Thomas Friedman says lifelong learning is critical for keeping pace | MIT Sloan Executive Education

Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author Thomas Friedman sees the world at a turning point. In a recent lecture at MIT, Friedman shared his belief that technology, globalization, and climate change are reshaping our institutions—and fast. His latest book, Thank You for Being Late: An Optimist’s Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations, discusses the future of work and stresses that keeping up in a career requires a more intense commitment to mastering new skills and knowledge.

“When the pace of change gets this fast,” Friedman says, “the only way to retain a lifelong working capacity is to engage in lifelong learning.”

At MIT Sloan Executive Education, we couldn’t agree more—all of us need to keep up or risk being left behind. Business professionals come to MIT to stay current with the latest business trends, leadership approaches, technology disruptions, and market shifts. Forwarding thinking companies are also on board, investing in reskilling and upskilling by enrolling their professionals in our programs. Organizations can also send teams* to MIT, enabling those participants to share a language and an understanding of concepts and tools.

Advancements like artificial intelligence and automation, for example, have 80% of U.S. and European CEOs concerned about having the right skills at their companies, according to a recent survey by McKinsey. That same research shows that organizations are also seeking softer skills, suggesting that demand for social and emotional skills will grow by about one-quarter by 2030.

Are you and your company ready for the future or work? View Friedman’s recent lecture at MIT below, and learn more about our cutting-edge courses, designed to help executives stay ahead of the curve.