We are Living in a “Wirearchy”

Updated: Feb 18

Just recently Google announced their people won’t be going back to their workspaces at the office until mid-2021, Amazon followed and then Facebook as well.

We are now having to become digital learners, users of collaborative tools, doing necessary technology learning on the fly in a world that is constantly in flux.

We used to go to a class to learn something new. This used to be measured by assessments and completion, perhaps certifications.

Now we are expected to learn anytime, all the time and are expected to learn anything that is relevant to being an expert in the positions we hold. The second we become experts, the knowledge change. So, what does being expert really mean if expertise is only good for a short while?

We’ve moved from a leadership hierarchy to what I call a “wirearchy.” From silos (teams) that have been integrated to those without borders (Global, 24X7 business).

I read a statistic from a few years ago that asked how often organizations expected their individual contributors to need to use learning resources to do their jobs effectively. At the time the answer was over 60%. Today I’m guessing it is over 80%. So not only is the content of jobs changing, but the way we deliver services has changed, and will continue to change and it’s only just begun. Who would have guessed that Amazon could have taken over the retail market as it has in just a few years? Their stock has risen to above the $3,000 mark as I write this.

So, how do we adapt, stay agile, perform at our best, remember what’s important to us both individually and collectively when we are expected to be “on” all the time? Do I answer my mobile after hours? Do I read my work texts while I’m running, getting groceries, play with my kids/nieces/nephews? And at the end of the day, am I being social? We know from social neuroscience research that our social brains need to be engaged regularly. What about our partners? When do we see them, experience romance, love and communication when both are exhausted? How do we keep all of this in balance? Have we really become automated human beings?

This is where we all need help. How do we stay true to ourselves, feel human, and bring great capacity into our work and home environments so that people thrive?

I see many possibilities. One is to first take a breath, stick to a structure that works for you and yours. Learn about your patterns and blind spots and see if your existing way of living has the ability to shift one way or another.

We know from scientific research that our brains like us to feel safe, they like it when we do the same thing every day - such as creating a pattern that works for us. We also know that creating more oxytocin supports us in creative thinking, making higher quality decisions, accomplishing more with more of what we have inside of us. This is a learned competency. Want to learn more?

Set up a time on my website.

Circle back and tell me what you think at clients@humaninsightgroup.com


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