Rewriting Work, It Is Happening All-Around You
Many workplaces are confused about what the future of work looks like. Are you rewriting work as you once knew it?
Lacking a robot, a painter scheduled to paint your house or your front porch is going to have to show up.
Currently, the same is true for someone cutting your lawn, maintaining your pool, or delivering a package.
Does it have to be this way?
Perhaps in some cases it will be this way until more robotics gain traction. Right now, there are many things that require a human to physically show up. What about you, do you have to show up?
Like it or not, much of our traditional workplace work is being rewritten.
There are arguments about the value of face-to-face, live in-person interactions when compared with virtual, video-based interactions. This argument will probably continue for some time, but should it?
What is really necessary?
Truly, remove some of the traditional mental barriers and consider, are there alternatives?
As people adapt more and more with video-based interaction is there a need for live, in-person?
Many office-oriented jobs, probably don’t require in-person on a daily basis. Most everyone is retreating to an office or cubicle once leaving the coffee station anyway.
Rewriting Work
Having a remote workforce (work from home, WFH, telework) is truly a game-changer if it is embraced.
It doesn’t mean that there are not meetings. It doesn’t mean that there are no interactions. Absolutely, it does not mean that there are not goals, metrics, and performance measurements.
It does mean that office space requirements are reduced, it means that long commutes, traffic, and the risk associated with going to a physical location are minimized or eliminated.
Consider that it means the stress and fatigue associated with those traditional endeavors are gone, or at least significantly reduced.
It means that some interpersonal dynamics and difficult personalities take a new shape. There is less room for drama and who cares if Sally is wearing pink flip-flops or bunny ear slippers?
What is the energy and output gain for the employer?
Leaders are actually going to have to lead, not just occupy a position of so-called power.
Performance will be based on productivity and work accomplished, not on occupying office space for a set number of hours.
In a world fighting for diversity, empathy, and new rules; your traditional job may need to be rewritten.
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
