Defining the Future of Work

What is the Future of Work? Just a small topic for this week ??

Starting with what the future of work is not.

• The future of work is not a one size fits all solution
• The future of work is not about location
• The future of work is not certain

Anybody who claims to have the definitive answer is either lying or arrived in a flying Delorean.

But there are a few things we can be certain of.

• The Future of Work is better for us
• The Future of Work is constantly evolving
• The Future of Work is about thinking differently

Let's dig in.

The landscape of knowledge work

We're actually living in a very interesting time. We are truly moving from the industrial age into the digital age. Finally. And it's no understatement to call this a revolution - there's a shift in the balance of power coming. It has already started.

The Covid-19 pandemic of 2020-2021 accelerated change at an unexpected rate, especially a change in the mindset of knowledge workers. It proved what many employees already knew - they didn't need to be in an office all day every day to do great work.

The pandemic forced our collective hand, and it showed that there is another way. A way that is better for the majority of us. Add to this ever-increasing levels of stress and rising cases of burnout, and it becomes clear, that something isn't working. Something needs to change.

On the flip side, In 2023 we're seeing those who stand to lose power and control starting to push back. The current system works in favour of the few, with the majority of us paying the cost. The Future of Work is reducing the power of the few, and so we see them start to grip harder trying to get things back to where they used to be.

Ironically, embracing the Future of Work principles will be beneficial to businesses, as it creates more engaged, connected, and productive employees.

Future of Work principles

The Future of Work principles are based on these changes in priority:

• Value > time
• Flexibility > dogma
• People > organisations
• Community > colleagues?

Focus on value, not time

Now

How long are you sat at your desk? How many hours are you online? How many meetings can others see you in? Have you filled in your timesheet? You get the picture. Like assembly line workers - or cogs in a machine - employees are judged by the amount of time spent in the place they've been told to be.

Future

Knowledge work is different from factory work. You can't measure productivity by the amount of time somebody is in the "right" place. Instead of trading time for money, we think in terms of trading value for money. Tim Ferriss has been talking about this since forever in The Four-Hour Workweek. We are starting to get there. (Although I will say that I don't believe the four-hour workweek is the aim)

Replace dogmatic rules with flexibility

Now

You must work these hours. You must work on these days. You must work at this place. You may need to work more than this too. You will do as you are told. You will do the same as everybody else.?

Future

You can work in the best place for you to get your work done. This may be at home, a hotel, a coffee shop, or an Airbnb. Or perhaps in an office, a lab, or a co-working space. We are currently seeing many online arguments about the perfect recipe for all companies. Which is totally missing the point. Flexibility is ... well ... flexible. It's different for different people, different roles, different companies.

Put people first, they create the organisations

Now

The working world is largely company- or employer-centric, regarding employees as replaceable cogs in the machine. Sadly, it is often forgotten or ignored that employees are actually people. Work-life balance always tips in favour of work.

Future

The Future of Work puts people at the centre. You know, real-life human beings, with hopes, dreams, families, and feelings! They also have unique sets of interests, skills, motivators, and drivers. Being human-centric is actually great for business. Every company wants engaged and motivated employees, as they are more productive and less likely to leave. Most companies struggle as they focus on the company not the people.

Create, connect, and contribute to communities

Now

In office-centred work, we create transitory communities, giving us a false sense of connection. Think of your colleagues, those who have been and gone. Think of the services that pop up around offices and business areas - coffee shops, lunch spots, bars. We spend most of our lives creating the illusion of community, but all we have in common is a location or employer. Inevitably we will leave and never go back. Our community is gone.

Future

The amazing - and counterintuitive - thing about swapping office dogma for a flexible human-centric approach, is that real communities can flourish. "Community" here covers many bases too, from a neighbourhood to a cafe, from a golf club to an online volunteer community. The change comes from people having the time and space to find the communities where they feel they belong.

This week

Keep in mind the Future of Work priority shifts:

• Value > time
• Flexibility > dogma
• People > organisations
• Community > colleagues?

Where are you this week in relation to each of these? More to the left or more to the right?

Which one thing could you work on for yourself, your team, your company?

Make it happen, starting today. Move towards the left.

Have a great week!

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