According to organizational psychologist Bill Jensen, 'We are in the midst of a major shift in how we get stuff done, in how we do great work; however at the same time, business seems to be waging war with its workforce.'

Corporate leadership is hindering the implementation of work advancements (what Jensen defines as Work 2.0). “We have a crisis of will in many of today’s leaders”, added Jensen.

Jensen recently reported these results in his “Work 2.0 Update” for which he surveyed and interviewed in excess of 61,000 individuals from more than 2,700 companies in 27 countries.

Jensen sees a new work contract emerging: “while compensation, benefits, flextime, making nice to your employees, job security, and the like will remain as critical as ever, they are not where the Work 2.0 War for Talent will be fought.

Based on 20 years of Jensen’s research, the most talented people in our workforce are changing the rules of productivity and innovation. They are reinventing how to get work done, how to be creative, and how to be innovative and get great work done.

Jensen talks about The Four Forces of Work 2.0:

1. Work 2.0 is an Asset Revolution, including valuing time, attention, ideas, skills, knowledge, passion, energy, social networks, and more.
2. Work 2.0 is My Work My Way---personalized and tailored information flows, tools, job and compensation and benefits’ structures, training and development to give individuals more control over their own destiny.
3. Work 2.0 is Peer-to-Peer Value---allowing workers to collaborate, share, understand, or create---delivering greater value for themselves and the organization.
4. Work 2.0 is Leadership Value, including far more accountability for precious assets, especially people---empowering every individual to be and do their best.

Some few companies are embracing technology for individual work productivity and innovation. Others are being held back by risk-averse leaders who fear giving up power and control and trusting their people. “Ignoring these opportunities will have devastating consequences down the line.”

Wise employers will ensure that everything works from the individual’s perspective, rather than how technology has been applied up to now---exclusively from the organization’s perspective.

© Copyright 1998-2012 by The Herman Group of Companies, Inc., all rights reserved.  From 'The Herman Trend Alert,' by Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurist. (800) 227-3566 or www.hermangroup.com

The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group of Companies, Inc.