Why the future needs feminine workplaces

There’s a very high probability that you’re reading this while practising social distancing, or while under some type of advised or enforced lockdown — essential measures devised to help combat the spread of Covid-19. In these uncertain times, how the world works has changed forever. Workspaces are currently limited to laptops, conferencing and phone calls. Our homes are our living spaces and our workplaces as well, schedules have been completely altered, and mobility as we know it, is at an almost complete standstill. The impact of a small and insignificantly perceived microbe has forced us to re-look at some of the most challenging and profoundly impactful perceptions of present-day society.

While the world and our leaders have advised us on multiple ideas to make optimum use of the lockdown this time, we must utilise this period to also take the time to reflect deeply on how our workplaces will change. Growing technological innovation has enabled the society to grow and flourish like no other time in human history. However, integrating change by relying solely on technological innovation comes with its own set of challenges. We today talk about the necessity of developing new skills, reduction in menial tasks and an evolved culture promoting human innovation. The type and nature of work in the not-so-distant future are headed towards a complete transformation. Therefore it’s imperative that the type and nature of people required to excel in our dynamic and ever-changing workforce need to transform as well. All signs point in the direction which leads us to a new era of feminine work.

According to a recent report by Deloitte, the female demographic constitutes 48 per cent of the Indian population. However, lack of education, access to skill-building and employment opportunities, has resulted in a massive drop in participation from 35 per cent of the workforce in 2005 to 28 per cent in 2018. This trend must be reversed if we are to usher in a new age of work driven by feminine energy.

Engaging women across the country is believed by many to be one of the biggest factors which will help propel GDP, with lasting trans-generational positive impact.

Creativity, design, empathy, collaboration, a depth of emotional intelligence and patience are a few terms that are associated with being successful in the current world. Characteristics such as being assertive, direct, and highly competitive are considered traditional, incorrect and stagnant. Interestingly, if one was to describe these characteristics, they are usually related to masculine energy. Newer and more sophisticated tools like design thinking attempt to gear the collective thought process of an organisation to align with the demands of the customer while simultaneously focusing on the feasibility of such projects.

The definition of a good leader has now gone from the one who’s shifted from a leader determined to achieve success at any cost, to a leader who places people at the centre. A team leader is now seen as a caregiver — someone who can nurture the team’s talent and inspire the best kind of work ethic with values, purpose, and passion. A leader is not the one who focuses solely on financial success, but one who aspires to enable collective growth with sustainability at the core.

The practice of the human resources department, since it was first formed in 18th century Europe, has evolved from merely focusing on administrative tasks to managing diverse teams, understanding member’s synergies and accommodating individual goals, fears, aspirations, and passions.

Many may attribute solely technological innovations and the growth of robotics to determine these changes. With the menial and laborious work taken over by technology, what remains for humans is to grow their creative potential, develop critical thinking and focus on development beyond themselves. The growth of the sustainability movement and natural products is clearly an outcome of that. Technology has freed the individual from routine tasks, to creating value. It has given us the luxury to act on individual self-betterment rather than on menial time-consuming tasks.

Future skills require us to be creative, master self-psychology to quell anxiety and stress, appreciate new ideas, regulate energy, build trust, learn faster and connect with others. All this needs a more equitable and feminine workplace to thrive. This is a time to reassess future progress, contemplate future opportunities which will redefine work, and shift the focus of our existing workforce from menial daily tasks to creating value around expanded work outcomes.

When in future the need to grow is determined with feminine energy, it is essential that we create such workplaces to accommodate the need. The province of work was initially started by men and driven by masculine-dominated energy, however, it hasn’t evolved much at all since its inception.

Certain structural changes to workplaces are the need of the hour. Organisations will have to encourage an ethical and more sustainable way of working rather than focusing solely on profits and bottom line. If the values of caring and nurturing philosophy take centre-stage at the workplace, it will be the right place for human potential to flourish in the future. This can essentially only be achieved by promoting a feminine outlook and energy.

The future workers are men, women and all genders, but the future of work is the adoption of a feministic approach.

Also read: Why feminism isn't about women being better than men