We’re facing a tsunami of HR technology that blurs the line between reality and science fiction. This change can be paralyzing without a strategy and plan.

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Tags: HR, Future of Work, Change Management

Recruitment in the Age of Googlization
Author's Place Press
December 01, 2017
No business function is being disrupted by technology and demographics as much as recruitment. Tried and true recruiting practices are no longer working. New job categories are emerging, traditional jobs are disappearing and employment technologies are advancing at an exponential pace. An evolving definition of work and acceleration in the automation of work is only intensifying the competition for qualified workers. And yet many companies continue to recruit and screen talent like it was still 1970.In Recruiting in the Age of Googlization, Ira S Wolfe exposes the realities of automation on the future of jobs and the rapid reconstruction of the concept of work. Wolfe illuminates with his down-to-earth writing style how exponential change will transform or eliminate most jobs and make many business models irrelevant or unrecognizable. Wolfe's examples read like science fiction jumping off the pages of everyday reality. His forecasts and solutions are simultaneously exciting and terrifying. It is within this new business environment that organizations must learn to recruit and retain talent.Whether you're responsible for Human Resources or management or the average worker or student wondering what's next for his or her career, Recruiting in the Age of Googlization is a thought-provoking, compelling read. Recruiting in the Age of Googlization provides a blueprint for a recruitment process that works in any organization. The solution is built on a framework of best practices that will surely help organizations recruit, select, manage, and retain the talent they need. The book will inspire new ideas, spark pivotal conversations, and challenge existing assumptions about business and help lay out a game plan to make change work.

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Tags: Customer Experience, Future of Work, HR

Geeks Geezers and Googlization
Xlibris
August 17, 2009
The workplace has become a potential battlefield between four generations (and soon to be five) struggling to exert their influence and hold on to their world views and attitudes. At its center are the deep-rooted beliefs and attitudes held by each generation toward work, life, and communication.These differences in perspective and opinion are not new.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Management

Perfect Labor Storm 2.0
Xlibris
August 25, 2007
Nearly 20 years ago, The Perfect Labor Storm started brewing. Job requirements dropped so low that jokes about "warm body" hiring and the "mirror" test (if candidates could fog a mirror, they qualified) became mainstream conversation in boardrooms and Human Resources departments. But much like discussions about climate change controversy ensued. A dot-com bust, 9/11, and the Great Recession was proof enough for the pundits and naysayers that shortages of skilled workers was merely anecdotal. Some even suggested it was a hoax.

But not unlike the Andrea Gail, the boat sucked under by the colossal force two days before the full force of "The Perfect Storm" hit, many businesses and organizations are meeting the same fate. Skilled workers are becoming harder and harder to find. While managers and business owners were hoping that the dark clouds would pass over, they failed to understand that this Perfect Storm was unlike any other crisis they ever confronted. Many if not most never took the Perfect Labor Storm seriously. Their wait-and-see attitude and shortsighted strategies is sinking their Andrea Gails - the businesses they caption.

Since the mid 1990s author Ira S Wolfe has tracked the past and future careers of workers while studying demographic and socio-economic trends set against a background of an unprecedented pace of technological advancement. When Wolfe first introduced The Perfect Labor Storm Generation X was the youngest generation. Since that time, Millennials and now Generation Z have assumed that position while the oldest Gen X are now 50+ years old.

The Perfect Labor Storm details multiple factors converging that can't be ignored. For starters, a shortage of skilled workers exists as predicted by Wolfe. While not evenly distributed, no industry or geographic boundary is protected. But the shortage is almost a symptom and not the cause of bigger problems.

Aging populations, five generations working simultaneously, globalization, a crazy pace of technological change, and the growth of female breadwinners have converged to upset norms and traditions. Adding salt to the wound is an ailing healthcare system, failing education for the middle and lower class, increasing employee turnover, obesity, and number of other contributing factors.

Future labor shortages will not blow over. Time has proven that we are experiencing structural disruption in our economy and labor markets unlike any time since the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century. Management, politicians, and bureaucrats are playing in a new sandbox. The Perfect Labor Storm lays out in detail why shortages of skilled workers will not blow over and initiates the conversation that must take place.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

Understanding Business Motivators and Values
Creative Communication Publications
March 01, 2004
Understanding Business Values and Motivators is THE 21st Century manager's primer to understanding how to motivate employees and how managers can tap into those motivators to encourage continuous productivity improvement, improved morale, and peak performance. Wolfe provides valuable and easily applied tips and techniques that every manager can use right away to motivate employees, loved ones at home, or volunteers. Its purpose is to show you what people value and how to tap into those motivators for their success and yours.

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Tags: Leadership, HR, Future of Work

The Perfect Labor Storm Fact Book
Creative Communication Publications
March 01, 2004
The Perfect Labor Storm Fact Book is the best forecast you can buy to plan your employee recruitment and retention programs. Aging workers, retiring baby boomers, rising health care costs, shortages of skilled workers, generational gaps, work ethics are just a few of the workforce demographic and socio-economic events that are colliding to produce the biggest shortage of skilled workers in the United States and many other developed countries.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

1 Book Award
Best Selling Recruiting Book of All Time
Author's Place Press
December 01, 2017
As featured on CNN, Forbes and Inc, BookAuthority identifies and rates the best books in the world, based on public mentions, recommendations, ratings and sentiment. Recruiting in the Age of Googlzation is listed #7. https://bookauthority.org/books/best-recruiting-books

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Tags: Change Management, Future of Work, HR

3 Book Chapters
The Change 19: Insights into Self-Empowerment
The Change: Jim Britt/Jim Lutes
August 16, 2023
I am humbled and elated that to be included in The Change 19, part of the fastest growing personal development book series in the world. This book is a tapestry of 20 unique perspectives, each thread interwoven with experiences, insights, and strategies aimed at lighting your path. Whether you find solace in a story, embrace a new strategy, or see the world through a different lens, know that each chapter was crafted with the fervent hope to touch and positively impact lives like yours. Stay inspired. Embrace the change.

The world around us is in constant flux, brimming with challenges and uncertainties. Yet, it is in the face of these uncertainties that we find our true strength, discover boundless opportunities, and learn the beautiful dance of life. And just as the night is darkest before the dawn, it is our belief that 'The Change' you seek is right around the corner.

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Tags: Careers, Coaching, Leadership

The Change 19: Insights into Self Empowerment
The Change
August 14, 2023
The Change 19 explores powerful, life-changing stories from 22 inspiring authors including Global Thought Leader Ira S Wolfe. The chapter reveals the importance of purpose as he shares his journey from a successful, but terribly unsatisfied dentist, to future of work thought leader.

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Tags: Careers, Health and Wellness, Mental Health

Create Great Culture in a Remote World
Author's Place
October 11, 2022
In Create Great Culture in a Remote World, four of America's top business coaches share their strategies and experiences on how to lead successful remote teams - whether the employees are in the same city or around the world!

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Tags: Culture, Future of Work, Leadership

1 Courseware
Create an Awesome Candidate Experience
Ira S Wolfe
December 01, 2019
A job candidate should walk away from the recruitment experience feeling good, even if rejected. But despite billions of dollars invested in HR technology and countless human hours spent working on improvement, many candidates walk away disappointed, resentful, and even angry. According to The Talent Boards 2019 Research report, candidate resentment has increased 40 percent since 2016. That should be horrifying news since resentment means 71% of rejected candidates will tell their inner circle and one-third will publicly shame you on social media. That’s not just bad for HR but bad for the brand, bad for the business, and bad for the bottom line.
Creating an Awesome Candidate Experience consists of 3+ hours of video interviews with digital and UX experts, candidate experience leaders and multiple how-to lessons. I'm adding fresh content regularly as well as a workbook, so expect to see fresh content regularly.

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Tags: Customer Experience, HR, Future of Work

1 Executive
Success Performance Solutions
Success Performance Solutions
August 01, 1996
We are one of the premier providers of employment assessments and candidate experience optimization.
HR testing, leadership tests, candidate experience optimization, and applicant tracking software for small and medium-sized business.

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Tags: Management, HR, Future of Work

2 Influencer Awards
PeopleForward Network Celebrates Leadership Impact With First Annual Impact Awards
PeopleForward Network
December 07, 2022
PeopleForward Network, a people-first leadership and communications services company, announces the winners of their first annual “PeopleForward IMPACT Awards. Among the winners was Thinkers360 Global Thought Leader Ira Wolfe for Most Forward Thinking Podcast (https://geeksgeezersgooglization.com).

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Tags: Future of Work

Perfect Labor Storm Author Selected to Top 100 HR Influencers of 2021
Engagedly
July 29, 2021
Engagedly announced its fifth annual list of "Top 100 HR Influencers of 2021" which includes Perfect Labor Storm author Ira S Wolfe. Among other notables honored are Angela Duckworth (Author, Grit), Adam Grant (Author, Think Again), Laszlo Bock (CEO, Humu), and Danny Meyer (CEO, Shake Shack).

Wolfe is the President and Chief Googlization Officer of Poised for the Future Company, Founder of Success Performance Solutions, and host of Talk4TV and Podcast, Geeks Geezers Googlization. His most recent book Recruiting in the Age of Googlization was selected for the top 50 Business Books to read in 2021 by Thinkers360.

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Tags: HR, Future of Work, Recruiting

21 Influencer Newsletters
The Real Reason People Hate Change: Turn Resistance into Action
LinkedIn/Never Normal News
June 03, 2024
Change. The mere mention of it can send shivers down the spine of even the most adventurous souls. But why? Why do we resist it, push it away, and cling to the familiar like a safety blanket? Let's unravel this perplexing phenomenon with a burst of insight into two primary psychological reasons: Psychological Distance and Solution Aversion.

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Tags: Change Management, Future of Work, Leadership

From Future Shock to Future Sensing: Transforming Business Turbulence into Triumph
LinkedIn/Never Normal News
May 28, 2024
Picture This: You're navigating through a minefield of disruptions. Covid-19, inflation, political rifts, AI's meteoric rise, wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East, and recession whispers haunting global markets. You're not a quitter but you find yourself wondering, "WFT" more and more often. "Are we done yet" is a valid question in a world where turbulence, uncertainty and complexity seem to be the only constants.

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Tags: Change Management, Future of Work, Leadership

The Caitlin Clark Effect: What the WNBA Phenom Can Teach Us About Success When Nothing is Normal
LinkedIn/Never Normal News
May 20, 2024
While Clark's WNBA debut has been filled with quite a few "Oh-Sh**" moments, it is packed with lessons for anyone aiming to thrive in an unpredictable Never Normal world. Don't miss out on how you can apply the secrets of a sports superstar to your life and career in the future of work!

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Tags: Careers, Future of Work, Leadership

Navigating the Employee Mental Health Storm
Ira S Wolfe
May 19, 2024
Workplace mental health is a hotter topic than a July sidewalk. I opened up my The Geeks, Geezers, and Googlization Show vault to dive deep into the mental health challenges employees face featuring 7 expert guests. They share insights on trust, adaptability, and the importance of feeling valued. It’s clear: mental health at work is an organizational responsibility if executives expect to adapt, grow, and thrive.

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Tags: Culture, HR, Mental Health

Good News: AI Is Not the Job Killer We Feared
LinkedIn/Never Normal News
May 14, 2024
Wouldn't you know it? No sooner did I publish my latest Never Normal News article, but my inbox dings with an email from Statista. Attached? A list highlighting the 9 jobs most at risk, along with a link to an article spotlighting the 9 most in-demand jobs from a growth perspective. Talk about timing!

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Tags: AI, Future of Work, HR

Is AI a Job Killer or a Game-Changer in Disguise?
LinkedIn/Never Normal News
May 13, 2024
Imagine it’s the early 20th century. Automobiles are replacing carriages, and blacksmiths, buggy whip makers, and carriage craftsmen are all terrified. They’re afraid of becoming obsolete, just like many people fear AI today. Their worry echoes through the ages. The fear hasn’t changed much, has it?

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Tags: AI, Careers, Future of Work

AQ: The Skill Every Manager Expects But Most Managers Never Heard of It
LinkedIn/Never Normal News
May 08, 2024
In today's fast-paced, "Never-Normal," ever-evolving work world, adaptability isn't just a buzzword—it's a make-or-break skill for your career. But while most managers demand it from their teams, few interview for it or coach it well, and almost no one knows how to measure it. It’s like trying to order your favorite dish at a new restaurant when you can’t even describe it to the server. This oversight is a costly mistake because nearly every job needs adaptability, whether it's taking an extra shift to cover for a co-worker, reporting to a new supervisor, or processing credit cards when your Internet goes down. AQ is essential to job success, and knowing your team’s AQ is as important as knowing their skills and experience because it allows you to harness their strengths effectively, fill in gaps with the right support, and ensure your team can thrive in a rapidly changing landscape.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

From Interns to the Boardroom: 10 Reasons Why AQ Matters at Every Level!
LinkedIn/Never Normal News
May 01, 2024
Shout out to all leaders and managers: Are You Guilty of This? It could be costing you dearly. Adaptability Quotient isn't just a leadership competence. With the world changing faster than you can say VUCA, adaptability is an essential skill for almost every worker just to get through the day, no less show up and do their work. Here are 10 events that impact your employees multiple times each day. How they respond depends on their AQ!

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Tags: Change Management, Future of Work, Leadership

What If You Could Time Travel Back to Normal? [Part 1]
LinkedIn/Never Normal News
April 22, 2024
Ever wondered what hitting a giant rewind button to 2010 would be like? Imagine time traveling back 10 years and landing in a global health crisis, in a world where flip phones and landlines were still a thing and social media was taking its first steps. No Zoom, no 4G, no Netflix, no Siri or Alexa to make life easier. How would we have handled a pandemic with just the tools from 2010?

What's your take on this? Could we have managed without our digital advancements?

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Tags: Change Management, Future of Work, Leadership

Beyond the Buzzer: What South Carolina’s Bench Can Teach Us About Adaptability in Business
LinkedIn/Never Normal News
April 15, 2024
Reflecting on the recent Women’s NCAA basketball finals where South Carolina faced Iowa, there’s a standout lesson that goes beyond sports, touching the core of business adaptability: the undeniable value of a strong bench. South Carolina’s overwhelming 37-0 bench point advantage wasn’t just a statistic; it was a masterclass in depth and readiness, precisely what every business needs in its adaptability strategy.

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Tags: Change Management, Future of Work, Leadership

The Secure Everywhere Workforce: Rewriting the Rules of Workplace Flexibility
LinkedIn/Never Normal News
April 14, 2024
For just a moment, let’s rewind to the 1970s: the era of bell-bottoms, disco, and, believe it or not, the dawn of telecommuting. Yes, nearly 10 years before the first personal computer was available, an engineer named Jack Nilles coined the phrase. He and others pictured this: the first glimpses of a world where work wasn't chained to a desk within four walls, with workers dialing into the office from rotary phones at home.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

Why Misjudging The Speed of Change Will Derail Your Strategy
LinkedIn
January 29, 2024
Picture this: a world moving at breakneck speed, where today's innovation is tomorrow's ancient history. Yet, in boardrooms (as well as kitchen tables) across the globe, strategies are being meticulously crafted using yesterday's stopwatch. It’s a dangerous game of catch-up, where the only certainty is falling behind.

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Tags: Change Management, Future of Work, Leadership

The Real Deal on Gen Z: What I Learned from Today's Generation of Undergrads
Ira S Wolfe LinkedIn Article
September 18, 2023
Buckle up, Boomers and Millennials: We've Got a Lot to Learn From Gen Z
You've probably heard the rumors, right? Gen Z is a bunch of screen-addicted, socially awkward, apathetic beings who can't look up from their TikTok feed long enough to say "hello." Well, folks, as a top-ranked global thought leader in the future of work and leadership who recently ventured back into the realm of higher education, I'm here to deliver some news: the clichés are as outdated as a rotary phone..

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

Photographic Memory: Lights, Camera, Memory Misconception!
Ira S Wolfe
August 14, 2023
Welcome back to another issue of BYOBrain Brew, our brain-myth busting series! We've been on a myth-busting marathon, haven't we? From the brain's left-right tango to the whopper of the multitasking myth, we've torn down some pretty all brain tales. And today? Grab your popcorn, because we're zooming in on the blockbuster claim of "photographic memory." Let's snap into it, shall we?

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Tags: Leadership, HR, Future of Work

This Week on the Geeks, Geezers and Googlization Show - 8/14
Ira S Wolfe
August 12, 2023
Gear up for another week filled with insights, revelations, and compelling narratives. Trust us, you wouldn’t want to miss any of it! Join the conversation and let's build a brighter, safer, and more respectful future together!

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Tags: Leadership, HR, Future of Work

Visual Learner or Auditory Learner? Neuroscience Says You're More!
Ira S Wolfe
August 07, 2023
How Neuroscience Unmasks The Truth about Learning. Welcome back to my fourth of twelve myth-busting issues. This time I’m turning to a widely accepted belief that's been circulated in classrooms, workplaces, and self-help books for decades: the idea that people are either visual or auditory learners.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

Walk and Chew Gum: Neuroscience Shatters the Multitasking Myth
Ira S Wolfe
July 31, 2023
Why Multitasking Leads to Lower Productivity and More Mistakes. "Can you walk and chew gum at the same time?" Of course, you can! But how about juggling a phone call, responding to an email, and taking notes from a Zoom meeting simultaneously? That's right, despite what we've been told, multitasking isn't a real superpower, it's a fantastic illusion. The stars of this magic show?

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

Goodbye Left-Brain, Right-Brain
Ira S Wolfe
July 17, 2023
Neuroscience Ushers in a New Era of Management. So here we go! Welcome to my brain myth-busting series where I dismantle the 12 most common myths that managers need to unlearn to grow and thrive in these Never Normal times, beginning with the left brain/right brain myth.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

Mind Over Myth: Are Your Leadership Styles Based on Brain Myths?
Ira S Wolfe
July 10, 2023
Busting 12 Manager Myths About How Our Brains Work. Welcome to the beginning of a Brain’s Guide for Bosses, an exciting journey through the peaks and valleys of our brains. Buckle up, because we're about to embark on a myth-busting expedition that will shatter some long-held beliefs about the incredible three-pound universe nestled within our skulls.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

Mind Over Management: How Neuroscience is Rewiring the Way We Lead
Ira S Wolfe
July 10, 2023
Neuroscience is Giving Managers a Mental Makeover. Are You Ready? Ah, neuroscience, the brainy disruptor that's shaking up the way managers handle their people. It's like a cognitive revolution on steroids! With its fancy brain scans and neuron mumbo-jumbo, neuroscience is giving managers a backstage pass to the inner workings of the human mind. And let me tell you, it's causing quite a stir in the world of management.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

The Brain's Guide to Bossing in 2023
Ira S Wolfe
July 05, 2023
Unlocking Leadership Secrets Straight from Your Brain's HQ. Have you ever found yourself scratching your head, wondering how to light a fire under your team? Are you struggling to retain your top talent and prevent them from getting sucked out the door by your competitors? Do you wonder why management programs that garnered massive ROI and propelled the author CEO to best-seller status fail to bring the best out in your people? Well, prepare to have your mind blown because the answers you seek might not be in your dusty old management textbooks and the heads of charismatic leaders, but rather in the mind-boggling world of neuroscience.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

5 Keynotes
The Experience Revolution
CAPA Empoyer Conference 2023
April 19, 2023
Our world is changing, and jobs are transforming faster than ever before. Skilled labor is shrinking, and resignations are growing, leaving businesses struggling to keep up. With access to top talent becoming increasingly difficult, it's more important than ever to deliver a spectacular experience from the first candidate impression to keeping your best employees on your payroll. What must you do to adapt to this new never-normal world? That's where Future of Work Global Thought Leader Ira S Wolfe comes in. In this must-attend session, he'll share what's ahead for 2023 and beyond, and what HR professionals need to do differently to attract and retain top talent. Whether you're an experienced recruiter, an HR professional, or just landed in the position by chance, this seminar is for you!

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Tags: Leadership, HR, Future of Work

Recruiters are Standing in Deep Shift
SHRM
August 25, 2021
During this presentation at SHRM Talent 2021, author and AQ (adaptability quotient) expert Ira S. Wolfe will share why AQ is a top in-demand skill, how talent acquisition professionals can identify the dimensions that separate survivors from thrivers, and which factors have the greatest impact on sustainable performance.

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Tags: HR, Future of Work, Change Management

Vision for the Future | VUCA 2030
Ira S Wolfe
December 01, 2020
No matter your plan for 2021, personal or business, you'll need to have adapt-ability. Reimagine Tomorrow, Double Down on Adaptability. What's your plan for 2021?

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Tags: Leadership, Future of Work, Change Management

Workforce 2030
Ira S Wolfe
October 04, 2019
Excerpt from Keynote at Lehigh Valley 2030 Workforce Summit

Just weeks after Ira S Wolfe told the audience of business and HR leaders attending Workforce 2030 that they need to keep an eye on companies like Uber, Uber launched a new app to connect workers with businesses. Businesses can use the Uber Works app to seek and hire workers for short-term or temporary jobs. The Uber Works app allows workers to browse through gig jobs with information about gross pay, job location and required skills. Workers can even log their hours through the app.
In my book Recruiting in the Age of Googlization, I end it by asking the question: “What technological disruption or event could disrupt your ability to recruit, hire, and retain top talent in the next 2 to 3 years?”

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Tags: Leadership, HR, Future of Work

Make Change Work for You
TEDx Lehigh River
October 24, 2016
Ira shares his personal template that encourages and inspires others to embrace the future that will be, not the past that was. He shows how to embrace change and make it work positively for individuals and society.

Ira Wolfe describes himself as a “Millennial trapped in a Baby Boomer body.” He is a prototype for the power of
mindset over age. He thinks intensely about how change impacts people and organizations. A prolific blogger, business writer, author, and respected authority on talent management and job fit, Ira walked away from a very successful but unrelated career over 20 years ago and feels he stepped into the future for the first time.

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Tags: Leadership, Future of Work, Change Management

126 Media Interviews
14 Reasons Entrepreneurs Give Up Too Soon (And How To Avoid Doing So)
Forbes.com
June 04, 2024
In the latest Forbes Coaches Council article, I shared a crucial insight: "Unfortunately, entrepreneurs not only give up often, but also sometimes before they get started. I’ve been there, done that—letting enthusiasm and passion drive the plan. While it may seem antithetical to many entrepreneurs’ beliefs, I recommend using the Business Model Canvas or something similar to plan the business. When failure looks like an option, use the BMC to check out what needs to be tweaked before throwing in the towel."

Curious about the other 13 reasons why many entrepreneurs give up too soon and how YOU can avoid that pitfall? BTW - this isn't bad advice for everyone.

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Tags: Careers, Entrepreneurship, Innovation

15 Effective And Affordable Retreat Ideas For Remote Companies
Forbes.com
June 03, 2024
Fifteen Forbes Coaches Council members, including Ira S Wolfe, discuss effective and affordable ideas for remote company retreats to help leaders in this position consider all of their options. Even though a team may not be able to meet face-to-face, its leaders can take steps to create stronger bonds, enhance loyalty to the company and get everyone aligned with a strategic vision.

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Tags: Coaching, Future of Work, HR

How To Begin Revamping A Professional’s Already-Strong Personal Brand
Forbes.com
May 20, 2024
Even top-tier business leaders, with their rock-solid personal brands, sometimes feel the itch for something new. Fresh challenges, changing markets, or simply the need to escape burnout can drive the urge for a brand makeover. It’s about reigniting that professional spark and embracing fresh ventures brimming with potential!

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Tags: Careers, Future of Work, Personal Branding

How To Apply Systems Thinking To Business Leadership
Forbes.com
May 13, 2024
Systems thinking is all about looking at interactions between different elements of a system, rather than each element in isolation. By looking at how the parts of the whole function together, leaders can uncover hidden relationships, anticipate unintended consequences and develop more sustainable solutions for their organizations.

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Tags: Change Management, Future of Work, Leadership

20 Ways Leaders Can Build A Growth Culture By Embracing Failure
Forbes.com
December 01, 2023
To help leaders cultivate a workplace where failure leads to growth—rather than dashed career aspirations or demerits on performance reviews—20 members of Forbes Coaches Council share their expert insights. My response focused on the need to define failure.

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Tags: Management, Leadership, Change Management

20 Common Obstacles Standing In The Way Of Team Transformation
Forbes.com
November 22, 2023
Featured as one of 20 Forbes Coaches Council members in an article discussing some of these obstacles, shedding light on hurdles that can hinder even the most well-conceived and well-intentioned team transformation efforts. My focus was a "lack of common purpose." A recent McKinsey survey revealed that only 15% of frontline managers and frontline employees feel that they are living their purpose at work. Aligning around purpose is all fine and good, but oftentimes alignment runs parallel. It’s essential to find the point where individual purpose and organizational purpose intersect. Help employees craft purpose profiles, then create the opportunity to share them.

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Tags: Management, Leadership, Future of Work

18 Coaches Share The Top Issues Clients In Their Space Are Focused On
Forbes.com
September 26, 2023
18 Forbes Coaches Council members each share the No. 1 issue their clients come to them for guidance on and why it is such a focal point in their particular coaching space. Future of Work Global Thought Leader shares his views on adaptability.

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Tags: Management, Leadership, Future of Work

The Hypocrisy and Hysteria about Remote Work and Productivity
NTD News
June 19, 2023
Is remote work not good for productivity? You might believe so after reading a just-released survey that revealed that almost 3 out of 4 remote workers scroll through social media during work hours. That 1 in 5 Americans nap during work while doing it remotely. And get this: 3 in 10 Americans (35.3%) say they have moved their mouse around on the clock so that their status showed “active” while they were doing something besides working. Who are the biggest culprits: Gen Zers (50.7%) are the most likely of any generation to do this. (I’ll bet all your Millennials are relieved that all fingers aren’t pointed at you this time!)

Well NTD News reached out to me (Ira S Wolfe) for my response. I summed up it up in just 4 words: “hybrid hysteria” and “productivity paranoia.”

This is deja vu all over again. I cite numerous reports of employees wasting time and dodging managers from over 20 years ago including an epidemic of presenteeism, which I wrote about in my book series Perfect Labor Storm. What’s the solution? Managers must focus on outcomes, not hours and minutes worked.

Do you agree?

BTW - make sure you download Create Great Culture in a Remote World. It's free! https://irawolfe.com/free-book

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Tags: Leadership, HR, Future of Work

Fast and Furious: Will AI on a Supercomputer Will Leave Us in the Dust
Dig Life Deep Podcast
June 12, 2023
Part 4 of a series on AI. Here’s another segment about the mind-boggling pace of change fueled by the convergence of artificial intelligence and supercomputing. I share how the speed of technology is accelerating at an incredible rate, with computers 158 million times faster than the microprocessors most of us use today in laptops and smartphones. I dug deeper into the exponential curve of technological advancement, which only means that innovation will continue to skyrocket, leaving our human brain in the dust. But with great power comes great responsibility and we must continuously consider the potential risks and benefits of AI on society. Enjoy and stay tuned. We’ll be visiting AI a lot on Dig Deep Life and my own podcast Geeks Geezers and Googlization Show.

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Tags: AI, Future of Work, Quantum Computing

The Resilient Leader's Edge
Geeks Geezers and Googlization Show
June 08, 2023
Imagine a world where leaders embrace their role as custodians, not merely overseeing their organizations, but nurturing them into prosperous and resilient powerhouses. Now, picture yourself at the forefront of this transformative movement, equipped with the tools and mindset to become an exceptional custodian and resilient leader. In this episode, we unravel the secrets behind this revolutionary approach with Scott Abbott, a master of building prosperous, high-growth, resilient businesses. He is an exceptional and resilient leader who thrives in the face of challenges. Get ready to be inspired, challenged, and empowered as we explore the incredible journey of being a custodian and resilient leader. This is a conversation you won't want to miss!

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Tags: Leadership, Culture, Future of Work

Shattering Stigma: Trailblazing Transformations in Employee Mental Health
Geeks Geezers Googlization Show
May 31, 2023
Did you know that nearly one-fifth of U.S. workers (19%) rate their mental health as fair or poor and two-thirds are not thriving? And yet while 97 percent of large companies offer EAP, less than 3 percent of employees use the benefit. Why?

We're ready to challenge the norms, spark outrage, inspire action and shatter the stigma surrounding mental health. From anxiety to burnout, we will fearlessly explore the unspoken battles that individuals face every day. No more hiding in the shadows, it's time to bring mental health to the forefront!

But that's not all! Brace yourself for a mind-blowing exploration of technology's role in supporting our mental well-being and how tech-driven innovations are transforming mental health.

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Tags: Future of Work, Health and Wellness, HR

To Pause or Not to Pause: The AI Research Debate with Ira S Wolfe
Dig Life Deep Podcast
May 25, 2023
Part 3 of a series on AI. There's been a lot of talk lately about the dangers of AI and whether we should hit the pause button on its research and development to address potential concerns. Some important people are calling for a 6-12 month pause, but is that even feasible?

Here's another Future Shock 2.0 segment on the Dig Life Deep podcast.
In this episode, I continue my conversation with John Aidan Byrne about Artificial Intelligence (AI).

If we pause, what if the bad actors don't comply? Doesn't that leave us at an even greater disadvantage? The fear and anxiety surrounding AI are real, but maybe a global conversation among all parties could be the solution. What do you think? Let's talk about it in the comments.

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Tags: AI, Future of Work, Leadership

Maslow, Martin, and Mattering at Work
Geeks Geezers Googlization
May 24, 2023
For decades, managers and business consultants have jumped on Maslow’s self-actualization model as the holy grail of employee motivation. So why is it that employee engagement and their mental health are at record lows? Have we been duped? Is there more to the story than what Abraham Maslow proposed?

Get ready for a thought-provoking live stream and podcast that challenges everything you thought you knew about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and the future of employee performance, employee well-being, and employee mental health. Buckle up for a captivating conversation as we navigate the complexities of finding meaning, mattering, and purpose in today's ever-evolving workplaces. We will explore not only Maslow's theories but the impact and role of Martin Seligman's positive psychology in the future of work. This episode will undoubtedly make you question everything you thought you knew about self-actualization and discover new perspectives on thriving in your professional life. Don't settle for old paradigms—explore the frontiers of well-being and mattering at work today!

We are thrilled to bring back Zach Mercurio Ph.D for an encore appearance on The Geeks Geezers Googlization Show. Zach is an author, researcher, speaker, and consultant specializing in purposeful leadership, meaningful work, and positive organizational psychology. He wrote the book The Invisible Leade

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Tags: Future of Work, Health and Wellness, HR

Reinvigorating employee wellness that lasts
Room.com
May 23, 2023
2023 may be the year of wellness, as more employers begin to pay attention and prioritize well-being in the workplace.

“Is there a change in management’s willingness to talk about mental wellness, mental health, and well-being? And the answer is absolutely yes” says Ira Wolfe, a longtime HR consultant, author, and speaker on the future of work. “It has become a really, really popular subject.

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Tags: Culture, HR, Mental Health

Innovative Storytelling: How Managers Can Become Heroes of the Future Workplace
Geeks Geezers Googlization Show
May 17, 2023
Have you ever wondered how to encourage resistant managers to lead change and shift their way of recruiting, retaining, and engaging workers in this Never-Normal world? Then this episode is for you. According to Susan Lindner, the world’s leading expert on innovation storytelling, you need to encourage them to become the hero of the transformation. Susan shares how managers can create an emotional and engaging narrative to lead their teams through VUCA - the volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity of today’s world. From brothels in Thailand to the World Bank, our conversation covers a wide range of topics and experiences that have shaped the speaker's perspective on the art and power of storytelling in promoting change. Whether you are fascinated or terrified by change, this episode is for you.

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Tags: Change Management, Future of Work, Leadership

Inside the World of AI: Risks and Opportunities for the Future
Dig Life Deep Podcast
May 10, 2023
It's time to break down the latest segment of Future Shock 2.0 on the Dig Life Deep podcast. In this episode, workforce trends expert Ira S Wolfe shares his excitement about artificial intelligence (AI) and the risks of it falling into the hands of bad actors. With the exponential growth of AI, the potential for misuse is a real concern. The ongoing war in Ukraine serves as a reminder of the impact that technology and AI can have. But fear alone will not prevent the negative impacts of AI. We need to stay informed, develop effective cybersecurity protocols, and apply AI technology itself to keep up with its advancements.

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Tags: AI, Future of Work, Leadership

The Ethics of AI
Dig Life Deep Podcast
April 23, 2023
On this episode of Future Shock 2.0 segment on the Dig Life Deep Podcast, Future of Work Global Thought Leader Ira S Wolfe discusses the growing concern around artificial intelligence, or AI. Wolfe is both fascinated and terrified by it. While there are many advantages to AI, such as finding solutions to climate control and medical treatments, the risks versus benefits need to be carefully measured. The recent letter from 800 influential leaders expressing concerns regarding the lack of regulations and guardrails for AI, and the generation of biases and misinformation add to the ethical and practical concerns. Listen to what Ira Wolfe has to say.

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Tags: AI, Future of Work, Leadership

Culture Currency: Measuring the Value of Organizational Culture in the Digital Age
Geeks Geezers Googlization Show
April 19, 2023
Have you ever considered the actual monetary value of your organizational culture? If your culture were turned into currency, would it be worth as much as Bitcoin?

In the modern workplace, we all know by now that culture is king. But how do you measure the value of something that’s still so abstract?

This is what Tom Bradbury of Helix2 is working on!

In this episode of Geek Geezers Googlization, we'll take a walk on the wild side with Tom to explore groundbreaking new ways to measure culture and decode its true value in the future of work. From identifying hidden risks, to integrating AI capabilities, into Web 3, to create a consistent framework for governance, measurement, and oversight, we'll cover angles on organizational culture that never seemed possible.

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Tags: Culture, HR, Leadership

Commercial Space Odyssey 2023: The Future of Workspaces
Geeks Geezers Googlization Show
April 12, 2023

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Tags: Change Management, Future of Work, Leadership

Where to Find AI Jobs in 2023? | Ira S Wolfe interview about Stanford University AI Report
NTD News
April 06, 2023
The hype around artificial intelligence (AI) is on the rise and for good reason. With millions of dollars poured into AI technology in 2022, the demand for AI-related jobs is soaring. In this video, we dive into Stanford University's latest report that reveals the top industries and locations for AI jobs in 2023. Over 800,000 job postings required AI skills, far exceeding the 123,000 layoffs in the tech industry.

According to the report, the information sector dominates the job market, but other diverse fields like manufacturing, agriculture, and forestry are also using AI. The video also highlights the top locations for AI jobs, with California, Texas, and New York leading the way. If you're a tech worker looking for a career change or just interested in AI, then this video is a must-watc

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Tags: AI, Future of Work, HR

ChatGPT, Jobs, and Babysitting
Dig Life Deep Podcast
April 03, 2023
Looking for a babysitter, teacher, or mentor for yourself and your employees? Or are you just interested in the impact and future of artificial intelligence on work and jobs?

Meet ChatGPT. To prepare for this interview with Dig Life Deep's John Aidan Byrne, I asked Chat GPT to explain itself to a kid. It said it's like having conversations with your toys or stuffed animals, users can engage with users like a friend.

(The downside of that, of course, is terrifying. Think of the movie “Her” which tells the story of Theodore Twombly who finds himself falling in love with 'Samantha', an advanced operating system. But that’s another story related to a loneliness epidemic!)

But what does this mean for our job market? Chat GPT is already disrupting jobs, and many companies are using it to do research and write content, create strategies, and design PowerPoint presentations. Some say this is just the first chapter for ChatGPT and its parent AI. I say it’s only the prologue. The implications of Chat GPT are enormous. Listen.

So, are you ready to embrace the future? Join the conversation and share your thoughts on Chat GPT and the future of AI.

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Tags: AI, Future of Work, HR

What’s the Future like for These Damn Toxic Cultures?
Growth Hacking Culture
April 02, 2023
In today's competitive business world, toxic work cultures are detrimental to both employees and the organization's success. From negativity, harassment, and discrimination to undervalued employees, overworked staff, and burnout, toxic work cultures can be a recipe for disaster.

While some companies may still maintain toxic work cultures, it's becoming increasingly clear that such practices are untenable and unappealing to both employees and consumers. Companies that prioritize healthy work cultures are likely to be more successful and better equipped to compete in the long term.

In this episode, I have invited a monument of HR, future of work and Culture Ira Wolfe

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Tags: Leadership, HR, Future of Work

America's Immigration Challenges: The Education of Foreign Students in American Colleges
Dig Life Deep Podcast
April 01, 2023
Join us for another Future Shock 2.0 segment on Dig Life Deep podcast, hosted by John Aidan Byrne. In this segment workforce trends expert, Ira Wolfe, continues the discussion about America's immigration challenges and the education of foreign students in American colleges. In this video, we explore the challenges of retaining foreign students in the U.S. after graduation and the political and economic challenges that come with it. Ira sheds light on the delicate balance between meeting the demands of schools and fixing labor market problems while not destabilizing foreign countries' economies. Tune in to gain valuable insights into this complex issue.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

Cracking the Leadership Code: Secrets to Building Strong Leaders for the 21st Century
Geeks Geezers Googlization
March 29, 2023
Are you ready to step up your leadership game and make a real difference? Leading in the 21st century can be tough, but it doesn't have to be. In this episode, we're diving deep into the secrets of building strong leaders with Alain Hunkins, a leading expert with decades of experience training leaders across 25 countries.

According to recent studies, only 23% of people think their leaders lead well, leading to disengagement, turnover, unhappiness, anxiety, stress, and poor performance. But it doesn't have to be this way. We'll explore the three secrets to building strong leaders, as outlined in Hunkins' book, "Cracking the Leadership Code."

We'll learn how to recognize and overcome bad habits inherited from previous generations of leaders, and how old-school leaders can thrive in the new-school world. We'll also dive into the importance of leading with empathy, and how to overcome the obstacles to developing it. Plus, we'll explore how creating a great employee experience can positively impact your team's productivity and well-being.

Whether you're an aspiring leader or a seasoned executive, this episode is for you. With Hunkins' practical insights and tools, you'll be equipped to build stronger, more effective leaders in the 21st century. So, join us as we unlock the secrets to cracking the leadership code and making a real difference in your team's success.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

The Perfect Labor Storm with Ira S Wolfe
BCG ORG Corporation
March 21, 2023
In Episode 67, Ira S. Wolfe discusses The Perfect Labor Storm. Ira S. Wolfe is a dynamic thought leader on the future of work and HR, recognized as one of Thinkers 360's Top 5 Global Thought Leaders in the space.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

3 Panels
2024 Predictions, hosted by Ivanti
Ivanti
December 20, 2023
To succeed in 2024, business leaders must embrace the spirit of exploration. Tune in on December 20th at 11 am EST to discover what some of the top minds in the industry at Ivanti predict for the coming year, along with moderator and top influencer in the #EveryWhereWork space, Ira Wolfe. Get ready to be inspired to start 2024 right.

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Tags: Cybersecurity, Future of Work, Leadership

SHRM's Tune in Tuesdays
SHRM
July 13, 2021
Join Ira Wolfe, Amber Clayton, SHRM-SCP, and Dick Finnegan for another engaging episode of “Tune in Tuesdays!” The panelists will discuss #talentacquisition.

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Tags: Leadership, HR, Future of Work

Resilience is for "Sissies"
Success Performance Solutions
March 24, 2021
To say that the year 2020 was disruptive is not just an understatement but it reeks of gross negligence. What started as a novel virus morphed into a global socio-economic transformation overnight. Normal died unexpectantly and like a grieving family, the world is mourning its passing

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Tags: HR, Future of Work, Business Strategy

493 Podcasts
Bouncing Back from Rock Bottom: Hire a Stupidity Sponsor!
Ira Wolfe
August 14, 2024
resHave you ever felt like you hit rock bottom and wondered how you’d ever bounce back? Well, just wait until you hear this engaging and heartfelt episode of The Whole You! This is the 2nd and concluding episode with host Joe Serio along with the resilient Kevin and Steph Mason, who share their rollercoaster journey of overcoming life’s darkest moments. Their secret: a stupidity sponsor! Oh yeah, focusing on the next step and leaning on faith helped keep their lives in check.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

Heart-Stopping Moments, Unbelievable Resilience: What Would You Do in Their Shoes?
Ira Wolfe
July 30, 2024
On Part 1 of this 2-part episode of The Whole You, Kevin and Steph Mason share their incredible journey of resilience and courage. Together they have faced unimaginable challenges, from surviving electrocution and battling multiple cancers to overcoming fears of infertility and birth defects. And yet While their story is nothing short of awe-inspiring and personal, it’s entertaining and at times, downright hilarious.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

Crafting a Workplace of Well-Being: Strategies for Leaders and Employees
Ira Wolfe
June 28, 2024
What if all those office wellness perks aren’t actually helping? Is your office wellness program just a series of gimmicks? In this episode Tanya Tarr, Senior Contributor, Forbes, and Behavioral Scientist, and host Joe Serio dissect the myths of workplace wellness. You might rethink those yoga sessions! Tune in now!

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

Main Street vs. Wall Street: Inflation Woes, Tech Giants, and Election Buzz
Ira Wolfe
June 24, 2024
AI dominance, energy trade-offs, and election jitters. Those were the topics this month’s esteemed Wall St panel explored on At the Corner of Main St. and Wall St. The juxtaposition of Main Street and Wall Street may seem worlds apart, yet they are becoming increasingly intertwined. Join us as we unpack the implications of the rising cost of living, the potential shift in political administration, and the transformative power of AI in our economy. Whether you’re an investor, a tech enthusiast, or simply someone curious about future trends, this episode has something for you.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership

Everywhere Work: Threading the IT Needle with Security and Flexibility
Ira Wolfe
June 20, 2024
In this episode host Ira S Wolfe and Ivanti’s CMO Melissa Puls peel back the layers of IT and security, and trust us, it’s more challenging than you’d ever expect. We tackle the crippling silo effect, dig into the exponential growth of security vulnerabilities, and explore the intricate dance between CIOs, CISOs, and HR. It can feel like you’re trying to thread a needle with one hand tied behind your back.

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Tags: Future of Work, HR, Leadership