How do you shape companies in a way that allows their employees to do work they really really want to do?

This is one of the core questions driving my work. "Really really want" is a phrase Frithjof Bergmann frequently used. He coined the term New Work in the early 1980s and was a leading figure in this space. (If reading this makes you think of that Spice Girls song, I feel you 😊)

Paying attention to our energy level is how we can determine if we are doing work that we really really want to do.

Old Work and New Work have fundamentally different perspectives on this.

Old Work: Work is all about earning an income to pay the bills. It's expected to feel draining and dreadful, with the notion that if something is enjoyable, it isn't considered work.

New Work: Work should give us energy. It’s not just about recharging our existing battery but giving us more energy than we started with. This kind of work gives us meaning and makes us stronger and healthier while, of course, also earning an income that supports our livelihoods.

A simple experiment

This week, take 5 minutes each morning to write down your answers to these questions:

• After waking up, when did you first think about work?
• What was your body's response? Did thinking about work energize or drain you? Did you feel a pull or resistance?
• What is the root cause of your response? What makes you feel eager and motivated to start work? What creates resistance and makes you dread starting work?

Bonus points:

• Ask a few colleagues to do the same.
• Compare notes, identify patterns, and analyze root causes for your reactions.

Understanding and addressing these reactions can help create a work environment where everyone feels motivated and energized. Implementing New Work principles can transform how we perceive and experience work, leading to more engaged and satisfied employees.

Let's strive to build companies where work is a source of energy, not just a means to an end.

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