📰 The latest AIX Files is out! A recent report from McKinsey and Company titled “Upskilling and reskilling priorities for the gen AI era,” makes the case for prioritizing “goals before roles,” advocating for the development of “durable” skills, leading to a versatile, cross-functional - or positionless - workforce.

💡 The ability to develop durable skills—such as critical thinking, adaptability, collaboration, and problem-solving—has never been more crucial. As AI moves us toward a more versatile, skills-driven workforce, job titles and traditional roles are becoming less important than having the ability to shoot, defend, and play multiple positions regardless of size…by which I mean, using new tools and technologies (e.g., Gen AI) to develop/acquire skills that add value and drive innovation.

🏀 A 2020 study by research firm Linton Media found that 83% of NBA coaches said positionless basketball increased their team’s creativity on offense. I don’t want to overplay the parallels - I’d feel terrible if instead of figuring out what skills to focus on you took this as motivation to work on your three-point shot. But taking a cue from Steph, Draymond, and the boys, breaking free from traditional positional constraints - or roles - can promote a more fluid, versatile, adaptable, and ultimately more successful organization.