All in Future Work

Is there a new path to advancing the art and science of management?

Is there a new path to advancing the art and science of management?

David Schmidtchen
Culture, Behaviour, Future Work, Organisation, Management Science, Art of Management

In a variety of ways exasperated and distressed academics express concern to each other that only a modest portion of the intellectual and practical effort undertaken by them ever captures the imagination of practicing managers. Or maybe, the subterranean concern is that it does not get read at all. This sentiment from academics is often followed by quietly envious statements about the grip consultants seem to have over managers and is accompanied by passive disdain for the dubious research these organisations conduct.

An augmented workforce is not new, but it does require some thinking about

An augmented workforce is not new, but it does require some thinking about

David Schmidtchen
Culture, Behaviour, Organisation, Robotics, Future Work, Automation

This is a shift in the way we have all been led to think about automation. Here, the effect of automation and digitisation is not defined by the nature of task but rather by talent of the individual performing it.
Automation allows talented employees to distribute their talent further to have a greater effect on performance. We also know that talented employees working together have a positive influence on the productivity of the employees they work with. The workforce effects are both dramatic and subtle.

What needs to change for flexible work to work?

What needs to change for flexible work to work?

David Schmidtchen
Behaviour, Culture, Future Work, Organisation, Governance

“It’s not a conversation where those working differently make excuses for working in different ways. It’s not a strategy for retaining talent, and it is never a conversation where a colleague says ‘enjoy your day off’ as you finish work for the week at 2:30pm on a Wednesday. There is no need to refer to it as flexible work because it is just work.”

The Past is Foreign Country for Generation Z

The Past is Foreign Country for Generation Z

David Schmidtchen
Future Work, Culture, Behaviour, Organisation, Baby Boomers

There is a Greek proverb that says, ‘a society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit’. While generational differences are often over-emphasised, the conditions in which Gen Z have been raised are different; consequently, the preceding generations will need to listen closely to their views. Gen Z may be better placed to show the preceding generations what trees to plant and where to plant them.