Last fall, as I was finalizing our annual plan and budget for 2024, I remarked to our leadership team once again how much disruption and change we’ve experienced over the last several years. Even though the worst days of the pandemic are in the rearview mirror, the rate of change shows no sign of stopping. Therefore, it is critical that we as leaders constantly monitor trends that will shape our strategies and operations far into the future. 

“In 2024, the leadership landscape continues to evolve in response to dynamic global, technological, and societal shifts,” says a recent Forbes article. “Leaders are facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities, prompting the emergence of key trends that are reshaping leadership methodologies and practices. “

I dug into various trends that leaders are talking about in the year ahead, combing through media articles and consulting firms’ research, including Gartner, Gallup, Forbes, Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, HR.com, and more. 

Five trends emerged over and over, even if the themes were described or phrased differently: 

• AI and digital transformation
• Pursuit of meaningful work
• Well-being and mental health in the workplace
• Authenticity 
• Continued volatility and disruption 

While all of these trends are important and interrelated, it is clear that the rate and pace of disruption does not appear to be slowing down in 2024; in fact, volatility is likely to speed up. Leaders must face both the strategic and tactical implications of volatility in the political, global, social and regulatory arenas. With a divisive 2024 election looming, these disruptions could add additional tension to an often already anxious workforce. Add in continued inflation and concerns about economic growth, international conflict, issues of inequality and societal fragmentation, and leaders will have their hands full. 

Similarly, while artificial intelligence has received increasing attention in past years, the introduction of ChatGPT in 2023 sparked an AI boom; everyone was experimenting with ChatGPT and every company, leader and team member were grappling with how AI will affect their industry or job. We in the media certainty did (and even had an AI-generated poem at our holiday party). 

But regardless of how you feel about AI, there will be a need for leaders to adapt this technology at scale and employ it to improve productivity and decision-making – precisely because things are speeding up. As a leader, you must upskill, think differently and allocate resources to disrupt your own workflows, while – as a Fast Company article states, “maintaining morale in employees who wonder how long they’ll still be needed.” 

The combination of wondering if you’ll be replaced by a bot, continued change and political divisiveness can take its toll on everyone from leaders to frontline workers. A report from the American Institute of Stress showed that 83% of Americans suffer from work-related stress, costing the economy $77 billion. As such, any leader concerned about engaging employees, improving productivity and retention and managing costs, must put well-being on the agenda for 2024.

I asked local leaders about which of these trends they thought were most important for leaders to consider in 2024 and why. Interestingly, three of the five leaders pointed to continued volatility and disruption as the top trend to watch, and all underscored the accountability that leaders must have in addressing change. 

Wade Britt, partner and managing director, Bâton Global
Trend to watch: Artificial intelligence

The AI revolution is a human story, not a technological one. As AI reshapes job roles, organizations have the chance to harness its potential. This is not a transformation that organizations can afford to let happen to them. We can equip our workforce to thrive in the evolving landscape through robust learning and development initiatives. Together, we can protect our workforce, enabling them to adapt, expand markets and succeed. Remember, change is most difficult when it’s avoided.

Abby Croll, tax partner and department head, Eide Bailly LLP:
Trend to watch: Wellness

Careers can be draining on individuals, and as a CPA going into our busiest season of the year, our staff’s well-being is top of mind. It seems like formal benefits related to mental health have become the norm for most businesses, but going above and beyond in this area will be key to attract and retain top talent. Our firm has also focused on mental health through a wellness program that provides fitness and other benefits of the employee’s choosing, a variety of philanthropic opportunities, and numerous spontaneous interactions to make sure we’re recognizing employee needs. 

Joseph Jones, Windsor Heights City Councilor
Trend to watch: Continued volatility and disruption 

My prediction is that the polarization and uncivil discourse in our politics will cause more rational people to leave the sideline and engage civically in 2024. Historically, our democratic process has relied on community members and elected officials to advocate for issues affecting the greater community. 

As we continue to work our way through polarizing legislation, employers and educational institutions will be expected to join these activated discussions, as a younger generation and changing workforce demands. Although these organizations should not and cannot weigh in on all issues, they will certainly be held accountable for their real or perceived values.

Joe Murphy, president, Iowa Business Council:  
Trend to watch: Continued volatility and disruption 

We live in increasingly volatile times. Leaders in every industry need to accept this reality and enter the arena clear-eyed and prepared. To do this, collect information and solicit debate with your team on how to approach disruptive trends. Seek different opinions and challenge your own assumptions. 

If the newfound reality calls for action, communicate your rationale clearly while pursuing partnerships with outside organizations to prevent isolation. Most importantly, prioritize action over words. A press release doesn’t mean anything if your organization isn’t actively working toward a solution.  

Hijinio Carreon, chief operations officer, Des Moines/West Des Moines and regional chief medical officer, MercyOne Medical Center 
Trend to watch: Continued volatility and disruption 

The pandemic and economic volatility of recent years highlighted shortcomings and created a significant labor shortage in our health care system. While these challenges have prompted changes that will continue to disrupt health care for the foreseeable future, they have also led to new innovations that help individuals better manage their health and/or increase efficiencies for health care staff. As we adopt new technology, we must measure its effectiveness by how much it will decrease the burden on physicians and health care staff so they can focus on patient care and better health outcomes.