LinkedIn survey finds workers ‘overwhelmed’ by pace of change

A big majority (68%) of professionals working in the UAE feel ‘overwhelmed’ by the rapid pace of workplace change, with 89% seeking support, new research from LinkedIn has found.

The business and employment-focused social media platform also found that the pace of change has left 55% ‘worried about being left behind’.

The three most significant challenges facing workers in the country are proving they can integrate AI into daily work (35%), managing multi-generational teams (34%) and working from the office successfully (33%).

Globally, LinkedIn data shows a 123% increase in posts mentioning flexible work over the past two years. This is an issue the platform says continues to be a major concern for professionals as more companies insist that their staff return to the office (RTO mandates). It added that the use of LinkedIn Learning courses designed to build AI aptitude has spiked 117% over the last year among non-technical professionals.

According to the survey, 53% or respondents acknowledge that experience alone won’t carry them through; 40% say continuous learning is critical in getting ahead, while 56% say they need guidance on the skills needed to navigate workplace change.

At the same time, only 35% feel they can rely on their manager to help navigate periods of change in their job, and 58% think their company is struggling to adapt to all the changes impacting work, highlighting that today’s workers need more help finding their path forward than ever before.

Najat Abdalhadi, MENA LinkedIn Career Expert, commented: “The pace of change at work in the last few years could be seen as relentless – from flexible arrangements to AI integration. It’s therefore hardly surprising that the majority of professionals feel overwhelmed and worried about being left behind.

“It will be important for workers to stay informed, upskill and continuously learn, as taking these small but important steps will help them build the confidence needed to thrive in this evolving environment. Look for opportunities to take charge of your career development continuously, and not only when you want to look for a new opportunity, in order to stay agile.”

To help UAE professionals LinkedIn career expert has published the following advice:

• Stay on top of change: Topics like AI and hybrid work are changing constantly. By staying up-to-date with the latest news and insights from trusted experts, you can better understand how these developments impact your daily work and what they might look like in the future. Staying current can prevent overwhelm and help you feel in control.
• Adopt a growth mindset: Change is hard, but try to approach the process with an open mind. With a willingness to learn, you can build knowledge in areas that will make navigating change easier. Take AI, for instance. Practising prompt writing or using AI to take meeting notes will make it easier to use these tools in the future.
• Embrace bitesize learning: Find easier ways to acquire new skills and knowledge so continuous learning feels more manageable. Professionals find short-form video the most helpful and engaging when looking for information (56%) – and it's rapidly growing on LinkedIn, with video uploads up 34% year-on-year.

Start-up ecosystem continues to attract investment

Start-up companies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region continues to thrive, with a total of $328.3 million raised across 60 start-ups in September 2024.

The figures, published in the latest report by digital media agency Rasmal, this said the funds were secured from 36 different investors, signalling growing confidence in the region’s innovative ventures and entrepreneurial talent.

Saudi Arabia led the way, attracting $165.34 million in funding, accounting for more than half of the total capital raised across 13 start-ups in MENA.

The report also highlighted the UAE as a major player in the region’s start-up ecosystem, bringing in $114.32 million in total funding. FinTech, eCommerce, and property technology (PropTech) remain top sectors for investors in the UAE.

Dubai, in particular, continues to attract investors, the report said. In September, 28 UAE-based start-ups secured funding, solidifying the country’s lead in terms of the number of funded ventures.