As 2025 unfolds, workplaces echo the narratives in books and movies, reflecting themes of adaptability, connection, and purpose. These creative worlds, rich with lessons and provocations, provide inspiration for reshaping People Practices. Let’s explore key trends for 2025, seen through the lens of pop culture.
AI and Empathy: The “Ex Machina” of the Workplace
The 2024 film “Emilia Pérez”, directed by Jacques Audiard, tells the story of Emilia Pérez, portrayed by Karla Sofía Gascón. Emilia, who undergoes a life-altering transformation, challenges societal norms and confronts her identity with resilience and empathy. The film’s exploration of human complexity in a technologically driven world raises questions about authenticity, connection, and the role of transformation.
Trend: AI-human collaboration is no longer a technical frontier—it’s a cultural one. In the workplace, ethical guidelines and emotional intelligence are being woven into AI systems. HR leaders are curating roles that blend technological fluency with empathy, ensuring that machines enhance rather than erode human connection. Just as Emilia Pérez evolves in a way that bridges her humanity with her environment, AI is being designed to augment emotional depth in decision-making.
Organizations are also prioritizing “AI fluency” programs for employees, empowering them to work alongside intelligent systems while ensuring humanity remains at the core of the workplace experience.
Skills as the New Currency: Inspired by “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”
Suzanne Collins’ The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, adapted into a 2023 film by Francis Lawrence, offers a riveting look at the origins of Coriolanus Snow, played by Tom Blyth. Stripped of his privilege, Snow must rely on his wit, resourcefulness, and adaptability to navigate a precarious and evolving world. The story underscores how survival and success hinge on one’s ability to acquire and apply new skills in the face of uncertainty.
Trend: The workplace in 2025 reflects this ethos. Traditional job descriptions are being replaced by dynamic skill maps, allowing employees to chart non-linear career paths based on competencies rather than titles. Like Snow, who learns to strategize and adapt, employees are encouraged to continually acquire and refine skills through immersive, gamified learning platforms.
The emphasis is on creating ecosystems where learning is integral, and where individuals are empowered to design their own growth trajectories. This shift is fostering agility, innovation, and resilience across organizations.
The Great Reconnect: A “Poor Things” Moment
Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” (2023) features Bella Baxter, portrayed by Emma Stone, as a woman brought back to life through unconventional means. Bella’s journey is one of rediscovery—exploring identity, relationships, and her place in a rapidly changing world. Her story is a metaphor for finding belonging and connection amidst chaos.
Trend: In 2025, workplaces are undergoing a similar journey of rediscovery. The hybrid model has matured into “connected workplaces,” which seamlessly blend virtual collaboration with meaningful in-person interactions. CHROs are curating experiences that foster belonging, ensuring employees feel rooted yet free to explore.
Organizations are also prioritizing “connection rituals,” from virtual coffee chats to in-person retreats, designed to build deeper relationships. The workplace is becoming a space where individuals, much like Bella, can navigate their personal and professional identities in harmony.
Purpose at the Core: The “Oppenheimer” Paradigm
Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” (2023) portrays the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, played by Cillian Murphy, and his role in the creation of the atomic bomb. The film explores the weight of purpose and responsibility, highlighting how one’s work can profoundly impact the world. Oppenheimer’s internal conflict and sense of accountability make this story a poignant reflection on aligning actions with values.
Trend: In 2025, organizations are placing purpose at the center of their cultures. Employees are demanding alignment between their personal values and their company’s mission, pushing leaders to move beyond profit-driven goals.
CHROs are stepping into roles as Chief Purpose Officers, ensuring that purpose is embedded in every aspect of the employee lifecycle—from recruitment to exit interviews. This alignment is not just a moral imperative but also a driver of engagement and innovation, as employees who find meaning in their work are more likely to thrive.
The New Leadership Playbook: Inspired by “Killers of the Flower Moon”
Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” (2023) examines themes of power, leadership, and morality, with standout performances by Leonardo DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone. The film challenges traditional notions of leadership, emphasizing the importance of accountability and ethical decision-making.
Trend: Leadership in 2025 is evolving into a model of facilitation rather than command. Peer-to-peer mentoring platforms and reverse mentoring programs are reshaping how leaders engage with their teams.
Leaders are now expected to co-create solutions with their teams, much like the nuanced leadership dilemmas portrayed in the film. This shift is fostering a culture of collaboration, where leadership is not about authority but about enabling others to thrive.
Wellness and Work: Echoes of “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret”
Kelly Fremon Craig’s 2023 adaptation of Judy Blume’s “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” is a tender exploration of growth, identity, and well-being. Margaret’s journey of self-awareness and resilience is a reminder of the importance of nurturing the human spirit.
Trend: In 2025, organizations are integrating wellness into the fabric of their cultures. Physical, mental, and financial wellness programs are becoming standard, with initiatives like wellness sabbaticals, flexible benefits marketplaces, and AI-driven well-being nudges ensuring employees don’t just survive—they thrive.
The focus is on creating environments where individuals can bring their whole selves to work, mirroring Margaret’s journey of self-discovery and balance.
Writing the 2025 Workplace Narrative
As we embrace 2025, the workplace becomes a canvas for stories of transformation, resilience, and connection. Just as the books and movies have inspired and provoked thought, People Practices are crafting a future that’s innovative, inclusive, and deeply human.
In the words of a 2024 bestseller, “The future isn’t written in the stars; it’s written in the choices we make today.” Here’s to 2025—may it be a year where our collective narrative soars to new heights.
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