The future of work: Flexibility, collaboration, and purpose

As workplaces continue to evolve in the post-pandemic era, a new emphasis on solution-oriented workstyles is taking centre stage, reshaping how organisations approach productivity, collaboration, and employee empowerment.

Paperspace Asia’s Workplace DNA whitepaper uncovered key insights into the changing nature of work in Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines. With a growing preference for full-time office work and solution-driven environments, today’s workforce is demanding more control and intentionality in their work arrangements.

In an interview with HRM Magazine Asia, Narita Cheah, Co-Founder and CEO of Paperspace Asia, offered her perspective on the findings and what they mean for HR leaders seeking to adapt to the changing needs of their workforce.

Four distinct workstyles for a diverse workforce

The Workplace DNA whitepaper identified four core workstyles that define the modern office experience: Solutioning, Collaboration, Networking, and Focus. According to Cheah, these categories reflect how employees prefer to operate in today’s dynamic work environment.

She explained, “The four different workstyles that we predetermined started with Focus. It’s always the one that is easily understood—when you’re doing individual tasks. Networking is about environments designed for people to interact with others they might not usually meet. Collaboration, which is broad, involves a group working together. Lastly, Solutioning is more deliberate—bringing people together to achieve a particular outcome.”

One of the more striking findings of the Workplace DNA whitepaper is the shift towards solution-oriented workstyles, which have increased from 19% in 2022 to 35% in 2024. While Collaboration remains important, Solutioning—a more intentional and goal-driven approach to teamwork—has become the dominant workstyle in Singapore, reflecting the changing nature of how employees engage with their work.

“Collaboration will always be here to stay,” said Cheah, “but the intentionality now for people to come together with a clear objective, the right people, and a clear problem to solve is becoming more important. It’s about creating a culture where healthy collaboration and inclusivity are part of the way of working.”

She highlighted the importance of clarity in organisational goals to support this shift, noting that many organisations struggle to communicate the “why” behind their policies. “I’m surprised why some organisations struggle by not being able to explain the purpose of why we need people back in the office. Clarity is important because if people don’t understand what’s expected of them, they won’t be fully engaged.”

With the rise of these workstyles, the definition of productivity is also evolving. Traditionally measured by metrics such as absenteeism, today’s productivity is about more than just showing up—it is about commitment, engagement, and results.

Cheah elaborated, “Productivity can be seen in many different facets. Once upon a time, it was about absenteeism. Now, organisations are looking at productivity of commitment—where people are willing to go the extra mile to achieve the end goal. It’s about the culture, the behaviours expected, and how compensation models reflect that.”

Flexibility as a key driver of talent retention

In the current talent landscape, flexibility has emerged as a critical factor in attracting and retaining talent. The Workplace DNA whitepaper reinforced this, with employees increasingly seeking control over their time in the office.

Cheah sees flexibility as a lasting feature of the workplace, but one that requires clear communication from leaders. “Flexibility is here to stay, but clarity of expectations from leaders is often lacking,” she said. “Flexibility shouldn’t just be used as an attraction tool; it should be contextualised. It’s not an entitlement; it’s a benefit that supports employees when needed.”

READ MORE: Why flexible work is the cornerstone of Mediacorp’s evolving workplace culture

She added that while flexibility is often seen as a benefit for caregivers, it should be available to everyone, as every employee has personal challenges to balance. “Organisations are moving towards creating fair expectations for everyone, and when flexibility is exercised well, it fosters respect and responsibility among employees,” she said.

And as the return-to-office movement continues, employees are prioritising environments that support solutioning and autonomy. According to the whitepaper, 37% of employees in Singapore now prefer full-time office work, an increase from just 7% in 2022. However, this return comes with an expectation of greater control over how and where they work.

Cheah emphasised the importance of designing workspaces that cater to these evolving needs, and concluded, “We are seeing a pivotal shift in how organisations design workspaces and rethink productivity—prioritising flexibility and employee empowerment. Organisations that create solution-driven workspaces are better positioned to attract and retain top talent while fostering a more engaged and innovative workforce.”