Like canaries in a coal mine, this yearÕs human capital trends should be viewed as leading indicators of emerging threats and strategic opportunities. In 2013, leaders are tasked with meeting high expectations for performance and talent, despite dramatic shifts in technology, globalization, demographics and regulation. Sound decision making in this environment is as challenging as it is criticalÑeven small missteps can have big unintended consequences.

The seven Human Capital Trends for 2013 provide a solid checklist for getting started with the crucial conversations important to helping your organization actively engage with one another.

Read about them, then talk about them. By initiating the crucial conversations around these Human Capital Trends for 2013, leaders can zero in on the trends most closely linked to their business strategy and make informed decisions about where to focus attention and resources to create value.