The modern workplace has evolved massively in a matter of years. What now seems desirable is a team of “superstars”, the goal apparently achievable with the help of new tech.
What typically sets talented individuals who inspire others apart from other team members is access to educational materials and the right tools that allow them to perform at their best.
Empowering Learning and Growth
Growth opportunities have traditionally been one of the chief drivers of individual success in the workplace. Nowadays, however, it’s teams that are expected to be agile and evolve together. Due to this perception shift, the modern workplace is hardly recognizable.
Filling in skill gaps is the new norm, one that has become a necessity rather than a luxury, thanks to the rapid evolution of new tech, notably AI-powered tools. Alongside this shift is the so-called culture of learning, which implies both upskilling employees and keeping them engaged.
IBM is an illustrative example of how this concept is supposed to manifest in reality. The business has long placed an emphasis on continuous learning and innovation and come up with a variety of internal programs, notably IBM Skills Academy.
The latter enables employees to build on their existing skills while learning emerging ones. Says IBM’s senior HR manager Diane Roussel: “When you give people the right tools and opportunities to learn, they feel more confident and capable. It’s about equipping them with the knowledge they need to succeed in an ever-changing world.”
However, learning isn’t just about hard skills. Of late, a new term — mental resilience— has emerged as critical. Employees who are mentally prepared to take on new challenges tend to perform better. This is where the concept of new-age wellness steps in. Mental and physical health are gaining increased recognition in the workplace.
Balancing Professional Development With Wellness
Investing in the well-being of employees is just as important as investing in their technical skills. After all, a mentally exhausted employee won’t perform at their best, regardless of how skilled they are.
As a result of this recognition, many businesses have started to integrate wellness programs into their organizational culture to ensure their employees can stay at their peak, mentally as well as physically.
An illustrative example comes from HubSpot. The business’ commitment to employee well-being goes beyond traditional health benefits and focuses instead on health, fitness, and personal development.
Even small gestures can render massive results in this context. E.g., providing a bowl of healthy rice instead of fast food can make everyone’s day. Rise isn’t expensive, either, so there’s no excuse for businesses not to rethink their lunch break strategies.
Says Kara Coyote, a senior leader at HubSpot: “It’s not just about offering gym memberships — it’s about creating a culture where health, happiness, and professional growth are intertwined. When employees feel good, they show up with a positive attitude and more energy. We encourage people to take time to step away from work and engage in self-care because it’s essential to performing at the top of your game.”
For companies like HubSpot, creating an environment where employees feel physically and mentally well is a strategic decision. Their ability to set performance management goals that take health and wellness into account has resulted in higher job satisfaction and a significant boost in retention rates.
Managing Productivity and Supporting Growth
While a focus on wellness is crucial, it’s equally important for businesses to provide the right tools to help employees manage their productivity. New tech can boost efficiency and keep teams aligned with organizational goals. From task management software to AI-driven insights, productivity tools allow teams to manage time more effectively, identify areas for improvement, and build a more collaborative work environment.
Zappos is one example of things done right. The business has integrated tech into its team-building practices. Zappos uses various project management tools to track progress on both individual and team goals. The emphasis on collaboration and technology helps fill in skill gaps, as employees are constantly learning new methods to improve efficiency. “Technology allows us to set clear goals, track progress, and give employees regular feedback, which boosts motivation,” says Jon Wolske, culture coach at Zappos.
Ensuring Ongoing Growth
Establishing clear, achievable goals for individuals and teams helps companies foster an environment of accountability while also giving employees something to strive for. This approach helps employees develop their skills and track their progress, the practice that inevitably results in higher motivation and a sense of accomplishment.
Companies like Google have long been proponents of a goal-setting approach known as Objectives and Key Results (OKRs). This methodology helps employees set performance goals and provides clear metrics to measure success. Laszlo Bock, former SVP of People Operations at Google, explains: “Setting clear goals and having regular check-ins with employees ensures that everyone is aligned. But it’s not just about the end result; it’s about creating a culture of continuous improvement, where employees feel supported in their growth.”
At LinkedIn, the importance of performance management is also clear. Employees are encouraged to set personal and professional development goals, regularly check in with their managers, and track their growth using LinkedIn Learning.
These are just some of the examples as businesses are adopting similar practices left and right.
Employee Recognition Fuels Engagement
With the hectic rise of new tech, many companies overlook one simple, yet powerful tool for employee engagement: regular recognition. Skill building is fine and all but feeling appreciated is equally important. Regular employee recognition is a powerful tool for inspiring employees to always give their best.
From small tokens of appreciation to more formal awards, recognition is a critical component of a healthy workplace culture. Recognition boosts morale, promotes a positive work environment, and reinforces positive behaviors.
“Recognizing employees for their contributions, whether big or small, fosters a culture where people feel seen and valued,” says Elena Rios, senior HR manager at Airbnb. “It creates a sense of pride and ownership that pushes everyone to perform at their best.”
In other words,
Conclusion the most successful companies understand that creating a capable, happy team isn’t just about filling open positions with the most skilled candidates. It is about investing in ongoing learning and development, setting clear performance goals, and providing a work environment that prioritizes both mental and physical health.
