Work without Jobs

More about the book

In this Wall Street Journal bestseller, the authors challenge the traditional understanding of work as a "job" held by "jobholders," structured by titles and hierarchies. They introduce a new "work operating system" that deconstructs jobs into their essential components and reconstructs these elements into optimal combinations tailored to individual skills and abilities. As automation accelerates and demands for organizational agility and diversity rise, the conventional job-based system becomes increasingly inefficient. The authors provide a roadmap for a future of work that embraces this innovative approach. Real-world examples illustrate how leading organizations are successfully implementing work deconstruction and reinvention. For instance, DHL's use of social robotics at distribution centers raises questions about job definitions when technology takes over certain tasks. Genentech's deconstruction of jobs has led to enhanced flexibility, worker engagement, and retention. Other organizations have achieved agility through internal talent marketplaces, worker exchanges, freelancers, crowdsourcing, and strategic partnerships. This book serves as an essential guide for organizations looking to reboot their work operating systems to thrive in the evolving landscape of work.