Building Capability for 2030

There’s so much happening across the technology sector right now, influencing business in ways that are both exciting and, at times, overwhelming - building capability is key!

When I think about what 2030 might look like, several consistent themes emerge - areas that are already shaping how organisations evolve, compete, and contribute.

Emerging Opportunities

In my presentations, I often share 10 trends I believe will define 2030. These include sustainable fulfilment, the rise of quantum computing, the maturity of artificial intelligence, and the growing expectation for ethical technology use. Each brings both opportunity and responsibility, asking leaders to consider how innovation connects to people, purpose, and performance.

Sustainable fulfilment practices, for instance, are more than just a trend. They reflect the expectations of the communities and countries in which we operate, particularly around ESG policies and their practical implementation. Then there is quantum computing - still in its early stages, but already showing the potential to tackle complex problems that would have seemed impossible only a few years ago.

The Digital Workforce

Beyond technology, there’s the digital workforce. Expectations are evolving. People want to feel engaged, informed, and productive, wherever and however they work. For boards and executive groups, this creates a set of questions that need thoughtful answers.

I’ve been fortunate to present to several executive groups recently, and what strikes me most is how these trends ripple out across an organisation. It’s not just about understanding technology; it’s about understanding people and their place within a strategy.

Four Principles for Progress

That brings me to four simple, but powerful, principles I try to reflect in every conversation: clarity, connection, capability, and consciousness.

Clarity is about ensuring the strategy is understood - not just at the top, but by the broader organisation. Connection is about linking people to that strategy in a way that is meaningful for them personally. Capability is about equipping teams to deliver against potential. And consciousness is about keeping these ideas alive, week after week, in everyday business.

In thinking about 2030, the digital workforce is central. It’s both a challenge and an opportunity - a way to extend strategy, innovate, and evolve how we work.

As always, I’m grateful for the chance to share these thoughts, and if you want a tailored discussion for your organisation around these four principles, I’d be delighted to talk, email me here.

Here’s to navigating the possibilities of tomorrow, thoughtfully and with humility.