In episode 333, host Mike Petrusky reflects on the past year and the lessons learned hosting the show, including his time speaking with industry thought leaders and exploring new technologies in the world of work and the workplace. He also shares an update on plans for 2025 and talks about a recent speech where he was asked to inspire a team of facility management professionals. Also included are insights into how to build a culture of collaboration and innovation, including looks at the power and paradox of technology, the importance of inspiring leadership, and why understanding human behavior is so important.
Agenda
- Reflecting on the past year of the Workplace Innovator podcast
- Embracing change and new technologies
- Understanding human behavior and its impact on the workplace
- Exploring the power and paradox of technology
- Sharing insights from a recent speech given at the University of Maryland Baltimore
What you need to know: Workplace takeaways
Takeaway 1: The importance of embracing change and adapting to advancements in technology
Sucess lives outside the comfort zone.
“We need to continuously look and evaluate and have self-awareness enough to say, am I doing the right thing, the best thing?” explains Petrusky.
Instead of seeing change as a threat, the community should understand change as an opportunity, even when it makes us uncomfortable.
Petrusky explains the process of embracing change: “… a change journey where I have to go through a dip, as Seth Godin says, a challenging time of feeling inadequate in this new area, whether that’s a tool, a skill, or what have you, and get through that dip and get to the other side of that dip, to where I can be proficient and productive again and really be in a better place than where I was when I first started.”
Takeaway 2: The power and paradox of technology
Technology can bring us together while also making us feel like we are further apart.
“The power and the paradox of technology … anyone who knows me knows that I am fascinated by paradoxes, namely, those ideas that seem to be conflicting with each other, yet they both are true.”
He also touches on the paradox of choice, how unlimited choices and flexibility can be empowering, yet overwhelming for some, leading to feelings of being left out or isolated.
Takeaway 3: The role of leadership and understanding human behavior
Both effective leadership and an understanding of human behavior play important roles in navigating changes in the workplace. And Petrusky emphasizes the importance of understanding how teams are wired and how to build a culture of collaboration and innovation.
“A good leader, a good team, will guide us with guardrails towards a better outcome, a better destination where we can bring our best selves to the work that we do and be a part of a thriving team and organization.”
Workplace management insights
- Embracing change and new technologies is important for growth and staying relevant in the industry.
- Understanding human behavior can help in managing and leading teams more effectively.
- Leadership is essential in guiding teams towards a better outcome and building a culture of collaboration and innovation.
Continuous learning and self-improvement are key to adapting to the changing work environment.
Do a deep dive into more workplace insights by exploring all Workplace Innovator podcast episodes
