Rishad Tobaccowala believes work is changing more between 2020 and 2029 than it did in the previous fifty years. In this conversation, he joins Kevin Rice to unpack what those waves of change look like across society, demographics, technology, marketplaces, and emotion, and why return-to-office debates miss the bigger picture. Rishad shares practical ways leaders can design organizations around trust, flexibility, dignity, and outcomes so people and performance both thrive.

They dive into how to measure engagement instead of attendance, why skills will matter more than roles, and how to build cultures that create belonging while still raising the bar. Rishad also previews his new Rethinking Work Platform and show, a resource hub for leaders navigating the next era of work with clarity, courage, and humanity.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why the 2020s are a once-in-a-career reset for how work gets done
• How to lead for outcomes, not optics, and move beyond attendance theater
• The shift from jobs to skills and what that means for talent, learning, and pay
• Practical ways to build trust, flexibility, and psychological safety without losing accountability
• New metrics that capture engagement, energy, and effectiveness
• How to communicate change so people feel seen, not managed

Top takeaways

• Work design should start with human reality and end with business outcomes
• Engagement beats enforcement when you want performance that lasts
• Hybrid works when rituals, tools, and trust are explicit
• Invest in skills, not just titles, to future-proof teams and careers
• Leaders need a point of view, a plan, and the humility to iterate

About Rishad Tobaccowala
Rishad Tobaccowala is the founder of the Rethinking Work Platform, a new initiative helping leaders navigate a decade of unprecedented change with content, curated resources, and actionable guidance. A globally respected advisor and storyteller, Rishad has spent his career helping companies align people, technology, and strategy so work becomes both more human and more effective.

Links:

⁠Rishad Tabaccowala Home Page⁠

⁠What's Next? Podcast ⁠

⁠Rethinking Work by Rishad Tobaccowala ⁠

⁠Restoring the Soul of Business ⁠

• (00:00:00) - Introduction
• (00:01:15) - Rethinking Work: The Central Role of Purpose
• (00:03:01) - The Impact of AI on Job Security
• (00:05:54) - Embracing Change: Adapting to AI and HI
• (00:08:58) - The Shift from Jobs to Meaningful Work
• (00:11:48) - Cultural Influences: Growing Up in India
• (00:14:41) - Building a Career: Loyalty and Opportunities
• (00:17:28) - Corporate Culture: Support During Personal Crises
• (00:23:31) - The Future of Work: Attracting Talent
• (00:26:08) - Morning Routines: The Key to a Successful Day
• (00:42:47) - Thinking Like an Immigrant: Embracing Change and Opportunity