Published in Authority Magazine.

An Interview With Phil La Duke

The Art of the Pivot. Career paths are no longer linear. Given the challenges of the job market and economy, embracing change and being comfortable with reinvention become more important than ever…

There have been major disruptions in recent years that promise to change the very nature of work. From the ongoing shifts caused by the COVID19 pandemic, the impacts caused by automation, and other possible disruptions to the status quo, many wonder what the future holds in terms of employment. For example, a report by the McKinsey Global Institute estimated that automation will eliminate 73 million jobs by 2030.

To address this open question, we reached out to successful leaders in business, government, and labor, as well as thought leaders about the future of work to glean their insights and predictions on the future of work and the workplace.

As a part of this interview series called “Preparing For The Future Of Work”, we had the pleasure to interview Zoe Leung.

Driven by policy, equity and social impact, Zoe is a passionate product manager at ePosting, leading strategic and creative initiatives for the company’s growing platform. She brings years of experience having worked in the finance, geopolitics and technology industries, as a product lead, researcher and published author featured in Foreign Policy, The Hill and The Diplomat, among other outlets.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers like to get an idea of who you are and where you came from. Can you tell us a bit about your background? Where do you come from? What are the life experiences that most shaped your current self?

Myprofessional journey is fundamentally about transformation and has been defined by a singular top goal — creating more equitable systems through innovative solutions. I began in private banking in Hong Kong, gaining a global perspective on how economic systems work. From there, I pivoted to policy research in the U.S., diving into social issues like climate justice, digital health equity, and LGBTQ+ rights.

Looking back, each role I took on was an avenue to drive meaningful change. My career may look a bit zigzag, but it’s been guided by this relentless passion to empower people and level playing fields. Whether I was analyzing financial markets, researching policy challenges, or now developing tech solutions, my core mission remains the same: design solutions that break down systemic barriers.

Today, as a product manager at a tech startup transforming job search and hiring, I’m translating that mission into tangible impact. My experiences have shaped a unique perspective on the future of work; one that values diverse backgrounds, champions continuous learning, and reimagines traditional boundaries.

What do you expect to be the major disruptions for employers in the next 10 — 15 years? How should employers pivot to adapt to these disruptions?

The next decade is going to be wild! We’re looking at three major shifts that’ll reshape how we think about talent: AI integration, the erosion of traditional career paths, and the demand for an adaptable workforce.

Let’s talk AI — it is and will continue to be a game changer of work. Its greatest potential lies in amplifying human skills such as creativity, empathy, and complex problem-solving. Profit potential of AI investments will depend on our ability to unlock productivity gains.

The traditional concept of a career ladder is dissolving. The linear progression is giving way to a more fluid model of constant learning, reinvention, and mobility. Employers who create environments supporting these emerging trends will gain a significant competitive advantage.

Lastly, I personally want to see a total rethink of hiring. Our current system built on algorithmic filtering and keyword matching is essentially flawed: job seekers are encouraged to fabricate qualifications while companies struggle to find genuine talent. Ultimately, the future of work isn’t about fitting people into predefined boxes. It’s about creating ecosystems where individual talents can flourish; one where technology serves human potential, not the other way around.

The choice as to whether or not a young person should pursue a college degree was once a “no-brainer”. But with the existence of many high profile millionaires (and billionaires) who did not earn degrees, as well as the fact that many graduates are saddled with crushing student loan debt and unable to find jobs it has become a much more complex question. What advice would you give to young adults considering whether or not to go to college?

There’s no universal roadmap for success anymore. Higher education and the job market has changed a great deal in recent years. With entrepreneurs proving traditional degrees aren’t the only path, and graduates facing massive student loan debt, young adults are right to be thoughtful about their choices.

Ultimately, it’s about personal freedom of choice and adaptability. Whether you’re drawn to college, technical pursuits, military service, or jumping straight into the workforce, it’s important to know that your path isn’t set in stone. Often, the most successful professionals won’t be those with the most impressive degrees but those who can adapt quickly, continuously learn, and approach problems with creativity and resilience.

Despite the doom and gloom predictions, there are, and likely still will be, jobs available. How do you see job seekers having to change their approaches to finding not only employment, but employment that fits their talents and interests?

First, toss the old playbook. Job search is now a storytelling opportunity. Leverage platforms like LinkedIn or Medium to tell stories your resume can’t convey, as a one-page document can’t possibly capture your full experience and insights. Many recruiters and hiring managers use social recruiting, so your online presence is important to showcase your unique journey.

Don’t shy away from complex application processes that others might get frustrated and quit, and see it as a chance to demonstrate your commitment and resilience. Persistence can be your secret weapon in a crowded job market.

Finally, cultivate genuine relationships throughout your career and create a trusted network. Referrals and networking can open doors you never expected.

The statistics of artificial intelligence and automation eliminating millions of jobs, appears frightening to some. For example, Walmart aims to eliminate cashiers altogether and Dominos is instituting pizza delivery via driverless vehicles. How should people plan their careers such that they can hedge their bets against being replaced by automation or robots?

While the statistics might seem daunting, history shows that technological revolutions also create entire new job categories and opportunities we can’t yet imagine. Instead of resisting, embrace technology as a tool. Position yourself as someone who can work alongside AI, who understands its capabilities and potential to enhance human capital. The best strategy is to stay curious, adaptable, and focus on developing skills that complement technological advances.

Technological advances and pandemic restrictions hastened the move to working from home. Do you see this trend continuing? Why or why not?

It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation; instead, we observe divergent approaches to WFH. I think during the pandemic many were surprised at how productive and efficient they could be outside traditional office settings. But this isn’t the case for every industry or role. Ultimately, each organization and team will find what works for them, and we should consider work flexibility with intention rather than merely viewing it as a perk.

What societal changes do you foresee as necessary to support the fundamental changes to work?

We need a more holistic approach to change management, and to create a cultural mindset that embraces fluidity. While I don’t consider myself an expert in this area, I’ve come to realize adaptability is such a crucial skill for navigating these big shifts. There’s a saying from Hong Kong — ‘be water’ — which highlights our capacity for flowing around obstacles, reshaping ourselves, and finding new paths forward. Staying vigilant, open-minded, and flexible isn’t just sound advice; it’s a survival strategy for both employers and employees, now and in the long run.

What changes do you think will be the most difficult for employers to accept? What changes do you think will be the most difficult for employees to accept?

There’s a huge disconnect between what companies claim to value (collaboration, agility, resilience) and how they actually screen candidates. It’ll be difficult for employers to completely reimagine recruitment and compensation models that reward such skills, which will need an overhaul. Employees will struggle most with the psychological transition from viewing AI not as a threat or replacement but as a tool and resource.

Despite all that we have said earlier, what is your greatest source of optimism about the future of work?

Human potential. Technology frees us from repetitive and mundane tasks, and pushes us to focus on what makes us human: our ability to imagine, empathize, and address complex problems in ways that no machine can replicate. There’s also the dissolution of geographical and socioeconomic boundaries: a researcher in a small town can drive global innovations. These aren’t just opportunities; they change how we understand human potential.

Historically, major disruptions to the status quo in employment, particularly disruptions that result in fewer jobs, are temporary with new jobs replacing the jobs lost. Unfortunately, there has often been a gap between the job losses and the growth of new jobs. What do you think we can do to reduce the length of this gap?

A blessing from the COVID pandemic was the thriving gig economy, which has reimagined work itself. By treating employment as a fluid, continuous, project-based model, disruptions like the job loss/growth gap can translate into an opportunity for ongoing personal and professional reinvention. I think job security in the traditional sense is becoming less important. The future will be more about building personal economic resilience through learning and strategic skills positioning.

Okay, wonderful. Here is the main question of our interview. What are your “Top 5 Trends To Watch In the Future of Work?” (Please share a story or example for each.)

AI in Recruiting 1. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) have revolutionized hiring but we must stay critical. Technology should enhance human judgment, not jeopardize it.

Referrals & Networking 2. Building a genuine, trusted professional network could be the key to opening doors in this crowded job market.

The Art of the Pivot 3. Career paths are no longer linear. Given the challenges of the job market and economy, embracing change and being comfortable with reinvention become more important than ever.

Holistic Skills Development 4. Employers realize the importance of evaluating and developing both technical and soft skills in the workforce to ensure success.

Meaningful DEI 5. True inclusion goes beyond checkboxes. It’s about creating environments where diverse perspectives are fundamental to innovation.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how this quote has shaped your perspective?

I am particularly inspired by the quote from the movie Three Idiots: “Pursue excellence, and success will follow.” In a world obsessed with metrics and immediate results, this reminds me it’s about the journey of growth and learning. It drives me to dedicate my energy to prioritizing user experiences and delivering value in everything I do.

We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.

The Dalai Lama. His wisdom and compassion is truly inspiring, and I really admire his incredible dedication to promoting peace, mindfulness, and understanding across different cultures and religions. It would be an incredible opportunity to meet and learn from him!

Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this. We wish you continued success and good health.