“We are coming back this fall. It will be voluntary at first. By the end of the year, I do anticipate a full return to the office. However, we are going to have to bake in a whole lot more flexibility than we’ve offered previously. That is going to pose some challenges.” 

I wasn’t surprised one bit by this CEO’s assertion during a strategy call this week. He wants to preserve a culture that aligns with what the best talent wants, and he understands that the landscape has changed. 

We have entered a period of time where, “for the first time in a generation, workers are gaining the upper hand,” as noted by Neil Irwin in his recent New York Times article “Workers Are Gaining Leverage Over Employers Right Before Our Eyes.”

Is the Great Resignation upon us? Texas A&M University professor Anthony Klotz predicts that is exactly what will happen when people are asked, or told, to return to their offices and the old reality of the commute, a nine-to-five job and cubicle life

The argument is that, in times of uncertainty and insecurity — like during a global pandemic — people behave conservatively. They’ll stay put. But once things “normalize” again, we ought to expect employees to head for the exits.

Will they? Like most complex things, it depends. However, what is abundantly clear is that employee attitude and expectations are evolving.

Nearly 90% of knowledge workers say that when they search for a new position, they will look for one that offers complete flexibility in their hours and geographic location, according to Citrix Research. In addition, 76% of the workers polled believe that employees will be more likely to prioritize family and personal interests over proximity to work. According to Citrix, it’s expected that workers will pursue jobs in locations where they can focus on lifestyle factors (family, friends, personal interests) even if it means taking a pay cut.

Employees are realizing that making a move and even finding a new career is an option. According to a recent Forbes article, there were 1.4 million fewer mothers in the workforce in January 2021 than one year earlier, while applications to law and medical schools have significantly jumped. 

If it isn’t a Great Resignation, it’s most certainly a Great Reset in what we prioritize in our lives. The question becomes, how should employers respond? 

How To Conduct A Culture Audit with Ryan Estis!

Ryan urges companies to conduct a culture audit and consider what the threat of the Great Resignation means for your team or organization. Are you ready to meet employees where they are and win in the next normal? 

About Ryan Estis: Ryan Estis has more than 20 years of experience as a top-performing sales professional and leader. As the former chief strategy officer for the McCann Worldgroup advertising agency NAS, he brings a fresh perspective to business events. As a keynote speaker, Ryan is known for his innovative ideas on leading change, improving sales effectiveness and preparing for the future of work. He was recently recognized as one of “the best keynote speakers ever heard” by Meetings & Conventions magazine alongside Tony Robbins, Bill Gates, Colin Powell and Mike Ditka.

Ryan delivers keynote speeches, courses and online learning with an emphasis on actionable content designed to elevate business performance. His curriculum emphasizes emerging trends influencing corporate culture, communication, collaboration, leadership, sales and brand experience. Ryan helps participants prepare to thrive in today’s ultra-competitive, hyper-connected business environment.

Ryan supports the world’s leading brands, including Liberty Mutual, Darden Restaurants, Goodyear, the Dallas Cowboys, Medtronic, ECCO USA and Blue Cross Blue Shield. He is a faculty member for the Institute of Management Studies, a member of the SmartBrief on Workforce Advisory Board and a certified Human Capital Strategist.

Ryan and his team publish original research featuring client case studies to expand the live event experience. He is also the author of a popular blog on business performance. His writing has been featured in SmartBrief, Business News Network, CRN, Crain’s Business, Workforce Management Magazine, HR Professional Magazine, HR Times, Yahoo Business, SHRM publications and Staffing Management magazine.

For more information on Ryan, visit https://speakers.speakernow.com/profile/28452?btsc=1

To learn more about Ryan Estis and his keynote presentations, contact Midwest Speakers Bureau at 515-974-8305.