The Future of Work
FountainBlue's June 9 VIP Roundtable was on the topic of 'The Future of Work'. Our executives in attendance spoke extensively about the need to find purpose in the work we do, and the need to build connection and community in a workforce which may be remote, hybrid, or otherwise disconnected.
There's no question that an engaged and passionate workforce would drive both innovation and bottom line results. The question is how to manage the culture and teams so that everyone is committed to achieving outcomes and milestones.
No employee, team, organization or industry is the same, but below is a summary of advice for driving the future of work:
Passionately and clearly communicate your purpose, mission and vision and align your programs, products and work to that purpose.
Empower and enable your workforce by providing flexible working options around time (to do the work), location (remote, hybrid, in-person), and hours (of work, including shared job options).
Adopt the technologies and processes which would make it easier for a varied workforce to fully participate, commit and engage.
Below are thoughts on managing a hybrid workforce:
Have a reasonable and clear policy regarding whether to show up in-person and why it might not be equal, based on roles, tasks, regulations, etc.,
Coach and train managers and leaders to ensure that in-person time is time well spent building connections, facilitating serendipitous encounters, optimizing collaborations in-person, etc.,
Don't have a return-to-work mandate without explanation
Don't have people come in to do work which could just as easily been done at home
Below are thoughts on how to manage a team better, given the new ways we are working:
Be clear on what to do (as an organization, team or individual), who does what (role clarity on who's responsible, accountable, consulted, informed), where to do it (hybrid, remote, in-person), when to do it (synchronized, additively, serially).
Manage and lead in a way which instills trust, builds engagement, rewards innovation, and inspires employees to go the extra mile, taking pride in the work they do.
Executive management must consistently walk the talk, listening attentively to the feedback provided by others.
Provide employees with flexible work options, while also providing technologies which allow them to work productively given their chosen timing, location, role choice.
Provide the training and support (upskilling/re-skilling) to develop employees so they can be prepared for new management or program opportunities, including adoption of digital skills.
Leverage technology to enable community, which is particularly important for Gen Z employees.
Below are thoughts on how innovation can support the future of work:
Digital twins with AR/VR immersion - headsets are just the beginning!
Leveraging ChatGPT to do everything from increasing productivity to providing support, from enhancing training to facilitating conversations
Interactive games to connect people and build relationships
Continued evolution of online team tools including audio/video options, white-boarding, etc.,
The way today's companies look at the future of work will disrupt the 30 trillion dollar commerce real estate industry, which includes all the infrastructure and support services provided to corporate workers, including transportation, goods and services, restaurants, etc., It's not clear WHAT will happen with the commercial real estate trends, but it IS clear that companies will have to address the way we work going forward, and how that maps to how much physical office space the company needs.
Future of Work Startups mentioned:
www.sowork.com SoWork is where your team's work happens. Where they build your culture, get shit done, and become a real team again even across long distances. Move in, build your own custom office, and get better work done, faster.
https://sphere.tech Immersive Collaboration Solutions for Enterprise: Sphere Seamlessly Integrates XR into Daily Business
Processes to Supercharge Productivity
www.ready-robotics.com We make your robots better.
Eliminate the risks and challenges of deploying automation. Discover how READY gives you the power to program and manage your entire workcell your way, from a single, easy-to-use interface.
Based on this morning's conversation with some real trailblazers, the limiting factor is NOT around leadership or innovation, for we have plenty of both. The limiting factor is really around the culture and mindset of individuals, teams, organizations and industries.
Those who will rise from the headwinds around the pandemic and ride the tailwinds that follow will build a culture of trust which also proactively embraces change.