THE TRADITIONAL MODEL OF WORK IS OVER. ADAPT OR BE LEFT BEHIND.
By Stephanie Dobbs Brown, Builder | Operator | Investor in Women | Former CMO of Intercontinental Exchange & NYSE
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THE LABOR MARKET WE ONCE KNEW IS GONE. RESHUFFLING HAS BEGUN.
The recent New York Times piece on NYC (NYT) hiring paints a grim picture: private-sector payrolls barely grew in the first half of the year, major industries are shedding jobs and uncertainty hangs over businesses and workers alike. But while the numbers are stark, they mask a more important story: the labor market we once knew is gone and a new economy is quickly taking shape.
Yes, restaurants and tourism are feeling the pinch from tariffs, supply chain disruptions and post-pandemic shifts in consumer behavior. Finance and insurance (and just about everyone else) are grappling with AI-driven efficiencies, automation and the on-going saga of hybrid work, leading to layoffs and office reshuffling.
Globally, 85 million jobs are expected to be displaced by AI and automation by year-end (World Economic Forum). NYC’s challenges are part of these broader structural shifts reshaping the world of work.
Different sectors are being hit by different things, yet together they point to a single fact: the traditional model of work is over.
THE INFLECTION POINT
Post-Covid, AI and a host of other structural changes have permanently changed how, where and what we work on. Like the internet revolution or the industrial era, these changes disrupt old hierarchies, but they also create new opportunities for those who adapt
Three forces stand out:
1. AI AUGMENTATION
AI isn’t just another productivity tool; it’s a fundamental shift in how work gets done. Companies want employees who can integrate AI into workflows, not just use Chat GPT as a glorified search engine. Businesses are being built and entire functions are being redefined by people who know how to pair human judgment with machine intelligence.
2. FRACTIONAL WORK
The 9-to-5 model no longer fits the needs of companies or workers. Companies need specialized skills sometimes but not all the time - driving demand for fractional executives and project-based talent. The global fractional market is projected to hit $9.2 billion by 2026 with North America making up 42%. For businesses this means on-demand expertise and significant costs savings on average 40–60% (LinkedIn).. For workers, it means autonomy, flexibility and diversified income streams.
3. LOCATION FLUIDITY & THE OFFICE ADVANTAGE
The remote work wave was just the beginning. Today, just 20% of LinkedIn job postings are remote or hybrid but they attract 60% of applications (CNBC). The future isn’t “remote versus office” - it’s fluid. Companies source talent globally while recognizing that innovation, culture and high-stakes collaboration thrive best in person. The office is evolving into a strategic hub for creativity and cohesion, while distributed teams extend reach and capacity.
A NEW WORK PARADIGM IS HERE
The labor market’s shift doesn’t mean fewer opportunities, but it does mean different ones. A new work paradigm is here and both companies and individuals face the same choice: adapt, or be left behind.
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