The Way Up

CHAPTER 14Adapt to the Workforce of the Future: The Rules for Navigating Through a Post-Pandemic Business Environment

In order to grow we must be open to new ideas … new ways of doing things … new ways of thinking.

—George Raveling, former college basketball player and coach. Received the original copy of the “I Have A Dream” Speech from MLK after the March on Washington in 1963

As America climbs out of the Coronavirus Pandemic and we slowly adjust to some semblance of normalcy, the question remains, what will become of the workplace we once knew? Economists continue to warn us of the great resignation, which purports that close to 80% of all employed job seekers believe they can make more money by changing jobs.¹

As inflation continues to rise and reach levels of 8% or higher, annual pay raises of 3%–4% will be insufficient. This is only further motivation for workers to find new jobs with higher salaries to make up for the decreased buying power of their current incomes since the onset of the pandemic.

Additionally, after working remotely for three-plus years, America's corporate workforce has had a glimpse of what life can be like. One survey from Joblists.com found that 61% of all job seekers are interested in remote job opportunities, while 45% say they will quit their jobs if they are forced to return back to the office in person.² However, the pandemic-riddled economy has not hit everyone the same. The data are clear: American workers of color are once again being ...