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Elon Musk, the mysterious billionaire and CEO of Tesla, was recently fired distant work as “morally improper”. Interview for CNBCcomparing it to the privileged indulgence of the “laptop class”.
According to Musk, “You’re going to earn a living from home and you are going to force everyone else who built your automotive to work on the factory? You’re going to force the individuals who make your food that is delivered – perhaps you are not working from home?” Musk asked. “Does that appear morally right? People should get off the rattling moral horse with work-from-home bullshit,” he said. They’re asking everyone else to not earn a living from home once they do.”
It’s as if Musk sees personal work as a type of ritual – he and others have done it, so you might have to do it too. Well, as my mother often said once I proposed to do something silly because others did, “If all your pals jumped off a bridge, would you do it?”
Picture this: Musk standing on the precipice of the Golden Gate Bridge, urging us all to leap into the icy water below, simply because he jumped. While his bravado could also be admired by some, it isn’t a practical or sustainable model for working in the longer term. Here’s the thought: Instead of Musk’s daring dive into the deep abyss of forced paperwork, perhaps we must always consider a more balanced, flexible, and hybrid approach to work that features each distant and in-person options, as I tell my customers.
Related: Employers: Hybrid work isn’t an issue – your guidelines are. Here’s why and fix them.
Universal operation error
Musk’s argument relies on the concept of fairness. He argues that since factory employees and people within the service industry cannot earn a living from home, why should technical employees enjoy this privilege? It’s like standing on the deck of the Titanic that just hit an iceberg, blocking everyone’s access to the lifeboats, saying “well, not everyone can have one, so nobody should.”
The problem with this philosophy of justice, nevertheless, is that it assumes a universal approach to work. It’s like insisting that everybody wear size 10 shoes because that is the most well-liked size. But everyone knows the discomfort of ill-fitting shoes. A size 10 won’t fit a 6ft person or a 12ft person. Similarly, not all jobs can or ought to be done in the identical way.
Work isn’t a monolith; is a mosaic of assorted tasks, responsibilities and roles. It is a kaleidoscope of various industries, each with its own unique needs and nuances. The role of a factory employee inherently requires physical presence, whereas a programmer doesn’t. Putting them in the identical bag and imposing a uniform work model is like forcing a flamenco dancer and a sumo wrestler to perform the identical routine. It’s not only unfair; it’s impractical.
The improper morality of private work
Musk labels distant work “morally improper,” which is as embarrassing as a zebra questioning the ethics of its stripes. Let’s remember: work is a contract, an exchange of time and skills for remuneration. This isn’t an ethical battleground.
We don’t ask the baker to extract wheat, nor can we require the mechanic to forge tools. Why? Because it’s inefficient and impractical. So why insist on tying a digital marketer or software engineer to a physical location? Isn’t it time we focused on results, not location?
Musk’s argument also fails to bear in mind the environmental and social advantages of distant work. Shorter commute times mean less traffic, less pollution, and more time employees can spend with their families. It’s like replacing a gas-guzzling monster truck with a sublime, eco-friendly electric vehicle. Isn’t that a change Musk should appreciate?
The irony of Musk’s mantra
Musk, the master of innovation, is oddly traditional on the subject of work. He praises his factory employees in Shanghai for “burning oil at 3am” and criticizes American employees for looking for flexible work options. It’s like applauding a marathon runner for wearing leather trainers as a substitute of trainers.
While there’s something to be said for dedication and labor, we must do not forget that burning oil at midnight isn’t a sustainable or healthy work pattern. It’s like starting a automotive engine without stopping – it’s going to eventually overheat and fail, which I hope Musk knows something about. Instead, we must always value work-life balance, mental health and overall worker well-being.
Musk’s work ethic is undoubtedly unique. He boasts that he only takes two or three days off a 12 months. But let’s not forget that we’re not all Musk. For most individuals, this work schedule is sort of a chef who only cooks with a burner – not only is it dangerous, it’s downright crazy. Work isn’t measured by the variety of hours on the desk, but by the efficiency and effectiveness of those hours. After all, a hamster can run around on a wheel all day and still not get anywhere.
Related: You should let your team determine approach hybrid work. A behavioral economist explains why and do it.
Remote work inclusiveness
Remote work isn’t only about convenience or flexibility; it is also about inclusivity. It opens the door for many who have been previously cut off from traditional labor markets, similar to individuals with disabilities, carers and folks living in distant areas. It’s like having a celebration and as a substitute of insisting that everybody come to your home, you are taking the party to them.
It also allows corporations to tap into global talent, without geographical restrictions. It’s like having a key that opens every door on the planet – a key that permits organizations to tap right into a wealthy, diverse pool of skills and perspectives. This diversity results in innovation, resilience and competitive advantage, very like a well-tuned orchestra playing a rousing symphony.
Includes a hybrid future
Instead of treating personal work as a compulsory ritual, we must always see it as an option across the spectrum of labor modes. Hybrid work – a mixture of distant and in-person work – resembles the working model of the Swiss army knife. It is flexible and versatile, fitting into the nooks and crannies of our diverse lives.
Hybrid work recognizes that not all tasks are created equal. Some tasks require collaboration and profit from spontaneous interactions in an office environment, similar to musicians playing together to create a recent melody. Other tasks, nevertheless, require deep concentration, the type of concentration that is commonly easier to seek out within the quiet solitude of 1’s own residence.
As we stand on the cusp of the longer term of labor, we must always not allow ourselves to be provoked right into a hasty leap into the past by people like Musk. Instead, let’s chart our course fastidiously, specializing in what’s best for each individuals and organizations. After all, if everyone jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge, would you do it? Or would you select a safer, more sensible path that results in a future where work isn’t where you go, but something you do, wherever you’re.
