Today’s Problems Come From Yesterday’s Solutions
Today’s Problems Come From Yesterday’s Solutions
A weekly roundup of the latest future of work and conscious leadership news and insights
This week I came across the quote, “Today’s problems come from yesterday’s solutions.” I’ve been ruminating on this concept ever since. It’s so true and so profound. Many of the problems we as a society and we personally experience are the result of decisions we made when our circumstances or environment were different. We have to be willing to once again try a new solution, knowing that as things change, our current solutions could become a problem at some point.
Consider education. At one point in history society felt not enough kids were receiving a quality education. So the government decided to provide taxpayer-funded schools. That model worked for a while and helped many kids receive an education to help them experience a higher standard of living.
But things have changed. We now have the internet and new technologies that provide many ways for kids to receive a solid education that doesn’t necessarily require their attendance at their neighborhood school. The pandemic has further complicated school attendance. What was once a solution for children has now become a problem that will require a new solution.
The same can be said for the 40-hour work week. At one point in history, industrial workers were spending long hours engaged in arduous labor with no break. The 40-hour work week provided the necessary rest and balance they needed in order to keep working.
But we’re in different circumstances now. We’ve moved from the Industrial Age to the Information Age, where technology enables employees to get work done quickly from almost anywhere. The pandemic accelerated the remote work trend. What was once a solution for workers is in need of an update due to advancements in technology and new understandings of what it means it live a fulfilling life.
Some may fear they’ll make the wrong decision that seems like a solution, but will end up being a problem. The truth is, we make the best decisions we can based upon the facts and understanding we have at the time. There aren’t really mistakes, just learning opportunities. How exciting to know that every day we have the chance to create new solutions when old solutions no longer serve us.
Maybe you’ve realized some of your personal or professional solutions or habits are no longer serving you. If so, let’s connect. Working with a coach is a powerful way to explore new solutions and then create the future you desire and deserve.
Here is some of the future of work and conscious leadership content I found interesting this week:
REI announced it’s selling its just-completed HQ in Seattle and will instead have satellite offices and remote work. It’s incredible how the pandemic shifted perspectives for this outdoors company. REI has now fully embraced the fact remote work and satellite offices better serve their team and community. I love how REI President and CEO Eric Artz articulated this: “This year has shown us our home is not a building. Our home is wherever we find ourselves doing our best work, pursuing our outdoor passions, serving our communities.” Amen! The more companies realize this, the more conscious leadership and happier employees we’ll see around the globe.
The Wall Street Journal considers how people are moving to places they really want to live since they no longer have to live hear their job’s office. “The coronavirus is challenging the assumption that Americans must stay physically tethered to traditionally hot job markets—and the high costs and small spaces that often come with them—to access the best work opportunities.” But theWSJ also notes that remote work isn’t working for every company. Many organizations will need to develop a balance based on their mission and objectives. For many, a hybrid approach that offers more flexibility will help many employees find the balance and focus they need instead of arbitrary, outdated rules of 40 hours in a co-located office.
Slate provided horrifying examples of managers who are harassing, not helping, their new remote teams. As the author points out, monitoring is not managing. If you’re a conscious leader, consider how each member of your team is a fully-functioning, capable adult. Set expectations, provide needed support, then let your team thrive. This article is a clear example of the desperate need for conscious leadership in the workforce.
CNN featured a fantastic interview with Zillow this week about how the company had long resisted remote work, but finally realized its value. The thing I love about this interview is how the company realized it was stuck in old ways of thinking about the work week and finally decided it needs to adjust to meet the desires of its employees. “We have a lot of people, particularly in leadership, that were really wedded to the way we all grew up in the workplace, which was, you came to work five days a week and you started your meetings at 9:00 and tried to end your meetings at 5:00. Covid has been horrible in so many ways for us as a country, but I think it has forced us to really start using technology for what technology can do here, which is really free us from some of those old rhythms.”
Work happy. Live happy. BE happy.
Meredith
Meredith’s coaching helps conscious leaders step courageously into the future of work. Contact her to develop your conscious leadership and transform your organization into the workplace of the future.
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