Right now, setting boundaries to protect from [burnout](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/howtohelpburnoutatwork) is a big one, said Adam Grant today when asked on ABC Radio to name Australias biggest workplace issue.

The bestselling author and organisational psychologist at Wharton Business School was interviewed by ABC Radio Nationals breakfast host Patricia Karvelis ahead of [our successful event with Adam Grant in Australia](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/adamgrantunlockpotential) \(See the rest of our [2024 program of events](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/?promoCode=Blog#liveevents)[ ](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/?promoCode=Blog#liveevents)released to date\).

With recent legislation in Australia giving employees the right to disconnect from work communications outside of work hours, Grant weighed in on this and other trends shaping the future of work.

**On preventing burnout:**

_"I think its easy to put the responsibility on an individual employee, but the reality is if multiple people are running out in an organisation thats not a psychological problem in your head, its a structural or a cultural problem in your workplace."_

Grant says exhausted employees need more support, and the right to disconnect legislation is trying to bring things back into balance.

\(Australia's Senate this week passed the legislation that will give employees the right to not respond to supervisors' unreasonable texts, emails and calls when they're off work\).

_Trying to make sure people have the permission if they need to take time to unplug or if they need to take a recharge day, or a mental health week, that theres an opportunity to do that._

While well-intentioned, Grant believes the right to disconnect legislation has limitations:

_"The reality is that the people who need a policy like this most, are the least likely to be able to use it. If you have an abusive_[ _toxic boss_](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/Toxicworkplaceculture) _, youre going to have a very hard time making your legal case, and youre the one most desperate to be able to disconnect."_

[ **_FREE WHITEPAPER \(email required\): Business Case for a Strong Work Culture_**](https://thegrowthfaculty.ac-page.com/whitepaperROIofWorkplaceCulture?test=true)

**On hybrid work:**

_"As I look at the evidence, I think where Ive landed is that hybrid is not only the future, its also the present."_

Grant told Karvelis that studies show hybrid schedules can boost worker satisfaction without sacrificing performance.

_What we know is that being fully remote is hard in a lot of ways but_[ _hybrid work_](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/microaggressionsatwork) _, where people come into the office 2-3 days a week and then work from anywhere the rest of the week, is every bit as effective from a performance standpoint._

_You dont lose anything from a collaboration perspective either. People are just as likely to get promoted, and are also significantly more satisfied and more likely to stay._

**On praise for younger workers:**

_Its an age and life stage challenge...praise is something 22-year-olds seek when theyre doing a job theyve never done before and theres nothing wrong with that._

Rather than a generational difference, Grant believes younger workers' desire for praise stems from their lack of experience.

_What we know from extensive research is that people when theyre novices at a task, when theyre new to a situation, they crave praise because theyre looking for encouragement to boost their confidence and tell them Yeah\! You can do this\!_

_As they gain expertise, as they gain experience, as they move towards mastery, they become less dependent on praise and more dependent on_[ _constructive criticism_](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/feedbackteamradicalcandor) _to try to figure out how they can get better._

**On the need to be learning**

With rapid change the new normal, Grant argues organisational leaders need to stay nimble and regularly revisit their practices and policies to anticipate the future rather than just react to it.

_What practices from the old workplace still make sense? Which need to adapt?_ Forward-looking leaders will be asking these questions on an ongoing basis.

_I work with so many leaders whove gotten attached to best practices and what theyre failing to realise is that many of their best practices were built for a world that does not exist anymore._

_You need to be willing to think again, about how you lead, how you work, how you build_[ _organisational culture_](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/winningorganisationalculture) _, how you collaborate, and what that means is that you have to run more experiments._

_Its the best way to become a learning organisation Okay, I have a hypothesis, let me test this out, let me pilot it, and it may not work but the hope is that weve discovered something through the process of trial and error._

**About Adam Grant**

Adam Grant is a renowned organisational psychologist, bestselling author, and global influencer. As Wharton's top-rated professor for seven consecutive years, his expertise in motivation, generosity, original thinking, and rethinking has made him a leading authority in his field.

His five _New York Times_ bestselling books _Think Again, Give and Take, Originals, Option B_ , and _Power Moves_ have resonated with millions of readers in 45 languages. His latest book is _Hidden Potential._

With hugely successful TED talks and his TED podcasts WorkLife and ReThinking, plus a substantial social media following and popular monthly newsletter, Adam Grant is one of the world's most inspiring thinkers and speakers.

Photo by [Surface](https://unsplash.com/@surface?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash) on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/person-in-blue-long-sleeve-shirt-using-black-surface-HJgaV1qjHS0?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash)

The Future of Work: Insights from Organisational Psychologist Adam Grant

Highlights from Adam Grants ABC Radio interview

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The Future of Work: Insights from Organisational Psychologist Adam Grant

Highlights from Adam Grants ABC Radio interview

Keep informedStay Inspired

Keep informed
Stay Inspired