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Talent Shifts Reshaping the Chemical Industry with Geoff Smith of Mercer - Ep. 274
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Join industry leaders at The Chemical Summit on September 29-30, 2026 in Houston, Texas. Visit thechemicalsummit.com
On this episode of The Chemical Show, Geoff Smith, partner at Mercer, joins Victoria Meyer to unpack what’s really changing in the chemical industry’s talent landscape. Drawing on Mercer’s recent Global Talent Trends Survey, Geoff explains why employee thriving is down, especially among managers, and what leaders can do to support and engage their people in a fast-changing, tech-enabled world.
Victoria and Geoff discuss the impact of AI and rapid change on jobs, the shift toward flatter organizational structures, and how career progression is evolving. They offer actionable advice for leaders and professionals: communicate with authenticity, clarify career paths, and foster continual learning. The importance of context and judgment, alongside technology skills, gets special attention.
Tune in for key takeaways:
- Why employee thriving is dropping and what this means for managers
- How AI and technology are changing, but not replacing, critical roles
- The reality of career paths in a flatter organization
- Leadership priorities: building skills, supporting managers, and clear communication
- Practical guidance for professionals navigating the “messy middle” of their careers