Nov. 17, 2020

Living the Future of Work

Living the Future of Work

Gary Bolles, Chair for the future of work at Singularity University, interviewed by futurist Trond Arne Undheim. 
In this conversation, they talk about how organizations try to channel human energy-but still need processes and practices, that can become ...

Gary Bolles, Chair for the future of work at Singularity University, interviewed by futurist Trond Arne Undheim. 

In this conversation, they talk about how organizations try to channel human energy-but still need processes and practices, that can become a distraction. We discuss the concept of exponential tech and the rapid pace of change. We touch on digital distraction devices. We discuss the unbundling of education, the eroding contract between knowledge workers and employees, and indeed the blurring boundaries between learning, work, and leisure. Singularity University, where Bolles is engaged, is a learning platform, which is useful because we are all having to think like a network. To succeed, he says, we need a mind shift. 

The takeaway is that the future of work might already be here for knowledge workers. Some of us feel like we have been living it for decades already. In fact, not much is new for digital workers in the tech industry. The change is more profound for non-tech sectors. In fact, the ground might be eroding but it is definitely not evaporating. Perhaps we should stop talking about the future of work for things that are contemporary? Then again, each person ought experience this differently, and that might be an even bigger challenge for organizations that now need to personalize their response. 

After listening to the episode, check out Singularity University as well as Gary Bolles's online presence:

The show is hosted by Podbean and can be found at Futurized.co. Additional context about the show, the topics, and our guests, including show notes and a full list of podcast players that syndicate the show can be found at https://trondundheim.com/podcast/. Music: Electricity by Ian Post from the album Magnetism. 

For more about the host, including media coverage, books and more, see Trond Arne Undheim's personal website (https://trondundheim.com/) as well as the Yegii Insights blog (https://yegii.wpcomstaging.com/). Undheim has published two books this year, Pandemic Aftermath and Disruption Games. To advertise or become a guest on the show, contact the podcast host here. If you like the show, please subscribe and consider rating it five stars.

Gary BollesProfile Photo

Gary Bolles

Chair for the future of work, Singularity University

ary A. Bolles is a partner in Charrette LLC, a San Francisco-based consultancy that helps clients identify disruptive trends, and to create initiatives designed to have an impact. He has served as consulting producer for numerous strategic events and initiatives for clients such as Google, Yahoo!, Singularity University, TED, the United Nations, and the London Business School. He is a frequent writer and lecturer on the future of work and learning.

Bolles was a co-founder of SoCap, SocialCapitalMarkets.net, the premier gathering for impact entrepreneurs and investors; DGREE: The Future of Higher Education; and Closing The Gap: Strategies for an Inclusive Economy. He was also the editorial director of technology publications such as Inter@ctive Week, Yahoo! Internet Life, and Network Computing, as well as the on-screen host of TechTV’s “Working the Web.”

Bolles currently serves as a member of the steering committee of the People Centered Internet, an initiative guided by Vint Cerf and others to help the next billion to connect and thrive. Bolles also is the co-founder of eParachute, Inc., helping job-hunters & career changers with online tools and workshops inspired by the best-selling career book of all time, “What Color Is Your Parachute?”