The Emotions Economy

Currently, the industrial economy (manufacturing & mass production) is over-the-hill, the knowledge economy (computer and knowledge systems) is in a rapid terminal decline and a new and different world economy is briskly emerging, which can be termed as the emotions economy.

The epicentre of the emotions economy is personal responsibility, caring for others and the world (i.e. group accountability), sharing knowledge and experiences, collaborative addressing and dealing with obstacles, the cooperative solving of problems, issues and wicked challenges, as well as harmonious co-existence and co-creation with others, alongside and synchronized with all of Creation… within a globalization context. Thus, in essence, an awakening and quest by the human race to rediscover and reestablish what is important in life.

To truly understand the above statement in context, a brief historical overview – of human economic activities through the ages – provides key highlights as to past and present economic shifts and the tempo of change…

‘Economy’, probably isn’t the perfect term to describe the overall unfolding environment in which we are currently conducting economic activities (i.e. is working). It worked well in the past, because work-life activities, were mainly founded in and described by economic theory, which doesn’t apply to the fast-establishing emotions economy of today. But for the moment, due to a lack of a better term, the economy will just have to suffice.

Agriculture, manufacturing and knowledge aren’t less important in and for the emerging emotions economy. What it implies is that the focus of human economic activities is shifting – as a result of technological breakthroughs, advancements and AI developments – from doing agricultural, manufacturing and knowledge labour, to dealing with people, their feelings, relations and interactions. From merely solving problems and issues to dealing with the many wicked challenges that we are presently confronted with daily in a globalized modern society.

With increasing technological capability, fewer people will be required to produce what we require to run our lives and we will be able to spend more time taking care of human interaction kind of tasks and less time doing manufacturing or intellectual tasks which can be automated, which – incidentally – is the main cause for the global rising of unemployment.

In the emotions economy, much functional work will be done by technology (artificial intelligence and algorithms) and the remaining core staff in any enterprise, will be focused on caring for clients, tailoring services for each specific individual and taking care of the client’s requirements and needs. These employees will be highly skilled, competent and emotionally mature.

The unavoidable outcome of the emotional economy focus will place a far greater premium on caring for others and the ability to meet the needs of others in a way that is emotionally engaging and fulfilling. Leadership will be a core competency for each and every worker, and will be vital for every successful workplace role. Individuals who cannot manage themselves by exercising self-discipline – before leading others – will find it extremely difficult, even impossible, to find, obtain and keep meaningful work.

Last Updated on 4 January, 2025 by Jan Viljoen (More Info)

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