The text discusses the rise of meetings in white-collar work and how they have replaced creativity as the essential skill in modern workplaces. It highlights a paradox where more workers are remote yet feel more connected through increased meetings, significantly impacting their productivity. Research indicates that the time spent in meetings has drastically increased since the 1990s, often pushing essential work into late evenings. Despite potential benefits of inclusion and collaboration, the author’s concern is that the emphasis on communication may have led to inefficiencies in the workplace. Ultimately, the text questions whether advancements in communication technology have made work more efficient or simply intensified the amount of time spent talking about work instead of doing it.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rise of the meeting-industrial complex | Shift from creativity to communication focus | AI tools streamline communication and reduce meetings | Need for inclusivity in decision-making |
| Surge in remote work and meetings | Transition from in-person to virtual meetings | Hybrid work becomes standard with efficient protocols | Pandemic-induced remote work adaptation |
| Increased meeting times for workers | From individual productivity to collaborative time | Enhanced focus on results rather than discussions | Complex organizational requirements |
| Workers losing time to meetings | Shift from actionable work to discussion-heavy approach | Workers reclaiming time through better tech solutions | Cultural shift towards inclusive workplaces |
| Technology amplifying communication needs | Evolution from emails to more real-time formats | A balance between communication and creativity restored | Evolution of workplace communication tools |
| Late-night work becoming common | Change from traditional work hours to flexible schedules | Re-evaluation of work-life boundaries | Blurring of lines between personal and work life |
| AI potential for meeting reduction | Move from numerous meetings to focused work sessions | Significant reduction in unnecessary meetings | Desire for efficiency and time-saving solutions |