Life beyond COVID is right around the bend. Can ya feel it? Things will be different, undoubtedly. We talked about a return to the office last week and the understandable bias of wanting to keep teams together. What will work look like in the decade ahead? How do you want it to look in the years A.C.?

The world and each of our individual lives have changed so much in the past year and a half we probably don’t yet comprehend the gravity of the shift that has transpired. If we take the best of the old world and try to imagine the new world we’re entering it may help us qualify what success could look like for each of us.

Let’s begin.

First, let’s agree that the best jobs are found at the intersection of where you can learn and earn…shoutout Garry Tan! Great content btw.

But, there’s more!

Technology is more embedded in our daily lives than ever before.  Maybe less of a functional change than an acceleration of this secular trend. Like what is a technology company, anyway? There are software companies that make software. But every company, if not today, will eventually be a technology company. Or die transitioning. There is no digital world or the real world anymore there is just..the world and the tools that we use to make our lives better. Hybrid structures weaving in and out of the two worlds will continue to grow around us.

We built some remote habits when we didn’t have a choice. Video calls are good, they save time! Being on video all day every day…not so good. Moving into a post COVID world companies will slowly choose different standards of physical and digital work trying to strike a balance. What kinds of workplace are you willing to adopt?

There are whispers of companies expecting workers back to the office and a “return to normal”. Hello Amazon? No chance though. Watch out big tech.. Flexibility will win.

The consumerization of the enterprise will continue. Consumers like choice and so then will workers! More choices = more competition for skilled labor. The line between labor and capital is blurring too. Owning equity in a business in exchange for labor is becoming increasingly popular. Companies so nice, you can get paid twice!

Next, the ability for almost anyone to use their earnings and access investment opportunities in private businesses is becoming more commonplace with democratic tools like crowdfunding. Proximity to capital is essential. The freedom these investment opportunities will allow workers to unlock will be massive!

The diversified employee who has the flexibility from workplaces to research, learn from, and access those unlimited options may very well rule the decade ahead. Opportunities will abound. Hopefully your new workplace allows you to access them. Keep your eyes peeled and your ears to the ground. The decade ahead is going to be wild!