asynco is our international community of practice, where members convene to share knowledge, expertise, insights and good practices about the future of work, as it is being created. Here's a round-up of what's been on members' minds over the past few weeks…
Tiny experiments and the asynco collective
The community has been having some interesting exchanges on ‘tiny experiments’ – a concept we've been exploring to push the boundaries of what we can achieve together. After discussing co-creation of fresh content, we're now diving into an even more exciting iteration: client work. The question on everyone's minds: are we ready to work together in small teams on paid client projects?
New ways of learning
In this age of GenAI, what skills do knowledge workers truly need to thrive? It's the million-dollar question, and the community has been sharing insights on the vital skills required not just to survive, but to excel in both our professional and personal lives. We put it to community members – what would be on the must-have lists of skills for the age of AI?
New ways of working
This month saw some rather bold statements about remote work, including one gem comparing working without colleagues to "watching black-and-white films with no sound". Unsurprisingly, this didn't go down well and has been added to our ever-growing collection of #LeadershipBloopers!
On a more positive note, we've explored inspiring stories of #DigitalFirstOrgs that have made distributed work a resounding success whilst enhancing their corporate culture. The debate continues: is distance working an evolution or a revolution? After hearing from a knowledge worker reflecting on their 20-year journey, you might find yourself thinking it's both.
We've also been examining the environmental impact of remote work, particularly its role in dramatically reducing our carbon footprint. It begs the question: why aren't more senior leaders demanding we embrace working from anywhere rather than retrograde RTO mandates?
New ways of relating
Community has been a central theme this month. We explored how modern life affects our wellbeing, reminding us why communities like asynco are so precious. As one article we referenced eloquently put it: "Community, collaborative problem-solving, ritual and meaning are vital ingredients for a satisfying life and will remain so."
We've also tackled some beautifully simple yet complex questions, like "Who are you?" – challenging us to break away from defining ourselves by what we do and instead focus on who we truly are. Another thoughtful piece reminded us that "when we leave the confines of screens and algorithms, we reconnect with decency, community, and joy."
New ways of leading
The leadership conversations have been particularly rich this month. We've explored everything from executive presence (are leaders born or made?) to the impact of lay-offs on our personal and professional lives. One powerful quote stood out: "We need to stop treating lay-offs like weather, something that 'just happens'. They're design failures. Culture failures. Leadership failures."
The role of empathy in leadership has also sparked debate, with concerns that if leaders don't make time for it, AI might gain an edge over human intelligence. We've been asking ourselves: will GenAI replace middle managers? Should it? The conversations around this topic have been particularly lively, exploring what makes middle managers indispensable.
We're also seeing connections between leadership and how our bodies work, with fascinating discussions on flexibility being key to healing – both physically and organisationally. Small Acts of Rebellion continue to feature, with #WFH and #WFA potentially being our last-standing form of workplace resistance.
New ways of collaborating
#ThePowerOfCommunity discussions have focused on the growing importance of human connection and the rise of Communities of Practice in the age of AI. We're exploring metrics and data that demonstrate this shift, recognising that as technology advances, our need for genuine human connection becomes even more critical.
Smarter use of digital tools
The GenAI conversation has matured significantly. Whilst we've discussed efficiency gains, we're also seeing a wave of critical thinking about its limitations. Topics like ‘workslop’ (AI-generated content of questionable quality that erodes colleague trust and respect) have emerged, alongside concerns about environmental impact, energy demands and the water consumption needs of data centres.
We've examined uncomfortable truths, from AI models using material from retracted scientific papers to questions about whether AI is breaking down workplace relationships. However, it's not all doom and gloom – we've also explored positive developments, including EU reports on human-AI partnerships.
For those feeling nostalgic about the good old days of Web 2.0, there's been thoughtful reflection on the last days of social media. The consensus? Social media may be evolving, but we're far from finished – we're just getting started!
And let’s not forget the fun stuff…
Beyond work discussions, #ShowUsYourFall has been celebrating the season in all its colourful glory, with community members sharing their favourite autumnal moments and reflecting on the boldness of the season. As one member beautifully put it: “Autumn isn't afraid to stand out... Autumn isn't apologising for being bold. Neither should you.”
As asynco approaches its second anniversary, the community continues to evolve, question, and inspire. Whether we're discussing the future of work, the role of AI, or simply celebrating the changing seasons, one thing remains clear: together, we're creating something special.
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Business transformation isn’t the latest software or project tool. Lasting organisational change happens conversation by conversation...
So, if you’d like to explore anything we've touched on in this blog or discuss any other aspects of the future of work or our community of practice, asynco, please do get in touch.
You might also want to:
- Visit our asynco page for more information