Start with the “why” — The impact of innovation on workplace values
The way that we look at work is changing.
We are beginning to see the work day as far more than a method to ensure early retirement and financial security. Instead, people are searching for meaning in what they are doing and, seemingly, are more willing to fight to find it.
One look at today’s most successful companies reflects our responsibility to contribute far more to the greater good than ever before. From personalized, preventable healthcare to open agriculture aimed at solving the global food crisis, it is clear that we are witnessing a trend toward a shiny new goal: to make life better.
Many organizations are looking first to their own employees to achieve this by making everyday work more meaningful. As a result, the Silicon Valley archetype of huge work campuses filled with beanbag chairs and Foosball tables is no longer exclusive to the Googles and Amazons of the world.
Companies everywhere are adopting a new approach in an effort to encourage collaboration and creative thinking. And, interestingly enough, we are discovering that investment in culture and employee happiness is significantly impacting productivity and profit margins.
With this change comes a shift in employee values as well. We are witnessing the creation of a new sort of job “benefits,” far from the traditional health, dental and gym pass that most organizations offer. Potential job candidates search instead for a work environment that fosters intangibles like personal growth, freedom and friendship — and are willing to sacrifice on salary to find it.
The traditional work week is on its way out, bringing forth a new era of work from anywhere, wear what you like, coffee shop keyboard warriors; a world where passion for work far exceeds financial motivation.
It would be ignorant to ignore the fact that this applies only to a specific group lucky enough to be choosy when it comes to making a living. However, there is potential that this new technological revolution could improve the state of work for everyone, with farther-reaching implications than any other time in history:
“I draw the conclusion that, assuming no important wars and no important increase in population, the economic problem may be solved, or be at least within sight of solution, within a hundred years. This means that the economic problem is not-if we look into the future-the permanent problem of the human race.” (Keynes, 1930).
This prediction by John Maynard Keynes demonstrates the true power of technology in the world economic climate. Yet, his dreams of a 15-hour work week are already becoming more evident as countries like Sweden and Germany experiment with reduced work hours (and are able to remain competitive). As automation and artificial intelligence works more efficiently, it is likely that the biggest challenge that humanity will face is what to do with all that extra free time.
For now, however, the most important thing companies can do is focus on how to create a better world for everyone, and articulate that vision in such a way that every level of team member, from executive to intern, can see how their work contributes tangibly to a bigger, societal vision. This ideal should act as our north star in everything that we do, both in work and in play, as we grow together through innovation.
At ATB, we do this by investing in people first, a practice furthered by a commitment to living the “ATBs” — a set of corporate values that transcend all aspects of business. By having a strong purpose rooted in creating happiness to Albertans, our team members are able to give 100% everyday and knowing that they are truly making an impact.
One look at the most buzz-worthy conversations shows that a significant change is occurring — on both corporate and personal levels. And, as technology gets smarter, conversations about the greater good will become even more important.
I, for one, can’t help but feel hopeful for a future where companies live by their values by placing equal importance and efforts to the top rungs of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
Perhaps this ideal can be best summarized by Simon Sinek’s simple, but powerful, model for leadership:
“Start with the ‘why’. Everything else will follow.”
To learn more about workforce innovation and why we choose to work at ATB, visit www.atbalphabeta.com. Follow Claire on Twitter @claireinyyc.
