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Shaping the future workplace: insights on people, AI, leadership and flexibility

In the latest episode of our “In Conversation…” podcast series for 2025, Lucy Lewis speaks with Peter Cheese, Chief Executive of the CIPD.

Lucy and Peter revisit their 2021 conversation, exploring how the workplace focus has evolved since the pandemic. They discuss the importance of people in organisations, evolving employee expectations, and the critical role of leadership and culture. They touch on the ongoing debate about the future of office work, hybrid models, and the impact of economic and geopolitical uncertainties on business strategies. The conversation dives into the shifting landscape of DE&I in businesses as well as the challenges and demands on business leaders and line managers in a time of transformational change.

Join Lucy and Peter as they explore the evolving role of AI in the workplace and how it can be used to transform work. They discuss the emerging trends that employers should focus on to future-proof their organisations, highlighting the need for agile organisations and adaptive leads who can empower their teams, listen to diverse perspectives, and foster a culture of continuous learning.

Key takeaways:

• Importance of people: The focus on people in organisations has strengthened, highlighting the strategic importance of skills, talent, leadership, and culture.
• Flexible working and work-life integration: Flexible working arrangements and work-life integration have become critical, with a need for equity in flexible working options.
• Diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I): DE&I initiatives have grown, driven by social change and the need for businesses to navigate complex issues and manage workforce expectations.
• Leadership capabilities and training: Enhanced leadership capabilities and proper training for managers is essential to navigate transformational change and manage people effectively.
• Trust and integrity in leadership: Trust is a fundamental aspect of the employer-employee relationship, and integrity in leadership is crucial for fostering trust and engagement.
• AI as an opportunity: AI is seen as a tool to drive growth and improve employee experiences, requiring ethical and responsible use and integration with human skills.
• Long-term investment in skills: Investing in the skills and capabilities of the workforce is crucial for long-term success, including upskilling and reskilling employees to adapt to changes.