Written by: Marie Genevieve Pawlak, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Happy New Year! What an exciting time. As we start our new year, one thing stands out:
Employees have begun to ask, "Why am I working?" and "How does this work benefit my life?" Based on the answers, many are choosing to leave their jobs, which means the competition to attract new talent is real! Companies are coming to the realization that if they want to survive and thrive in 2022 they must bring humanity into the workplace. People need to feel respected and value the work they do. This is why we are calling 2022: The Rise of Dignity; the year of WE!
We are moving from the "I" focus to the "we" focus. What does that look like? Here are the five trends in the workplace that will create The 2022 Rise of Dignity.
Reinvention
Let's be honest, the last two years have been solely about surviving not thriving. The rate of change was forced and extreme where people spent the past two years in reactive mode. But something incredible happened; people reinvented work: how we do it, why we do it, and when we do it. They learned to collaborate, innovate and be much more agile and flexible. Companies realized that being more flexible didn't kill productivity; it enhanced it. Turns out, change is a good thing. So, 2022 will be about proactive reinvention.
Kindness
With people at home and able to slow down and "smell the roses," they realized the roses stink! A global pandemic, inequality, corrupt companies, people who put their interests above others and weaponizing the media made for really smelly roses. People needed kindness and a sense of community. Boy, did we get it! The scientific communities came together and created a vaccine in record time. Neighbors, families, and strangers helped each other just because they could. People took to the streets to be heard, seen, and create a movement together.
Kindness will be the key to success for companies, and diversity of experience, will be the cornerstone of 2022.
Individuality
Purpose-driven organizations will be the most successful companies moving forward, but it's not just about external purpose but internal purpose: the employee experience is what drives profit and productivity. 2020 and 2021 have shown us that this is true. Despite the swift change to remote work and physical isolation, employees not only met, but exceeded their goals in record time. Employees are asking: What about my purpose? Where is my work/life balance? How do I connect with my colleagues, collaborate, and feel energized? Pre-pandemic, companies avoided answering these questions, but the pandemic forced them to face their own insecurities about giving their people the autonomy that was so desperately needed. Since the onset of the crisis, new questions have arisen, such as "What does it matter how I do my job, as long as I do it?" "Why do I have to be in the office when I can work from home and be more productive?" "How can I have greater control over my career, life, and well-being?"
To keep people successful, motivated, engaged, and avoid a mass resignation, you'll have to start listening to them, and giving them the employee experience. they want… Otherwise, they may look elsewhere.
Accountability
The term "culture of accountability" is nothing new. But what accountability means has changed. It's not just about getting things done anymore—it's about holding all parties to the same standard.
Accountability means we all must be accountable for how we get things done (Leaders, Companies, Employees, and Customers); All People.
We all expect transparency from everyone: Organizations, Leaders, Employees, and Customers must be willing to celebrate success and publicly admit their mistakes. But more importantly, do something about it.
Organizations and their leaders will need to rethink what accountability means as they respond to the demands of leading more agile, hybrid teams. For example, employees must be given more opportunities to make their own decisions and control where their work. In addition, customers will have to take responsibility for how they consume products and services.
Value
When people see the value in what they do, and they see others find value in what they do, they are not only more engaged in their work, but also have a sense of security and well-being. Caring about others and ourselves is essential and vital to our success as human beings. When people feel they can bring their whole selves to the workplace, they are better employees, leaders, and humans. Research shows that when we value people, that positively impacts retention, absenteeism levels, productivity, and overall satisfaction.
These five trends for 2022 will not only ensure your success as a company but ensure the success of your people. So, let's bring humanity back to the workplace. We are all responsible for creating better workplaces.
Marie Genevieve Pawlak, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Marie Genevieve Pawlak is the founder of Prime Alchemy, a leading expert in game-based learning and organizational health, which provides people with the tools they need to find value and purpose in their work. The Prime Alchemy team works to develop programs that really engage people. Through play. Game-based programs use your own tasks and projects, so you never get behind schedule. Marie believes in organizational health as a way to build a better workplace. Healthy organizations outperform their competitors, are free of politics, have higher transparency, and encourage star performers to stay. Prime Alchemy is a division of Planning101 Group Corp.
