Trust is the currency of the future

Rishad Tobaccowala, futurist and author of Rethinking Work, joins Shawn to unravel the dynamics of power, talent, and trust in a decentralized, AI-driven future. This conversation exposes the seismic shifts dismantling traditional jobs, the rise of talent over capital, and why trust—rooted in truth and integrity—is the ultimate currency for brands and leaders. From technology’s promise to demographic realities, Rishad delivers a wake-up call for navigating the unbundled world of work.

Background

We've seen peak jobs... by the end of this decade, we will have maybe a third fewer jobs than currently exist.
— Rishad Tobaccowala

Timestamps

00:04 Introduction: 37 years at Publicis Groupe
04:30 Peak jobs: A third fewer by end of decade
10:15 Five forces reshaping work
16:45 Demographic shifts: Fertility and aging
22:30 AI as table stakes, not differentiator
28:40 Fractionalized employees and gig economy
35:20 Substack and creator empowerment
41:05 Trust as currency: Truth and integrity
48:30 Blockchain, tokenization, and skepticism
55:15 KYC, surveillance, and privacy concerns
1:02:00 Talent vs capital: Power shift
1:08:30 Building trust in organizations

Resources

About Rishad Tobaccowala

Rishad Tobaccowala, a global strategist, spearheaded digital transformation at Publicis Groupe for 37 years. Now a speaker, advisor, and author of Rethinking Work and Restoring the Soul of Business, he guides leaders on technology and human values. His Substack, with 30,000+ subscribers including global CxOs, offers sharp insights. Key lessons from his work include decentralizing work, empowering talent over capital, and building trust through integrity in an AI age.

LinkedIn Substack