Aaron McEwan

Aaron is Vice President, Research & Advisory for Gartner’s HR practice. He advises heads of HR, heads of IT, boards and executives on HR Strategy, the future of work and the HR issues that impact the executive teams and the board. At the moment, this is the future of work. Many companies are concerned about this topic. Aaron is a passionate sociologist and psychologist. He has always been passionate about the human condition. He sees the human condition as one that exists in a society. Within this, the humanisation of work and work that is uniquely and predominantly human. How do we create work and workplaces which are set up for humanised work? Work in the future is increasingly complex, emotional and requires more problem-solving. Some of the more established professions are at risk of automation. E.g. radiographers or law firm clerks are at more risk of an impact than aged care workers. The Humanising of Work impacts all jobs will change. The difference will be by how much. Another driving force has been the pandemic which has accelerated the humanising of work. E.g. traditionally low paid undervalued jobs like nursing, teaching and delivery driving are now realised as high-value roles. Increased complexity and emotional; components. Life is complex and messy. Experiences of remote work and workplace culture have improved because people can now be their authentic selves rather than putting on a work face or a home face. Aaron is apprehensive about leaders. When the rapid change to hybrid or remote work occurred, the leaders took longer than the employees to get up to speed and adapt. For young people starting their careers, be very curious about technology, the work about which you are passionate and the problems that need to be solved.