Don MacPherson is a futurist, a history buff, and has a degree in mass communications. He is Tom Fox’s guest on this episode of the Innovation in Compliance Podcast. Tom and Don talk about talent acquisition and retention, climate change, and the future of leadership.  

Nurturing The Right Talent

In the 20 years that the HR profession has been in existence, the biggest lesson that Don has learned is that ensuring you have the right talent is top priority. The companies that have the right talent are the most successful. Differentiate your organization by how you relate to your employees: provide them with better tools and resources in order to maximize their talent. 

Climate Change: A Great Economic Opportunity

Tom asks Don to talk about the main topics holding his interest at the moment. Don says that climate change is one such topic. "I think about [climate change] from two ways: why did we get here, what benefits have we gotten out of it, and what opportunities does it present," he tells Tom. Even though climate change is the greatest threat to humanity at the moment, Don also sees it as “the greatest economic opportunity humans have ever seen.” Without climate change, and without global warming, humans would not have been able to build buildings, create infrastructure, travel, or create advances in both science and technology. 

The Future of Leadership

While AI is going to be a big part of the future of work, it will be replacing tasks not jobs, contrary to what many people believe. What becomes important then, is leaders’ ability to connect with their employees and other stakeholders in the new hybrid workforce, and create cultures that get the best out of their people. 

Resources

Don MacPherson | LinkedIn | Twitter

12 Geniuses