Everything has changed in the last two years–not only for businesses but also for leaders and employees alike. As the dust settles, one thing is clear: things will never be the same again.
From organisations to people: From profit to happiness for everyone. From “me” to “us.”
Many people are leaving their jobs. New talent is becoming harder to find than ever. This is a huge threat to businesses all over the world. A business is only as good as the people it employs. Organisations that wish to survive and grow in 2022 must adapt to this new power dynamic. Consider your people’s needs in addition to their financial goals.
Treat employees as humans, not cogs in a machine. Eliminate silos and overcome remote working obstacles to guarantee that employees feel linked to the company’s mission and vision, as well as to one another. Embrace the future possibilities and ensure that work is accessible to everybody.
When people discuss the future of work, a great deal of emphasis is placed on accepting and utilising digital transformation technology. This has been discussed for a long time, but 2021 was the year that fully accelerated the need for digital transformation – from small businesses struggling to stay afloat during a pandemic to large multinational corporations seeking to keep their employees connected and productive. However, I believe that 2022 will be the year of a far more extensive and, in my opinion, more significant transformation.
So what are three trends that we’re going to see more of in 2022?
Personalisation
The new generation of collaborative technology now possesses the capability and intelligence necessary to support workplace equity and inclusivity to keep up with the world’s changes. It’s not just about collaboration tools being utilised for group work. It’s also about how they can now more accurately portray themselves in the virtual workplace. In the same way that an increasing number of businesses have adopted a pronoun protocol (they/their, she/her, he/him), these tools will provide individuals with the presence or privacy they require to operate in an inclusive and respectful atmosphere.
Hybrid Workplaces
The cubicle, office, and conference room work environment seems like a relic of a bygone era. Today, most workers are given a choice about where they want to work. What was previously mandatory has evolved into a personal preference, one in which output is valued more than face time.
As fewer employees choose to spend their whole workweek in the office, workspaces will be modified to incorporate reservable workstations in place of dedicated desks. A portion of this space can be reassigned to healthy amenities such as free commute bonuses or comfort zones with plants and gardens for mental health breaks.
A hybrid workplace is a necessary component of the new normal. Employers that want to keep up with competition must level up their game to attract and keep exceptional talent.
Engagement Will Be Prioritised
In the future, work software will be developed to facilitate human interaction rather than just to maximise productivity.
For the last decade, work has been focused on assisting us in accomplishing more tasks, in an easier and faster way. And so I believe there will be a shift. I believe that this generation’s greatest struggle will be to re-establish the human connections that have been lost along the way. And so there will be an emphasis on this “reconnection” in the coming years.
Key Takeaway
I believe that in 2022, the emphasis will be on people and human motivation. Integration of technology will also be a focal point. We’ll see more varied, inclusive, and equitable work environments, markedly different from the norm during the period of commuting and cubicles. And one that is far more suited to the advancements and benefits that the following decade will bring.
