Commercial Integrator March 2023 - 39

C llab rati n
TODAY and TOMORROW
Rather than having a narrow focus on how much and how
fast, organizations will be more effective when they measure
broader sets of outcomes. The corollary for learning environments
is to prepare students to make contributions through
their commitment, creativity and performance.
Technology allows for surveillance, tracking and monitoring
at levels unknown in the past, but these will need to
be balanced with empowerment and a respect for privacy.
Accountability is constructive, driving performance, feedback,
improvement, equity and even positive relationships.
People want to do a good job, receive information about
how to improve and receive recognition when things are
humming along.
The Implication: Tracking and monitoring will work best
within cultures of trust and psychological safety. When
people feel supported, feel they can be themselves and when
they can take appropriate risks, innovation thrives. So, a culture
of openness and appreciation must surround approaches
to what gets measured, how it's measured and how the
information is used.
How Things Will Change: Skills
With so many shifts in circumstances, people's skills and
capabilities will need to evolve as well. The talent revolution
(aka The Great Resignation) is perhaps the best evidence
that work wasn't working for many people.
The best leaders have risen to the occasion of our disruption,
but there are more skills they must develop. Leaders will
need to lead differently with the complexities of where and
how people are working, and people will need to interact and
collaborate differently as well. Technology drives new ways of
communicating, collaborating and performing. And an ability
to deliver results leveraging all kinds of tech will be a requirement
for those who are successful.
In addition, people will need not merely to tolerate ambiguity
but to embrace it. They will need to enhance curiosity and
openness to ideas different from their own. The algorithms on
social platforms arguably work too well, delivering information
people already agree with and giving them a false sense
about the extent to which their opinions are shared by others.
But learning, creativity and progress will require the ability to
inquire and understand ideas that are unfamiliar, as well as
learn from those who may come from very different places
(literally and figuratively). In addition, people will need to build
skills in empathy, and be intentional about tuning in, asking
questions, listening and being present for others.
Whether they're working or learning, people will need to
acquire skills quickly, leverage new technology as it comes
online at lightning speed, and change what they do and how
they do it. People will need to expand their adaptability and
resilience. Organizations will have a responsibility to provide
learning for people, even if their tenure at any individual colcommercialintegrator.com
Optimism
is an engine for improvement because it reinforces
responsibility, obligation and commitments to each
other, while shaping how people work and learn together.
lege, university or work setting is relatively short.
Tech will drive the need for new learning - how to use it,
how to work differently under its influence and how to bring
unique human talents to any efforts. Tech will also facilitate
new learning, as people can learn faster, in a more personalized
manner, from anywhere. Cultures will need to foster an
openness to failure, sharing and learning. Because organizations
that learn and adapt must be composed of people who
learn, whether through formal channels or side by side with
colleagues as work happens.
The Implication: In a future characterized by ambiguity and
the high speed of change, testing, trying, failing and improving
will be critical to the success in the future, individually, in
teams and for organizations.
A Bright Future
Change is inevitable, and the future is bright if we make it so.
Optimism is an engine for improvement because it reinforces
responsibility, obligation and commitments to each other,
while shaping how people work and learn together. In reality,
the future is now, and we have the opportunity to consider
our tremendous influence on all we are capable of creating as
individuals, as teams and as organizations.
Tracy Brower, PhD, is an author and sociologist, as well as
vice president of workplace insights with Steelcase.
MARCH 2023 Commercial Integrator 39
PHOTO COURTESY OF TRACY BROWER.
http://www.commercialintegrator.com
Commercial Integrator March 2023

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