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Elon Musk, the enigmatic billionaire and CEO of Tesla, was recently fired homework as “morally wrong” in a CNBC interviewwhich compares it to a privileged “laptop class” enjoyment.
According to Musk, “You’re going to work from home and get everyone else who made your car to work at the factory? They’re going to get people to make your food that’s being delivered — they can.” “Don’t you work from home?” Musk asked. “Does that seem morally right? People should get off their damn moral horse with the home office bullsh*t,” he said. “They’re asking everyone else not to work from home during this time.”
It’s like Musk sees personal work as a kind of bullying ritual — he and others did it, so you must do it too. Well, as my mother often said when I suggested doing something stupid because others were doing it, “If all your friends jumped off a bridge, would you do that?”
Picture this: Musk is standing on the precipice of the Golden Gate Bridge, urging us all to jump into the freezing waters below just for taking the plunge. While his bravery may be admired by some, it’s not a practical or sustainable model for the future of work. Here’s a thought: instead of taking Musk’s daring plunge into the abysses of forced office work, perhaps we should consider a more measured, flexible, and hybrid approach to work that, I tell myself, includes both remote and face-to-face options Customers.
Related Topics: Employers: Hybrid working isn’t the problem—your policies are. Here’s why and how to fix them.
The fallacy of unit work
Musk’s reasoning is based on the concept of fairness. He argues that if factory workers and service workers cannot work from home, why should technicians enjoy the privilege? It’s like standing on board the Titanic, which has just hit an iceberg, barring everyone from the lifeboats, and saying, “Well, not everyone can have one, so neither should anyone.”
The problem with this fairness philosophy, however, is that it assumes a unified approach to work. It’s like insisting that everyone wear a size 10 because that’s the most common size. But we all know the discomfort of ill-fitting shoes. A size 10 will not fit a person who is 1.80m tall or a person who is 12ft tall. Likewise, not all work can or should be done in the same way.
Work is not a monolith; It is a mosaic of diverse tasks, responsibilities and roles. It’s a kaleidoscope of different industries, each with their unique needs and nuances. The role of a factory worker inherently requires physical presence, while a software developer does not. Lumping them together and enforcing a unified working model is like having a flamenco dancer and a sumo wrestler perform the same routine. Not only is it unfair; it is impractical.
The misguided morality of personal work
Musk calls remote work “morally wrong,” a sentiment as bewildering as a zebra questioning the ethics of its stripes. Remember, work is a contract, an exchange of time and skills for reward. It’s not a moral battlefield.
We do not ask the baker to mine his wheat, nor do we ask the mechanic to forge his tools. Why? Because it is inefficient and impractical. So why insist that a digital marketer or a software developer be tied to a physical location? Isn’t it about time we focus on output and not location?
Musk’s reasoning also fails to consider the environmental and social benefits of remote work. Fewer commutes mean less traffic, less pollution, and more time for workers with their families. It’s like trading a gas-guzzling monster truck for a sleek, eco-friendly electric vehicle. Isn’t that a move Musk should appreciate?
The irony of Musk’s mantra
Musk, the champion of innovation, is oddly traditional when it comes to work. He hailed his Shanghai factory workers for “burning the 3 o’clock oil” and slammed US workers for seeking flexible work options. It’s like applauding a marathon runner for wearing leather boots instead of performance shoes.
While dedication and hard work have some say, let’s not forget that working the middle of the night is not a sustainable or healthy work model. It’s like running a car engine without stopping – eventually it will overheat and break down, which hopefully Musk is aware of. Instead, we should prioritize work-life balance, mental health and the general well-being of employees.
Musk’s work ethic is undoubtedly exceptional. He boasts that he only takes two or three days off a year. But let’s not forget: we’re not all Musk. For most people, such a work schedule is akin to a chef cooking with nothing but a blowtorch—it’s not only dangerous, it’s downright insane. Work is not measured by the sheer number of hours at a desk, but by the efficiency and effectiveness of those hours. After all, a hamster can run around in the wheel all day and still not achieve anything.
Related Topics: You should let your team decide on the approach to hybrid working. A behavioral economist explains why and how you should do it.
The inclusiveness of remote work
Remote work isn’t just about convenience or flexibility; it’s also about inclusivity. It opens the doors for people who were previously excluded from traditional labor markets, such as people with disabilities, carers and people living in remote areas. It’s like throwing a party and instead of insisting on everyone coming to your house, you bring the party to them.
It also enables companies to tap global talent without being constrained by geographic barriers. It’s like having a key that opens every door in the world – a key that enables organizations to tap into a rich, diverse pool of skills and perspectives. This diversity leads to innovation, resilience and competitive advantage, like a well-tuned orchestra playing a captivating symphony.
Embrace a hybrid future
Instead of treating face-to-face work like an obligatory ritual, let’s see it as one option in a spectrum of ways of working. Hybrid working – a mixture of remote and face-to-face work – is like the Swiss army knife among working models. Adaptable and versatile, it fits into the nooks and crannies of our varied lives.
Hybrid working recognizes that not all tasks are created equal. Some tasks require collaboration and benefit from the spontaneous interactions of an office environment, such as when musicians jam together to create a new tune. Other tasks, however, require deep concentration, a concentration that’s often easier to find in the quiet solitude of home.
As we stand on the precipice of the future of work, let’s not let the likes of Musk pressure us into a hasty leap into the past. Instead, let’s chart our course carefully and focus on what works best for individuals and organizations alike. Finally, if everyone jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge, would you? Or would you perhaps choose a safer and more sane path that leads to a future where work is not a place you go but a thing you do – wherever you may be?
