As evident in the ‘great resignation’ sparked by the COVID epidemic, people started leaving their jobs in record numbers. This made Peter Drucker all the more prophetic when he stated 30 years ago the lifelong workforce contract has been irrevocably broken.
Drucker’s observation was based on the advancement of the ‘knowledge worker.’ The knowledge worker of 30 years ago is now armed with high quality video technology and team-based collaboration software – making a convincing argument that people can be productive working remotely.
However, a side effect is that this development calls into question the very nature of what a company is and how work is organized and executed.
Executives are facing a new challenge - one that Drucker also took note of. The increased autonomy of today’s knowledge worker - in terms of the work they do and who they do it for - has unwittingly brought about a more ‘mercenary’ workplace culture. Individuals seeking work are in a stronger position relative to the organizations looking to hire them.
But executives know that mercenary workers aren’t strong enough to win in today’s market. Winning requires synergy. In the simplest of terms, synergy occurs when 2+2 = multiples of 4. How do you get synergy? In our view, synergy is a state that emerges when a compelling narrative about what the collective can accomplish, is more attractive than what individuals can achieve, acting alone.
We see this again and again in the world of sports. We see this in heroic projects like sending a team of people into the outer reaches of space or finding cures to deadly diseases. They remind us there is a vast difference between ‘laying bricks’ and ‘building cathedrals.’
How do you build a compelling narrative?
We have found it originates in the answers to three essential questions that resonate with the collective:
- What future unites and inspires us?
- How do we win?
- Who are we?
We call that your operating state framework. It is sometimes spoken in terms of your ‘north star.’ Seen from this perspective, culture is no longer ‘eating strategy for breakfast’ but rather, culture enables strategy. Want to find out more? Check out our latest blogs and case studies. Or contact us directly at info@businessingenuityinc.com; we’ll be happy to answer all your questions.