There is a certain sense of irony in talking about the ‘future of work’ because in many places, “it is already here – it’s just not evenly distributed.” William Gibson, coined this term in 1993 along with the word ‘cyberspace.’ He was probably typing on a computer, 25 years before everyone had one in their pocket…
At Collaboration.Ai, we keep a running list of innovative developments that help us live ‘the future of work’, keeping us honest about how best to practice on a daily basis:
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Physical environment to promote fun and engagement |
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Traditional offices built for efficiency |
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Modular spaces as serendipity generators for instant innovation and collaboration to bring a real time company to life |
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A desk, phone, computer, cubicle and/or meeting room |
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Continuous social capital sharing and sacrificing |
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(singularly focused) Tiger teams, clear tasks, roles, performance reviews and corporate visions |
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Pervasive ‘People Science’ that ensures requisite variety and intentional personal and professional networking possibilities |
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Strategic work teams occasionally working across silos |
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Weaving the network of people (employees/friends) and empowering the collective group for true growth and sacrifice |
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Trying to be the smartest guys/girls in the room and ranking on bell curves |
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Project integrated learning, development and instant testing/application |
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Traditional education, outside of work training, culture and leadership courses |
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Provocation of changes that will bring play and experimentation back (while still based on/founded by) crystal clear purpose, mission and community/company mantra. (Daily success markers) |
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Quarterly targets, weekly status summaries and performance reviews |
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Re-create pacing of days with novelty, intrigue and excitement |
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Locked schedules, calendar blocks and endless meetings |
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Rituals, intent and DNA (not physical!) sharing amongst colleagues/friends |
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Weather, sports, sarcasm, executive bickering and ‘being busy’ |
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Shared values drive deep collaboration. Shared values drive trust. Shared values drive sacrifice. Shared values resist standardization. |
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Antiquated standards and rules for efficiency and arbitrary metrics. |
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An intentional technology agnostic feedback ecosystem for both process and content |
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Tools, techniques and casual torch passing |
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Continuous productivity focused on seamless integration of knowledge (both digital and human APIs) |
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Integration procedures between business |
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Teaching the younger generations sacrifice for a better way to work and sustainability of our children’s future |
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The way it has always been done |
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Ecosystem perspectives |
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Task perspectives |
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Social always open interconnected tools |
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Specific technology |
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Advanced mesh networking with real time re-combination of ideas |
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Hierarchies, protecting fiefdoms and power plays |
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Have fun always |
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Have fun outside of work |
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Experiment every day |
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Experimentation only in special innovative branches or on designated innovation days |
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Ship daily |
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Ship at project deadlines |
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Sacrifice for others to improve the system |
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Keeping knowledge and connections for personal gain |
So, the million dollar question, ‘what is the future of the workplace?’ While we don’t know for certain, we’re pretty convinced that it will have to do with the relationships you make and maintain with your colleagues. That’s why we’ve focused on building the one tool that will be critical to helping you succeed. Check out our FREE Quick Connectors, that allow you to visualize your network and see who you need to be connected to in order to improve your work, your career and your life!
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