“A thoughtful, practical read about the future of the flexible office.”—Adam Grant

“Office shock” is an abrupt, unsettling change in where, when, how, and even why we work. In this visionary book, three prominent futurists argue that the office is both a place and a process—offices and officing—with a new range of choices, including what they call the emerging officeverse.

To see the possibilities with fresh eyes, we must use future-back thinking to ask, What is the purpose of your officing? What are the outcomes—especially regarding climate—you want to achieve? With whom do you want to office? How will you augment your intelligence? Where and when will you office? How will you create an agile office?

Traditional offices were often unfair, uncomfortable, uncreative, and unproductive. This book explores how to seize this great opportunity to transform office work.

"Leading futurist Bob Johansen and workplace architect Joseph Press guide organizations and individuals on how to weather the inevitable future of "office shocks." Most people have experienced "office shock" during the past two years, with the pandemic disrupting where and how they work. It's clear that we can't go back to the office the way it was. This book reimagines the office and shows how we can plan for more sustainable ways of working. Instead of just focusing on the present moment, Office Shock includes a FutureBack perspective, which refers to thinking back from the future and allows us to anticipate directions of change. The book starts by exploring the history of the office and then looks to the future to navigate office shock. It identifies key spectrums of choices, including purpose and desired outcomes, for better office futures and offers FutureBack recommendations for individuals, organizations, and policy makers. The book ends with a series of possible action steps we can all take together. We're in a decisive decade, and this book offers a way forward that is based on adaptability and agility"--