A recent article by Bill Gates warns us of the unprecedented impact that AI could have on the world as we know it. He is predicting turbulent times ahead of us, with massive social issues and dramatic changes to the workplace and jobs that were once considered essential.

Whilst the industrial revolution and the technological revolution of previous centuries both resulted in major upheaval in many industries and a shift from manual jobs to ‘knowledge workers’, we can expect two significant differences this time.

Firstly, both blue- and white-collar jobs are likely to be impacted, as AI has the potential to take over various roles everywhere from sales to healthcare to the legal profession.

Secondly, is the pace of change. Change has been accelerating for some time now, and this can lead some organisations into trouble by blindly jumping onto trends, while others falter as they are left behind.

A business that plans to survive these “turbulent times” not only needs agility, it also needs leadership processes that provide stability for the present and flexibility for the future. This means decisions based on thoughtful assessment of opportunities, not guesswork and hope.

Long term success means getting the foundations right, which is why I have created Future Fit Foundations. It’s a 6-week coaching program for engineering and related businesses who are serious about sustaining their growth into the future.

Many business owners, directors, and general managers are worried about their ability to sort out the noise from the necessary, questioning how to grow a business that is not reliant on key individuals, and avoid sacrificing their health and life along the way.

Structured processes guiding the manager through analysis and planning, can help lift the overwhelm and build foundations for continued operation, navigating the turbulence being forecast.