Wayne Turmel engages in an insightful conversation with Dan Keldsen, co-founder of PlexiCam and the host of Next Future Today, who calls himself a pragmatic futurist. They explore the shifting landscape of remote and hybrid work, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dan shares his expertise on future trends and offers practical insights on onboarding new hires, incorporating Gen Z in the workplace, and fostering effective communication and collaboration. The discussion emphasizes the importance of treating people as they want to be treated and finding a balance between leveraging individual strengths and establishing clear expectations. Join Wayne and Dan as they provide valuable perspectives on embracing the future of work and building resilient teams in a rapidly evolving world.
Key Takeaways
1. Embracing the future of work: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of remote and hybrid work models. Organizations must adapt to the changing landscape and recognize the long-term effects of this shift.
2. The role of a pragmatic futurist: A pragmatic futurist like Dan Keldsen focuses on identifying future trends and guiding individuals and organizations in navigating them effectively, rather than indulging in extreme optimism or pessimism.
3. Leveraging Gen Z in the workplace: As Gen Z enters the workforce, organizations should recognize their unique strengths and experiences. Collaboration, mentorship, and cross-generational learning are crucial for creating a cohesive and productive team environment.
4. Effective onboarding in remote/hybrid settings: Onboarding new hires requires thoughtful processes that go beyond basic orientation. Drawing inspiration from successful onboarding techniques in other domains, such as video games, can help engage and retain new employees.
5. Communication and connection: Understanding the communication preferences of different generations, such as video calls, text messaging, or email, is vital for fostering effective collaboration. Treating people as they want to be treated and establishing clear expectations are key to building strong, adaptable teams.
6. Balancing individual strengths and expectations: Organizations should leverage the strengths of each team member while establishing guidelines for collaboration. By finding a balance between individual preferences and organizational objectives, teams can thrive in a changing work landscape.
7. Embracing the opportunities: Rather than viewing the future as entirely positive or negative, individuals and organizations should actively participate in shaping it. Embracing new work models and adapting to emerging trends can lead to growth and success.
Time Stamps
00:00 - Introduction 00:08 - Pragmatic Futurism and the Changing Work Landscape 01:16 - The Gen Z Effect and Integrating Gen Z in the Workplace 06:45 - Effective Onboarding in Remote and Hybrid Work Environments 10:33 - Communication and Connection in the Workplace 14:45 - Balancing Individual Strengths and Expectations 17:30 - Embracing the Future of Work and the Opportunities Ahead
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Featured Guest
Name: Dan Keldsen
What He Does: Co-founder of Plexi-Cam, host of Next Future Today podcast and consultancy, and co-author of The Gen Z Effect.
Notable: Dan has extensive experience working with companies like Wasabi Technologies, Google, Lowe's Home Improvement, AstraZeneca, and the Federal Reserve Bank of NY. He has also led workshops and training sessions on information architecture, user experience, and findability resulting in increased understanding and adoption of best practices.
Additional Resources
- Learn more about Next Future Today
- Learn more about PlexiCam - 10% Discount with this link or enter LONGDISTANCE at checkout
- Check out his book The Gen Z Effect
- Connect with Dan Keldsen on LinkedIn
- Learn more about Wayne Turmel
- Connect with Wayne Turmel on LinkedIn
- Email Wayne Turmel
- Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Leader
- Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Teammate
- Order a copy of The Long-Distance Team
- The Kevin Eikenberry Group
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View full show notes and transcript: https://longdistanceworklife.com/the-gen-z-effect-and-the-future-of-work-insights-from-dan-keldsen/