The future of work isn’t perks — it’s purpose (feat. Jacob Morgan)

In this episode, futurist, bestselling author, and keynote speaker Jacob Morgan joins the show to challenge today’s assumptions about employee experience. Drawing from his new book, The 8 Laws of Employee Experience, Jacob argues that work has drifted into entitlement culture, where accountability is low, standards are blurred, and perks have replaced purpose .

He makes the case for a reset: employee experience is not about yoga rooms or snack bars, but about the mutual exchange of value between people and organizations. From the dangers of abandoning accountability to the need for cultural clarity and resilience, Jacob shares the principles leaders must return to if they want to build future-ready companies.

Key Takeaways:

1. Employee experience is about mutual value exchange, not perks .
2. Standards, accountability, and responsibility must return to the workplace.
3. Perks like wellness programs can’t replace strong leadership and growth opportunities.
4. Culture succeeds when it has clarity and consistency, not when it tries to please everyone.
5. The future of work demands resilience, maturity, and purpose at the center.

Additional Resources:

Jacob’s book The 8 Laws of Employee Experience: https://www.amazon.com/Employee-Experience-Advantage-Jacob-Morgan/dp/1394273991/

Jacob’s website: https://thefutureorganization.com/

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