The Future of Work Is Already Here
(Originally published on Substack. Follow the link above to read more from Dr. Nikki Lanier)
The future of work is not a distant conversation. It’s barreling toward us—and in many ways, it’s already here.
The 2045 Reality
By 2045, demographic shifts will have fundamentally reshaped the workforce. The majority of people available to work will look, live, and think differently than what many employment cultures have historically centered.
But demographics are only part of the story. Psychographics are shifting too. Employees today are no longer satisfied with a paycheck alone. They’re looking for meaning in what they do. They’re seeking belonging in the places they work. They’re demanding alignment between their personal values and the organizational values they are asked to uphold.
This isn’t a passing trend—it’s a deep restructuring of how people view work itself.
Why 20 Years Isn’t Enough
Yes, 2045 is still two decades away. But consider what must transform in that time: the human heart, the human mind, the psyche, our learned experiences, our lived experiences, and the presumptive narratives we’ve inherited about what people look like and the value we assign because of it.
All of that has to change—and 20 years is nowhere near enough time. But it’s all we’ve got.
People often ask me why I’m talking about something that feels so far in the future. It’s because I recognize what it will take for us to till the ground, plant the seeds, and ultimately witness the harvest of a nation—and a workforce—that is fully awakened to the humanity of all its citizens.
Surrogate Engagement Is Rising
Here’s something often overlooked: surrogate engagement.
Even employees who don’t personally identify as racial or cultural minorities are paying close attention to how their minority colleagues experience the workplace. And when they see inequity, exclusion, or disconnection—they carry those impressions into their own engagement, satisfaction, and loyalty.
Employee experience is no longer individual. It reverberates. The way one person feels at work inevitably shapes how many others engage with the organization.
The Equity & Inclusion Tension
At the same time, we live in a cultural moment where even saying the words equity and inclusion can trigger defensiveness, frustration, or outright fear. Leaders hesitate. Teams avoid. The concepts are politicized.
But the truth we cannot afford to sidestep is this:
Equity and inclusion are not buzzwords.
They are not optional.
They are the core risk mitigation strategies for building workplaces that are elastic, relevant, competitive, and distinct.
Ignoring them doesn’t make the tension go away—it amplifies the risk.
What’s at Stake
Organizations that resist these realities will struggle to attract, engage, and retain the talent they need to remain viable. The workforce of tomorrow will not settle for outdated, exclusionary cultures.
The future of work is demanding something new from us. The only question left is:
👉 Are we willing to build it?
Nikki Lanier
Check out more articles on the Future of Work in Harvest.