Work Less to Reach Your Company’s Goals?
A weekly roundup of the latest future of work and conscious leadership news and insights
Dan Kois expressed the anxiety of millions of workers this week in his Slate article, “Everyone Needs to Work Less.” Kois describes just how stressful this year has been for so many working parents and their peers. The support systems on which we usually rely to help us juggle full-time work, family, health, etc., have all gone away. And we don’t know when they will return once again to provide that much needed support and balance.
Kois wonders why so many employers aren’t looking at the situation holistically and considering the long term impact on their teams. Should employers be lowering productivity expectations and reducing work? Kois consults with several experts on the topic and gets differing opinions. But the general consensus is that employers have to adjust business-as-usual and prepare for a new way of working; not just in 2020, but beyond.
Accenture just released data that supports Kois’ theory about supporting employees through this challenging time. Before the pandemic, just 35% of C-suite leaders thought about their responsibility to employee wellbeing. Now 50% embrace that responsibility. Nearly 70% of employees expect their leaders to be more equitable and responsible.
By doing things like investing in continuing education, listening to employees, creating flexible work schedules and focusing on wellbeing, employers will see myriad benefits that will not only sustain them through this downturn, but position them to bounce back and thrive on the other side.
The workplace desperately needs conscious leaders who are committed to their team’s wellbeing. Surveys such as Accenture’s prove there is an awakening taking place for leaders. But there is still much work to do in creating a workplace that works for everyone.
If you’re a leader who wants to effectively lead your team through this challenge, let’s connect. Conscious leadership coaching will help you draw upon your own strengths, discover new ways of BE-ing with your team, and ultimately create a better workplace.
Here is some of the future of work and conscious leadership content I found interesting this week:
Since WFH is here to stay, Entrepreneur shares 5 changes leaders need to prepare for.
Changes include how to set compensation, competitive recruiting, and challenges establishing work culture. Conscious leaders embrace this opportunity and leverage it to build powerful teams.
Ragan offers some helpful tips on supporting your team’s mental and emotional wellness in the way you communicate.The six tips offered in the article can help you determine the best way to communicate with your team effectively while ensuring their wellbeing.
Running Remote featured an article from Loop Team about how distributed teams can have “hallway conversations.” One of the most challenging transitions to remote work is determining how to recreate those serendipitous hallway connections that lead to collaboration. Platforms like Loop Team have reimagined what this might look like in a virtual setting. It may not be the same as in-person, but progress means embracing new ways of doing things and iterating until you get the outcomes you desire.
The Wall Street Journal shared how many formerly office-bound workers are enjoying the freedom of WFH in new locations.The digital nomad lifestyle is now more feasible than ever thanks to technology. It’s definitely a trend conscious leaders will consider as they build their teams. The future of work means more freedom to explore the world while contributing our talent to projects we love.
The Wall Street Journal also explored “enclothed cognition,” or how what we wear impacts our job performance. It’s true that what we wear has an effect on our mentality. It can also help separate work time from personal time in a home office.
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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