Sherry McCoy
The points made in the piece are certainly valid considerations in many workplaces though structuring the concepts to fit in all places would be very challenging. As I've shared with many people, the most valuable class I took in my MBA coursework was the one on organizational behavior. Having graduated with not one but two technical bachelors degrees, it was my graduate work that helped me put a framework to the most important part of my workplace: the people! In the years that have followed, I've been privileged to participate in executive coaching and training events from which I always glean something new. And, I still thoroughly enjoy reading the "oldies but goodies" written by folks such as Stephen Covey and Bill George. I do believe that technology leaps forward will continue to be bruised and battered by equally fast-paced technology-related security threats. Further, the way, as well as the where, work gets done may look very different in 3-5 years. But, I also understand that people need to be in the presence of other people for many reasons, too. Having a meeting or lunch with you via a teleconference is just not the same as sitting across from you at the table. Sure, it has to be that way sometimes, but it won't work for all situations at all times. And, I for one would gladly vote in favor of a new national holiday that celebrated turning technology off for a day. Most emails/texts/tweets just don't need to be answered the moment they prompt that audio alert in your inbox.
March 20, 2014