Columnist shares final advice for new era of work

After nearly 15 years and almost 500 published columns, this is my last News-Herald article. Thank you to The NewsHerald team for allowing me the opportunity to share thoughts and business-related content through this forum.

The changes in the workplace since this column was first published are staggering.

During the past two and a half years alone, we have witnessed cataclysmic disruptions in the traditional order of the workplace. The speedy evolution of virtual communications and hybrid work arrangements will most likely have a significant impact on new and different ways we recruit, onboard, train, coach and evaluate performance for years to come.

The relationship with workers has been altered perhaps for the long term, and employees find themselves having work and schedule choices that may not have been available just a few years ago.

Forward-thinking companies have embraced this new era of work and continue to innovate and imagine how they will attract and retain talent across the generations now and in the future. It will be interesting and exciting to see what work looks like in the next five, 10 and 15 years.

Change is never easy, but how we react to it often dictates our future. It can be a struggle for some while others seek it out.

What has not changed is the importance of authentic leadership. Now, more than ever, true corporate leadership needs to lead by example, be empathetic, honest and be open to new ideas. Times are so unprecedented that new leadership theories and practices are emerging each day, as traditional leadership concepts become obsolete.

What else has not changed are the key ingredients to experiencing a successful career.

Working hard, working smart, respecting and valuing others, having passion for your work, knowing what you are doing and having a belief that what you are doing matters, are some of the important components of job satisfaction. In addition, those discovering short- and long-term professional and financial success often attribute their ability to communicate effectively.

If you have read this column over the years, hopefully something I shared resonated and helped make a positive impact. Perhaps it was an idea about your business, workplace policies, leadership, management or your career. In any event, the purpose of this column has been to ignite and perhaps inspire new and different ways to think about a successful work life and/or how to run a successful business.

My wish for you has been and always will be that you continue to discover meaning in what you do for a living, enjoy your job and look forward to each and every day. Thank you for reading this column and I wish you success in all you do!

Also, a very special thank you to my spouse Patty who proofread every article and both my published business books. She is a great editor, and though I did not always like her feedback regarding my first drafts, her corrections and comments were always spot on. I simply could not have written the articles and the books without her.