Pondering Labor Day and The Future of Work

Now that Labor Day has come and gone, it got me thinking about the nature of work, not only where we’ve been, but what’s next. Observed on the first Monday in September, Labor Day?is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being. Certainly, the influence of sociologist Max Weber’s idea of the Protestant work ethic may have been a contributing factor when he stated: “that the value attached to hard work, thrift, and efficiency in one's worldly calling, which, especially in the Calvinist view, were deemed signs of an individual's election, or eternal salvation.” This pious view of work may seem a bit hyperbolic, yet it certainly laid the groundwork for the evolution of modern capitalism.

?If we fast forward to today, it is our responsibility to question this idea of labor once again and how it is presented to a new generation that inhabits a very different world. As we peer into the possibilities around the future of work, we need to take a closer look into several key areas that are critical to understanding the value of success. It is these themes that executives, senior managers founders, and entrepreneurs should take note of as they grapple with the challenges of the world of work today and what it will be tomorrow.

?First, coming out of a global pandemic, the question of work itself was scrutinized. Questions of how we work, when we work, and where we work are all on the table. I found that even in my own practice, whether it was executives or entrepreneurs, one’s ability to communicate and build cohesive teams with a singular vision was a constant struggle. Finding continuity and a greater level of communication in a changing workplace culture seemed elusive. ?As we begin to enter a new phase, defining workplace culture and being able to articulate that with a level of competency is critical.

?Secondly, psychological well-being is a fundamental tool within this evolution of labor. This idiom can be used as an umbrella term that is a central blueprint for the future of work. It can refer to terms such as resilience, creativity, connection, psychological safety to many others. Understanding that work impacts the mental, emotional, and physical elements of all employees is a game changer. Now the goal is to develop the mechanisms needed to handle these challenges in the most effective way that serves both the individual and the organization.

?Finally, reimagining workplace culture should be a cornerstone when it comes to deciphering the future of work. Whether referring to design, technology, team building, or more, organizations no matter what the size must reassess the basics of what a workplace looks like and how to hire and retain top-tier talent. These concepts are in a constant state of flux and leaders must have the foresight and emotional agility to recognize that this rapid change is fundamental to achieving their long-term goals.

?Success is one of those elusive ideas, however, as we look at both the history and future of work, we must recognize that the very definition is going through a monumental transformation. The relationship between one’s personal and professional life is changing. Work is no longer seen as a moral act that is a path to the divine, but rather something much different. It is time to rethink how we approach this changing landscape where there are new anxieties from AI to various forms of automation that are encroaching on people's understanding of work, and the role they play within it. Rediscovering success, and the values we attribute to it will be a key ingredient in future conversations.

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