Workstyle

“What if work wasn't about the hours you spend but about what you actually create? Imagine having the freedom to design a workday that fits your life, not the other way around.”

1. Breaking Free from the 9 to 5 Tradition

The traditional 9 to 5 schedule was born during the industrial revolution, a time when factory shifts dictated the rhythm of work. This old system doesn't reflect the diverse world we live in today. It clings to outdated principles that no longer serve workers or businesses in our digital age.

Lizzie Penny and Alex Hirst propose that the current work structure is inefficient and limiting. They suggest breaking away from its constraints by focusing on work outputs rather than hours clocked in. A shift of this sort allows people to reclaim control over their time and align their work with their personal lives.

As society evolves with digital advancements, remote connectivity, and global collaboration, workstyles that are independent of location and fixed hours not only make sense but also empower individuals to thrive. It’s time to rethink what work should look like.

Examples

• The factory model shaped the 9-to-5 system, but it doesn’t align with modern careers.
• Technology like cloud tools and communication software removes the need for a physical office.
• Younger, tech-savvy generations expect work to fit within their lives—not dominate them.

2. Introducing Workstyle: Freedom to Choose

Workstyle, as coined by the authors, is about aligning your work with your life. It prioritizes individual autonomy: You decide when, where, and how you work based on what suits you, not archaic schedules.

Three key principles support this system. First, asynchronous work allows teammates to collaborate without being “on” at the same time. Second, a digital-first mentality replaces physical offices with online platforms. Third, trust-based relationships become the foundation for achieving common goals without constant oversight.

These shifts elevate trust and flexibility, creating an approach tailored to individual strengths and preferences. Workers are valued for what they accomplish, not for keeping a chair warm for eight hours daily.

Examples

• Asynchronous work means an Australian team member can start her day while her UK colleague finishes his.
• Tools like Slack or Trello create effective digital-only “offices.”
• Trust at companies like Airbnb enables strangers to share homes—similar trust can reshape workplaces.

3. Improving Wellbeing with Personalized Schedules

The traditional workday often generates stress and burnout. Early alarms, long commutes, and rigid office hours leave little time for personal care or passions. Being on someone else’s clock limits freedom and impacts mental health negatively.

Workstyle offers a way to personalize schedules to balance work and life. For example, some may feel productive after a midday workout, while others may want to prioritize family time or a nice breakfast to start their day. Living authentically and setting personal boundaries lead to greater confidence and satisfaction.

By being in control of their time, individuals can focus on the activities that are meaningful to them. It’s an approach that nurtures healthier lifestyles and improved emotional and physical well-being.

Examples

• A parent can spend the morning running errands and still deliver work in the afternoon.
• Someone recovering from an illness can adjust timelines to prioritize healing.
• Employees everywhere enjoy greater freedom to work during their most energetic hours.

4. Unlocking Productivity by Following Natural Rhythms

Everyone’s energy peaks at different times of the day. Yet, the 9 to 5 structure assumes everyone is equally productive during those hours. This one-size-fits-all approach limits actual productivity.

Workstyle dismantles this limitation. Night owls can dive into projects late, while early birds channel clear-headed focus before sunrise. This respect for personal rhythms results in better quality work and higher efficiency.

Moreover, environments matter deeply. Some thrive in group brainstorming sessions, while others hit their stride in solitude. By designing work setups based on individual needs, productivity naturally blossoms.

Examples

• A writer might draft late into the night when inspiration strikes.
• An engineer could structure her schedule to avoid low-energy post-lunch slumps.
• Listening to music while working at home might improve focus and reduce distractions.

5. Building Trust in Workstyle

A workstyle system thrives on trust. Without micromanagement, workers are free to deliver results in their unique ways. Trust gives individuals the space to innovate and perform at their true potential.

The authors argue that fostering trust leads to better accountability. Team members are responsible for their outputs rather than their physical presence. This creates a powerful culture of reliability and respect.

This mirrors the surge in societal trust for services like Uber or Airbnb. The belief that strangers will follow rules is now commonplace; workplaces can adopt this same mindset for robust collaboration.

Examples

• Trust within workspaces can replace rigid supervision found in traditional office setups.
• Global teams learn to depend on digitally shared files or updates despite time zone gaps.
• Workers are empowered by ownership of their tasks, without always seeking managerial approval.

6. Workstyle as a Demographic Equalizer

Traditional work structures unintentionally exclude many groups. Parents juggling childcare, workers with disabilities, and those with chronic illnesses are often left behind due to rigid schedules.

Workstyle reshapes accessibility in the workplace, making it inclusive. When location and specific hours become moot, individuals historically sidelined gain incredible opportunities.

The system allows people to work at their own pace, offering equal chances to contribute their talent and thrive in the workforce. This leads to tapping into a massive pool of untapped potential.

Examples

• A wheelchair user avoids harsh commutes by working from home.
• A parent aligns hours around school pickup times without sacrificing career goals.
• A person managing anxiety avoids overstimulating environments and chooses quiet spaces.

7. Reducing Workplace Discrimination

Despite progress, many workers face discrimination based on race, gender, or identity. Traditional workplaces inadvertently expose biases in social interactions or hierarchies.

Workstyle provides a layer of anonymity and empowerment. By decentralizing the “workspace,” the emphasis shifts from physical presence to objective outcomes. Stereotypes diminish as individual accomplishments stand out.

This emphasis on output over appearance or personality helps bridge divides, fostering collaboration between diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Examples

• Employees can share identities or experiences on their terms.
• Bias in hiring or promotion is reduced when performance is the focus.
• Global teams from varied backgrounds work with seamless connection and cooperation.

8. Enhancing Lifelong Learning Opportunities

Learning opportunities are often company-prescribed and limited. But with workstyle, individuals gain the freedom to focus on the skills and knowledge that matter most to them.

By managing personal schedules, people align learning to suit their growth and passions. This enables exploration beyond typical work scopes, fostering deeper fulfillment and professional value.

And because workstyle is digital-first, employees are no longer limited to local mentors or classes. They can access resources and teachers from anywhere, enriching their journeys.

Examples

• A designer learns video editing through online tutorials at her own pace.
• A software engineer joins globally accessible hackathons outside “typical” work hours.
• Workers pick flexible avenues like audiobooks or workshops to expand their perspectives.

9. Transforming Society Through Workstyle

Workstyle doesn't just change the lives of individuals—it creates a ripple effect across societies. By bringing underrepresented voices into the workforce and encouraging large-scale collaboration, it fosters diversity and creativity.

Problems that seemed insurmountable, like climate change or poverty, often require varied ideas and collective problem-solving. With more brains working from different corners of the world, solutions become more innovative and effective.

The flexibility and inclusivity of workstyle are tools for creating economic growth and improving quality of life for everyone.

Examples

• Crowdsourcing tools like the Waze app solve traffic congestion issues collectively.
• Remote collaborations unite global teams to tackle sustainability challenges.
• Breadline reports left-over food from bakeries, redistributing it to reduce waste.

Takeaways

1. Design your personal workstyle by identifying when you’re most productive, what environments energize you, and what routines bring you balance.
2. Advocate for your workstyle in your workplace. Communicate your preferences and encourage open discussions about flexibility and accountability.
3. Experiment with trust-based collaboration. Start small by giving teammates flexibility and see how empowering them positively affects outcomes.