Challenging expectations of 24/7 accessibility and responsiveness

Dear Friends,

Recently?I met?with a group of senior executives to talk?about how to approach getting?people?"back to the office." Thankfully, they agreed upfront that a one-size-fits-all, top-down mandate of a fixed number of days each week wasn't the answer. They also quickly aligned behind everyone engaging?in a process to define?the parameters governing?"where" work happens best--onsite and/or?remotely.

What surprised them (but not me!) was how the?conversation then turned to optimizing?other parts?of work that were problematic, including the need to clarify?expectations of accessibility and responsiveness.

They'd walked into the meeting thinking the problem to?solve?was?"where" people work. But they soon recognized all aspects of work--the where, the when and the how--need to be reimagined simultaneously if you want a?flexible work model that achieves high levels of performance and allows people to effectively and flexibly fit their work and life together.

Clearly, the crisis-driven disruption brought about by COVID has?changed the dialogue?leaders are having. But – as we continue to adapt to?information overload and constant connectivity – it’s critical we don’t lose sight of helping workers set clearer boundaries around work and the other parts of their lives.?And yet, for too long, organizations have not answered the question?“when are we expected to be accessible and responsive?” It's not surprising that the unspoken assumption was?ALWAYS.?

Either leaders start to tackle this issue head on or the call for public policy may grow.

It’s always great to connect with?Meghan McCarty Carino ?and I thank?her for including my commentary in her excellent story for?Marketplace by APM ?on the "right to disconnect" legislation recently introduced in California.?As I shared in the?interview , the legislation is “an understandable push back to something that we should have been regularly clarifying...It’s really been a very undefined, 24/7 free-for-all. And it’s not sustainable.”

Since mobile phones first broke the physical barrier between work and life in the late 1990s, most organizations have ignored or avoided clearly defining expectations of when we should interact and respond in real-time and when we can disconnect and respond later.

Today, it still isn't common practice to define any clear norms. It's why I'm not surprised to see a call for public policy to fill the void; however, the same parameters don't apply to every situation. And they certainly can’t account for employee preferences or team dynamics. These factors make it tough to legislate a solution.

Clarifying these norms is a part of every flexible work strategy execution we lead. Organizations can?follow a consistent, straightforward process that adapts to the unique realities and needs of the business, its teams and its workers. Perhaps the threat of legislative mandates will spark this necessary work and voluntary change. It's long overdue and benefits everyone.

What are you seeing in your organization? ?Has the discussion regarding performance in a flexible work reality expanded beyond "where" to include "when" and "how?" When are we expected to interact in real-time? When and how can we work independently? And how fast are we expected to respond and in what way? ?

Finally, I like to share resources that could help the valued readers of this newsletter find their unique flexible work+life fit. One path I'm seeing more people consider?is becoming an independent consultant.

My friend Michael Zipursky, Co-Founder of Consulting Success and host of the Consulting Success podcast on which I have appeared, is offering a 2-day Consulting Momentum Intensive Workshop May 7 & 8. You'll learn how you can be sure you’re focusing on the right things, make the most of your opportunities and get great outcomes for your clients and your business. Tickets are just $45 and 100% of the proceeds are being donated to Lifewater Charity providing clean drinking water to those in need. ?Check it out if it sounds interesting!?

Until next time, keep reimagining work and life,