Introduction
In today's fast-paced world, the way we work has remained largely unchanged for over two centuries. The traditional 9-to-5 workday, a relic of the industrial revolution, continues to dominate our professional lives. However, authors Lizzie Penny and Alex Hirst propose a revolutionary concept called "workstyle" that challenges this outdated model and offers a fresh perspective on how we approach our careers and lives.
"Workstyle" is a groundbreaking book that introduces a new way of thinking about work, one that prioritizes individual autonomy, wellbeing, and productivity. The authors draw from their experience founding Hoxby, a company that has helped over 2,500 people embrace their own unique workstyles. This book serves as a guide for those seeking to break free from the constraints of traditional work structures and create a more fulfilling and balanced professional life.
The Workstyle Concept
At its core, workstyle is about giving individuals the freedom to choose when and where they work. It's a concept that goes beyond the notion of "flexible working hours" and instead focuses on creating a work environment that is tailored to each person's needs, preferences, and natural rhythms.
The workstyle approach is built on three fundamental principles:
Asynchronous working: This means that team members don't need to be working at the same time. It allows for a more fluid and global approach to collaboration, where work can be passed between colleagues across different time zones.
Digital-first focus: Embracing technology and digital tools as the primary means of communication and collaboration. This principle recognizes that in today's interconnected world, physical presence is often not necessary for effective work.
Trust-based environments: Workstyle relies on mutual trust between employers and employees. It shifts the focus from monitoring hours worked to evaluating the quality and timeliness of outputs produced.
By adopting these principles, workstyle aims to revolutionize the way we think about work, moving away from the outdated notion that value is measured by time spent at a desk. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of productivity, creativity, and personal wellbeing.
The Benefits of Workstyle for Wellbeing
One of the most significant advantages of embracing workstyle is its positive impact on personal wellbeing. The traditional work model often leads to stress, burnout, and a poor work-life balance. Workstyle, on the other hand, allows individuals to design their work life in a way that promotes physical and mental health.
Authenticity and Satisfaction
Workstyle encourages people to work in a way that feels authentic to them. This freedom to be oneself at work can lead to increased job satisfaction and a stronger sense of purpose. When people are not forced to conform to a rigid work structure, they can bring their whole selves to their professional lives, leading to greater confidence and fulfillment.
Setting Boundaries
The flexibility of workstyle allows individuals to set clear boundaries between their work and personal lives. This can help reduce stress and prevent work from encroaching on important personal time. For example, someone might choose to work intensively for a few hours in the morning, take a break for exercise or family time in the afternoon, and then return to work in the evening when they feel refreshed and focused.
Healthier Lifestyle Choices
With the freedom to structure their day, people can prioritize healthy habits that are often sacrificed in a traditional work setting. This might include:
- Preparing nutritious meals instead of relying on fast food
- Incorporating regular exercise into the workday
- Getting enough sleep by working during their most productive hours
- Taking breaks when needed to avoid burnout
Adapting to Life Changes
Workstyle is particularly beneficial during major life transitions. Whether it's moving to a new city, starting a family, or recovering from an illness, the flexibility of workstyle allows individuals to adapt their work to their changing circumstances without sacrificing their career progress.
Continuous Learning and Growth
The workstyle approach encourages continuous learning and personal development. Without the constraints of a fixed schedule or location, individuals can pursue educational opportunities that align with their interests and career goals. This might involve:
- Attending online courses or webinars during their most receptive hours
- Participating in global conferences or workshops without the need for extensive travel
- Engaging with a diverse network of professionals from around the world
Improved Mental Health
By reducing the stress associated with rigid work structures and long commutes, workstyle can have a significant positive impact on mental health. The autonomy it provides can lead to a greater sense of control over one's life, which is crucial for mental wellbeing.
Enhancing Productivity Through Workstyle
While the benefits to personal wellbeing are clear, workstyle also offers significant advantages in terms of productivity. By allowing individuals to work in ways that suit them best, workstyle can lead to more efficient and effective work output.
Aligning Work with Natural Energy Cycles
Everyone has their own unique circadian rhythm that influences their energy levels throughout the day. Workstyle allows individuals to align their most demanding tasks with their peak energy periods. For example:
- Early birds can tackle complex projects first thing in the morning
- Night owls can schedule creative work for the evening hours when they feel most inspired
- Those who experience an afternoon slump can take a break and return to work when they're refreshed
Creating an Optimal Work Environment
The flexibility of workstyle extends to the physical environment in which work is conducted. Some people thrive in bustling coffee shops, while others need complete silence to concentrate. Workstyle allows individuals to choose the setting that best supports their productivity, whether that's a home office, a co-working space, or even a park bench.
Fostering Deep Focus
By removing the distractions and interruptions common in traditional office environments, workstyle can facilitate deep, focused work. Individuals can create uninterrupted blocks of time for concentrated effort, leading to higher quality outputs and more innovative solutions.
Encouraging Creativity Through Variety
The ability to change one's work environment and schedule can stimulate creativity. Many people find that their best ideas come when they're away from their desk – perhaps while taking a walk or doing household chores. Workstyle allows for these moments of inspiration to be integrated into the workday.
Leveraging Global Talent and Collaboration
The asynchronous nature of workstyle enables seamless collaboration across time zones. This can lead to increased productivity as work can effectively continue around the clock, with team members in different parts of the world picking up where others left off.
Trust and Accountability
The trust-based approach of workstyle often leads to increased accountability. When individuals are given the freedom to manage their own work, they often rise to the occasion, taking greater ownership of their responsibilities and delivering high-quality results.
Reducing Wasted Time
Traditional work structures often include a lot of wasted time – long commutes, unnecessary meetings, and idle periods waiting for the workday to end. Workstyle eliminates these inefficiencies, allowing individuals to make the most of their productive hours.
Workstyle's Impact on Society
The benefits of workstyle extend beyond individual wellbeing and productivity. As more people and organizations adopt this approach, it has the potential to create positive change on a societal level.
Inclusivity and Diversity
Workstyle can make the workplace more accessible and inclusive for a wide range of individuals who might struggle with traditional work structures. This includes:
- People with physical disabilities who find daily commuting challenging
- Individuals with mental health conditions who may need more flexible schedules
- Parents and caregivers who need to balance work with family responsibilities
- Older workers who want to remain active in the workforce but desire more flexibility
By accommodating these diverse needs, workstyle can tap into a broader talent pool and create more equitable work opportunities.
Reducing Discrimination
The digital-first, asynchronous nature of workstyle can help reduce workplace discrimination. When interactions are primarily task-focused and occur through digital channels, there's less opportunity for unconscious biases based on appearance, age, or other personal characteristics to influence professional relationships.
Environmental Benefits
With fewer people commuting daily and less need for large office spaces, widespread adoption of workstyle could lead to significant environmental benefits. This includes:
- Reduced carbon emissions from commuting
- Lower energy consumption in office buildings
- Decreased need for office construction and associated resource use
Economic Opportunities for Rural Areas
Workstyle can bring economic opportunities to rural and remote areas that have traditionally been left out of certain industries. When physical location becomes less important, talented individuals can contribute to global companies without leaving their communities.
Improved Work-Life Integration
As workstyle blurs the lines between work and personal life, it encourages a more holistic approach to living. This can lead to:
- Stronger family relationships as parents have more flexibility to be present for their children
- Increased community involvement as people have more time to engage in local activities
- Better health outcomes as individuals can prioritize self-care and preventive health measures
Fostering Innovation Through Diversity
By bringing together diverse minds from different backgrounds and cultures, workstyle can create an environment ripe for innovation. The cross-pollination of ideas that occurs in a global, asynchronous workforce can lead to creative solutions to complex problems.
Addressing Global Challenges
The collaborative nature of workstyle, combined with its ability to tap into global talent, makes it well-suited for addressing large-scale societal challenges. From climate change to public health crises, workstyle can facilitate the kind of coordinated, international effort needed to tackle these issues.
Implementing Workstyle: Practical Steps
While the benefits of workstyle are clear, transitioning to this new way of working requires intentional effort and planning. Here are some practical steps individuals and organizations can take to embrace workstyle:
For Individuals:
Assess Your Natural Rhythms: Pay attention to when you feel most energetic and focused throughout the day. Use this information to plan your work schedule accordingly.
Identify Your Ideal Work Environment: Experiment with different settings to find where you work best. This might be a home office, a local café, or a mix of different locations.
Set Clear Boundaries: Establish guidelines for when you are and aren't available for work. Communicate these boundaries clearly to colleagues and clients.
Invest in the Right Tools: Ensure you have the necessary technology and software to work effectively from anywhere. This might include a reliable laptop, noise-cancelling headphones, or project management apps.
Develop Self-Discipline: Without the structure of a traditional office, you'll need to cultivate strong self-motivation and time management skills.
Prioritize Self-Care: Make time for exercise, healthy eating, and relaxation. These are crucial for maintaining productivity and wellbeing in a flexible work environment.
For Organizations:
Foster a Culture of Trust: Shift focus from monitoring hours worked to evaluating the quality and timeliness of outputs.
Invest in Communication Tools: Implement robust digital platforms that facilitate asynchronous communication and collaboration.
Provide Training: Offer guidance on effective remote work practices, time management, and digital communication skills.
Rethink Performance Metrics: Develop new ways to measure productivity and success that align with workstyle principles.
Lead by Example: Encourage leadership to adopt workstyle practices, demonstrating their effectiveness and feasibility.
Support Work-Life Integration: Offer resources and benefits that support employees' overall wellbeing, such as wellness programs or flexible benefits packages.
Create Opportunities for Connection: While workstyle emphasizes asynchronous work, it's still important to foster a sense of community. Organize virtual team-building activities or occasional in-person meetups.
Overcoming Challenges in Adopting Workstyle
While the benefits of workstyle are numerous, it's important to acknowledge that transitioning to this new way of working can come with challenges. Being aware of these potential obstacles can help individuals and organizations navigate them more effectively.
Potential Challenges:
Isolation: Some people may struggle with the reduced face-to-face interaction that comes with remote work.
Blurred Work-Life Boundaries: Without clear separation between work and personal time, some individuals might find it difficult to "switch off."
Communication Hurdles: Asynchronous communication can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or delays in decision-making.
Technology Dependence: Reliance on digital tools means that technical issues can significantly disrupt work.
Self-Motivation: Some individuals may find it challenging to stay motivated without the structure of a traditional office environment.
Resistance to Change: Both individuals and organizations may face internal resistance when shifting away from familiar work patterns.
Strategies for Overcoming Challenges:
Regular Check-Ins: Schedule virtual coffee breaks or informal catch-ups to maintain social connections with colleagues.
Establish Rituals: Create routines that signal the start and end of your workday, even when working from home.
Over-Communicate: Be proactive in sharing updates and asking for clarification to prevent misunderstandings.
Have Backup Plans: Prepare alternative work arrangements for when technology fails, such as having a mobile hotspot or a secondary work location.
Set Daily Goals: Break work into manageable tasks and set clear objectives for each day to maintain focus and motivation.
Gradual Implementation: For organizations, consider phasing in workstyle practices gradually to allow time for adjustment and refinement.
The Future of Work: Embracing Workstyle
As we look to the future, it's clear that the way we work is evolving. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated this evolution, forcing many organizations to adopt remote work practices and challenging long-held assumptions about productivity and workplace presence.
Workstyle represents not just a temporary shift, but a fundamental reimagining of what work can be. It offers a vision of a future where work is more humane, more inclusive, and more aligned with the realities of our interconnected, digital world.
By embracing workstyle, we have the opportunity to create a working world that:
- Prioritizes wellbeing and work-life balance
- Taps into global talent and fosters diversity
- Increases productivity by aligning work with individual strengths and preferences
- Reduces environmental impact and supports sustainable practices
- Promotes innovation through flexible, collaborative approaches
As more individuals and organizations adopt workstyle principles, we can expect to see ripple effects throughout society. From urban planning to education systems, the shift towards more flexible, autonomous work will likely influence various aspects of how we live and interact.
Conclusion: Join the Workstyle Revolution
"Workstyle" by Lizzie Penny and Alex Hirst presents a compelling vision for the future of work. It challenges us to rethink our assumptions about when, where, and how work should be done, offering a path to greater wellbeing, productivity, and societal benefit.
The workstyle revolution is not just about changing how we work; it's about changing how we live. It's about creating a world where work enhances our lives rather than dominating them, where diverse talents can thrive, and where we have the flexibility to adapt to life's changing circumstances.
As we stand at this pivotal moment in the evolution of work, we all have a role to play in shaping the future. Whether you're an individual looking to improve your own work-life balance, a manager seeking to boost team productivity, or a business leader aiming to create a more inclusive and innovative organization, embracing workstyle principles can help you achieve your goals.
The journey to adopting workstyle may not always be smooth, but the potential rewards – for individuals, organizations, and society as a whole – make it a worthwhile endeavor. By taking steps to implement workstyle in our own lives and advocating for its adoption more broadly, we can contribute to creating a working world that is more flexible, more fulfilling, and more suited to the diverse needs of the global workforce.
As you close this book, consider how you might begin to incorporate workstyle principles into your own life and work. What small changes could you make today to move towards a more personalized, productive, and balanced approach to work? How might you share these ideas with others in your professional and personal networks?
The workstyle revolution is just beginning, and its success depends on individuals like you embracing and championing this new way of thinking about work. By doing so, you're not just improving your own life – you're contributing to a broader movement that has the potential to transform society for the better.
So, are you ready to join the workstyle revolution?