The Future of Work
In this week’s episode of The Room Podcast, Madison and Claudia cover a relevant topic as the world begins to re-open and adapt to a life post-pandemic: the future of work. They are joined by two CEOs, Frank Weishaupt and Roy Hirshland, who are both innovating on the new normal as leaders of their companies. Frank is the CEO of Owl Labs, a video collaboration technology company that provides the inclusive meeting experience remote participants need and deserve. Roy is the CEO and Co-Founder of T3 Advisors, a global real estate firm that inspires companies to think more strategically about real estate and their workplace.
We discuss key insights and tactical advice surrounding the future of work, including the hardware and software tools needed to empower a hybrid work culture, leadership’s vital role as reopening brings transition, and multi-generational perspectives on navigating a crisis while empowering employees to thrive at work. Let’s open the door.
Season 3 is sponsored by our friends at SVB and Cooley. The questions today were researched through SVB’s Future of Work Report.
Key Takeaway 1: Hardware and software tools needed to empower a hybrid work culture
As offices welcome back employees, many companies will retain a hybrid work culture, forcing businesses to devise strategic plans to support both at-home and in-person work forces. Having the necessary technology to include remote workers seamlessly into everyday happenings will be essential. Frank’s company Owl Labs is at the forefront of creating these tools with their flagship product being the Meeting Owl, a smart 360-degree camera, speaker, and microphone that supports hybrid meetings. OfficeTogether streamlines desk reservations, office scheduling and health checks for a hybrid office setup, integrated with Slack and Gcal. How are you and your team creating paradity for your employees both in the office and at home?
Key Takeaway 2: Leadership’s vital role as reopening brings transition
Leadership has an important role to be a calming presence and sounding board for employees as the new normal yet again disrupts our status quo. Not one person experienced this last year the same. We heard from Frank and Roy that leaders like themselves need to be cognizant of these different lived perspectives and lean into the transitions with care. transition will be harder for some than others.
Calm is contagious. It’s a great phrase — there were a lot of reactions and conclusions people jumped to early in the pandemic. I think this thing still has time to play out as to the future work. — Roy Hirshland
If you’re a leader and reading this, think about how you can embody a calming presence at work. If you’re an employee, check in with yourself and communicate to your bosses what you need in this time.
Key Takeaway 3: Multi-generational perspectives on navigating a crisis while empowering employees
While some companies have already reinstated a fully in-person work model, Roy and Frank advise that some of these outdated models should be re-evaluated or else companies will be at risk of losing their important talent. Assumptions made on effective work structures prior to the pandemic no longer fully stand. In our discussion, Roy and Frank shared about many other national and global crises they’ve lived through such as 9/11 and the ’08 Financial Crisis. Lessons learned as leaders during the past inform how they show up today. In turn, creating their nuanced perspective on empowering employees to work well through this next transition.
Thank you so much to both of our guests, Frank and Roy, for providing their insights on the future of work! The episode is now live on all podcast streaming platforms. See you next week for The Room Podcast’s Season 3 finale.
