From “when are you free?” to “what’s next”
Centuries ago, we relied on slow methods of communication. It took months, sometimes years, to connect with people far away. As we moved into cities and work became more industrial, all that began to change. Eventually, we expected rapid communication.
Our society shifted from one of patience to instant gratification. In the workplace, no matter the industry, people learn to expect immediacy. Patience was no longer a virtue.
Perhaps you’ve encountered this in your career. Calls for meetings are more urgent than actual productivity. We all love to look busy.
Yet the world is increasingly shifting toward remote work. This trend began even before the pandemic, and now it’s becoming normal. Some business owners have balked, insisting that the lack of in-house meetings and instant communication will hurt productivity.
But will it? After all, we’re the days of the pony express in the carrier pigeon are long behind us. It is now possible to communicate quickly even if people are miles away dash or halfway around the world.
And this could be a good thing, as it allows people to work when they are best able to work. Is it really a benefit to have a morning meeting if half the people must chug coffee to stay awake…
