Flexible organisations and the workplace of the future
When we talk about the ‘future’, it quite literally means a time later than we know. But the pandemic has fast-forwarded the future of workplaces. The way we work, where we choose to work, when and with whom we choose to work, are all ideas that have undergone a shift. Given the current trends, workplaces must continually evolve to keep up with what the future demands.
As time passes and with changes in business and technology, flexible institutions are not just a need of the hour but a certainty. With the modern workplace riddled with volatility, uncertainty, change, and ambiguity (VUCA), flexibility has become the order of the day. But what does it entail? What will a flexible workplace look like in the years to come? A flexible workplace is one that can adapt and respond relatively quickly to changes in its external environment to gain an advantage and sustain its competitive position.
It is neither a cubicle nor a lavish office lobby. In fact, the workplace of the future is not a place at all. It’s an ability! The ability of your people to work from anywhere at almost any time using the tools of their choice. Today’s workplaces are an integration of digital, physical, and human resources. The intersections and dependencies between these three are what encompass the entire future of work.
Technology may not solely define the workplace of the future. Although, it is a critical element unfettered by the constraints of the physical world. It allows employees to come together, share ideas, and bond with each other just as well as they would in a cubicle. A hallmark of the future workplace will be human employees working side by side with artificial intelligence. Even today, organisations are increasingly recognising that AI/ML is an enabler that must be leveraged across functions and processes. Tech implementation is no longer just confined to tech functions! Thus, an organisation and a leader need to be cognizant of the latest technological developments to thrive uninterruptedly.
As we cope with rapid and dynamic changes in the workplace, there are employers hoping to resort to the traditional model, with full-time employees working fixed hours in a constrained physical space. However, people’s affinity for flexible schedules has rendered this tradition outdated. Employee expectations around workplace experience, wellness and flexibility have, and are expected to, undergo a paradigm shift. Now, employees are prioritising their health and wellness as well as that of their loved ones.
In order to remain humane, resilient and align with the organisational purpose, it is imperative to strategise approaches to drive health and wellness programs. Workplaces of the future will integrate platforms, digital products and services. It translates into a drastic shift in measuring skill competency as well. Emphasis on the employee’s skill along with certifications and formal degrees as yardsticks will continue to rise. Future organisational leaders will need to identify gaps, upskill and cross skill employees to prepare them for newer functions. The spirit of collaboration is penetrating every institution. The significance of effective collaboration will be a big part of this future as it leads to problem-solving, innovation and lifelong learning.
Yet another characteristic of the workplace of the future is becoming people-first. We already see the groundwork laid. There needs to be a meaningful shift in corporate attention to racial justice, equity, commitments and investments in being better. Inclusivity as a practice will go beyond gender, incorporating minorities, the differently abled, and other underrepresented sections. With digital credentials empowering candidates with the recognition for their competencies and skills, the recruitment process of future workplaces can also become free of bias and discrimination.
The workplace of the future holds promise to be more efficient, organised, collaborative, skill-driven, diverse, inclusive and ultimately more human.