LBS Professor speaks at Netherlands Palace Symposium

On 23 November, LBS Professor of Management Practice in Organisational Behaviour Lynda Gratton addressed guests of H.M. King Willem-Alexander, H.M. Queen Máxima and H.R.H. Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands at the Palace Symposium on the Future of Work convened by the Dutch Royal Couple at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.

The goal of the symposium was to discuss the big issues related to the future of work, such as jobs, unemployment, wages and income inequality, along with consideration of new ideas, changemaker strategies and how businesses and governments might collaborate in the future.

Professor Gratton spoke about the way that the Covid-19 pandemic has changed attitudes, skills and possibilities in relation to the world of work, something that she covered in her most recent book, Redesigning Work. She talked about the tangible assets that employees value, such as savings, property and pension, comparing these to intangible assets that employers and employees value around productivity, vitality and transformation.

She also spoke to guests about the long-term trends that are changing the nature of work, such as increased longevity, the rise of technology and the rise of dual careers and inequality. She drew upon her work with Professor Andrew J Scott, her co-author of The 100 Years Life, to explain the implications that increased longevity is having on the corporate world, such as the move from a three-stage model where people are educated, go to work and then retire to the multistage stage life where people are educated, then move through periods of exploration, employment in an organisation, transition, self-employment, a portfolio career to retirement.

“I was truly honoured to be the keynote speaker, along with Josh Bersin and Dr Kim Putters, at the Palace Symposium on the Future of Work. Every year the Palace Committee selects a topic that is important to them and I am delighted that this year they chose the future of work. After our presentation there was a moderated conversation over dinner with around 150 people representing all parts of Dutch society. It was wonderful to be part of this initiative and I am thrilled to see the topic so high on the agenda.”

Professor Gratton’s speech is available to listen to now.