#NewWork will continue to harness the power of collective intelligence to address challenges and develop an agile, innovative and inclusive workplace culture. The initiative was recognized by the Career Development Roundtable (CDR)1 held within Milan in December 2021 having an award in the Staff Wedding category. The award appreciates the successes and milestones #NewWork has achieved within uniting staff, breaking down silos, and working towards organizational culture change. The dialogues introduced together more than 180 co-workers from 52 duty channels. Over 25 volunteers in the field, Bangkok, New York, and Geneva, moderated 26 classes held (as at time of publication). Broad diversity in each session has been achieved through the use of a ‘randomising’ tool developed by a friend in peacekeeping. A previous circular of dialogues that focused on planning and preparing for the ‘Next Normal’ at UNHQ produced a series of ideas in 12 workstreams, which fed directly into a report on tips for the Next Normal that went to the Secretary-General.
- Agile Teams which encourages many teams to cultivate an agile mindset to be a lot more adaptive and versatile.
- Digital Literacy & Tools which encourages knowledge on technology and ongoing digital transformation to help personnel feel at ease with revolutionary tools and develop electronic literacy.
- Hybrid Groups which illustrates the importance for organizations to assist staff and managers develop skills and competencies to higher adapt to hybrid work settings.
- Increasing Innovation which underlines the essentiality of sprouting new ideas through participation within innovation-related events and programs.
Inspired by the Reimagine the UN Together Dialogues and the UNHQ Next Normal Dialogues, the Reimagine the Next Normal Dialogues focused on four themes associated with our post-pandemic workplace culture: The primary goal of a series of dialogues directed by the global #NewWork group was to provide personnel with opportunities to envision the ‘Next Normal’ at the UN. The ‘Reimagine the Next Normal Dialogues’ aimed to facilitate the particular exchange of ideas over the UN, driving organizational culture change from the bottom up. Making sure everyone has access to consistent info is a critical pillar as we move toward the ‘Next Normal’. Furthermore, by equipping all staff with the equipment they need and focusing on inclusion, we build stronger relationships and bolster trust. Strengthening staff voices creates ripple effects, inviting more energetic participation to co-create the particular vision for the ‘Culture of the Next Normal that We Want’ and to support the trip to “UN 2 . 0” as laid out in Our Common Agenda . Not only does the dialogue mechanism offer a safe area for the global exchange of ideas, it also makes possible the sharing of feedback and insights with senior administration, human resources, and other fora, assisting to ensure staff voices are heard and valued. While the ‘Next Normal’ dialogues captured staff voices and creative ideas, it also unveiled the information asymmetry within the organization. Today, numerous staff are unaware of existing instructions and resources that are available to support them through times associated with transition. A number of these staff suggestions have been endorsed for execution, including institutionalizing the dialogue mechanism itself. This will make certain the Organization offers an ongoing way for staff to contribute more directly to transformation and changes proposed in the future.
