It is still unclear as to when we will be returning to the ‘office’ – but when we do, we’ll be returning to a world of work that is very different to what we are used to. Even before Covid-19 we had been seeing much needed transformation in the way we work. Yet this pandemic has accelerated things at a speed we never expected; acting as the biggest catalyst so far for business transformation.

So what will the future of work that unfolds over the coming months and years look like? Here are eight predictions…

1. Offices will become hubs…

With the return to the office, measures will be taken to keep employees two metres apart. And this will lead us to question whether it makes sense (for both people and the planet) to travel into city centres in order to work distantly. In the future, offices may act as hubs for activities that need to be done in person – important review meetings and critical team catch ups. But other core work will take place remotely away from this.

2. Flexibility will see the end of the 9-5…

Gartner analysis shows that 48% of employees will likely work remotely part of the time going forward (compared to 30% pre-pandemic). Companies will provide more choice for employees to work however, and wherever, they can in order to get their best work done. With that the culture of presenteeism – and the standard 9-5 (an anachronism from the days of factory work) will be a thing of the past.

3. Management styles will change…

This new, more remote way of working necessitates a more modern ‘coaching’ style of management. Managers will no longer sit at the top, driving the show. Instead they will need to partner with (and trust) their team – motivating and empowering them where needed. Hierarchy, command and control will give way to collaboration and creativity. Barriers will fall and problems and opportunities will be faced together.

4. Work will become more ‘human’…

We’ve all been through a challenge and a crisis together. Uniting against a common enemy will have given you a new level of connection with colleagues and clients alike. We’ve also now laid bare the lives we have outside of work – and empathy will ensue. People will have a new respect for life’s demands and an appreciation of the challenges of all things family. We’ll also value the social interaction that work offers more than we ever have.

5. Diversity will be easier to achieve…

Remote work opens up companies to wider pools of talent and influences. This diversity ensures invaluable insights can be uncovered into the needs of all clients and customers – not just a small sub-section. And remember, diversity isn’t just a metric to strive for – it is an integral part of a successful revenue-generating business. A Boston Consulting Group study found that companies with more diverse management teams have 19% higher revenues due to innovation.

6. Bureaucracy will be tempered…

This crisis has led many companies to reduce or eliminate unnecessary systems and streamline processes to respond more quickly. Many companies have had to delegate decision-making to enhance speed. Companies will pivot and adapt at new speeds – and see away with some of the unnecessary bureaucracy that blocked the way in the past.

7. Innovation will flourish…

The most innovative solutions often arise in the face of great constraints. Isaac Newton first began to reflect on the notion of gravity while quarantining during the Great Plague of London. The challenges of today will force new ways of thinking, better approaches and fresh perspectives on problems. Companies will prioritise innovation and create optimal conditions for creativity, exploration and problem-solving to flourish.

8. Social good will prevail…

As the pandemic has spread, many companies have doubled down on their commitment to humanity. Luxury brand LVMH Moet Hennessy, refitted many of its perfume production lines to make hand sanitiser. Microsoft, Google, Zoom and others are making software free to use in this period. This sentiment will continue and companies going forward will have a purpose beyond the bottom line.

Without a doubt the future of work has changed forever and it will continue to change at rapid speed as we adapt to this ‘new normal’. In the words of Duke Ellington, “things aint what they used to be” and the skills, strategies and ways of working that have been serving us, just aren’t cutting it any more. Most of us haven’t been trained in how to optimise our thinking to succeed in this new way of work. Now is the perfect time to start to..