In your organization, what steps are managers taking to prepare for the future of work?
Many of the managers I speak with are planning the logistics for a return to work. They are in conversations with leaders and employees, addressing needs and expectations, especially those regarding remote work.
According to a study conducted by McKinsey, employees working in a computer-based position could spend 70% of their time working remotely without losing effectiveness. As a result, they anticipate hybrid remote work for the long-term. And I see this with my clients: many are adopting a hybrid system for the fall of 2021.
Of course, management practices will be critical to success. Here are few questions to consider from a recent Harvard Business Review article:
Management Questions for the Future of Work
- How will you support a healthy remote-work climate?
- How will you support employees as they manage competing priorities, professional and personal?
- How will you support a sense of psychological safety?
- How will you consciously engage your employees?
- How will you foster employee trust and accountability?
- What tools, resources, and practices will you need, and use?
Studies find that even small doses of high-quality social interaction can lower stress and improve well-being. Predictable communications, that is to say, a predictable cadence, can foster productivity and foster trust. High performing teams are most often led by managers who use virtual and/or face-to-face meetings to connect socially, build personal relationships, and engage all employees. The best managers ask questions, show vulnerability, share reliable information, and are open to new ideas.
Whether the future of work in your organization will transition back into full-time, in office work or some type of hybrid, safety is critical to empower talent and productivity. Some offices are utilizing a virtual receptionist who can work from an onsite or offsite office. With new technology and Apps, receptionists can monitor and manage air quality, virtual meeting attenders can share whiteboards, and management (or IT) can have certain limits on work-from-home devices.
What do you think? As a manager, what are you doing to prepare for the future of work? I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me here, on LinkedIn, or give me a call: 561-582-6060.
