The Future of Work Is...Not One Thing

Recently I kicked off a graduate level studio at UNL with the sole focus of exploring the post-pandemic workplace. Fifteen students that have not spent a career in the industry that can approach the topic with fresh eyes.

Imagine that – if the profession were to forget what they knew and approached the design of the workplace based on the last year only, what would the result be?

RV parks geared for collaboration and idea sharing?

Metaverse office buildings?

Monthly meetups on the coast for team socials?

Pop-up coffee bars where employees and customers interact?

Office buildings re-thought of as hotel lounges?

The amazing thing about the future of workplace is that it could be ALL of these things. The last two years have taught us that work can happen anywhere if we have the right mindset. It also taught us that in-person collaboration and serendipitous moments matter, but they don’t have to occur every day. Flexibility allows us to scale differently, include new voices, and re-think every aspect of our daily lives.

I for one am embracing the change, the freedom, the expectations, and the fluid state of reality that comes with it. I love going into the office to engage with my colleagues, connecting with my teams across the country via video (cameras always on) an hour later, and then boarding a plane to hold class from the beach the next day.

See you there (virtual or in-person).