The “new, new thing,” as Michael Lewis once put it, is generally the focus of the commercial world. The belief in a form of kaizen-in-all-things is what has motivated countless organisational, social, and technological advancements in the business world. It explains why workplace safety has improved, hybrid vehicles are more affordable, boardroom diversity is steadily increasing, and instant messaging via email and other technology is becoming accepted. Progress is good, and during the past 50–60 years, the business community has achieved significant strides.
But are there any aspects of business culture from the middle of the 20th century that would be worth preserving? I was surprised to see how many commentators waxed nostalgic for these (as many termed them) “old school” activities after reading answers to my recent postings on the advantages of reading and writing personal notes. Even if improvements have been made, several company culture practises from the middle of the 20th century seem to warrant a second look in the contemporary workplace. Beyond reading books and taking notes by hand, what other “old school” office practises would be worth bringing back? At least five ideas immediately into my head:
- Dress properly. One of our persistent cultural obsessions is with vintage clothing, from Jackie Kennedy’s Camelot outfit to the taste and tailoring of the Mad Men. But over time, business culture—particularly in the United States—has become more lax. It may be time to stop this downward trend and resurrect a culture of more sophisticated office attire in light of recent studies demonstrating that dressing well is related with professional success. This wouldn’t necessarily entail becoming more elitist, going broke, or even returning to the days of custom three-piece suits. However, it might include occasionally substituting Don Draper for Dwight Schrute and aspire to a passing interest in aesthetics.
- Remove any interruptions from meetings. Numerous gatherings, including in-person events, have turned into drawn-out occasions where the bulk of attendees are only listening in between smartphone texts and iPad email alerts. In a recent study, half of the participants acknowledged to looking at their phones during meetings, which is a finding that has been verified in other studies. However, meetings function more effectively when nobody is distracted. Smart, contemporary organisations, like Adaptive Path, have been forced to forbid devices in meetings in order to ensure that everyone participates fully. By doing this, presenters will feel more valued and meetings will be more focused and effective. Additionally, attendees may urge for meeting closure when they become bored rather than playing Angry Birds to kill time.
- Make lunch longer. Today’s lunch break is becoming ever more unhealthy. Many people have their lunches at their desks or quickly grab something to go. On certain days, that may be the ideal strategy for working professionals who want to excel at their jobs while still finding time for their families. But occasionally having longer, more leisurely lunch breaks may also be beneficial. According to experts, those who take lunch breaks are more productive and healthier. And scheduling an extended lunch with coworkers on a regular basis, even once or twice a week, has the potential to improve workplace relationships while also improving our health and productivity.
- Be on time. Running late has gotten far too simple. When we schedule time with other people, we frequently believe it is acceptable to postpone meetings as long as we text or contact the other participants in advance to let them know. And when we are unavoidably imprisoned, this ability to communicate is very useful. However, there are certain benefits to being on time the old-fashioned way. It was crucial to honour promises sixty years ago because there were frequently few opportunities to reschedule on-the-fly. Being punctual is crucial even in the age of always-on devices. It keeps us concentrated. It gives others the impression that we are trustworthy. It demonstrates consideration for others and helps lessen the expensive effects of time squandered. According to one study, staff tardiness costs the UK economy £9 billion annually. Maybe practising old-fashioned timeliness has psychological and financial benefits.
- Go on a genuine vacation. I recently travelled to Maryland’s Eastern Shore, but the hotel I stayed at had no cell phone service. I initially freaked out about being without a phone and 4G access, but as I took the time to kayak, jog along the water’s edge, and generally take in my surroundings, I started to feel happy for the chance to spend some time disconnected. A lot of people, including South Koreans and Americans, are famously lousy at taking vacations. Numerous authors, including Tony Schwartz, have written extensively on the advantages of taking vacations and detaching while doing so. But it’s worth saying again. In 1950, it was actually difficult to stay in touch if you went on a Caribbean beach vacation from the office because no mail, phones, or emails could get through to you. Nowadays, it’s simply too simple for conference calls and online correspondence to ruin holidays. For individuals who need to completely unwind, treating every holiday as a trip to the 1950s can be helpful.
While modern company should strive for advancement, there will always be elements of earlier times that are valuable to hold onto. And while the business community should continuously strive for progress, we also need to be careful to preserve the traditions from earlier times that made working in an office more efficient, interesting, and enjoyable.