What does career growth look like when there is no clear ladder to climb.

In the latest episode of the People Podcast, Cecilia Sandberg, SVP & Chief Human Resources Officer, and Jessica Clarke, Group VP Talent & Learning, explore how careers are changing in a more flexible, skills-driven world. The conversation looks at what it means to take ownership of your future when career paths are no longer always linear, predictable or defined by job titles.

The episode highlights a shift from climbing to navigating. Today, growth can mean building new skills, gaining broader experience, moving across functions, joining projects or deepening expertise – not only moving upwards. This creates more opportunities, but also more uncertainty. If careers are becoming more dynamic, individuals need to take a more active role in shaping their path, while leaders and organizations need to create the right support, visibility and culture to make that possible.

The conversation also touches on how Atlas Copco Group is exploring skills in a more structured way, including skills mapping, career exploration based on skills and future learning recommendations. Together, these efforts aim to make career development more visible, flexible and meaningful for employees.

Tune in to discover why the future of careers is less about waiting for the next step and more about building skills, exploring options and taking ownership of your next move.