We have a competency statement we are asked to evidence in our performance reviews called 'Delivering at Pace'. We're urged to 'deliver timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes.' This came to mind in a discussion I was having with colleagues from the Organisation Design Forum the other evening. We were debating three questions:
- What have you been noticing that's novel or significant in your circles?
- What are the implications you see to organization design?
- If you had a message to the organization design practitioner community right now, what would it be?
One of the things that I'd noticed recurring during the week was the concept of 'mindfulness'. I'd just read a report from Unum on The Future Workplace. In the researchers' view the future workplace is mindful, collaborative, ageless and intuitive. They say that:
'As well as needing to be energised to work for longer workers are increasingly feeling overwhelmed by the tools and means of communication they have to use on a daily basis. ... they want to be able to 'shut off' for a while. ... 'Overload creep' is a major factor ... British workers feel they are expected to be 'always on' ... which significantly increases stress levels.' There's then a lengthy section on developing a workplace that is 'mindful, tranquil, sublime and that nurtures the health and performance of the mind'.
