Recent Gallup findings show employee engagement is at its lowest in a decade, even worse than during the pandemic. In this thought-provoking episode of Recruiting is No Joke, host Joel Lalgee sits down with Josh Drean, co-author of "Employment is Dead: How Disruptive Technologies are Revolutionizing the Way We Work." Together, they dive deep into the seismic shifts reshaping the modern workplace, from the lingering effects of the "Great Resignation" and "Quiet Quitting" to the growing chasm between corporate profits and employee compensation.

Josh and Joel explore the critical role of employee experience design in fostering engagement and retention, particularly as younger generations redefine their relationships with work. They challenge traditional corporate practices, arguing that companies must prioritize employee well-being and adapt to evolving workforce expectations to thrive in the long term.

The conversation takes a hard look at the pitfalls of traditional employee engagement surveys, using a striking example of employees being fired after an "anonymous" feedback session. This underscores the urgent need for trust, transparency, and actionable change in workplace culture.

Looking ahead, Josh and Joel envision a future of work powered by decentralized, skill-based employment models enabled by web3 technologies. They discuss how these innovations could democratize opportunities and redefine the employer-employee relationship.

The episode wraps up with Josh sharing insights from his book and promoting his upcoming events, while Joel encourages listeners to join the conversation and rethink the future of work. Let’s dive in!

In this episode:

(00:00:03) Introduction to the Episode

(00:01:36) Guest Introduction

(00:02:20) Overview of the Book

(00:02:50) Employee Engagement Trends

(00:03:55) Reflection on 2021

(00:05:57) Employee Experience Design

(00:07:18) Culture vs. Employee Satisfaction

(00:08:34) Short-Term Gains vs. Workforce Needs

(00:09:58) Shifts in Employee Mindset

(00:11:10) Rise of Content Creation

(00:12:50) Bank CEO Salaries vs. Employee Raises

(00:13:08) Employee Frustrations at JPMorgan Chase

(00:15:55) The Contractual Nature of Employment

(00:16:56) Resentment in the Workforce

(00:17:54) Job Market Realities

(00:18:04) Employee Retention vs. Engagement

(00:19:37) HR Limitations and Automation

(00:20:18) Diversity and Inclusion News

(00:21:31) Impact of Political Changes on D&I

(00:22:05) Equity in the Workplace

(00:23:26) Generational Divide in HR Perspectives

(00:24:24) Corporate Compliance and D&I Efforts

(00:26:38) Public Perception of D&I Value

(00:28:04) Future of D&I Over the Next Four Years

(00:28:42) Rise of the Gig Economy

(00:29:50) The Importance of Trust in Employee Surveys

(00:30:16) The Consequences of Honesty

(00:31:42) The Disconnect in Workplace Culture

(00:32:40) Employee Expectations vs. Reality

(00:34:57) The Creator Economy as a Model

(00:39:44) The Future of Work and Decentralization

(00:41:06) Skill Verification and Employment Dynamics

(00:44:04) The Role of Education in Freelancing

(00:45:12) Promoting Engagement and Connection

About Josh Drean

Josh Drean is a visionary leader in the future of work, employee experience, and decentralized work models. As a co-author of "Employment is Dead", Josh challenges traditional workplace paradigms and advocates for innovative approaches to employee engagement and satisfaction. With a deep understanding of the evolving work landscape, he explores how emerging technologies, such as web3 and the gig economy, are reshaping the way we work and connect.

Josh is passionate about empowering individuals to thrive in decentralized work environments and is a strong proponent of skill verification and education as tools for success in the modern economy. Through his thought leadership, speaking engagements, and writing, Josh inspires organizations and individuals to rethink work culture, embrace equity, and build trust in the workplace.

About Joel Lalgee 

Joel Lalgee is an internationally known recruitment leader and coach who has helped thousands of recruiters build their brands online. In 2015, Joel started recruiting for a small start-up agency in Milwaukee. He quickly found his passion for recruitment. In 2019, he discovered content marketing, publishing his first posts on Linkedin. Since then, he has grown to over 400k followers, and his content has been seen over 1 billion times. In 2023, he started a business specializing in coaching recruiters, marketing consulting, and influencer partnerships.

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Mentioned

Book: Employment Is Dead: How Disruptive Technologies Are Revolutionizing the Way We Work