Navigating the Way Forward: iSpring on Insights Gained at the NEXT Thought Leadership Event in Brisbane, Australia

The National Convention & Exhibition (NEXT), one of the thought leadership events for human resource professionals in Brisbane, Australia, took place on August 8-10, 2023 at the Brisbane Convention & Entertainment Centre. The event was hosted by the Australian HR Institute and brought together over 130 speakers and exhibitors, and more than 1,500 attendees. 

At NEXT, brilliant minds in HR and business, as well as top industry practitioners and leading service providers, met to discuss the next milestones for workplace innovations. It was an immense honor for iSpring to be a part of the NEXT event and feature its robust technologies that help design new learning experiences and shape the future of online corporate training. 

In this article, Anna Lebedeva, Marketing Director in the ANZ region at iSpring, shares the most eye-opening insights she gained from the keynote speech of world-famous expert in collaborative sciences Keith Ferrazzi, and the deep-dive session with Dr. Sean Gallagher, an internationally recognized expert on the future of work. 

Continue reading to learn more about the synergy of teamship and the transformative power of artificial intelligence – and the importance of both for future HR initiatives. 

Embracing Teamship: Catalyzing Collaboration in the Future of Work, by Keith Ferrazzi 

Keith Ferrazzi’s speech revolved around a fundamental paradigm shift in the HR industry and beyond. Instead of clinging to the traditional notion of leadership, more and more professional and business communities are embracing the synergy of teamship. Ferrazzi argues that it’s time for a new social contract – one that cultivates the power of collaboration and trust, surpassing outdated strict hierarchies. Education, especially comprehensive eLearning experiences, is an essential tool to help us transition to this new paradigm.

Key highlights of the speech

On the essence of teamship

Teamwork is central to efficiency, progress, and innovation. It is the collective effort of individual talents, not their isolated endeavors, that vitalizes life-changing ideas.

On redefining productivity and the quest for 10x

The value of effective teamwork is undeniable. But do we understand how to truly harness team potential? According to Keith Ferrazzi, while the concept of team dysfunction has been dissected for decades, it’s time we take a closer look at the principles of cultivating positive team functionality. 

This perspective will allow us to foster exponential growth, not settling for a mere 10% improvement, but striving for a remarkable 10x leap in team productivity. As we prioritize vertical hierarchies and personal meritocracy, teams have been undervalued for far too long, and their true potential remains untapped. It’s time to change that. 

On teams as powerhouses for solving the world’s challenges

We have to reshape our view and recognize that traditional leadership may not be fit to address the world’s most pressing challenges. Teamship, on the other hand, is a framework that contributes to a culture that nurtures psychological safety and mutual trust. Within such a culture, solving global issues of any complexity is much more plausible. Teams become powerhouses of innovation, ushering in a dynamic era of co-creation and constant exchange.

Actionable insights on practicing teamship

So, how can organizations navigate this transformative shift toward teamship? Let’s delve into the practical strategies that you can implement today:  

• Improve collaboration. To improve the decision-making process with subject matter experts (SMEs), consider a new approach. Start a round of collaborative input to encourage knowledge transfer and new ideas from team members. Optimize this process through a concise and engaging training session. Use eLearning tools like iSpring Suite to visualize the results of your collaboration: craft captivating presentations or impactful reports that resonate with all stakeholders.

• Prioritize learning. Create a proactive learning culture to empower your team of SMEs. Implement iSpring Suite to design relevant training modules to help every team member gain the skills they need. Strengthen this initiative with surveys and open feedback loops, facilitated through iSpring Suite’s survey feature.

• Run collaborative sessions. Organize engaging, collaborative meetings with your team. A common space – whether a physical room or a virtual meeting – will help you find elegant solutions to complex problems and come up with novel approaches for growth.  

The Transformative Power of Generative AI: Its Impact on Employment and Well-being, by Dr. Sean Gallagher 

AI is a technology that’s here to stay. Bill Gates believes that this groundbreaking technology will have an impact similar to those engendered by mobile phones and the Internet. 

Generative AI is perhaps the most intriguing facet of AI evolution. Generative AI tools can now produce diverse content types like text, images, and audio, based on extensive data patterns. These tools are rapidly making their way into various sectors, and their influence on work tasks and human resources is already profound.

Key highlights of the speech

On generative AI and its swift adoption

According to Dr. Gallagher, the adoption of generative AI tools has been swift and impactful. Professionals in different industries are readily embracing these tools for their potential to reshape a variety of work processes. 

Statistical data on the use of ChatGPT shows that, within just four months since its release, 43% of US professionals were already turning to this generative AI tool for work-related tasks. Experts predict that qualified professionals, particularly in fields such as law, business, architecture, and engineering, stand to benefit the most from the adoption of generative AI.

On navigating the way forward with generative AI

Although the generative AI trend is still fresh, both users and experts have already begun to ask questions about the prevalence, applications, and effects of generative AI tools in the workplace. Can they truly enhance productivity, improve work quality, and help maintain work-life balance through optimization? As the influence of generative AI continues to grow, HR professionals need to play a pivotal role in shaping its integration into the workforce.

On empowering HR professionals and the journey ahead

Research from the Swinburne University of Technology and the McKinsey Group underscores the importance of HR professionals leading the integration of AI tools into their organizations. Rather than restricting the use of AI, HR should focus on cultivating smart policies that encourage the mindful and effective use of generative AI systems.

The research shows that 60% of employees who use generative AI are self-taught, often relying on platforms like YouTube and other open sources for guidance. Only 20% seek help from managers or colleagues. This situation needs to change.

Actionable insights for HR leaders

The potential of generative AI is vast, and HR leaders can and should play a pivotal role in maximizing its benefits. Here are some practices that can help facilitate the process:

• Democratize GenAI. Create a safe environment that encourages experimentation and learning. Implement eLearning tools like iSpring Suite to develop simple courses that teach employees how to use AI effectively and responsibly.

• Empower innovation. Facilitate peer-to-peer learning and collaboration. Introduce concepts like hackathons to encourage the development and discussion of AI approaches among your team. iSpring Learn LMS empowers you to create effective blended learning structures for collaborative learning initiatives.

• Train new skills. Prioritize eLearning to teach your team members prompt engineering, bias detection, handling, and creative evaluation skills. Build prompt libraries for your organization to improve knowledge sharing and develop a robust knowledge management system (KMS) architecture.

• Scale gradually. Begin the integration of generative AI through test-and-learn approaches, focusing on repetitive and routine tasks first. Slowly but steadily scale its use across different facets of your organization for a smooth, comfortable transformation.

About the Speakers

Keith Ferrazzi

Keith Ferrazzi is a key figure in the investigation into the nature of team transformation. As a bestselling author, speaker, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Keith specializes in helping teams toward radical adaptability and Co-Elevation®. Keith’s mission is to empower extraordinary teams, assist them in achieving global goals, and foster deep intra- and inter-team connections.

Dr. Sean Gallagher

Dr. Sean Gallagher is a leading authority on the future of work. Dr. Gallagher collaborates with business leaders and develops the best ways to leverage the potential of workers in a digital economy. His research, including the reports “Peak Human Potential” and “Peak Human Workplace,” establishes the workplace as a pathway to innovation. Endorsed by APEC, Engineers Australia, and TAFE Directors Australia, Dr. Gallagher’s work has a profound impact on policies and organizational growth strategies.

Final Thoughts 

The world is becoming more digitalized than ever, and generative AI has the potential to reshape collaboration patterns, boost productivity, and improve well-being. HR professionals are leading the way in this transformation, making sure that AI fuels progress and innovation in an ethical, organic manner. 

As we move forward, prioritizing teamship, we need to focus on re-establishing its key aspects like productivity, knowledge exchange, and interdependence. This will pave the way for an era in which teams feel even more empowered to innovate and pioneer, supported by sophisticated learning and collaboration tools like iSpring products.