Voluntary Networks or Traditional Organisations? Where will we find our purpose and sense of belonging in a highly disrupted working world.

In our increasingly volatile and fast changing world, one where Artificial Intelligence is already showing its disruptive capabilities the very fabric of how we work and connect is undergoing a seismic shift.  Explorers like Mo Gawdat and Peter H. Diamandis, thought leaders in the AI community, have been warning us for some time that these shifts are coming.  But it is possible that many people including CEO’s and their executive teams seem unprepared, maybe not talking seriously about these possibilities in any real depth.

What is the shift to Networked and Relational Working?

While traditional organizations will undoubtedly persist, the tightening grip of artificial intelligence on day-to-day operations suggests a future where fewer individuals are needed within their conventional roles and structures. This necessitates a re-evaluation of how individuals find community, purpose, and avenues for contribution. There is already a significant rise in voluntary, multidisciplinary networks – self-organized communities bound by shared values and missions, existing largely outside the hierarchical constraints of traditional employment.

These networks are not and will not be merely transactional groupings but deeply relational entities, echoing the human-centered principles we are beginning to recognize as vital within companies.  If people are displaced and need to find community and meaning it is possible and highly likely that they will gravitate towards networks that resonate with their personal values and offer a sense of belonging and collective purpose, driven by intrinsic motivation rather than solely by financial incentives.

The Skills Landscape of Tomorrow’s Networks

In the recent report from the World Economic Forum – The Future of Work 2025, it is clearly illustrated that the skills required by 2030 see considerable shifts towards Humanistic Qualities.

This analysis offers valuable insights into the capabilities that will be crucial in this evolving landscape. Examining the groupings of these skills in the context of voluntary networks reveals several key trends:

• The Ascent of “Emerging Skills”: Skills deemed “less essential now but expected to increase in use by 2030” are particularly relevant. Networks and cyber-security will be paramount for these decentralized entities to operate securely and maintain trust. Environmental stewardship and global citizenship suggest a growing societal consciousness that will likely form the bedrock of many network missions. Design and user experience will be crucial for creating engaging and functional network platforms and offerings. Systems thinking will enable members to understand the complex inter-dependencies within the network and its broader impact.
• The Enduring Importance of “Core Skills in 2030”: While AI takes over routine tasks, uniquely human skills will remain vital.  Creative thinking, analytical thinking, resilience, flexibility, and agility will be essential for navigating the fluid nature of network collaborations and problem-solving.  Leadership skills and social influence, coupled with motivation and self-awareness and empathy and active listening, will be critical for effective self-governance and collaborative action within these non-hierarchical structures. Technological literacy, including understanding AI and big data, will be necessary for leveraging tools to achieve the network’s mission.
• The Transformation of “Out of Focus Skills”: The skills categorized as “less essential now and not expected to increase in use” and “core now but not expected to increase in use” highlight the tasks likely to be automated or become less central to value creation. This reinforces the idea that human contribution will increasingly focus on higher-order cognitive, social, and creative abilities within and outside traditional employment.

I think it is clear from the analysis that three key areas will see a rise in focus, which are possibly unfamiliar as core skills within some organisations where the focus is still on efficiency and effectiveness, namely:

• ENGAGEMENT SKILLS
• SELF EFFICACY and
• WORKING WITH OTHERS

The Networked Future: A Punchy Vision

Forget the rigid org chart. The future of impact is fluid, driven by purpose, and powered by voluntary connection. As AI eats away at traditional roles, human ingenuity will find new forms of expression in multidisciplinary networks. Imagine communities of climate activists, decentralized innovation hubs, or self-governing educational collectives, each with a shared mission and a unique culture.

These aren’t just social clubs; they are the new engines of progress. Built on shared values and fueled by intrinsic motivation, they will attract individuals seeking belonging and impact beyond the traditional 9-to-5. The skills to thrive here? Think digital fluency to navigate the networked world, empathy and collaboration to build trust, systems thinking to understand the big picture, and unleashed creativity to drive innovation from the edges but more than anything will be the desire for Human Connection, Compassion and Love for life.

The future demands these things, adaptability, critical thinking, and human connection, skills that AI can augment but never replace. The rise of these voluntary networks isn’t a fringe movement; it’s a fundamental reshaping of how we organize, contribute, and find our tribe in an increasingly automated world. It’s time to embrace the power of purpose-driven connections and prepare for a future where networks are the new organizations, and passion is the ultimate driver.

Practical Steps for Embracing the Networked Future:

• Cultivate Your Network Intelligence: Actively seek out and engage with diverse individuals who share your values and interests, both online and offline.
• Hone Your Relational Skills: Practice active listening, empathy, and conflict resolution – the cornerstones of effective collaboration in decentralized environments.
• Embrace Lifelong Learning: Continuously develop the “emerging skills” highlighted in the diagram, particularly in areas like digital literacy, cyber-security awareness, and systems thinking.
• Identify Your Purpose: Clarify your core values and the impact you wish to make. This will guide you towards networks that align with your personal mission.
• Be a Network Catalyst: Don’t just join; contribute actively. Share your skills, knowledge, and passion to strengthen the collective and drive progress towards shared goals.

The future of work is not just about jobs; it’s about purpose, connection, and collective action. The rise of voluntary, multidisciplinary networks offers a powerful and human-centered path forward in the age of AI and out innate abilities and desire to be Human with other Humans, the most creative force on our planet.

For over 23 years Change Innovators has focused its work on enhancing human connection, building leadership skills that are in alignment with what it is to be human. We have built a global community of leaders in the corporate environment who understand the profound value of building connection through kindness, care and a passion for what they do. 

You can find the WEF full report here: https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/

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