Car dealerships are a dying breed. In the future, cars will be bought and sold online or through automated dealers. Car lots will not exist, or if they do, they’ll be used car lots. The trend to track in the future of work is the automation of industries. We’re already seeing it happen in manufacturing and agriculture. Soon, it will happen in service industries as well.
When it comes to designing the future of work, one size fits none. Discovering success isn’t about a hybrid model or offering remote work options. Individuals and organizations are looking for more freedom. The freedom to choose the work model that makes the most sense. The freedom to choose their own values. And the freedom to pursue what matters most. We reached out to successful leaders and thought leaders across all industries to glean their insights and predictions about how to create a future that works.
As a part of our interview series called “How Employers and Employees are Reworking Work Together,” we had the pleasure to interview Ryan Stewman.
Ryan Stewman is a best-selling author, CEO of Phonesites.com, Founder of Apex, full-time investor, and consultant to millionaires and billionaires, professional athletes, and celebrities across the globe. He’s been featured in Forbes, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, The Street.com, The Good Men Project, CNBC, and pretty much every other major business publication out there. He’s mastered the mindset it takes to win no matter what forces come against you. Ryan rewires minds and changes lives. Give him the chance, he will change yours too.
Thank you for making time to visit with us about the topic of our time. Our readers would like to get to know you a bit better. Can you please tell us about one or two life experiences that most shaped who you are today.
I’ve had a lot of life experiences that have shaped who I am today, but two of the most significant were becoming a father and a business owner.
I have been a father for over a decade now, currently, I have 3 sons as well as a beautiful baby girl. To be able to have the pleasure of watching as my children grow from helpless babies to little leaders has shaped who I am today. When my first son was born I committed myself to becoming the best dad there could ever be. Still to this day I do the work to continue to become the best dad for all of my kids as it’s a forever process.
When I became a business owner it was a huge learning curve that really forced me to grow quickly. I was in a constant state of discomfort as I stretched to meet the goals I had set for my business. I had to learn how to manage people and money, I quickly learned that there are no excuses when you’re the business owner — if something goes wrong, it’s on you to fix it. And if you’re not willing to put in the hard work, then you’re not going to be successful. This experience also taught me the importance of integrity, which is something I place high value on and has shaped everything else in my life.
Let’s zoom out. What do you predict will be the same about work, the workforce, and the workplace 10–15 years from now? What do you predict will be different?
In 10–15 years, I predict that most people will work remotely. With advances in technology, there’s no need for most people to be tied to a physical office. We’ll be able to work from anywhere in the world, which will lead to a more distributed workforce. And hopefully, by then paper will no longer exist and we’ll all be working digitally. This will make the workplace more efficient and environmentally friendly. However, even with these advances, I still think there will be some jobs that can’t be done remotely. For example, construction workers or nurses will still need to be physically present. But overall, I think the workplace will be very different in 10–15 years.
What advice would you offer to employers who want to future-proof their organizations?
Core values are the foundation of any organization, and they should be reflected in every aspect of the business, from the products and services they offer to the way they treat their employees. If an employer wants to future-proof their organization, they need to start by clearly defining their core values and making sure everyone in the company is aligned with them. They should also invest in training and development programs that encourage innovation and create leaders who are passionate about making a difference. By taking these steps, employers can ensure that their organizations are positioned for success in the years to come.
What do you predict will be the biggest gaps between what employers are willing to offer and what employee expect as we move forward? And what strategies would you offer about how to reconcile those gaps?
When it comes to hiring, communication of core values will be the biggest gap between employer offerings and employee expectations. In order to attract and retain the best talent, employers need to be clear about what they stand for and what they expect from their employees. However, many employers fail to do this, leaving employees feeling confused and undervalued. As a result, employees are often left feeling a gap between their own personal values and the values of their employer. This can lead to frustration and even resentment, eventually leading to turnover. To avoid this, employers need to be clear about their core values and make sure that these values are communicated to all employees.
We simultaneously joined a global experiment together last year called “Working From Home.” How will this experience influence the future of work?
The pandemic has forced us to re-think the way we work. We have realized that we can be just as productive working from home as we can in an office. As a result, many companies are now reconsidering their work-from-home policies. We are also seeing a shift in the way that people view work-life balance. Working from home has given people more flexibility to integrate their personal and professional lives. This is likely to have a lasting impact on the way we work in the future.
We’ve all read the headlines about how the pandemic reshaped the workforce. What societal changes do you foresee as necessary to support a future of work that works for everyone?
I see a future where technology has evolved to the point where the only thing anyone needs to work is their phone. No need for a computer, no need for an office, no need for a commute. You could be sitting on a beach in Thailand and as long as you have your phone and a decent internet connection, you’re good to go. Of course, this would require some changes in the way we work. For one thing, we would need to be far more trusting of employees. There would need to be a lot more faith placed in people to get their work done without constantly being supervised. We’d also need to find ways to promote collaboration and creativity in this new environment. But I think it’s definitely possible, and I think it would lead to a much happier and more productive workforce.
What is your greatest source of optimism about the future of work?
It’s really hard to be pessimistic about the future of work when you look at the incredible gains that we’ve made in just the last century. Consider just a few short decades ago, most people were living in abject poverty, barely scraping by. There was no such thing as the internet, let alone computers or smartphones. Today, thanks to the power of technology, we have more opportunities and abundance than ever before. Even people in the poorest countries are living better lives than kings and queens did just a few hundred years ago. The future of work is going to be even more amazing. We’re on the brink of major breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, robotics, and other fields that are going to change the very nature of work itself. I can’t wait to see what the next century holds for us!
Our collective mental health and wellbeing are now considered collateral as we consider the future of work. What innovative strategies do you see employers offering to help improve and optimize their employee’s mental health and wellbeing?
One innovative strategy that employers can use to improve employee mental health is by giving them control of their work life with core values guiding them and empowering them to do so. This strategy allows employees to feel more in control of their work life and provides them with a set of values to guide their decision-making. Empowered employees are more likely to be engaged in their work and have a positive outlook on their careers. Giving employees this sense of control can go a long way in improving mental health and well-being.
It seems like there’s a new headline every day. ‘The Great Resignation’. ‘The Great Reconfiguration’. And now the ‘Great Reevaluation’. What are the most important messages leaders need to hear from these headlines? How do company cultures need to evolve?
The quick answer is that company cultures need to become more adaptable and agile in order to survive in today’s dynamic business environment. However, there are a few other key messages that leaders need to take away from these headlines.
First, it’s important to recognize that the old ways of doing things are no longer effective. Times have changed and businesses must change with them. Second, company culture is more important than ever. In order to attract and retain top talent, businesses must create an environment that is conducive to innovation and creativity.
Finally, leaders need to be willing to take risks and make bold decisions. The status quo is no longer an option; companies must be willing to experiment and try new things if they want to stay ahead of the curve. By keeping these messages in mind, leaders can begin to navigate the challenges of the modern business world and position their companies for success.
Let’s get more specific. What are your “Top 5 Trends To Track In the Future of Work?”
- Cold Prospecting being illegal or a fineable offense from the FTC.
For those who don’t know, cold prospecting is the act of reaching out to potential customers or clients who have not expressed interest in your product or service. This can be done through email, social media, or even old-fashioned doorstep sales. Cold prospecting is often seen as a necessary evil by businesses, as it can be an effective way to find new customers. However, it can also be a very intrusive and annoying experience for recipients. As a result, there have been growing calls for cold prospecting to be made illegal. The FTC has already taken steps to crack down on certain forms of cold prospecting, such as telemarketing, and it’s possible that other forms could soon follow suit.
2. 100% of people going online to do research before making a buying decision.
We are in an age where we have more access to information than ever before, and we are using that access to make better-informed decisions. When it comes to making a purchase, we want to know everything we can about a product or service before we commit to it. This trend has major implications for businesses, as they need to be aware that their potential customers are doing their homework before they even step foot in the door. If businesses want to stay ahead of the game, they need to make sure their online presence is top-notch and that their customer service is up to par.
3. Car lots will not exist and if they do they’ll be used car lots.
Car dealerships are a dying breed. In the future, cars will be bought and sold online or through automated dealers. Car lots will not exist, or if they do, they’ll be used car lots. The trend to track in the future of work is the automation of industries. We’re already seeing it happen in manufacturing and agriculture. Soon, it will happen in service industries as well.
4. A continued influx of Gig workers and Gig Economy.
This shift is being driven by a number of factors, including the rise of the gig economy, the increasing popularity of freelancing, and the growing demand for flexibility in the workplace. As more and more people choose to pursue gig work, businesses will need to adapt in order to stay competitive.
5. An increased reliance on artificial intelligence.
We’re seeing more and more artificial intelligence being integrated into various aspects of our lives, from the way we drive our cars to the way we shop online. And as AI continues to evolve, it’s only natural that it will increasingly be relied upon in the workplace. There are a number of ways in which AI can be used in the workplace, from automating repetitive tasks to providing employees with real-time feedback. As AI becomes more sophisticated, we can expect to see even greater adoption in the workplace.
I keep quotes on my desk and on scraps of paper to stay inspired. What’s your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? And how has this quote shaped your perspective?
“How you see yourself is different from how other people see you.”
There are multiple versions of you living in different people’s heads. Basically, no one sees you how you see yourself. You know everything about you, the good and the bad. Those around you only know the you that you tell them about. We judge ourselves way harder than people judge us.
One night I was laying in bed with my Wife Amy and we were discussing a situation that took place at work. I said to her “I don’t know why they don’t believe me and take me seriously. I’m not messing around”. My sweet wife replied “Who didn’t take you seriously. Are you kidding me? They know you’re serious and are scared of you”
In my mind at times I’m still that loser drop-out kid I grew up as. But that was a long time ago. Who the hell would be scared of me?
Sometimes I think people don’t take me seriously, or don’t believe me when I say something is gonna happen because I’m that kid in my mind, not the Ryan MF Stewman the world sees.
Amy went on to say I scare people and it’s not that they don’t take me seriously it’s that certain personality types run from my personality type. It’s crazy to think but how we see us and how they see us isn’t the same. It never will be.
So often when we think things are one way, in the mind of someone else they are completely different. Bottom line is: You are more powerful and important than you think you are.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He, she, or they might just see this if we tag them.
Jay Z
Sean Carter, a kid who grew up in the Marcy Projects in Brooklyn NY, worked from the bottom to create himself a multi-10-figure net worth. Then, on top of that, he lifted up those who were with him willing to do the work. It’s one thing to get it yourself, but to give that game to people who get it too, that’s the next level. Jay is a great example of being the leader people need. He set a bar I can now attempt to reach. Someone once asked me if I would take $500k or dinner with Jay Z. My response? I’d pay $500k for dinner with him. The man makes billionaires!
Our readers often like to continue the conversation with our featured interviewees. How can they best connect with you and stay current on what you’re discovering?
I am on every social media platform out there. You can go to https://onespotsocial.com/closer and follow me from there. I post different types of content twice daily, so I recommend following me on every one of them.
Thank you for sharing your insights and predictions. We appreciate the gift of your time and wish you continued success and good health.